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

Alright, Brian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

In 2020, when the pandemic had the world in a chokehold and we were all trapped in our homes, I was determined to be proactive. During the summer of 2020, I started adapting many of my best-selling novels into screenplays. By December of 2020, I was about to adapt a sixth novel from my catalogue and then I had a “lightbulb” moment. I realized there are a lot of authors who want their novels adapted to screenplays, but they lack the skills and software. I have the “know how”, the software, and the time.

I have an MBA, and although I’ve forgotten most of what I learned in grad school, I do remember one of my professors stressing that the foundation of every successful business is supplying a need, in a timely manner, at an affordable price. So, in December of 2020, I opened my company, The Script Repository, LLC. (www.scriptrepository.com). The company specializes in adapting novels to screenplays (spec scripts) for television, film, stage, and podcast. We also write original screenplays. In three years, TSR has adapted 40 novels (in more than a dozen genres) to screenplays and/or teleplays.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2009, when the country was going through the worst recession since the 1930s, I was laid-off from a six figure job without warning. I went into work on a Wednesday thinking it would be a normal day. I was scheduled to go into a “budget” meeting at 3pm. When I walked into the conference room, the only people in there was the VP of HR and another Executive. I was given a severance package and sent on my way.

Shocked doesn’t begin to explain how I felt as I exited the building that day. My performance had been exceptional; so much so, that I had just received my largest annual performance bonus (a five-figure check) a few weeks earlier.

Once the shock wore off, anger set in. I thought it was insensitive, and downright tacky, to tell me that the company was through with layoffs and then one month later, lay me off without warning. Six-figure jobs are hard to find, especially during a recession. My finances were turned upside down. Bankruptcy and depression were nipping at my heels.

It was at that moment, I decided to never place my future in someone else’s hands. I decided I’d be an entrepreneur and pour my knowledge and effort into creating my own business empire. Has it been a struggle at times? Yes. But, it’s been worth it because I get to chart my own course, make my own hours, and last but certainly not least…no one else can fire or lay me off.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

When you are an entrepreneur (in any industry) there is no such things as ‘relaxing”. You go to bed thinking about ways to grow your company and you wake up thinking about ways to grow your company.

Pareto’s Principle states – 80% of all effects come from 20% of the causes. In layman’s terms…20% of your customers will generate 80% of your business. I decided early on in my business that I’d spend less time chasing customers and more time spoiling that 20% that generate 80% of my sales. As time goes on, that 20% has started to speak favorably of my company; they became my unofficial sales team. They tell other authors about my company’s services, and as a result, my business has grown.

Spend time thinking of ways to spoil your 20% and your 20% will reward you by kick starting the word-of-mouth needed to help your company grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.scriptrepository.com
• Instagram: @authorbwsmith
• Facebook: @AuthorBrianWSmith
• Other: www.authorbrianwsmith.com