We recently connected with Fletch Power and have shared our conversation below.

Fletch, appreciate you joining us today. How do you think about vacations as a business owner? Do you take them and if so, how? If you don’t, why not?

As an employee, I used to take vacations, but since becoming a business owner, I’ve embraced “holidays,” a brilliant concept introduced to me by a friend in London. She explained that while a vacation is typically something you need to request from superiors, a holiday is yours to take at your discretion. The term “holiday” carries a sense of agency that resonates with the entrepreneurial mindset I’ve adopted since transitioning from a freelance director of photography to owning a production company. 

Holidays are essential not only for my well-being but also for my creativity. They provide me the opportunity to recharge and return to my work with renewed vigor and a fresh perspective, which is why I prioritize self-care. 

What allows me to take holidays are the clear boundaries I’ve defined for myself and establishing systems that ensure the smooth operation of my company even when I’m not present. Additionally, I place a great deal of trust in my team and rather than micromanaging them, I empower them to make decisions in the field, which in turn, fosters their growth. 

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a passionate and seasoned cinematographer and filmmaker. My journey in this industry began over a decade ago, evolving from my early days as a nightclub photographer to becoming a camera technician, then a freelance Director of Photography, and eventually, the founder of my own production company. 

My fascination with photography started in my formative years, earning me the nickname “cameraman.” However, it wasn’t until I found myself at a crossroads in community college, uncertain of my future, that I decided to pick up a camera again. I dropped out of community college and applied to Full Sail University, where I rediscovered my passion for visual storytelling. 

Pursuing a formal education, coupled with hands-on experiences, allowed me to work on a variety of projects outside the industry. I made the life-changing decision to move to Los Angeles only after I was ready to fully immerse myself in the art of capturing moments and crafting narratives through cinema. 

In my eyes, I wear two hats: one as a Director of Photography and the other as an entrepreneur who owns a production company. 

As a Director of Photography, I specialize in creating documentaries and narratives that share the stories of the forgotten, the underdogs as that is part of my story as a first-generation Caribbean American. 

As the owner of a production company, I offer a diverse range of creative services, including production, directing, and cinematography across genres–from commercials to docs, music videos and corporate industrials.

In both my professional and personal work, I bring a unique perspective to each project, infusing the work with my own creative touch while ensuring that it also aligns seamlessly with the client’s goals or director’s vision. 

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I am a testament to the enduring legacy of my family’s entrepreneurial spirit. 

One particular story my father recently shared with me stands out–how he managed to purchase our family’s first house, my childhood home. At the time, he was working full-time as an engineer on the graveyard shift. However, in addition to this demanding job, he and my uncle started a side hustle. They ventured into construction and painting for both commercial and residential properties with a team of other Caribbean immigrants, which eventually led to Fletcher Enterprise, a company that lasted well into my high school years. 

So while my friends watched Saturday morning cartoons, I was up at the crack of dawn, working whatever job my father and uncle had landed. At the age of thirteen, I didn’t fully appreciate the value of this work ethic, but by my early 20s, I unknowingly found myself mirroring them, maintaining–what we now refer to as–”multiple revenue streams.” 

My family’s legacy of side hustles has served as a powerful source of inspiration and resilience. I am able to draw upon my

father and uncle’s unwavering determination and resilience. I find strength in their successes, and their lessons. I refuse to let setbacks define the course of my career. Instead, I embrace our family tradition and choose to create my own path. 

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

During my time in corporate–pre-freelance and definitely pre-production company–I had had the foresight to invest money into my 401K, setting aside a portion of my paycheck for my future. 

Fast forward to April 2020: the world was grappling with a global crisis. The CARES Act was enacted, which contained a provision buried in the fine print: individuals facing financial hardships could withdraw funds from their 401k with no penalties and fees. 

We all know the cardinal rule, “Don’t touch your 401K.” It’s your retirement safety net. However, I found myself at a crossroads, pondering the risk and potential reward. 

The funds I withdrew became the initial capital that fueled the launch of my business. 

This was undoubtedly a major gamble, one that could have jeopardized my financial future. Yet, in my mind, it was a calculated risk. My dedication and determination would surely lead to success, right? 

Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to share that my business has not only thrived but also become profitable. I didn’t need to

resort to taking out high interest loans, and I was even able to replenish most of the funds I withdrew. While the decision to tap into my retirement savings was unconventional and carried inherent risks, it ultimately paid off. 

This experience has taught me the valuable lesson of taking calculated risks, believing in my entrepreneurial vision, and adapting to unexpected challenges. It also reinforced the idea that, sometimes, in pursuit of our dreams, we must be willing to make choices that go against the grain and have the confidence to bet on ourselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fletchpowerfilms.com/
• Instagram: @dopfletch
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-fletcher-47812443/

Image Credits
Photo# 1,2,8 Stephen del Fierro Dietrich https://www.instagram.com/sd_dietrich/ Photo # 3,6 Rxch Porter https://www.instagram.com/rxchporter/ Photo #7 Justin Ward https://www.instagram.com/jmwardimages/