Research, Research, Research

I’m writing from my office at work this week. Oops, don’t tell my boss. I’m feeling extra groan-y about my job and responsibilities today. I think I need to have some fun. I try to keep a healthy ratio of empathy to standing up for myself with customers, but I find it extra difficult to be understanding in this headspace. It makes me think of something interesting I heard on some podcast a while back about how detrimental it can be for employees in the service industry to always be “putting on a happy face” or performing at work. While interesting, I always thought this was sort of a catch-22. Sure, performing for eight to ten hours everyday is unhealthy for a person’s brain and personality. But, at the same time, no customer wants to hear about how much I resent them for being so unaware and rude or how my cats have been sick and really I should be at home taking care of them. Alas. It’s a tough spot to be and a great reason to overtip your service workers.

I’ve been dragging at work a bit this week but the production company research has been chugging along! First, I want to clarify the big picture idea I’m working with. My plan, at the moment, is to launch a commercial production company that does a variety of marketing and live-event photography/videography work for individuals and businesses. I want to get this to a stable, profitable level that would allow me to quit my current job and focus on the production company full-time. Then, the company would begin to produce film and television productions. The film and television production is my long-term focus, but producing commercial work first will be a great way to become profitable and learn on the job in a way that will prepare myself and the team for the expansion into the entertainment business.

I mentioned in my last post that this week would be all about research, and it has been. I by started by searching for some of the most successful commercial production companies in Chicago and digging through their websites. I focused on a few different things while exploring.

• The company’s niche

• What the company offers

• Size of the team/business

• Pricing (if available on website)

• Quality and scope of website

• Quality and variety of work samples

• Quality and scope of the website/work samples compared to the (estimated) size of the business

Additionally, I reached out to a friend-of-a-friend who started their own freelance-style production company a number of years ago in hopes that they would be willing to chat about what they do, how they do it, and how they made the transition to full-time producer/entrepreneur.

I’m happy with my decision to beef up the research phase with this idea. I used to get so discouraged when I got an idea and then discovered that (obviously) many other people were already doing a version of the idea. That way of working is like looking for a cheat code whereas doing my due diligence in the research phase allows me to clarify and refine my original idea for the business. Additionally, this will lay a much stronger foundation when it comes time to mock up a first draft of the business plan. I think that’s going to be a focus this week. TBD!

I hope you’re enjoying the sun, wherever you are. As always, thanks for reading!

Wishing you consistency,

Will

P.S. The name Will Barnes is an alias. As mentioned in my first post, I can’t leave my current job until I have another comparable stream of income and I’d like to prevent my boss from firing me first. Please don’t seek out my real identity. I will reveal myself when the time is right.

You can reach me via email at [email protected] or on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @BosslessBlog.