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

Alright, Nate thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

Nothing about me or my businesses are considered normal. Often times, I feel like I make my own rules on what’s an industry standard because we are so different in how we operate, and our customer base.

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

My name is Nate Thompson, I gravitate towards things that are mysterious, unique, or interesting. I’m a Horror Filmmaker, Owner of The Michigan Museum of Horror, and just an all around weirdo.

Growing up, one of the first movies I remember watching and really taking in, was “Return of the Living Dead” and “Creepshow”. I inherited these VHS tapes from my Uncle Cliff and was glued to them.

In my teenage years I picked up Photography, which ultimately lead me to picking up Video & Film.

It was only a matter of time until I combined the two interests, and figured out a plan to move forward.

If you had to ask me what I’m most proud of, I would say my children hands down. As cliche as that may sound, all of this I’m building is strategically put in place for them. The Michigan Museum of Horror, the Production Company, the Event Promotion Company, all of it built for them and their future moving forward.

I want people to know whatever my name is attached to, it’s the most wicked thing going on at that moment.

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

Opening The Michigan Museum of Horror was mostly easy, that is, except for the funding part.

I had already picked out the city, the building, and had fantasized my business on that stretch of land many times.

But money was the only thing standing in my way.

The landlords initially wanted a whole year lease paid up front, to the tune of $30,000+.

I originally tried to find investors, partners, but they had other ideas and were not ready to move forward on something that I knew was a sure hit. I learned a lot of lessons through this, the best one is that if you feel strongly about an idea but everyone else doesn’t, don’t let that change anything. You feel strong about it for a reason.

I negotiated a contract with the landlords where we could do monthly, but I needed $5,000 to cover all the opening costs.

I booked a few more Wedding Videos, Music Videos, and all around saved.

It was difficult but worth it, and such is a test from fate.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Social Media and networking by far!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.natethompsonvideo.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/natethompsonvideo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/natethompsonvideo

Image Credits
Nate Thompson Photography