We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tori Musciano a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tori, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I was not at all prepared for running a business when I first started. In fact, while I was first starting, I was still applying to full-time jobs hoping something would work out. I knew I had a skill but I was not at all a business person, and to start the business with my skill I knew I needed both. Right?! One would think. After two years on and off of applying to full-time jobs while still presenting myself as a freelancer, I knew all the “no’s” or hearing straight up nothing at all meant this was my sign to give it my all. To ME. Time to put that extra “wasted” energy to build something of my own — I just had to get over the impatient part of me. Rome wasn’t built in a day they say… and so neither could a successful business… so I knew that was part of my problem. But I also was not financially ready to do this. To go buy a bunch of gear and just hope people will call me? That’s pretty risky. There’s tons of people to call in the Charlotte area, so why me? Well, I knew I had friends in this business who might be able to help me. Whether it be advice, renting their gear to start out so it would be a win-win, or just listening to their stories throughout their careers. I was right about that part, and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for my colleagues in this industry who helped me along the way. When I broke down my problems and got uncomfortable facing them, I was growing. It takes being uncomfortable to grow. I slowly realized that so many people start out with not knowing about so much about owning/running a business and that they learn along the way. They fall, and get back up. They fall a lot of times and figure out what works and what does not. And figuring out what doesn’t work, is absolutely considered progress. I am still learning and growing and that never stops no matter how old or how far you get. I’m just glad I took the risk and made it this far because now I won’t stop and I am happy to try and help others do the same. Sometimes it just takes a small risk for a big reward.

Tori, 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?

I lucked out in high school when I knew I wanted to study video production further in college. I knew being creative would just be more fun. I was a die hard video editor at heart, and then took a job with a company right out of college that was solely camera department. It definitely paid off, and I wouldn’t be here without their apprenticeship and guidance – shoutout to Go To Team. I’m now doing both cinematography and video editing, trying to lean more into video editing since I left that part for awhile when I was with Go To Team. I am mostly sports and live events with some corporate shoots as well. I started in the business with weddings, but now I only do them for friends. I like doing these multiple genres, because it keeps me on my toes and makes things less static. It’s the same “rinse and repeat” without the same shoot every single time. I am tech savvy, and naturally in this industry I am a problem solver on set when something goes wrong; so I have to think quick to the next backup plan if a microphone drops out, etc. and although there’s a plethora of video people to choose from in my area, I believe what sets me apart from others is my attention to detail and dedication for the client to have a great experience with me on set.

The main thing I want people to know is that if you think you can or you can’t, you’re right It will take time to get where you want to be… there are no shortcuts, but hard work outbeats talent every time.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love seeing the final pieces come together after a shoot, but I would say the most rewarding aspect is seeing or hearing that the client had an emotional reaction to the final piece. It’s always the cherry on top after putting in a lot of work! A lot of times, people mistake that I simply push buttons on the camera or keyboard but there’s so much more to that in video production so when it all comes down to the end of the project, I anticipate the reaction from the client.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I had to think around this one actually when starting out. I had a credit card with 0% interest for 21 months, which was very handy. But ultimately what worked best was that I created relationships with other creatives in the industry and when I needed the gear I didn’t have, I would rent their gear and that would help them AND myself, but also helped to keep me in mind when they needed an extra set of hands on set. So it was no doubt a win-win! It still works out doing this but really I’m just happy to help my local friends in the business, especially during slow seasons.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.truemotion.media/work
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmusctm
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torimusciano
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@truemotion-media