We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dominic Jordon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dominic thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
When it comes to being an entrepreneur, taking risks is a given. The first leap of faith started when I took that first step in my journey. It was Spring 2019, and I was in the last semester of my undergraduate degree. Up to this point, I was preparing to go to graduate school to receive my Doctorate. Even though this was the next step, photography, and cinematography had a hold on me. I had several clients and was slowly building up my skill set, which took up more interest and time. I wanted to do it all, but it wouldn’t be possible. So, post-graduation, I had a choice to go with the safe route and go to grad school or go into a completely different industry filled with uncertainty and risk. After spending some time in Japan, I decided to work full-time as a photographer and cinematographer. At first, it was full of pitfalls from lack of knowledge, events out of my control, aka COVID, and unreliable clients. While it was hard at first, I was able to learn from these mistakes, and soon, I could start up my own company that grows year after year and continues to do what I love to do, which is to create. While it’s not easy, my risk to get here was worth it.
Dominic , 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?
It is my pleasure to introduce myself. My name is Dominic Jordon. I was born in the UK but ironically ended up in Utah as a result of living on Utah Drive during my time in the UK. Cameras have been a part of my life ever since I was a child. I have always had a camera in my hand while traveling, taking photos, and making random videos. My brother, who was also interested in video, nurtured this interest. Inspired by the And One mixtapes, we began filming videos of us doing basketball tricks. Additionally, our Uncle, a professional video editor, contributed to the skills that we developed. With the help of my family and over the years, I set my skills to create photos and videos for a living. Outside of my commercial work, I tend to focus on street photography, showcasing those fleeting authentic moments we take for granted. My photographs have been published in SLUG Magazine, a local publication. Through the momentum of my work, I started my own commercial production company, Slevin Studio.
Slevin Studio is a commercial production company that solves businesses’ content marketing challenges. Beyond being a mere service provider, we are a creative partner committed to transforming storytelling for your brand. Our mission revolves around crafting strategic and compelling content tailored to each client’s vision. Slevin Studio aims to be the driving force behind content marketing success, fostering brand connections, loyalty, and overall business growth through innovative and personalized solutions.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Check out some of Gary Vee’s videos; he has an abrasive personality, and you’ll either love or hate him, but his advice is practical and can help you grasp the mindset needed for entrepreneurship. Then there’s this YouTube channel called the Futur; it dives deep into all the little details crucial for growing your business and developing the right mindset. As for books, there’s “Unlabel” by Marc Ecko, which gives you a real-life look at Marc Ecko’s journey building his brands and the ups and downs of being a business owner. Then there’s “Soundtracks” by Jon Acuff; it’s great if you’re feeling anxious about starting something new, as it helps you get your mind in the right place and teaches you how to stay there. Other quick recommendations include “This is Marketing” by Seth Godin, “The Power of Broke” by Daymond John, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck” by Mark Manson, “Creative Calling” by Chase Jarvis, and “The Win Without Pitching Manifesto” by Blair Enns. These resources cover many topics and can help you on your entrepreneurial journey.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the best part is just making stuff. Whether it’s whipping up a quick social media post, piecing together a short film, putting together a photo book, or diving into a full-blown feature film, something about creating gets me going. I get a kick out of finding projects that light a fire in me and then going through the process of turning them into something real.
Honestly, it’s not so much about who sees it or not; it’s more about the journey of making something out of nothing. There’s this excitement in discovering new ideas, wrestling with the challenges that come up along the way, and finally seeing it all come together into something tangible. Each project is its own adventure, with its own highs and lows, and I thrive on that rollercoaster ride of creation.
Sure, it’s nice when people appreciate your work, but for me, the real satisfaction comes from the act of creation itself. It’s about pouring your heart and soul into something, pushing your limits, and creating a piece of art uniquely yours. That feeling of bringing something new into the world keeps me returning for more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.slevinstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slevinstudio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-jordon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SlevinStudio
- Other: Personal site: www.dominicjordon.myportfolio.com Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/creative_teddy7