We were lucky to catch up with Alex Luster recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alex, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest parts of scaling a business is maintaining quality as you grow. How have you managed to maintain quality? Any stories or advice?
Our company has three owners – Tom, Jena, and myself. All three of us have over a decade of experience in journalism and media. Additionally, we have worked in some of the top companies in the US in marketing and communications. With our combined expertise in media and corporate communications, we have developed a strong understanding of how to maintain quality control in our video productions.
When we started our company, it was just the three of us. We were very hands-on with each other’s work and looked out for any errors, safety issues, and other concerns. Even now, almost 10 years later and with a team of 14+ employees, we still maintain that same level of attention to detail. We watch everything that leaves our building to ensure that our customers always receive the consistently high-quality work they have come to expect from us.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Tom, Jena, and I met while working on our first feature-length documentaries about art in Houston. Each of us has well over a decade of experience in journalism and media in Houston. Additionally, we have worked in marketing and communications departments for some of the leading US companies. We started spending time together and exploring Houston on long bike rides while discussing our shared passion for quality video production. Eventually, we decided to start a production company called The Storyhive to create thought-provoking, story-driven videos of the highest quality.
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
As we searched for a permanent location for our production company in Houston’s East End, we finally found a spacious property that could serve as an office and studio space for The Storyhive. The property is over 15,000 square feet, located less than a mile from our homes. Due to the space’s massive size, we rent our studio out for feature-length film productions, music video shoots, events, and shows. We have two studios: a 10,000-square-foot studio and a smaller 1,000-square-foot studio. Both studios come equipped with built-in white cyc walls. Additionally, our large parking lot can generate income as well. Although we didn’t intend to become landlords, the experience has been rewarding and educational, sparking our interest in looking for more property in the area.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Tom and I had purchased cameras, lighting, and audio equipment for our projects long before founding our company. That gear helped us get started without spending a lot on production gear. I purchased three refurbished MacBooks for myself, Tom, and Jena. We shared the rent for our first little space in the neighborhood, which cost $700 monthly. We gave ourselves six months to launch the business, start paying ourselves, and transition from our corporate jobs without missing a beat. We are proud to have built our business without relying on investors, debt, or outside funds and continue to make independent decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thestoryhive.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestoryhive
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestoryhive
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestoryhive/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thestoryhive8689
Image Credits
Alex Luster