We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Borthwick. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.
Daniel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
One risk I took that had a big impact on me was deciding to fully commit to content creation and videography rather than keeping it as just a side hobby.
At the time, I was balancing it alongside more stable work, which felt like the safer option. But I realized that splitting my focus was holding me back from improving and building something meaningful. The risk was stepping away from that stability and putting more time, energy, and resources into something that didn’t have guaranteed results.
There was definitely uncertainty — income wasn’t consistent, and I didn’t know how quickly things would grow. But I made the decision because I knew that if I didn’t take that step, I’d always wonder how far I could have gone.
To make it work, I focused on improving my skills, investing in better equipment, and consistently putting out content that reflected my style. I also started reaching out for collaborations and opportunities rather than waiting for them.
Over time, that decision paid off. I became more confident in my abilities, built stronger creative direction, and started working on projects that aligned with what I actually enjoy doing.
What I took from that experience is that calculated risks are necessary for growth. It taught me that progress doesn’t come from staying comfortable, but from committing fully and being willing to deal with uncertainty while you figure things out.
Daniel, 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?
My name is Daniel Borthwick, and I’m a videographer/content creator focused on cinematic automotive, product, lifestyle, and brand videos.
I got into this because I’ve always been drawn to visuals — lighting, movement, composition, and the way a good shot can make something feel bigger than it is. Over time, that turned into a real passion for storytelling and helping brands create content that actually catches people’s attention.
Most of my work is built around short-form video, especially for platforms like Instagram Reels. I help brands show their products, vehicles, or services in a way that feels natural, polished, and engaging without feeling overly staged or forced.
What sets me apart is that I try to blend cinematic visuals with real-world use. I want the final piece to look good, but also feel believable and useful for the brand.
I’m most proud of continuing to build a style that feels like my own while still pushing myself to get better with every project.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
When I first started, I didn’t have outside funding or investors—I funded everything myself.
I made the decision to pull from my 401k and reinvest that into building my setup and getting started. It wasn’t an easy choice, and there was definitely risk involved, especially knowing there were no guarantees it would pay off.
At the time, I just knew that if I wanted to take this seriously, I had to commit fully. I used that money to invest in gear, improve my workflow, and give myself the ability to actually produce the level of work I had in mind.
There were moments where things felt uncertain, especially early on, but that decision forced me to stay focused and keep pushing. It wasn’t about having a safety net anymore—it was about making it work.
Looking back, it was a turning point. It taught me a lot about backing myself, taking calculated risks, and treating what I do like a real business rather than just a side project.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
Yes, what started as a side hustle slowly turned into a real business and career path for me.
I started by filming things I was already passionate about, especially cars and creative projects. At first, it was more about learning, experimenting, and trying to make videos that felt cinematic. Over time, people started noticing the work, and I realized there was an actual opportunity to turn it into something bigger.
The biggest shift happened when I started treating it less like a hobby and more like a business. I invested in better gear, refined my editing style, built a portfolio, and started reaching out to brands and businesses instead of just waiting for opportunities to come in.
Some key milestones were getting paid client work, building Daniel Borthwick Productions, growing my presence on social media, and working with brands on product, lifestyle, and automotive content.
It’s still something I’m constantly building, but that’s also what I love about it. It started as a creative outlet, and now it’s become a way to help brands tell better stories while continuing to push myself creatively.
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