We were lucky to catch up with Mel Andre recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mel , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

The first time I tried to shoot a documentary, I was in high school. I had an ambitious plan of recording my peers and speaking to them about sensitive topics. I was going to come a few years later to see how life had shaped or changed their opinion on the topics.

Unfortunately, the footage was stored in my parent’s basement and while I was away in college their basement flooded and all of the footage was destroyed. I didn’t pick up another camera for years after that.

I went on to found other businesses, and I didn’t even think about the idea of trying to film another documentary until a few months before the pandemic started.

I was given an opportunity to be part of a talk show and I jumped at the idea. While I was excited to be part of the project, I didn’t like how things were being run so I decided to do it on my own. I started my own production company.

If could go back in time would have continued to try and shoot documentaries and shows even though the footage was destroyed. I lost valuable years where I could have been giving people the opportunity to share their stories.

Although I went on to do great things and start other businesses. Directing and making documentaries is one of my passions. I love giving people the opportunity to share their unique life experience and their own story. I wish I had followed my passion from a young age, it would have given people a platform to share their journey almost 13 years earlier.

For me personally starting sooner would have allowed me to explore my passion more. It would have allowed me to explore different types of stories as well. While age gives us experiences, telling a story out of a youthful lens gives the audience a different outlook. The way we examine things changes with age, and while the ultimate outcome may be the same, the way we see can be vastly different. This lets us tell the story in a uniquely different way.

Mel , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Mel Andre. I am a Filmmaker, Director, Executive Producer, and Best Selling author. I use my platform to tell true stories and explore social issues.

I also help people with their own documentaries, shows, and podcast by directing, and pre and post-production (such as video editing).

I am most proud of the documentaries I have created. My most recent documentaries have been Lesbians: We Do Exist, Hands Up Knees Down, and Aztecs in Escondido.

I want to bring peoples stores to the world. So many people are doing incredible things and many people do not know about the work they are doing. I want to help people be able to tell their stories to the world.

I also want to give a voice to the people who may not have the ability to show their stories to the world. I want to give a voice to the people who may feel as though they are voiceless

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I had tried a lot of different ways to keep brand loyalty. We want people to stay connected with ENSL TV and watch the new shows and documentaries we are making. We tried different ways, including email marketing, running ads, and even billboards. The Most effective has actually been through personal social media pages. People seem to love to follow my life, what I am doing and what I am working on.

They like to watch my Instagram stories and see where we are filming and where. The interesting thing s 75% of my content is not about the brand or the business. Our audience wants to connect on a more personal level. They want to know me as a person first and a director second.

This really does keep people loyal to me and the brand. They watch me in the gym and at brunch and when a project drops they are eager to see what I was working on in between living my life.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I have a few favorite books that helped me on my entrepreneurial journey. Two of my favorite has been Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight and Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun, and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes. Both books peak into the life of two extremely successful entrepreneurs. ‘
A lot of times we look at these brands and wonder how they became the powerhouses that they are

Nike is one of the biggest and most well-known companies in the world. Phil Knight the founder went through ups and downs to get it there. His story shows how following your dream and sticking it through can be so rewarding.

Shonda Rhimes broke the glass ceiling for many women in TV and Hollywood. Her shows have been incredible and her books show part of her journey and her success. It also shows that even when you are one of the most successful people in your field that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can help you grow even more.

Contact Info:

• Website: ENSLTV.COM
• Instagram: melandre911
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ENSLTV
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mel-andre/
• Other: Melmandre.com