We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rob Eppolito a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Rob, thanks for joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
I got my start in video in 2008 in the real estate field because virtual tours needed to be more than just a slide show. I’ produced over 100 tours, but I was looking for something more, I wanted to tap into my creativity. And so in 2012 I decided to branch out into other types of videos, mainly helping local Houston businesses convey their message. I produced a few videos including a local store, a private school and a retirement home. Once I realized I had a talent for telling a story, I created Video Mojo, my video production company. Since 2012 I’ve helped over 450 local businesses by telling their story using the power of video.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have 2 core services that I focus on: 1) Promoting “buying local” at brick-and-mortar businesses (restaurants, cafe’s, salons, auto-repair shops, donut shops, retail shops, etc.).
2) I produced inspirational videos on my channel Resilience:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbl7tyqdrQ-Rzsx37RzX5uw
Got My Start:
My background is in the technical field, but after Y2K I decided to go into real estate (crazy right?). My favorite thing about real estate was NOT what you would think, it was the marketing. I loved creating marketing pieces for mail outs, website marketing, etc. Within my first year in real estate I changed my focus from helping people buy/sell homes…to helping other Realtors with their marketing. THAT was my transformation from agent to “marketing expert” For the next 12 years I focused on helping agents with their marketing. But I wanted something more, so I branched out to help other companies and organizations by conveying their message with the power of video.
Core 1: How I help local businesses:
Buying local is so important and I think we should all do that as much as we can. I help businesses by
A) Creating a video that conveys what they do, what makes them different, etc.
B) I get their video in front of their target market with social media and by listing their company and video on TruVisit.com (a video+ directory that promotes buying local) http://www.truvisit.com/
C) I partnered with IndoorMedia, a marketing company that specializes in local marketing that reaches thousands of local shoppers every day.
Core 2: Inspirational Videos
Over the years I met and interviewed many business owners, each has a back-story that is usually nothing less than amazing. Their trials, challenges, their darkest days and finally their success. So I decided to create a YouTube channel that is focuses on sharing these stories. My goal is to reach those who are currently going through something, dealing with a challenge, starting a business or perhaps someone who just needs an emotional lift. My channel is called Resilience. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbl7tyqdrQ-Rzsx37RzX5uw
Helping business prosper AND helping those by sharing inspirational stories is what I’m all about :)
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes. I believe that everyone has a God-given talent, mine is creativity. It’s something that comes easy for me. My goal is to use my talent to help others by sharing their story.
In some cases the story is about a business’ products and/or services. In other cases it’s the story about the owner, his or her challenges and how they became a success. Sharing stories of resilience is something that will help many people, especially those who are struggling right now with something that may seem insurmountable.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My unwavering dedication to customer service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.videomojo.net/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TruVisit
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-eppolito-792b0161/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TruVisit
- Other: My Resilience channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbl7tyqdrQ-Rzsx37RzX5uw My website dedicated to help brick-and-mortar businesses (Buying Local) http://www.truvisit.com/
Image Credits
I have either purchased these pics or created them or work with myself. I have rights to use them in marketing.