Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christy Love-Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Christy , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.
### Scaling Up Story Summary
From a young age, I dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and author. My journey began at age ten when I wrote my first book, “Liars Buyers,” which won the 1st place Young Writers Award in Florida. After high school, I pursued my passion for video production at Specs Howard School of Media Arts. An internship at WB as a camera operator for a segment show on local restaurants led to a job offer, but I turned it down to support my family through car sales.
Even then, filmmaking remained a dream. In 2011, I started conceptualizing a book on zodiac signs, reflecting my fascination with horoscopes. A year later, I transitioned from auto sales to insurance sales, eventually founding Love Watson Benefits Group, specializing in life and health insurance. This venture granted me the flexibility to rekindle my creative pursuits. I enrolled at Full Sail University to earn a Bachelor’s of Science in Digital Cinematography, which opened doors to understanding the art of filmmaking and running a production business.
I created several short films and commercials for small businesses, gaining confidence to undertake my first feature-length film, “Everlasting Spirits.” The project was a massive undertaking—I wrote the script, assembled a crew and cast, directed, produced, scouted locations, and edited the film. Despite numerous challenges, including losing investors, cast members, and locations, and depleting the budget, I persevered. Distribution hurdles eventually led to a deal with Film Hub, and “Everlasting Spirits” will soon be available on Amazon Prime and Stash TV.
Completing this film reignited my passion for writing. I finished “Rise of The Zodiac Gods,” a project I began in 2011, and independently published it along with two children’s books through my production company. Established in 2022, my company is now a full-service media and film production entity, offering video production, entertainment, health insurance services, and independent publishing marketing for aspiring writers.
This journey from a childhood dream to a multifaceted production company involved years of hard work, numerous pivots, and unwavering dedication. Through each twist and turn, I learned valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of following one’s passion.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
In 2022, I established Clovelee Productions, a full-service media and film production company. We specialize in urban fantasy films and books intertwined with real-life situations, reflecting my limitless imagination. Our services include video production, entertainment, health insurance, and independent publishing marketing for aspiring writers.
Products and Services
– **Films and Books**: Urban fantasy films and books that provide an escape and inspire dreams.
– **Video Production**: Creating high-quality short films, commercials, and feature-length films.
– **Health Insurance**: Specializing in life and health insurance through Love Watson Benefits Group.
– **Publishing**: Independent marketing services for aspiring writers.
-Marketing- Digital Marketing as an Ad agency with brands such as Hulu, Disney, and Roku
What sets Clovelee Productions apart is our foundation of love and passion. Every project is inspired by real-life experiences and limitless creativity. Our work aims to inspire and cultivate dreams into reality, offering an escape through challenging times and providing enjoyment in fantastical storytelling.
Most people who know me understand that once I set my mind to something, I pursue it relentlessly, regardless of obstacles. My background in sales has taught me resilience and the ability to face challenges head-on, always believing that a “yes” is just around the corner. I approach life like the sales industry—it’s a numbers game, and persistence pays off.
I’m proud to be an inspiration to those who have seen me rise from humble beginnings to achieving my dreams. The greatest reward is seeing my four beautiful children proud of their mother, knowing they too can achieve their dreams.
Clovelee Productions is built on the foundation of transforming dreams into reality. We aim to inspire, entertain, and provide a creative escape. My journey reflects resilience, ambition, and a passion for storytelling. Whether through our films, books, or services, we strive to motivate and inspire our audience, showing that with dedication and love, anything is possible.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of building strong relationships, leveraging word-of-mouth referrals, and maintaining a consistent online presence. Networking is key. I’ve joined several groups that cater to my industry. Rather it’s a film production group, or an Insurance Group. Actively participating in industry events, local business meetups, and online communities has helped expand my network and reach potential clients. Networking provides opportunities to showcase my work and learn from others in the industry. Personal Connections, establishing genuine connections with clients and other creatives, understanding their needs, and delivering exceptional service have been crucial. Building trust and rapport has led to repeat business and referrals.
Implementing a referral program where existing clients are incentivized to refer new clients has been effective. Offering discounts or additional services as a reward for referrals has helped grow my client base as far as my insurance business.
Social Media Marketing, utilizing platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to showcase my work, share behind-the-scenes content, and engage with followers. Regular posting and interaction have helped build a loyal online community.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
Yes, my business has multiple supplementary revenue streams that contribute to our overall income. Here’s how we diversify our revenue sources:
**Royalties from Books**
– **Kindle Unlimited**: I receive royalties from the books I’ve published that are available on Kindle Unlimited. This provides a steady stream of income as readers access my works through Amazon’s platform.
2. **Brand Ambassadorships and Commissions**
– **Amazon**: As an ambassador for Amazon, we earn commissions by marketing their products and services. This includes promoting items that align with our brand and audience.
– **Square**: We partner with Square, promoting their payment processing solutions to businesses that could benefit from their services. This ambassadorship helps us earn commissions while providing valuable tools to our clients.
– **Travel Vendors (Expedia, etc.)**: By partnering with travel vendors like Expedia, we earn commissions by promoting their travel services. This is particularly effective for clients looking for reliable travel options and enhances our service offerings.
These diverse revenue streams allow us to maintain financial stability and invest in furthering our creative projects and business growth. They also align with our mission to inspire and cultivate dreams into reality by providing a variety of services and products that enhance the lives of our clients and audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cloveleeproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloveleeproductions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090626443832
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxVEwzV1WjsEXsA2lDeEz8Q
Image Credits
Image 8 photo credits goes to @photojamatl