We were lucky to catch up with Mike “Blu” Priester recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike “Blu”, thanks for joining us today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

In a very short answer; TAKE MORE RISKS, JUST DO IT, DON’T OVER THINK IT, & “TRUST YOUR DOPE!!!”

I started my business with a mobile phone and a dream. I doubted myself so many time all because of my equipment. I had what they call “imposter syndrome” due to the fact that I was not formally taught nor did I have the “latest and greatest” equipment. I now understand that the self doubt is what was keeping my business from growing.

I never went after clients. I never put my name in the conversations. I didn’t think I really had what it took to make it happen. I would focus on the clients that didn’t have high expectations for video work. That mind set held me in a stagnant position for almost 2 years.

It was late 2020, still in the midst of COVID-19. I was working as a project manager for a landscape company. I looked around at my crew, my work truck, my dirt filled hands and simply said to my crew lead “you got this if I leave, right?” I was not happy with where my life landed and that life of no risk was over with. I returned to the shop and told the manager that it was my last week. I called my wife Ashlee, “I put my notice in and I’m jumping out the window with this one.” She sat silently, then agreed by simply saying “I can tell you’re not satisfied and was wondering how long it would take.”

I called my father, who was the one that purchased my very first video camera in high school, and scarily responded to his answering of the call, “Hey Olé Dude, I just quit my job, but I got a plan. So I have to ask you for a favor first.” Reluctantly he asked “The favor? You need money?” I took a deep breath and said “Yes sir, I need to buy a camera so I can start my business, I have to try because if I don’t I won’t ever be happy. It’s only $250!!!”

I bought the camera off Facebook Marketplace. It was a lightly used Sony A6000. this was the beginning of the BluVision journey, and it has been nothing but great. I listened to a song by my favorite San Fransisco rapper, Larry June where he simply says “You gotta trust your dope.” Im dope for real and I knew it, but now, even more importantly, I believed it. I believed so much that I shot my first big production in Vegas, a wedding!!

From there on I put my all in. I designed my logo, made business cards, built a website, and even started reaching out to big names and telling them that they “needed BluVision.” 2 Chainz, Trinidad James, Curren$y, and Larry June were all in my sights and I shot video content for each one of them. I believe this happened all because I started believing that what I was was exactly what I thought I wasn’t; A REAL VIDEOGRAPHER.

If I had the same confidence when I was shooting with my Samsung Note 3, I would still be here. Just a lot deeper in the game.

Mike “Blu”, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been here before, but if you don’t know me, Hi! I’m “Blu” and I have my very own music and video production company. I was always the guy with the camera, but never had the confidence to take it to a larger scale. I fell into this industry by just sending a message one day. It changed my life as I knew it. I started working for rappers and now I’m doing big ticket clients such as the new International African American Museum located in Charleston, SC. I have always been an “art kid.” From starting music at 8 years old to writing poetry, to taking photos and shooting videos.

Now I make video content for some major names and businesses across the country. BluVison provides audio production including studio recording, live performance audio recording, beat production, and video sound design. As far a video production, my focus right now is narrative, documentary, corporate events, corporate social media content and corporate stock footage.

My mental approach to video work and my shooting style is something I believe sets me apart from the crowd. I take pride in the fact that I do things my way. I shoot things the way that I see them, hence BluVision. It’s Blu’s Vision. and now it will be my daughters: Blue’s Vision.

If it is one thing that id want you to take away from this read is that BluVision Productions is my first born child. I treat this business and my clients like the family that they are. No job is too big for BluVision and I will always go above and beyond to make sure that my family (clients) are taken care of.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for me to grow my clientele is a very simple one. Just “hit em up.” I started working with “Mr. All Gold Everything”, Trinidad James by just sending him an organically genuine message. My personality is a big part of my business. Im always upbeat and that’s how I reach out to clients, that’s how I am in all of my advertising, and even in person. be yourself and just be a straight shooter as they say. I can hold my right hand up while I say this; IT WORKS.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are a few books that I have read that of course I believe have helped impact my business. Here are a few: The Art of War – Sun Tzu
Pimp – Iceberg Slim
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant – Eric Jorgenson
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck – Mark Manson
Everything is F*cked – Mark Manson
Adversity for Sale – Jay “Jeezy” Jenkins
Fierce Conversations – Susan Scott
The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream – Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt, Lisa Frazier Page

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bluvisionproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blu_vision/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloBluVision
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblupriester/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Blu_Vision

Image Credits
Wife, Ashlee