We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jake Shick a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jake, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

When I made the decision to start my videography company, I was expecting to have tremendous success within the first few months, however, it took six months before I would receive my first client. I did everything from making phone calls, dropping off business cards at store-fronts, and buying Facebook Ads to get the exposure I needed. However, nothing I did garnered the results I was hoping for. I was discouraged at the beginning from time to time because of the slow pace it took to increase my clientele base.

It was at this point, I realized the importance of networking. Instead of just calling potential clients randomly, I found the best results came by calling people associated in the industry. Focusing on wedding videography, I began calling a variety of wedding vendors in my community including bridal stores, wedding venues, wedding planners, photographers, and florists. In doing so, I was able to learn about bridal shows and associations that held periodic meetings. With all this information, I began taking action. I joined 3 wedding associations, took part in 3 bridal shows, and ultimately, I was placed on multiple wedding venues’ referral lists. I was now getting the exposure I needed and began booking multiple weddings. My first year was profitable and by the end of my second year, my business doubled. I used my savings to fund my initial start up cost. I did not seek out loans, nor did I want to overextend myself financially.

So overall, success comes to those who are willing to commit and preserve through the beginning stages of their business. While I was able to experience positive results in the first year, to this day, I still take the time to network and build relationships with people in my community. In doing so, I continue to learn, build great relationships, and stay relevant in the wedding industry.

No matter how difficult it can be to run a business, I am continually reminded by God’s amazing grace. Seeing the success of your labor bring about amazing results is every business owner’s dream. No entrepreneur wants to see their time and energy wasted on a product or service that will not bring them any success.

Having owned a business for about 2 years, I have been blessed to see it flourish with amazing results. While I thank God for all of my success, I have found that commitment and perseverance are some of few key factors that will lead to positive results. Matthew 6:33 states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”.

Jake, 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?

Hello! I’m Jake, owner and founder of East Tennessee’s JS Productions. We are exclusively a video production company proudly serving Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding areas of East Tennessee! I’ve been apart of the wedding community for 6 years, having the privilege of filming over 120 weddings!

While wedding videography is our bread and butter, we have also done contractual work with Columbia, Mossy Oaks, multiple real-estate companies, and a few other local businesses in our community.

Having originally lived in Los Angeles, CA, Hollywood played a major influence in my film-making career. Throughout my years in the industry, I was able to be mentored by many incredible filmmakers and story-tellers that helped shape my creative skills. With this background, I have been able to share my talents in a community where videography is just starting to take form.

Booking a wedding with us is not just booking the videographer, but a professional who is truly invested in giving the bride and groom the best way to relive their most special day. While many can find amazing videographers, what makes Jake Shick Productions unique is the ability to accommodate all of our couples needs. We strive off the success of telling a great story that bring tears of joy to our couples. We value every moment while capturing it in the most cinematic way.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

It takes more than just the videographer to create a memorable experience for the bride and groom. Each vendor has the responsibility of bringing together a fantastic experience for the couple. With this in mind, it’s important that each vendor works together as a team. We all want to give our couple’s a successful wedding experience.

With this in mind, its important to my team and I to collaborate and work in a way that doesn’t get in the way of another vendor. For example, if I filmed a great moment, but I ran the bride and groom late to their ceremony while also getting into the photographer’s shot, did I really help make their jobs easier and give the couple something they want?

I believe we have the reputation we have because of how well we work with of couples and the wedding vendors we work with.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team requires a servants mindset. It’s easy to take all the credit for the business’ success, when in reality, it was the team who helped get us to where we needed to be. Keeping this in mind, we need to value the team and care for them as family. We need to do more than just giving out tasks and correcting all their mistakes. While there’s a time and place for it, as a leader, I am also called to motivate, inspire, and make sure they feel valued because they are!

A way I try to express this is through bonding with the team. During special occasions, I’ll invite the team out for a nice dinner. It’s a great way to express my gratitude and it creates an environment that isn’t just focused on work. Another great way to make your team feel valued is by simply remembering their birthday. Birthdays are so personal and so specific, that by simply acknowledging their day, that will go such a long way.

Every team member has a life outside of their daily job; families to take care of, personal projects to finish, or life’s biggest struggles that need to be dealt with. It’s on us as leaders to make sure we are caring for our team’s wellbeing. We need to be apart of their lives and take on some of the burden they are dealing with. When I can show, I care for the person’s well being outside of work, that will create a form of loyalty and trust that can never be broken.

As mentioned before, there’s a time and place for correction. A good rule of thumb I’ve always found for feedback is to praise in public, criticize in private. Motivation is never given by publicly humiliating a team member in front of their peers. Whenever a leader has to correct a team member, it must always be done in private. However, when correction has to be made, it must always be done in a way that can bring about motivation and inspiration. First, acknowledge the strong suits of the person showcases, mention the areas that need correction, and then express the value they have towards the team.

Just as the Bible says in Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” A leader must serve in a way that motivates, inspires, and expresses the value of each individual on the team!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jakeshickproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/js_productionsofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshickproductions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Spotfirejs