We were lucky to catch up with Curtis Rodgers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Curtis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I wouldn’t say the company is necessarily mission-driven, but since I was a foster child at one point in my life, and with hindsight being 20/20, I realized that I wish I had known about programs and resources that could have nurtured my creativity or provided an outlet when I needed it. My current goal isn’t really money-driven; it’s more about gaining resources and connections to ultimately create a program that can help individuals in situations similar to mine. I just want to spread some hope that where they are now isn’t the end. It’s not that every kid is having that experience, but for those who are, the program would be centered around video production and I think that could be pretty cool.

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.

So I’m a guy that grew up all around LA and parts of OC, but mainly South LA was my home. I’ve always wanted to be creative since I was around 6, which started with drawing and wanting to make music. Once I entered the foster system since I couldn’t get the stuff that was in at the time, it made me want to design my own clothes and start a brand at some point…still haven’t really pursued that fully. But fast forward to about 2010, I got a MacBook for school and ran across GarageBand and started messing around with making beats. Which ultimately led to me getting a camera, quitting my job (twice), and pursuing video production.

What started as shooting music videos and whatever I could point my camera at has now turned into me shooting events for businesses and helping brands and creators with content. Shooting, editing, and whatever else is needed to make quality content a seamless process.

What sets me apart? Interesting question these days because the answer is nothing really. I can say a bunch of things that tickle people’s ears, but I don’t get any fulfillment from that. What I can say is I like building with whoever I’m working with and making them feel as comfortable on camera and on set as possible. Working with them to make sure they have at least a basic understanding of what’s happening in the process so that even if they aren’t working with me, they will have an idea of what’s going on in general. I do my best to underpromise and overdeliver, and it’s worked for me thus far.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My side hustle has definitely become my main focus. In 2017, I decided to quit my job and pursue video production because I was exhausted with my corporate job and the general corporate environment. However, it didn’t work out because I had no idea how to use a camera, let alone how to get someone to pay me for my work. So, I ended up going back to work and trying to hone my skills on the side.

My last job was like a loss prevention for an electric bike company. One day, I went to retrieve a bike and got a knife pulled on me. When I got back, I told my boss about it, and he asked, “But did you get the bike?” At that point, I was making very little money for my shoots, but I had to leave that job immediately! So, I quit again, and this time, it worked out.

In 2019, I quit again and have been on this rollercoaster ride ever since.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Man to be real I was never a big reader until recent years! I’ve been heavy on the audiobooks. My favorites right now is: The Dip by Set Godin, The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch, and A Happy Pocket Full of Money by David Cameron Gikandi. I guess I can throw in The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. Greats reads for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://creatorslot.com
• Instagram: @shotbycurt
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/shotbycurt