We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sean Noche-Schultz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sean, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
This question definitely resonated with me very well. I think about it every single day what it would be like to have a regular job. As much as I love being a business owner. I really do love it because I am doing something that I am passionate about. Which is photography and videography. I get to make new connections and meet new people on a weekly basis. Get to hear client stories and how they got brought up. I get to deliver services that my clients need. And I get to create memorable experiences for my clients. So many enjoyable experiences as a business owner. But I can tell you it is and can be stressful at certain times. Because everything is dependent on you. Everything depends on you to keep your business going. I have to do everything. I don’t really have a lot of help. So when I run into problems, it’s kind of up to me to figure it out. I am responsible for waking up in the morning and starting my day off. I’m have to do my marketing for myself. I have to put myself out there and self myself when there is times i don’t want to. But I really have no choice but to. I’m responsible for being in communication with my clients and giving them outstanding service. Etc. Everything is dependent on me to keep the business up and running.
When you think about having a 9-5. You don’t have to worry about if you are to earn any money that day. Because you have a job that you know you can go to. That has a set time. That you know where you need to be every single day. Which I would say is somewhat relaxing in a sense. The fact that you don’t have to think about any other external factors. Everything is set up for you basically. All you have to do is show up and work. I think about that part a lot. Like if anyone asked me how to become a business owner. I would really ask them if it’s something that they truly want to have and be. Because I’m gonna tell you it’s a lot more work than a 9 to 5. I will say I am working more than I did working a 9 to 5. Like I said in the paragraph before. Everything is dependent on me and me alone. Everything has its pros and cons. Being a business owner yes you get the freedom to do what you want. Because it’s your business. But the con is if you don’t do the necessary things that you need to do. Your business will go under. The pro to work in a job. Is you don’t have to worry about not having any security. Or don’t have to worry about what you exactly need to do because someone can tell you what you have to do. But the con is. Is that you might not get the most desirable wage that you want. Or that even as much as your job is secure. Companies are business. And if they have setbacks. You could become part of that setback. Where they have to let you go. Like I said there’s plenty of pros and cons for being a business owner. Or just having a comfortable regular job.
To me. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to work a regular job. If that’s what you want then that’s what you should do and go for it. But if you wanna be a business owner. Then do it. You’ll learn a lot from it. You get to create something that is just yours and only yours.
To conclude. I am happy as a business owner. Even with the amount of stress that comes with it. I am blessed that I’m able to do what I’m doing. I get to do something that I’m passionate about every single day. I get to help others create their vision and bring it to life. And I get to meet a lot of new people. Which I would say is the highlight of being a business owner. Getting to have many experiences. Being a business owner has taught me a lot. Not only on how to grow a business but also learn a lot about myself. I don’t think I would be the man I am today if I didn’t pursue this endeavor. I am truly blessed to be in the position that I am in today.
Sean, 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 got into photography and videography in late 2019. It was after failing at my sales job in Texas. That I came back home to Washington state in the summer of 2019. I was very depressed at me failing the sales job that I thought would be the beginning of my career. Would be the light to shine on me where I made it. To show my friends and family that I would succeed at something. But it just didn’t work out for me. So settling back into Washington state. After a few weeks. It was time to get back on my feet and find a job. Which I did. Over the course of a few months. It seemed that all I was doing was working. That was my day-to-day life consistently working 12 hour shifts. So I decided to pick up a new hobby. So I stumbled across photography and it peaked my interest. Which I find it very odd because I never had any interest or any understanding of photography. When I was younger, I used to think it was dumb. That’s just what I thought at that time. So in late October 2019. I bought my first camera. I just started taking pictures of everything. From there I was hooked. I had found a new passion. I had found something that was for me. I used to see everyone else and my friends around me. Where they were known for what they do. They had their own thing. But before all this. I never had my own thing. Until that point. So I was addicted and very passionate for photography. Then a month that goes by. I come across a video from a videographer. Then right there I knew I wanted to create something like that. I knew I wanted to pursue videography as well.
I knew it was gonna take a long time to learn the process of creating photos and videos. Especially starting at 23 years old. But I just knew I wanted to do it and go as far as I can with it. I have the type of personality where if I want something I’ll do whatever it takes to get it. I knew I wanted to be a great photographer and videographer. And I was willing to do everything and anything to succeed at it. So I knew I had to learn a lot. I’m the type of learner that if it doesn’t peak my interest. It doesn’t matter how good someone explains it to me. If I don’t have any interest in it. I will never understand the subject. I guess that’s why in school I would do so amazing at the subject that I was so interested in. But I would do absolutely the worst in the subjects that i was least interested in. But being so interested in passionate about photography and videography I was willing to learn as much as I can. So what I did was, I started to subscribe to a bunch of creators on YouTube. Who do photography and videography. And I would binge watch photography and videography videos for about six hours a day. When I wasn’t working. That’s what I would be doing is learning my craft. I would get so excited, learning something new every day. I was learning really fast. Especially from people that I knew did photography and videography. They were amazed at how fast I learned. And that’s what I mean about me. If I am really interested in something, I will learn quickly and remember everything that I learned.
But with anything that you want to learn and do. You have to have a lot of determination and discipline. I can tell you that is something that I have always had. Obviously through my journey there was a lot of ups and downs. A lot of failures. But I didn’t let those failures stop me. I just kept pushing and pursuing in what I know is right for me. I was very persistent in learning this craft. And determine to make my mark as an artist. With each failure that I had. I learned something from it. And it helped me become better. I will say my best learning mark. Which is unfortunate for the world. But a benefit to me. Was when the 2020 pandemic happen. Well everyone I would say was struggling to find something to do. I had something to do all the time because I was learning something new. So I got to practice a lot of photo and video work during that time. And it helped strengthen what I was learning and what I knew during that time. Because I got to practice so much during that time. Eventually, the pandemic did get less restrictive on having everyone stay in their homes. I knew it was time to unravel my services. I learned as much as I could. There is only so much that you can learn until you just have to do things. So it was time for me to start my business.
Starting a business is not easy at all. I knew it was gonna be hard from the start. I would say starting the business is more harder than learning the craft of photography and videography. With creating a business, it takes a lot of time and work. I feel like I’m working more than I did working at a 9 to 5. Because with a business comes so many other things. Like networking, Marketing, doing some free work so you can build your portfolio, raising the money to get more equipment, etc. There’s so many things that go into it. So I would say it was a rocky start to get my business going. As I’m writing in this now. I didn’t really get busy until late July 2024. It’s been so busy. I’ve been editing photos and videos for the last 3 months straight. I hope it gets busier for me. You know when I think about it. I’m really glad that I failed at that sales job. Because if I didn’t. I wouldn’t be doing what I love today.
My business is SEAN’S FAST MEDIA LLC. I decided to go with my name because I never had my name on something. And I went with fast media. Because I can deliver fast media to individuals that need it. Especially when it’s on a strict deadline. Obviously, some people don’t need their stuff as quickly. So I can take my time. But some people have a very tight due date. And need it as soon as possible. And that’s the good thing with me. I work the best when there is a tight deadline. I don’t know why. Probably because I have ADHD. So when I have a lot of pressure, knowing that something needs to be done at a certain time. I just work better. Especially when I start working on something. And I can see where it’s gonna go. It is very hard for me just to stop working on it. I could edit hours on end until I have it finished. I guess I get really addicted to seeing the end result. And seeing how it’s going to come out.
My services on photography and videography can be anything. Anything that someone request I can do it. Within reason. It has to be appropriate. There’s only a couple of stuff that I do not do because it is inappropriate. I do not want my brand to be labeled within that certain stuff.. Yes, everyone has their niche. And I should have a niche of my own to what I do. But I feel like if I did something that was always the same. I would get very bored with what I do. So it’s always exciting for me to do different projects. And not do the same stuff. Like I love photographing weddings. I love it. It’s fun seeing people get married and commit themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. But I couldn’t see myself just doing that consistently and the only thing to do. I would have to do other projects. Like how I’m working with a company that does gutters. Then working with another company that does moving. Then do a video and photo work for a bakery. It’s a mix of stuff. But it always peaks my interest. Especially when I learn new things from different projects that I’m doing. That I could add to other projects that I’m working on. So my service is very wide in many subjects. I just love the art of what I do. I just love creating. And I love bringing peoples visions to life. I think what the cool thing about photography and videography. Is you always have something planned out. But it never exactly comes out the way you plan it. It actually might come out just better than the way you plan it.
The problems that I solve for my clients. Is to bring their vision of their services to life. And how they want to be portrayed to others. And that is my job. Is to create and bring stuff to life. But also understand how content works. And what is the shift in our media today is. And how do I guide my clients through it. Because I don’t expect them to know. Technically, it’s not their job to know it. It’s my job to know it. And be the expert into knowing what to create that is going to draw people’s eyes to their businesses. It is my job to deliver a great amazing experience with the services that I’m providing. Because I am passionate about what I do. I am passionate to create something that they will love. And hopefully the people that are looking at it will love it as well.
To be honest, I really don’t know what sets me apart from others. I don’t really think about that question at all. I mean, I know it’s a cliché. I would just say I’m a very hard worker. And everyone says that. Everyone can be a hard worker. But just because you’re a hard worker doesn’t mean that you do great work. You can work hard and still produce mediocre work. I would say that I am a passionate hard worker. With that passion behind what I do. Drives me to work hard. Go above and beyond into what I do. I don’t expect nothing but excellence from me. So with that, everyone client or not. Whether it’s with my services or not. Will get that from me. I will put my blood, sweat and tears into what I do. Do whatever it takes to get what I need to get done and make it amazing.
To think about what I’m most proud of. That is another question. I just really don’t know. I feel like others know more what to be proud of in what I am doing. Than myself. I don’t really want to get too deep. To me it’s just very hard to be proud in myself. Maybe it’s because I’ve been through a lot this year in 2024. Or I would say in my entire life. Life has been a real roller coaster of an experience for me. I just don’t really see myself in the light. I’m not even really receptive towards good comments about myself. To me I’m just a man that’s trying to do great things. I want to make it as far as I can. So that I am able to help others. I know what it’s like not to have people around me. Especially when you need help. So I wanna make sure that anyone who comes across me will always feel like I am there for them and will help them. To me that is my sole purpose. Is to be there for others and do what I can for them.
To me. My brand Is more than just a media service. More than just delivering the best quality media in a good amount of time. My brand that I wanna build on. Is to support and be there for others. To me that is my motto. I want to build great connections with others and clients. And support others and their endeavors. And I want to be the forefront on those endeavors to help get their names out there. Like I said. My sole purpose is to be there and help others. I really do mean that.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Yeah, I can tell you a story that illustrates my resilience. I can actually tell you a recent story. That all of 2024 I would say was probably one of the most hardest points in my life to be honest.
I would say the start off to 2024 wasn’t the greatest. I had gotten Covid. Then after recovering from Covid. I got the new virus RSV. So I was getting sick back to back. Then on top of that. My two year anniversary was in February. Right before my anniversary my car got stolen. Then on top of that. After my anniversary. Unfortunately, my girlfriend at that time had experience an episode. Which I wouldn’t go to deep into it. But I will say it was the most heartbreaking thing to ever see. It was very difficult to see someone go through that. To me in that moment, I would’ve done anything to switch spots with her so she wouldn’t have to deal with that. Then after going through all that with her. A month later. My two year relationship had come to an end. It was not something that I wanted. But that’s what she wanted. So I had to accept that. Then on top of that. My computer that I had a somewhat big video project. Had frozen and crashed on me. Because of a Software Update. And the only thing they could do was reset my computer, but I had to lose everything that was on it. So I can tell you, the person was not very happy to hear that happen. Then on top of that my other car that I have. Its belt snaps off while I was driving. And at that moment, I just looked to the sky was wondering OK God what else would you want from me. I have nothing else to give or lose.
To me this year, I had lost everything. My relationship. My own sanity. My identity. Everything. Out of everything I lost. All I had left was my business. And even in those moments, it seem like that was slipping away from me.
It was a very hard year. As I write this. The year is not over yet. But even throughout all this, everything that I have been through I still had been able to manage to turn it around. But I had to do a lot of things to be able to turn it around for myself.
I can say that I had experienced a lot of trauma from this year. And I would say the only way to heal a lot of that trauma was by self reflecting. Self reflecting is not an easy thing to do. It is very much easier to avoid self reflecting. And just do a bunch of meaningless things to avoid the problems that you are having. But if you don’t self reflect. Eventually everything will come back to haunt you. And luckily, I had learned how to self reflect a lot in the beginning of my 20s. With self reflecting, you have to go very deep within yourself. And you have to face all those fears, traumas, and the way you see yourself and face it head on. I would say from my perspective that is the only way for me to get over something. And cure myself from traumatic moments. Obviously everyone’s ways different. That’s just how I do things. So with self reflecting, that means if I have to drop everything in my life to do it. So that I can get up and get back to my life. I will do that.
Even though I had been through so much. I was not going to just give up on everything that I have made for myself. And more importantly, not give up on myself. So after a good amount of time. I would say I did a solid two months of self reflecting. Doing things to get myself back where I need to be and really understanding my thoughts, feelings and emotions. I would say for the most part I had achieved my self reflecting journey. But I still had a long ways to go. When this article comes out. I will most likely still be self reflecting.
I would say that in the span of four months. From July 2024. To October 2024. My life has changed drastically. Which I mean, I was able to turn everything around for myself. Through that time I had done so many things. One thing I can tell you that I took on the 75 hard challenge. And if anyone doesn’t know what the 75 hard challenge is? It is to follow five rules for 75 days straight. No breaks or exceptions to the rules. You must follow the rules for 75 days straight without breaking them. Or you would restart the challenge. But I can tell you that I made it through the 75 hard challenge. I will say I did that challenge because I needed to rewire back my brain. I needed to do something to get back my discipline that I always had. I just had lost it. So doing that challenge help me gain back my discipline. But also help me get back my pride in myself and my honor. The challenge wasn’t easy. It was easy to follow the rules. But to do it for 75 day straight. And resist every temptation that came along with it. I would say my resilience to get through that challenge was through the roof. But I’m glad I did it. Because it did help me a lot.
On top of that challenge. I was still determined to get my business going. It was time to get my business going and do whatever it takes. I’ve been in business for about two years. It was time to put myself out there and get my services out there. I can tell you what I did over those four months. Help me a lot. It helped me get the clients I need. It helped me put my foot in the door. I was messaging people constantly. I would be going into establishments offering my services. Anything to get a client. And show them what I can really do for them and their business. And luckily through all that work that I did. I started to get traction to my name. I started getting known just a little bit more than I used to be. So I would say for the last few months I’ve been in full creative mode right now. Because of so many projects that I’ve been working on. Obviously do I want more projects and clients to work with most definitely. To me I just see this as a start to where I’m at. I am just at the beginning of my business and its career. And I am going to do whatever it takes to show what my business is made of. And how I can help others with their needs. It seems at this moment I am making a name for myself. I mean, look at it right now. I could be possibly published in a a magazine. I would have never thought that this would happen in a million years.
I would say that everything that I have been through. Everything that I have been through this year. Everything that I’ve been through my whole life. Had never given me a reason to give up on my dreams and on myself. Even when it feels like the world’s bringing you down to your knees. When you feel like you’re being punished for things that you have no control over. You just have to find a way to get back up and keep pushing. And I know it’s hard. Life is hard. You have to endure a lot of things in life. I would say I never had the best life. Never had the best childhood. I can tell you that I face so many challenges. I had been depressed. Pretty sure I had anxiety. I had some trauma. Many things. I had my parents. But they were always working, so I never got to see them while I was growing up. Never got to learn any lessons from them. So I kinda had to basically learn everything on my own. Never had any confidence in myself. Just so many things to name. But I just knew that there was something more out to life. And I know that I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there. To me if I just let all these things that worked against me. And I just gave up. I would be nowhere. But because of my resilience. And knowing to get back up and keep fighting for what I want. I know I will get there. I just have to keep believing myself, believing in others, and in believing in what I’m going to accomplish. So that I can help the ones around me.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
To be honest, yes! They always been around. But I just always thought they were skeptical and you know and could be a scam. And what I’m talking about is courses. Yes I was able to learn everything that I know today. Through YouTube. But with a lot of learning on my own. And learning from youTube. I had to connect a lot of pieces together to figure out what I know now. I feel as if I took a course back then. I would have been able to speed up my learning process. I get it. There are a lot of bad courses out there. There are a lot of people scamming people through courses. But if you do the diligent research. And everything checks the boxes. I think it’s OK to take the course. The reason why I’m bringing up courses. Is because there are people that have did the work already. And they have developed classes. Which is in an organized way. Where all the pieces follow along with each other. Which will help you learn and gain the knowledge easier. I get people on a budget. But I feel if these people are giving the secrets of what they learn. Yes, they deserve to be compensated. If you want to learn easy. And you want to learn from the best. Sometimes you just have to pay. And that’s OK.
The reason I’m bringing up creative courses is because of the courses I am taking now. My craft is photography and videography. But I also have picked up a new hobby this year. Which is learning how to create my favorite genre of music. Hard style EDM. Which I have no experience or background and music. I just happen to pick it up this year. But I do love it. I am very fascinated in music. But to go learn everything I know was going to take a long time. Luckily I stumbled across a course. Which I was a little bit skeptical of. But I decided to take the leap and learn from it. And I can tell you that from taking that course. I had sped up my process of learning music by years. Just because I was following someone that who has already done the work. And is willing to teach. If they just be compensated just a little bit. So I can tell you that I am grateful that I bought of course. With buying that course for music. I decided to buy a video course. And to be honest, it helped me develop more my skills with the video that I already know. In the creative art journey there is always more room to learn. And I can tell you I have learned a lot from my video course. So I guess what I have to sum up what I’m trying to say is don’t be afraid of paying someone to learn something. Do your research. And like I said if it checks the boxes. Then I would say buy a course. It will definitely help you in the long run. It will definitely speed up the process of learning your craft. Exponentially.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://seansfastmedia7569.live-website.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sfmvisuals
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088585582033&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQzw8FLMFV0LD0cHX7sRIcQ
- Other: https://instagram.com/sfmllcphotography https://instagram.com/sfmllcvisuals https://instagram.com/goodeatsbysean
