We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bryce Barker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bryce below.

Hi Bryce, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

The first thing to becoming successful is to define what it means to be successful. It is happiness to me. What makes you happy? That is the most critical question to ask yourself regarding the typical question. Let me break it down as I have learned it:

1. Do what you enjoy with love and compassion. These are the first ingredients of anything worth calling successful.

2. Don’t chase the money for the reward but chase the feeling of peace with how your “Success” is coming along.
Nobody has ever climbed a smooth mountain, and to think you can get to the top without some rocky roads and hardships is wishful thinking, but nothing worth keeping has come from a wish.
It has come from work.

3. The most essential advice I can give you is to have God in your results. Nothing is worth keeping if it is not God’s will, and you will see that it is not in his plan once you have a relationship with him.

I can say these words with intent and honesty because I have lived in many forms of success, and the only one that has had actual value is happiness. I have had many jobs in my life, and I have had many opportunities to make more money, and yet the only thing that has made me feel successful is knowing that when I wake up, I am happy with my life and the decisions I have made to get where I am now. Chasing a bag will put you in a box, so follow the feeling of happiness because it can’t be buried once it is obtained. What you receive is simple. It is called success.

Bryce, 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 come from a town called Richmond, located in Virginia. I currently live in Nashville, TN, and work as a Gaffer, DP, and Director in the film industry. I have always had a camera from the Fisher Price Kids camera to whatever I might get my hands on now. It’s been a journey from marketing to where I am now. There have been tremendous ups and even more tremendous lows in my story. The one thing to kick off this story is how my faith has been in the driver’s seat. We fight for purpose in life. We do whatever we can to achieve some recognition, and we hope it leads to the next job or opportunity. I always used to think I was not good enough to be where I am now. The best advice I have ever gotten is to give my life to Jesus, and the rest will follow.

What sets me apart from others is my happiness on set. A catchphrase I always say is, “Love You, Mean It!” There is always a place to have fun. I have experienced both sides of a stressful environment to a mellow and calm environment. Perspective is something that will also help in your work as well as in your life outside of work.

I want my clients to feel like family when they work with me. I like the team I am managing or on to all feel like they have a voice. I come from 9 years of corporate marketing and a corporate environment, and I know that some days, people may feel like a number rather than a person; I will always do my best to make sure they are heard and have a say around me. Of course, there is still the leadership of having to make a decision. A great leader comes from asking for help rather than depending on your strengths. There will always be someone more talented than you, more knowledgeable, but never let someone outwork you.

What I am most proud of is seeing people achieve their goals. I want the whole family to eat, and believe me. There is enough to go around for the family. Ensure you care for those who have been there for you when you start. Do your best not to let money run your life. This industry can be cutthroat and is not always lovely, but that does not mean you have to be bitter. Smile, take a breath, and when you are wrong, admit it. When you are unsure of what to do, ask. You will see that we all want you to achieve your goals.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission is that I want to share stories one day, and I want to do it right. I want to learn it all so that I can do it all right. I want to give those who have never been able to speak on their journey to help start someone’s journey for themselves. I would love to be able to travel and let others share their blessings, share their downfalls, and their wisdom. We all can benefit from being in new environments and learning from the people who live many different lives than we do. Take a trip, go on a mission trip. Experience life with the heart of Jesus and you will have a fulfilling life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I had to pivot in 2021. I left a much different life and arrived in Nashville with $20. I was depressed for the last three years, and my life fell apart completely. I was at my end with everything; this was the most significant leap of faith I have ever made. I choose to listen to God and go to Nashville finally. I was blessed enough to have a great friend who gave me a month to settle in, and I was blessed enough that he and another friend were in the industry. I was given a PA job, and I ran with it. I lost track of how many free jobs I did at first; all I did was trust God and do the work. I put my head down, and I ran forward. I didn’t take no for an option. I didn’t allow failure ever to stop me. Where I am now was not all because of me. I had to make another pivot halfway through when I was getting exhausted. I would work 18-hour days and do it again the next day! I would say yes to everything. Work was becoming my life, and I was losing myself in it. My pivot was to trust God, and it has led me to precisely where I needed to be!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheReelHero.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brystahh/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryce.a.barker