We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Deangelo Belle. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Deangelo below.
Deangelo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Taking care of customers isn’t just good business – it is often one of the main reasons folks went into business in the first place. So, we’d love to get a conversation going around how to best help clients feel appreciated – maybe you can share something you’ve done or seen someone do that’s been really effective at helping a customer feel valued?
One of the best things my company has ever done to show customers we appreciate them was during our “startup days”. We ensured that “customer experience” was thought of — throughout every system and process. From booking consultations, all the way to them receiving final content.
There was one project in particular, where our Client Relationship Manager ensured there were several “hand-holding” sessions. This client had brought us a beautiful project, their dream child, for FFM to bring it to fruition. However, the client was experiencing moments of doubt that the project was not a great one. This is a common stage for most of our clients. The thing with those feelings of doubt is, it shows up throughout the project. We knew we’d have to engage this client several times during the project, to ensure that they understood the next steps and how everything on that Production Day will pan out, all to ensure that they were calm and not overthinking.
I can’t list the number of times that client expressed their appreciation, for us being gentle and walking with them stage-by-stage. The project turned out as a success, and the client left us having had a lasting, great customer experience.
We know we need systems and streamlined processes in place to run a business efficiently. We also know that we don’t want our systems and processes to be absent of consideration for how customers will feel when they engage one of our systems or processes.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
The desire to start this business, started in August 2016. I purchased my first camera kit to start my business. In an effort to show her support for my vision, my wife, Carlisa, surprised me with a new lighting and backdrop kit for my birthday the following year. At the onset, Full Frame Media (FFM) was intended to be a video production company; however, in 2018, the decision was made to include graphic design.
On 1st February 2019, FFM officially became a registered business in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, after three years of skill building and planning. To date, FFM has been the producer of four web series, produced over a dozen projects for corporate and lifestyle trainers and coaches, and captured a major conference. In keeping with my core values, the company has supported sponsorship initiatives for non-profit organizations, tuition sponsorships and other community initiatives.
On 26th June 2021, the decision was made to officially transition FFM from a sole-proprietorship, to a partnership, with both my wife and I, serving as co-founders of Full Frame Media.
Full Frame Media prides itself as being a leading video production and design company in the promotional media development industry, serving creative media professionals in The Bahamas. Since inception, we have cultivated a reputation for excellence and have established a name for ourselves synonymous with quality and care. We specialize in project development and video production for an end-to-end, white-gloved service experience our clients love.
As parents, creatives, entrepreneurs and influencers, we get all the fears, frustrations and excitement in bringing your vision to reality. We are small enough to be personable, but our experience in the media field and corporate arena allows us to demonstrate a higher level of professionalism. Our clients will tell you how passionate we are about ensuring that you not only gain clarity but feel confident and comfortable in the development and execution of your project. We envision a promotional media industry characterized by a vision-focused strategy, quality-first production, and a standard of excellence from consultation to collateral hand-over. Clients are encouraged to dream freely, secured in the knowledge that the professionals in charge of their project have the skills and creative expertise to produce collateral generated to achieve their goals and exceed their expectations.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
For a significant period of time, I viewed my business as a side hustle, a mere supplementary source of income. It was a comfortable mindset that allowed me to maintain a sense of security while pursuing my entrepreneurial ambitions. However, that perspective underwent a profound transformation when I realized the untapped potential of my business. I discovered that by limiting myself to perceiving it as a side hustle, I was inadvertently placing limitations on its growth and my own aspirations. This revelation became a turning point in my journey as an entrepreneur.
Unlearning the habit of viewing my business as a side hustle was not an easy process. It required a shift in mindset, letting go of the notion that my business was secondary to other aspects of my life. I had to recognize the immense value it held and the impact it could make if I gave it my full attention and dedication. It meant reevaluating my priorities, making necessary adjustments to my schedule, and allocating more time and resources to my business.
As I unlearned the idea of my business as a side hustle, I started seeing it as a powerful entity with boundless potential. I began setting higher goals, developing comprehensive strategies, and investing in its growth. This shift in perception brought about tangible results, both financially and in terms of personal fulfillment. I experienced a renewed sense of purpose and commitment, pouring my energy into expanding my business and exploring new avenues for success. With each milestone achieved, my confidence grew, reinforcing the belief that my business deserved to be treated as a full-fledged venture.
In conclusion, the process of unlearning the notion of my business as a side hustle was transformative. It allowed me to break free from self-imposed limitations and tap into the true potential of my entrepreneurial endeavors. By shifting my mindset and investing my time, energy, and resources into my business, I witnessed its growth and experienced a renewed sense of purpose. Embracing the idea of my business as a significant entity led to increased success and personal fulfillment, proving that sometimes unlearning deeply ingrained perspectives can open doors to extraordinary possibilities.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
Streamlining my service offerings and adjusting the pricing structure was a crucial step in optimizing my business operations and meeting the evolving needs of my clients. To begin the process, I conducted a comprehensive evaluation of my service portfolio, considering factors such as demand, profitability, and customer feedback. This analysis allowed me to identify areas of overlap or underperformance and streamline my service offerings to focus on the most valuable and sought-after services. By eliminating redundant or less popular services, I could allocate resources more effectively and enhance overall service quality.
In tandem with streamlining the service offerings, adjusting the pricing structure was necessary to ensure that my services remained competitive and profitable. I conducted market research to evaluate the pricing strategies of similar service providers and analyzed the perceived value of my services in the eyes of clients. With this information, I recalibrated my pricing to strike a balance between remaining attractive to clients while ensuring sustainable profitability for my business. The goal was to set prices that reflected the value and expertise I offered while remaining in line with industry standards and client expectations.
Implementing these changes required effective communication with existing clients and potential customers. I developed a clear and transparent messaging strategy to explain the rationale behind the streamlined service offerings and the adjustments in pricing. By proactively reaching out to clients and prospects, I aimed to minimize any confusion or resistance and demonstrate the benefits of the revised service lineup and pricing structure. Open communication and a focus on the value proposition of my services played a crucial role in building trust and retaining client loyalty during this transition.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bookffm.com
- Instagram: fullframemedia1
- Facebook: Full Frame Media
- Linkedin: Full Frame Media
- email: [email protected] Biz WhatsApp: 1-242-814-1336 Tel: 1-242-814-1336
Image Credits
Personal Photo – by The MTM Brand