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

Nathan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

When it comes to professional videography or photography, profitability can vary greatly. Some creators achieve significant success in their journey, while others struggle to generate leads. I believe the biggest challenge to becoming a profitable creator lies within ourselves. At this stage of my career, my cameras provide for my basic needs, support my lifestyle, and offer room for growth. However, reaching this point was not easy. In hindsight, it’s clear how I got here, but the path was unclear in the past.

I believe that the foundation of successful creative work lies in effective communication with clients, offering clear and organized information about services, avoiding shortcuts, and ensuring proper legal structuring of the business. Above all, trustworthiness and reliability are paramount. Unfortunately, videographers and photographers often have a reputation for inconsistency, which can stem from unmet expectations or miscommunication with clients.

Customer care is a crucial aspect where I excel. I prioritize educating clients, providing honest assessments, and delivering digestible information to prevent overwhelm. Additionally, I’ve structured my business to accept various forms of payment, including credit/debit cards and ACH bank payments. Many high-value clients prefer the convenience of using their business credit cards and obtaining receipts for expenses.

There are no shortcuts to success in this field. While having a keen eye for filming, photography, and editing is important, it’s equally essential to focus on developing a sustainable business model. This includes creating structures that work for both yourself and your clients, ensuring smooth and repeatable transactions.

Nathan, 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?

As a young business owner, I specialize in producing marketable videography and photography tailored to the plastic surgery and aesthetics industry. In this niche field, my role is to capture various procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, and effectively communicate their benefits, mechanisms, and patient progress through my lens. Additionally, my company offers social media management services for practices and providers who require assistance in maintaining their online presence.

My journey into this specialized field was somewhat serendipitous. Beginning as a traditional portrait and wedding photographer, I seized opportunities to expand my skill set by taking on projects that intrigued me and offered opportunities for growth. Over time, I developed a reputation for delivering high-quality photos, leading to a referral from a friend to provide office video and photos for plastic surgeon Dr. Jung. This initial collaboration blossomed into a full-time opportunity in 2020, marking the beginning of my immersion in the aesthetics industry.

Since then, I have continued to evolve alongside the industry, becoming fully independent and privileged to collaborate with a diverse range of talented providers. It is truly rewarding to witness these elite professionals in action and to serve as their trusted source for content creation needs.

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

Acquiring the necessary capital to launch a business requires dedication and strategic financial planning. It’s not a matter of simply conjuring funds out of thin air. Instead, it involves maintaining a full-time job, diligently saving money, and strategically investing those savings into the business venture.

To provide transparency, it cost me approximately $50,000 in capital to establish the foundational operations of my current company. However, this capital wasn’t readily available all at once. Instead, I gradually accumulated funds by allocating every paycheck and any additional income from side projects toward upgrading equipment such as cameras, lenses, lighting, microphones, purchasing essential software, and investing in work-related devices like computers and phones.

Rather than abruptly quitting my job to pursue entrepreneurship, I continued working my previous job for as long as possible. This allowed me to accumulate the necessary capital to support my business endeavors until I felt financially secure enough to transition to full-time entrepreneurship.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Throughout my journey as a business owner, I’ve experienced numerous challenges that have tested my resilience and character. I’ve encountered setbacks, failures, and moments of heartache along the way, but I’ve come to see these as opportunities for growth and learning.

There have been instances where I found myself in mentally taxing environments, where success seemed elusive and clients were unwilling to provide the necessary resources or time for a project to succeed. I’ve also faced difficult decisions, including the need to sever ties with clients who weren’t the right fit for my business. Navigating these ups and downs requires a thick skin and unwavering determination.

One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced is dealing with my fear of failure, which has at times led to moments of intense anxiety and self-doubt. The pressure to perform at a high level and the expectation of perfection in everything I do can be overwhelming. However, I’ve learned to find the strength to persevere, even in the face of adversity.

Despite the difficulties, the sacrifices I’ve made have been worthwhile. They have afforded me the freedom to pursue my passions and have provided opportunities for others in my field. I take pride in what I’ve accomplished thus far and remain committed to continuing to grow and evolve as a business owner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.viewfindermediatexas.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/viewfindermediatexas

Image Credits
VIEWFINDER MEDIA LLC