We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eddie Woods. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eddie below.

Hi Eddie, thanks for joining us today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

Showing appreciation isn’t just about saying “thanks”—it’s about showing up for your clients when it counts.

One of our clients had a big opportunity come up—a last-minute chance to present their business at a major event. The problem? Their existing promo video didn’t fit their new branding, and they needed something fast. Normally, a high-quality edit takes time, but I knew how important this was for them.

So, I locked in, put in the extra hours, and delivered a fresh, polished version within 24 hours. No rush fee, no complaints—just getting it done because I knew it would make a difference. Their response? Pure excitement. They told me, “You didn’t just send a video. You gave us a shot at making a real impact.”

At the end of the day, real appreciation isn’t just about discounts or gifts. It’s about caring about your client’s success as much as they do—and proving it with action.

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?

I’ve been in the creative space for almost two decades, helping businesses build their brand authority through strategic video and digital marketing. I started out in graphic design back in 2007, but over time, I found that video was where I could make the biggest impact—so I shifted my focus to video-driven branding in 2018.

Through my company, Dominion Designs & Media, I’ve worked with brands like Live Nation Premium and IBM SkillBuild, creating content that not only looks great but actually helps businesses engage their audience and build trust. What sets us apart is that we don’t just hit record and hope for the best—we’re intentional about crafting content that tells a compelling story and delivers real results.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and the way we help them stand out in their industries. At the end of the day, it’s about making sure their message gets seen, heard, and remembered.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A pivotal moment for me was when I decided to transition from graphic and web design to video production, commercial photography, and digital marketing services.

To be honest, I got burnt out from graphic design. I first learned the trade in high school at a vocational school in Chicago, where I studied graphic design from 2001 to 2003. I continued freelancing throughout college, primarily working with small businesses on the South and West sides of Chicago, even while building a career in banking and corporate legal services.

When I launched my business in 2016, I was still offering graphic and web design, but I had already begun taking professional courses in video production and digital marketing to expand my skill set. By 2017–2018, I started offering these new services for free to existing clients, testing the waters while still handling design projects.

That shift quickly gained momentum, and I realized I was far more passionate about video and photography than design. So in 2019, I made the decision to walk away from graphic design completely, despite the steady income it provided. Looking back, I could have outsourced design work to my network while focusing on video, but I chose to go all in—and it paid off.

Since going full-time in late 2022, our company has grown by 300% and continues to expand, with incredible opportunities ahead. That pivot, though risky at the time, ultimately shaped the business into what it is today.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Here’s the truth that most business influencers and online coaches don’t talk about—I funded my business by working in Corporate America until it could consistently match my salary.

For years, I used my paychecks to cover registrations and annual reports, reinvested bonuses into equipment and business expenses, and allocated part of my salary to courses, mentors, and networking groups—all to build the foundation I needed to eventually make a full-time leap.

It wasn’t what I wanted to do. The first time I got paid by a client, I was tempted to quit right then—I saw it as proof of concept. But if I had made that move too soon, I’d probably have ended up back on my mom’s couch or crashing at a friend’s place.

However, with the belief and support from my wife and with using a bit of wisdom along the way, it has been a great journey so far!

So while it wasn’t the overnight success story some people sell, my job was my investor—and that strategy gave me the freedom to grow the business without financial strain. By the time I left in late 2022, the business was stable enough to sustain itself and keep growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dominiondesignsmm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominionvideo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dominiondesignsllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dominion-designs-llc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dominiondesignsllc301
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dominion-designs-and-media-chicago?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)