We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrei Tone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrei below.
Andrei, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.
Title: A Wedding Photographer’s Tale: Turning Failure into Triumph
In the world of wedding videography, one thing is absolutely crucial – punctuality. Every moment, every smile, and every tear must be captured flawlessly, and any delay can be unforgivable. But what happens when a seasoned professional makes a shocking error that threatens to overshadow a couple’s most special day?
In a recent incident, I found myself confronting an unforeseen failure of colossal proportions. The story begins with an assumed wedding date, a Friday, which was mistakenly believed to be scheduled for a more conventional Saturday. As the day of the wedding dawned, I was blissfully unaware, miles away from the venue, engrossed in my routine gym session.
Then came the phone call that would change everything. The mother of the bride, anticipating the ‘first look’ of her daughter’s wedding, reached out to inquire about my arrival time. A wave of panic washed over, as I realized that I had miscalculated the date. I initially declined the call, opting for a text response, but eventually mustered the courage to face the situation head-on.
In that terrifying moment, a flood of thoughts rushed through my mind. Should I concoct an elaborate lie to cover my absence, or should I feign a sudden family emergency or medical crisis? But instead, I chose the path less traveled – honesty. I confessed to my grave error, explaining that I had believed the wedding to be on the following day (Saturday).
Remarkably, I also reassured the mother of the bride that I was committed to rectifying the situation. Without hesitation, I sprang into action, frantically searching for videographers who could fill the void I had left. Despite being three hours away from the venue, I miraculously secured the services of two videographers, one arriving within 30 minutes, and the other within an hour.
The story doesn’t end there. Determined to make amends, I pushed my limits, embarking on the long journey back to the wedding. Nearly four hours later, I arrived, full of remorse, ready to face the music. I wasted no time in offering heartfelt apologies to the bride, the groom, and the mother of the bride.
What comes next is nothing short of extraordinary. Rather than give up and offer a full refund, I pressed on with unwavering determination. Captured over three hours of footage, fulfilling my commitment as per the contract. Moreover, I completed the final edits in record time, delivering an exceptional product within one week.
But my efforts did not stop there. I chose to make amends in a significant way, providing a partial refund and gifting the couple with the raw footage as a goodwill gesture.
In the aftermath, the bride, groom, and the mother of the bride shared their heartfelt appreciation for the my perseverance and commitment to their special day. What could have been a tale of utter disappointment became a narrative of triumph and redemption, proving that even in the face of adversity, honesty and determination can turn failure into a heartwarming success.
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.
My journey into the world of videography and the founding of Tone Films has been a unique and evolving experience. It’s a story of determination, adaptability, and a commitment to pursuing one’s passion and dreams.
I began my academic journey at Oral Roberts University, where I pursued a degree in leadership and ministry, focusing on evangelism. During my college years, I had the opportunity to wear multiple hats, from being a part-time SEO specialist to serving as a worship associate director at Christ Church in Tulsa. I also took on the role of a Resident Advisor at Oral Roberts University, guiding and mentoring students, and showcased my musical talents as a concert master.
Upon completing my bachelor’s degree, I felt the pull of a different direction and decided to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in finance at Liberty University. During this phase, I continued my journey as a Resident Advisor and had the privilege of supervising over a hundred students alongside two other Resident Advisors. My academic journey wasn’t just about textbooks; it was a hands-on experience, working under the Sr. Vice-President of Communications, Scott Lamb. Under his mentorship, I acquired unique skills in accounting and marketing, which laid the foundation for my future endeavors.
My MBA in finance was completed in the spring of 2020, a challenging period with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The job market was bleak, and I sent out over 3500 job applications without success. This was a turning point in my life. I visited my brother in New Orleans during the summer of 2020, and he encouraged and supported me in launching my own business. I registered Tone Films as an LLC, established a website, and created a Google page for prospective clients to find me. After that pivotal summer, I decided to return to Tulsa, where I had a strong support network of friends.
September 1, 2020, marked my return to Tulsa. Even though I had my business in place, acquiring clients was a daunting task, mainly because of limited visibility. I persisted in job applications and eventually secured a job paying $15 per hour in accounting. While working at this job for eight months, I achieved two challenging Salesforce certifications (Salesforce Certified Administrator and Salesforce Certified Developer). I also worked tirelessly on my business outside of regular work hours.
When I approached my employer for a raise, I received an offer to increase my hourly wage to $16. This moment served as a catalyst for me to make a life-changing decision. I left that job in pursuit of a more financially rewarding opportunity. I found a position at Ellison Tax & Associates, where I doubled my previous salary, earning $28 per hour. This experience was invaluable, but my entrepreneurial spirit was calling.
After eight months at Ellison Tax & Associates, I took a leap of faith and decided to dedicate myself full-time to Tone Films LLC. This transition highlighted the importance of discipline in achieving personal and business goals. I adopted a disciplined routine, starting each day at 5:55 AM, which I maintain to this day. My daily practices include devotion, exercise, meditation, and gratitude, all designed to cultivate a strong work ethic and mental focus.
At the onset of Tone Films, I primarily focused on wedding videography. However, a few months into this journey, I recognized the immense potential of expanding into corporate videography. To build my portfolio in this new arena, I collaborated with local small business owners in Tulsa, creating short promotional videos for establishments like The Collaborative Coffee, Shades of Brown, Coffee House on Cherry Street, Kilkenny’s, NOLA’s, and more. These partnerships were instrumental in establishing my reputation.
Tone Films has since worked with renowned brands like Paramount, Yellowstone, The Vampire’s Diary, and other companies, producing promotional content and assisting in various projects, including conferences and reality show episodes. Today, Tone Films offers two primary services: wedding and commercial videography. We operate full-time in four cities: Dallas (HQ), Nashville, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City. Our vision is to expand to six additional cities by the end of 2024, including Washington D.C., New York City, Plano (TX), Fort Worth (TX), Miami (FL), and Los Angeles (CA).
What sets Tone Films apart is our dedication to quality, our willingness to adapt and learn, and our passion for storytelling. We aim to capture the essence and emotion of every moment, whether it’s a couple’s most cherished day or a brand’s unique story. Our journey has been one of growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional videography services. We’re proud of our accomplishments and look forward to connecting with clients, followers, and fans who appreciate our dedication to our craft.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I attribute the establishment of our strong reputation in the videography market to our unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. At Tone Films, we genuinely care about our clients, and this goes beyond mere words. We often stress to our customers that our primary focus is not solely on financial gain but rather on assisting them in achieving their goals and translating their vision into a compelling video narrative.
During every client interaction, I prioritize dedicating my full attention to the conversation and ensuring that I take thorough notes. This process is essential in comprehending the mission and purpose of each project. I make it a point to ask in-depth questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of our clients’ needs and where they are coming from. In some instances, these discussions extend well beyond the typical timeframe, with conversations lasting several minutes and sometimes even exceeding an hour.
The quality of the videos we produce, encompassing meticulously curated sound effects, precise color correction, and swift turnaround times, has led to the accumulation of over 150 five-star reviews from satisfied clients in the Dallas area. Additionally, we have garnered more than 30 five-star reviews in our expansion cities, namely Nashville, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City. Over the course of nearly four years in operation, Tone Films has maintained a pristine track record of exclusively receiving five-star reviews.
Our ongoing mission is to consistently deliver top-quality services, earning and preserving our reputation as a provider of excellence, with the ultimate aim of continually amassing five-star reviews from our clients.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
My journey into videography and entrepreneurship was greatly influenced by a mix of self-help books, vlogging, and invaluable insights from entrepreneurial literature. This blend of resources helped shape my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy.
My initial foray into videography took root during my time at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, spanning from 2018 to 2020. It was during this period that I started my videography journey with just an iPhone and a strong affinity for self-help books. I have always been drawn to self-help literature, and I decided to combine my love for these books with my budding passion for videography. I began creating vlog-style chapter summaries of various self-help books, sharing insights from titles like “How to Win Friends & Influence People” and “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
This dual pursuit not only honed my skills in front of the camera but also familiarized me with the operation of the iPhone camera, video editing software, and the nuances of using external microphones. This initial step laid the foundation for my videography journey and helped me build confidence as a content creator.
In the realm of entrepreneurship, several books left a lasting impact on my mindset and philosophy. Titles such as “The Science of Getting Rich,” “Think and Grow Rich,” and “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” played a pivotal role in shaping my understanding of financial success and business acumen. These books provided me with valuable insights into wealth creation, financial management, and the principles of entrepreneurship.
Throughout this journey, I’ve consistently embraced a sense of gratitude and humility. I recognize that my progress is not solely the result of my efforts but is also underpinned by a deep appreciation for the opportunities I’ve been given and the strength I’ve received to persist and evolve. My faith and the recognition of a higher power have been essential in motivating me to keep moving forward, learn from my experiences, and never give up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tonefilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tone.films/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrei.tone.50/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreitone/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/films_tone
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClgOjk0dU8irvekBesFa38w
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/Y7vF7CqLX8iszwpsozA4PA