We were lucky to catch up with Andrei Tone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Andrei thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

One of the biggest risks I ever took was launching Tone Films in Tulsa—a bold leap into the saturated and competitive world of video production. At the time, I had a successful career in corporate consulting and accounting. On paper, it made no sense to walk away from stability and dive into the creative space. But I’ve always believed that the greatest rewards live just beyond the edge of calculated risk.

I noticed a gap in the market. While there were several Tulsa video production companies, many lacked storytelling depth, strategic branding insight, or the agility to deliver high-end work that felt both cinematic and authentic. I wanted Tone Films Tulsa to be different—rooted in purpose-driven creativity with the technical excellence of a full-service Tulsa production company.

With no guarantees, I invested in gear, built a team of talented Tulsa videographers, and went all-in on building relationships in the community. Our first few clients were small businesses and startups—places like The Collaborative Coffee, Coffee House on Cherry Street, and Shades of Brown Coffee. These projects weren’t massive in budget, but they were rich in culture and vision, which aligned perfectly with what Tone Films stands for.

Then came opportunities to shoot for Obtain Strength gym, NOLAs restaurant, and Kilkenny’s Irish Pub. Word of mouth began to spread, and suddenly Tone Films was being recognized not just as another Tulsa videographer, but as a strategic partner—one of the go-to Tulsa production companies helping businesses tell their stories in ways that actually move people and convert customers.

The risk paid off. Today, Tone Films is a trusted name in the Tulsa video production industry and continues to grow across cities like Dallas, Nashville, and Los Angeles. But it all started with a step of faith—and a passion to build something meaningful right here in Tulsa.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Andrei Tone, a creative entrepreneur, filmmaker, and leadership scholar based in Tulsa. I’m the founder of Tone Films, a Tulsa video production company focused on telling meaningful, story-driven content for businesses, creatives, and community leaders. What started as a side project quickly evolved into a full-scale Tulsa production company serving clients across the region and beyond.

My journey into filmmaking was unconventional. I started out in the world of finance and business strategy—founding Atomic Accounting to help startups and entrepreneurs get clarity and control over their numbers. But over time, I realized numbers weren’t the only language I wanted to speak. I was drawn to the power of storytelling—to help people emotionally connect with brands, values, and vision through powerful video.

So I combined my business background with a passion for creative storytelling and launched Tone Films right here in Tulsa. We specialize in cinematic commercials, branded content, social media campaigns, and promotional videos. Our clients range from local coffee shops to national organizations—but we treat every project with the same care, intentionality, and craftsmanship.

Some of our featured work includes videos for The Collaborative Coffee, Coffee House on Cherry Street, Shades of Brown Coffee, Obtain Strength gym, NOLAs restaurant, and Kilkenny’s Irish Pub. These aren’t just names—they’re stories, each with its own soul, community, and mission. Capturing that essence is what sets us apart from other Tulsa video production companies.

We bring together a team of skilled Tulsa videographers who are passionate about both the art and the message. Whether we’re working on location with a restaurant in Brookside, or filming a fitness promo for a downtown gym, we deliver videos that don’t just look great—but feel real.

What makes Tone Films different from other Tulsa production companies is that we operate with a hybrid lens: part storyteller, part strategist. We understand that a great video isn’t just about fancy shots—it’s about clarity of message, emotional resonance, and results.

I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built with our clients. Many come back not just for another video, but for guidance, creative direction, and long-term collaboration. And that’s the heart of our brand—we’re not just filmmakers; we’re partners in your vision.

Whether you’re a coffee shop, a gym, a nonprofit, or a national brand, we want to help you craft content that elevates your message and deepens your impact. We believe Tulsa has world-class stories, and at Tone Films Tulsa, we’re honored to help tell them.

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

One of my favorite marketing stories is actually one of the boldest risks I’ve taken—pitching a video project to a popular Tulsa restaurant that had never hired a videographer before, let alone invested in high-end content. I knew going in that the odds weren’t in my favor—they had no budget for video, no prior experience working with production teams, and frankly, weren’t convinced it would make a difference for their business.

But I also knew the power of story. And I knew their story deserved to be told.

So instead of walking in with a sales pitch, I walked in with a vision. I showed them a short, customized concept video we created in advance—unpaid, unsponsored, completely out of pocket. The video featured the essence of their restaurant: the laughter in the kitchen, the sizzling dishes, the cozy atmosphere that locals love. I wanted them to see what their brand looked like through our lens.

That restaurant was Kilkenny’s Irish Pub, now one of the most recognized names we’ve worked with at Tone Films Tulsa. That first free concept video led to a full collaboration and opened the door to other key restaurant clients like NOLAs and several others who had never worked with a Tulsa video production company before.

From a marketing standpoint, it was a risk—free work doesn’t always pay off. But what I’ve learned is that great marketing isn’t always about closing the sale. Sometimes, it’s about casting the vision so clearly that the client can’t unsee it. That’s what we do at Tone Films. We show people what’s possible.

Since then, that same approach—lead with vision, deliver with excellence—has become part of our DNA. It’s helped us stand out among Tulsa videographers and Tulsa production companies, and it’s why many of our clients return again and again.

Marketing is storytelling. And when you tell the right story at the right moment, even the most hesitant clients will lean in.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes—Tone Films began as a side hustle and eventually grew into my full-time business and calling. It all started while I was running Atomic Accounting, working with entrepreneurs and businesses to help them build financial systems and scale profitably. I loved the strategy side of business, but I kept seeing something missing in the brands I was helping: they had incredible products or missions, but no clear way to communicate their story.

I picked up a camera with no formal training—just a desire to help my clients connect with people on an emotional level. I offered to shoot a few videos for free, just to help them stand out. Those first few projects were simple but impactful. People started noticing. Word of mouth spread quickly, especially in Tulsa.

The first major milestone was when The Collaborative Coffee gave me a shot to film their story. That project led to work with other beloved Tulsa businesses like Coffee House on Cherry Street, Shades of Brown Coffee, Obtain Strength gym, NOLAs, and Kilkenny’s Irish Pub. Suddenly, I was getting referrals not just from clients, but from other Tulsa video production companies that were booked or needed someone with a different visual style.

That’s when I realized: this wasn’t just a side hustle anymore—this was a movement.

I invested in gear, built a team of creative Tulsa videographers, and officially launched Tone Films Tulsa as a full-service Tulsa production company. From branded content and commercials to social media promos and cinematic storytelling, we focused on creating work that felt real, intentional, and high-quality.

A key turning point was when we expanded outside of Tulsa, producing videos in cities like Dallas, Nashville, and Los Angeles. But we always kept our Tulsa roots. Today, Tone Films is known as one of the most trusted Tulsa video production companies, not just for how we film—but for how we think, how we listen, and how we elevate the voice of our clients.

What began as a creative outlet is now a thriving business that combines my passion for storytelling, strategy, and leadership. And looking back, the best part isn’t just that it scaled—it’s that it stayed aligned with who I am and the values I care most about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tonefilms.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tone.films/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonefilms.us
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/79328713/admin/dashboard/
• Twitter: https://x.com/films_tone
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tonefilmsproduction5712
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tone-films-dallas
• Other: Obtain Strength Tulsa
  

  The Collaborative Coffee
  

  Coffee House on Cherry Street
  

  Shades of Brown
  

  Kilkenny’s Irish Pub
  

  Nola’s Creole & Cocktails
  

  Above links are for videos Tone Films provided in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and also mentioned in some answers.

Image Credits

Tone Films | Tulsa video production company