We were lucky to catch up with Lonnie Iske recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lonnie , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

I’d bet my story isn’t the traditional startup story. I actually had my first gig before I had a business name and I was 18 years old when it happened. I was in college and actually planning to go for illustration. I took some electives “Basic Video Production” and “Basic Audio Production” This is where the love for production work started to blossom. The courses were more focused on Live TV and I wasn’t really interested in that, but what I was interested in was production work. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I actually grew up on the road with my parents band so from an early age music was constantly around me. Having musicians as parents was watching entrepreneurs navigate running a business (aka the band) So I wanted to try to combining my two loves and film a band. I asked my professor if I could get extra credit if I filmed a band that was coming through town. I got the green light and reached out to the band via email, the manager responded and I got to get my opportunity to film the band. I took one of my best friends along, Ginny Dyerson, who was also in my class and we created a promo video for the band out of what we shot and got the extra credit for. Fast forward to the summer after that class and the band reached out to us to film a live DVD of their show that they could sell to fans. At this point we realized we needed a name to put this production under and came up with “Vixen Productions” a name to represent the very small amount of women in the field of filmmaking. We filmed that in Sept of 2006 – made it a Vixen Production and the rest was history. From there other bands started to reach out and before I knew it I had a business at 18 years old. We worked primarily in the music industry for a good 5 years then started to transition to other things and now we primarily work with businesses, schools and organizations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At Vixen, we are passionate about helping businesses and organizations tell their stories and grow their audience through compelling video content. We offer a wide range of video production services tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our services include corporate videos, promotional & product videos, social media content, event coverage, documentaries, and brand storytelling. Every brand has a unique story, but not everyone knows how to tell it effectively. We specialize in crafting authentic and genuine narratives that reflect the true essence of your brand, making your message more relatable and impactful. We also help with maintaining a consistent flow of content with our retainer services. We provide full service production, from concept development to post-production, ensuring you have a steady stream of high-quality content.
At the heart of our work is our commitment to authenticity. We believe in telling real stories that connect with people on a deeper level. Our approach is to understand our clients core values and mission, and then translate that into video content that feels genuine and true to who they are. Each project is unique, and we take the time to understand their specific goals and challenges. We see our clients as partners. From initial brainstorming sessions to final edits, we work closely with them to ensure the end product not only meets but exceeds their expectations.
We are incredibly proud of the relationships we build with our clients. The trust they place in us to tell their stories is something we value deeply. Our portfolio is filled with diverse projects that showcase our ability to adapt and deliver exceptional results across various industries. We are driven by inspiration in the work we do, and the impact we help create.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The mission driving my creative journey is rooted in a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. For me, creation is not just a profession; it’s a way of life. I genuinely feel like I’m not living if I’m not creating. Every project, every video, and every story is an opportunity to bring something new into the world.

More than just the act of creating, what truly drives me is the impact I can make through my talents. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work can help businesses and organizations connect with their audiences, share their stories, and achieve their goals. Whether it’s through inspiring a viewer, educating a customer, or simply evoking an emotion, the ability to make a meaningful difference through my creative work is what fuels my passion every day.

My mission is to use my creative talents to not only express myself but also to contribute positively to the world around me. When I see the tangible impact my videos have on my clients and their audiences, it reaffirms why I do what I do and motivates me to keep pushing the boundaries.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really illustrates my resilience is starting my business at the age of 18. At that young age, I dove headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship without the extensive resources and guidance available today. There was no YouTube to coach me along the way, so I had to make a lot of things up as I went and learn many lessons the hard way.

There were countless challenges and moments when I felt like giving up. From figuring out the intricacies of running a business to dealing with the inevitable setbacks, it was a journey full of steep learning curves. I was determined and I refused to quit, even when things got tough.

I’m still learning every day, adapting to new situations, and growing both personally and professionally. This ongoing commitment to learning and improvement is a testament to my resilience. Starting a business so young and persevering through all the obstacles has shaped me into who I am today, and I’m proud of the journey I’ve been on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vixenproductions.net
• Instagram: vixen_productions
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/vpvideo

Image Credits

James Hogan
Nick Talan