Joseph Signature Arts LLC. Update 03/22/2019
Big changes ahead but for the best! Here’s a quick
reflection of our progress and what we’ve learned from the experience of
running our own Photo Video LLC.
Last August of 2018 Sammie and I had made the decision to quit
our day jobs and invest all of our time and energy into creating a company that
would benefit small businesses with affordable Custom Video, Animated Graphics
and Photography. Aside from already owning the creative software and production
gear to get started, we had very little in savings and maxed out our credit line
to keep our bills afloat for just a few months. Any Financial consultant,
friend or family member would say this is down right Suicide and suggest
alternative options when launching a startup. But sure enough, it was that intuitive
burning desire that pushed me to get started neglecting the type of RISK or BURDEN
I’d bring to my own family, let alone kids, which was dangerous.
On our first day, I began to scan cities from Google Maps
and went through as many local directories calling and emailing small companies
offering our services. My sales pitch was unprepared and non-scripted but we
eventually obtained our first client whom we scheduled a 1-1 consultation with
that same week. I felt excited to
make progress but started realizing we had no supportive business material to
share other than our digital portfolio of previous creative work. And by “Using
a Learn As You Go - Write As You Go methodology”, our workday went from (8AM/5PM) to (7AM/1AM) Monday - Sunday overnight with no intention of the
payload we set ourselves up for. We were in need of sales material, business
forms, email templates, invoices, contracts, copy/creative, reels, marketing,
legalities, state registration, EIN filing, insurance and more! It was
definitely overwhelming for a Husband/Wife team with the soul purpose of only
wanting to produce creative projects and get paid for publishing them. Homework
was of the essence and Time was not on our side so we took it day by day and
studied as much as we could to get the material we had no experience in, drafted.
After invoicing and receiving our first check made to:
Joseph Signature Arts LLC. We had to finalize our due diligence with the state
and local bank to even cash it! I recall personal bills exceeding their due
dates while waiting for the state and bank to approve us which took about half
a month. During this time I continued to prospect for more clients to conduct 1-1
creative appointments with and sure enough, our handwork was paying off and becoming
more promising. Our calendar was booked thru the months of October/November
allowing us to finally catch up on past bills. Our projects became more
elaborate with bigger budgets and the work we produced allowed us to share with
other clients. We were on the right path to designing a visual work process of
our BASIC to ADVANCED packages. But with every business, comes the changing of the
season. Things started to slow down in December and it dramatically affected
our living lifestyle, home finances, personal relationship and family.
For a moment I felt disconnected with reality. Bills were
again overdue and it seemed like no matter how hard I prospected or lowered service
prices we weren’t prepared for the slow month to come. I was so fixated on
saving this company and over working myself that I failed to realize my
children were about to miss out on Christmas. Thankfully we had some family support
step in last minute with the help of saving their spirits. Although it was
truly heartbreaking to witness their excitement while knowing deep down inside we
had nothing to afford, Bare in mind coming to terms that we were two broke
parents with rising debt receiving foreclosure warnings.
As of January 2019, I tried to start the New Year off right by
working harder and hoping to relieve ourselves from the mess I put my family
in. Yet business inquiries continue to come in requesting more details with no
further action of converting. We’ve had client proposals go sour negotiating
cheaper prices we couldn’t really say “No” to based on our living situations.
And the work we continue producing has no added profit since we were catching up
on finances. In layman terms, I was over delivering timely consumed projects
that fell way below competitive pricing, and can barley survive. With no projections
in place and gambling our fate month over month, I have reached a Turning Point
in my life and have accepted this failure
and take nothing for granted.
It goes without saying this was one of the best learning
experiences I have ever had with running a production company of my own. In conclusion
to our trial and error experiences, I’ve realized that I can’t do this alone
and value the importance of having a TEAM!
As of 1/30/2019 I’d like to share that I was offered a full time
position with a marketing company and went back to work full time from 8am-5pm M-F to pay off our remaining debt. I’m thankful enough this company allowed me to do so, after hearing my story.
Moving forward, There’s also been more changes. Sammie and I have been separated for about two months. Currently staying at my mothers house and will be working on a schedule to see my two children as well as a civil plan with Sammie. This is in process as we speak. The road ahead is a mystery but all I can do is hope for the best outcome and aim for the STARS. Thank you for taking the time to read about my venture.
Joey Gutierrez