We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Connor Parkhurst a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Connor , appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
Hoop House Creative is the result of Connor’s passion for film and the impact it has had on him. The moment he realized the power of film and the story it brings, it changed him forever. He wanted to create and he wanted to inspire. He owes his creative spark to his cousin and best friend, Michael. He took his own life in 2014 and Connor dedicated his company, Hoop House Creative, in honor of him. Michael first showed Connor how to edit, film, and be completely entranced by a passionate story. Michael was helping to build hoop houses for the hungry just months before he passed. He loved how pure and fulfilling it was to construct and grow fresh food for people in need.
Connor will never forget the inspiration he took from Michael. Connor knows Michael would be thrilled and beyond excited to see that Hoop House Creative is telling stories and making a difference in what we do within the power of film.
Connor , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
At Hoop House Creative, we tell cinematic, heartfelt stories. Our three main sections are documentary films, corporate stories, and wedding films. All of our content is focused on creating video with meaning. Filmmaking is the chance to tell the story and evoke emotion in the most magical way.
We handcraft our films and collaborate with our clients. Another thing that sets us out is that we LISTEN. Filmmaking is a team effort and we don’t command the room with what we think is best. Instead, we guide with our expertise and bring the story to life. We get lots of repeat business because of this and our ability to have patience and implement this structure makes us stand out.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I started in filmmaking and videography when I was around 11 years old. I made home movies, music videos, and comedy sketches. It was incredible to see what could happen if I planned a video shoot, actually filming it, and then finally editing that piece. The spark happened and I knew it would never leave.
I then went onto sports videography and filmed at our local Civic Center and filmed the college basketball and hockey games. I was on track to work for ESPN but found that sports lacked the creative surge I wanted in my life.
I began with just one camera. One mic. One lens. And let me tell you, THAT IS ALL YOU NEED. A lot of younger video business entrepreneurs complain and make excuses for reasons that can’t film the project. It’s a lot of talk and they don’t realize that you can create anything if you have the will.
That was my philosophy moving forward as a 15 year old. I started doing local video commercials for cheap, second video shooting for other businesses, learning the trade, all while knowing I wanted to created my own brand and become my own boss.
So around 2017, I launched my own company, Hoop House Creative, in honor of my cousin Michael who took his own life. Over the next five years, I grew my business 50% each year. I kept my philosophy of “learn as much as you can” as my company grew. I would meet with business leaders, other people in my industry, people NOT in my industry, and that help me see my blind spots.
Some of the milestones over the last 5 years include 2 feature documentaries, 54 weddings filmed and traveled internationally, and dozens of high end corporate clients. It has been incredibly rewarding to see my growth. Leaning on my experience and mission statements has kept me level headed and grounded while I have obtained success.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
This answer changes all the time. I always say there are 3 opportunities to tell the story. In writing, in filming, in editing. Within each of these sections, I have experienced that larger than life feeling. In the writing, finding the story. Nothing is better! Getting excited as the words/idea develop is a high a lot of filmmakers chase. On set! What a place. I feel like home when I’m on set, executing my vision. It’s surreal to see all the actors/crew in this space with me, because they trust MY VISION. And of course, in editing, you have that moment where it all comes together, and magic happens.
This 1-2-3 is a cycle that is always rewarding and it can even be addicting.
Overall, the most rewarding feeling is that I’m making creative content, and making an impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hoophousecreative.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoophousecreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoophousecreative
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-parkhurst-a22b1994/
- Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/hoophousecreative
Image Credits
Connor Parkhurst _ Owner and Founder Kristina Kliver_ Digital Media Producer