Studio Sherpas Podcast

Austin Armstrong, CEO of Syllaby, shares his journey from video marketing agency owner to AI software pioneer. In this value-packed episode, he breaks down how to leverage AI tools for content creation while maintaining authenticity, and reveals some surprising strategies for boosting engagement on social media. Key Takeaways  Different types of content serve different audiences - don't limit yourself to one format Repurposing and reposting content is not just okay - it's smart strategy The key to networking isn't pitching yourself - it's asking good questions Being entertaining and adding personality to your content drives better engagement About Austin Armstrong Austin Armstrong is a lifelong digital marketer, public speaker, 2X 7-figure entrepreneur, host of the podcast BusinessTok, and CEO of Syllaby, an AI startup that helps content creators create, schedule, and publish videos in minutes. Austin has posted over 4000 videos on TikTok, tripling his own business’s revenue and thousands more across his cl

Storytelling consultant Katie Quesada breaks down why polished perfection isn't always the answer in video content, and how to create stories that actually move people to take action. She shares practical frameworks for helping people tell better stories and why those raw, behind-the-scenes moments often create deeper connections than highly produced content. Key Takeaways If you want to make someone do something, you have to make them feel something - and stories are the best way to do that Raw, behind-the-scenes content often performs better than polished pieces because it feels more authentic Don't hold back your story - it might be exactly what someone else needs to hear About Katie Quesada Katie is an acclaimed speaker and consultant who is deeply passionate about the art of storytelling. Katie has recently worked with top brands like Zillow, United Healthcare, American Eagle Outfitters (and more!) to ignite their story for more effective communication, high trust within teams, and increased sales. Kat

Artist and creative strategist Mike Brennan opens up about the journey of building a business that aligns with who you are, even as that changes over time. He shares powerful insights about avoiding creative burnout, finding fulfillment outside of client work, and giving yourself permission to evolve. Key Takeaways Give yourself permission to evolve - what worked for you years ago might not be what's right for you now Have creative outlets separate from your paid work to avoid burnout and keep your passion alive Focus on building a business that aligns with who you are today, not who you used to be About Mike Brennan Mike Brennan, author of Make Fun a Habit: The Creative PLAYbook for Making Life and Work Fun Again, isn't your typical Creative Consultant and Communicator; he's a passionate advocate for reigniting the lost art of fun and creativity.  Mike's expertise goes beyond the pages of his book. He's helped renowned clients like Heineken and Chase Bank infuse creativity, innovation, and fun into their w

Freelance filmmaker Ryan Blaske opens up about his journey from one-man-band to building a production studio, sharing his passion for documentary storytelling and desire to scale without sacrificing quality. He talks candidly about dealing with burnout and his exciting plans to grow Blaske Studio while staying true to the work he loves. Key Takeaways  You don't need employees to start operating like a studio - begin by building a reliable network of contractors and freelancers Focus on what you do best and delegate the rest - whether that's editing, project management, or admin work When scaling up, prioritize working with people who are reliable and have good attitudes - being on time and having a positive mindset are half the battle About Ryan Blaske Creativity has always been important to Ryan. A passion for creating something beautiful, combined with naturally occurring incredible moments, led him to a fascination with videography and photography. He wanted to tell a story with his work that connects wi

Brand Builders Group's Jeremy Weber reveals compelling research about the impact of personal branding on business growth and provides a practical framework for building authority without getting distracted from your core business. He shares how to strategically position yourself as an expert while maintaining focus on your primary revenue streams. Key Takeaways Focus on building your personal brand as an extension of your business, not a separate entity Start with one-to-one work before scaling to one-to-many and then many-to-one Create content that teaches subsets of your proven process to attract ideal clients Niche down to become known as the expert in one specific area before expanding About Jeremey Weber Jeremy Weber is a founding member and senior strategist at Brand Builders Group. Over his 17+ year career, he has founded, sold and helped to grow multiple companies. His work as a personal brand strategist has supported New York Times bestselling authors, viral TED speakers, celebrity influencers, a S

Author and speaker Terry Weaver challenges conventional hustle culture wisdom and shares a more sustainable approach to building a successful business. He discusses why true success means defining it on your own terms and building intentional rest into your business model. Key Takeaways  Success looks different for everyone - define it based on the life you actually want Build intentional seasons of rest into your business model Focus on creating genuine value and relationships instead of just moving money around Take at least one week off per quarter to truly disengage from work About Terry Weaver Terry Weaver is a speaker, author, event producer, podcaster, and ideapreneur whose passion is to see others live life alive; whether through helping others see their dreams become reality, traveling around the world challenging students to change the world, leading teams of people to do more together than they could alone, or hanging out with Mickey Mouse. With a background in the music business, Terry has helpe

Kolbe Certified Business Consultant Eryn Morgan breaks down how understanding your natural work style can help you build the perfect team and finally delegate those tasks you hate. She shares practical strategies for finding the right help, even on a tight budget, and explains why some tasks that drive you crazy might be someone else's dream job. Key Takeaways Your perfect hire doesn't need to be a unicorn who does everything - start by delegating one task you hate Use the "brilliance list" exercise to identify tasks you should keep versus delegate There are people who genuinely love doing the tasks you hate - you just need to find them About Eryn Morgan Eryn Morgan is a Kolbe Certified™ Business Consultant who helps creative agency owners, designers, and other "accidental" entrepreneurs build strong teams. She understands the challenges of having a creative mindset and helps her clients use their natural strengths to their advantage. Eryn guides her clients to: Clarify their vision and identify their idea

In this year-end reflection, Ryan shares honest thoughts about the challenges facing video production businesses in 2024 and the importance of community in entrepreneurship. He opens up about his own revenue struggles while staying optimistic about opportunities in 2025, especially for those willing to adapt to changing client needs and new technologies. Key Takeaways The video production landscape is changing rapidly with AI - focus on being adaptable and learning new tools while maintaining what makes your work uniquely valuable Community and accountability are crucial for business growth - find people who will both support and challenge you Done is better than perfect - having accountability helps you actually complete projects rather than aiming for perfection In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [03:36] 10xFILMMAKER [04:48] Reflection Over The Years [11:58] Keeping Up With The Changes [14:32] Importance Of Community [21:40] How To Get Plugged In [29:19] Outro Quotes "There is still a need for

Positioning strategist Mischa Zvegintzov shares how video business owners can leverage podcast guesting to reach new audiences and generate revenue without complex marketing funnels. He reveals his simple pitch template and seven key benefits of podcast guesting that create both immediate and long-term business opportunities. Key Takeaways You don't need fancy materials to start podcast guesting - just an email address and your stories Focus on building relationships and providing value rather than direct sales Use podcast appearances to create ongoing content and build thought leadership Look for collaboration opportunities with hosts beyond just reaching their audience About Mischa Zvegintzov Mischa is a seasoned sales expert who once retired to teach yoga and be a stay-at-home dad. Now, as Chief Influence Officer of The Influence Army and host of the top 1.5% podcast the Table Rush Talk Show, he helps heart centered entrepreneurs amplify their message and build influence without costly advertising. Are y

Positioning strategist Delia Monk shares practical strategies for transforming video portfolios into client-converting websites. She reveals common mistakes creatives make with their web copy and provides actionable tips for showcasing work in a way that resonates with potential clients. Key Takeaways Your videos need compelling copy above them to give viewers a reason to click play Use client testimonials and results to build credibility and overcome sales resistance Focus copy on the client ("you") rather than yourself ("I/we") Include clear pricing information or frameworks to encourage contact form submissions About Delia Monk Delia Monk helps online business owners who want to sell out their online programs, services, and digital products using the power of conversion copywriting. If she was cool enough to have a street name, hers would be The Story-Seller because she’s mastered the art of non-sleazy sales through the power of storytelling and personality-fueled writing. But alas, most people just call

Brandi Mowles shares her journey from bankruptcy to building a 7-figure business by moving away from hourly rates to strategic packaging of services. She provides practical insights on pricing psychology, creating valuable packages, and adding consulting services to increase revenue while better serving clients.  Key Takeaways Moving from hourly to package pricing allows you to charge based on value rather than time Niching down helps streamline your business and makes it easier to create effective packages Adding consulting services can help you leverage your expertise and create recurring revenue When people pay for your expertise, they're more likely to implement and value your advice About Brandi Mowles Brandi Mowles, founder of Conversions For Clients™ and Strategist Society™ is a wife, mom, taco snob, podcast host, and online marketing expert. She transformed her family's life by building a 7-figure business in just two years, giving them more choices and freedom than she could have ever imagined.  No

Video production expert Zephan Moses Blaxburg shares his journey from running a traditional studio to creating a more efficient and profitable business model through remote editing and strategic partnerships. He discusses practical strategies for scaling a video production business while maintaining work-life balance. Key Takeaways Building strong referral partnerships with photographers, IT companies, and web designers can lead to consistent high-value projects Effective delegation of editing work can free up time and increase productivity Creating detailed standard operating procedures is crucial for successful remote team management About Zephan Moses Blaxberg Zephan Moses Blaxberg is a live streamer, video content creator and best-selling author. He founded his video production company, ZMB Media in 2014 and grew it to a multi-six-figure business as a one man band. Having worked with Fortune-500 company executives to celebrities, NBA stars and even the White House, Zephan has extensive knowledge in buil

In this episode, brand designer and strategist Jacob Cass shares his expertise on how video business owners can leverage strategic branding to stand out in a crowded market. Jacob discusses the importance of brand clarity, positioning, and the value of investing in professional branding services to attract ideal clients and boost business success. Key Takeaways Understanding your brand's core value, target audience, and market position is crucial for business growth A well-defined brand strategy can boost confidence and make marketing efforts more effective Investing in professional branding services can lead to long-term business success and higher-quality clients About Jacob Cass Jacob Cass is a brand designer, strategist, educator, podcaster, business coach, community builder and the founder of JUST Creative, a branding & design consultancy that doubles as an industry-leading blog and community. Jacob helps grow brands strategically and has worked for clients such as Disney, Nintendo and Jerry Seinfe

In this episode, Jason Duncan shares his journey from school teacher to successful entrepreneur and business coach. He discusses the crucial differences between owning a job and owning a business, and provides actionable strategies for video business owners to create more freedom and build true business value. Key Takeaways The three tiers of entrepreneurial evolution: owner-operator, owner-manager, and owner-investor The importance of basic delegation as the first step towards business freedom Why consistency outperforms intensity in business growth and personal development How to shift focus from revenue to building a valuable business asset About Jason Duncan The Real Jason Duncan transforms overwhelmed entrepreneurs into liberated business owners. Creator of the XOS™ Method and best-selling author of "Exit Without Exiting," Jason builds "vacation-proof" businesses that thrive without constant owner involvement. Through his Exiter Club and coaching programs, Jason guides founders from trapped owner-opera

In this episode, Adam Rosen shares his expertise on effective cold email strategies for video business owners. He breaks down the key components of a successful outreach campaign, including proper email infrastructure, personalization techniques, and the importance of patience. Adam also reveals a clever approach to offering mini video audits that can significantly boost response rates and lead to more qualified prospects. Key Takeaways Set up separate domains for cold email outreach to protect your main business email reputation Structure your initial email with a clear purpose, problem you solve, solution, social proof, and call-to-action Offer a personalized video audit as a lead magnet to increase engagement and qualify prospects Aim for 1 positive reply per 1000 emails sent, and remember that patience combined with persistence is key to success About Adam Rosen Adam Rosen, a world-traveling entrepreneur, sold his first tech startup in 2019. He now leads eocworks.com, helping companies get sales through

In this game-changing episode, sales expert Matt Easton reveals how video business owners can transform their approach to landing clients and growing their business. Matt shares powerful strategies for having meaningful conversations that convert, including how to lead with valuable insights about your client's business rather than just pitching your services. You'll walk away with actionable techniques to confidently reach out to potential clients and close more deals without feeling sleazy. Key Takeaways  Learn how to shift your mindset from being a creative to a business owner who solves real problems for clients Discover the power of asking "Does it make sense?" instead of yes/no questions to smoothly move deals forward Master the art of the "power email" to summarize client needs and set clear next steps Gain confidence in reaching out to potential clients by using the simple yet effective "raise your hand" technique About Matt Easton Matt Easton is a catalyst for success in sales, business, and li

In this solo episode, Ryan Koral shares encouragement and insights for video business owners facing challenges in the current industry landscape. He emphasizes the importance of community, adaptability, and maintaining an abundance mindset. Ryan also discusses the value of investing in yourself through coaching and mastermind groups to grow your business. Key Takeaways Building a community of fellow video professionals is crucial for growth and support Be open to experimenting with new strategies if old methods aren't working Focus on providing value and authenticity in your video work Consider investing in coaching or mastermind groups to accelerate your business growth In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:52] Be Open To New Things [10:59] Having a Community [12:42] Handling Competition and Fear [17:02] 10xFILMMAKER Community [20:00] Mastermind [24:33] Outro Quotes "Most of us get into this work because we love it so much. Uh, some of us feel called into this work." "Living open handedly, I t

In this episode of the show, negotiation expert John Lowry reveals how mastering the art of negotiation can transform your video production business. He shares practical strategies for managing yourself in negotiations, creating win-win scenarios, and ensuring client satisfaction beyond just delivering a great product. John's insights and real-world examples demonstrate how effective negotiation skills can lead to better deals, stronger client relationships, and significant business growth. Key Takeaways  Negotiation is a fundamental skill used daily in video production, from client interactions to problem-solving on set Effective negotiation involves managing yourself, balancing competitiveness with cooperation, and being clear about your intentions Look beyond monetary terms in negotiations; consider how clients can help you achieve broader business goals Client satisfaction depends on three key factors: the product, the process, and how you manage people throughout the project About John Lowry John

In this episode of the show, Legendary Art Center professor and business coach Errol Gerson shares his wisdom from 50+ years of teaching and mentoring creatives. He reveals powerful strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, standing out in a crowded market, and achieving success through mindset shifts and gratitude practices. Errol's inspiring stories and practical advice will motivate video business owners to embrace their role as storytellers and take their careers to new heights. Key Takeaways  Change your perspective: "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change." Success is a choice, not chance: Create opportunities by putting yourself out there and standing out from the crowd. Embrace gratitude daily: Developing a "gratitude attitude" can transform your outlook and lead to greater success. Reframe your identity: You're not just a videographer, you're a storyteller - this mindset shift can open new doors and opportunities. About Errol Gerson Errol was born and ra

In this episode of the podcast, discover how to keep more of your hard-earned money with CPA and tax strategist Amanda Han. Learn game-changing strategies for video business owners, including the benefits of S-corps, smart write-offs, and using real estate to build wealth. Amanda shares practical tips to transform your approach to taxes and finance, helping you maximize profits and minimize stress. Key Takeaways  Learn how transitioning to an S-corp could significantly reduce your tax bill and save you thousands Discover often-overlooked tax write-offs for video professionals, including strategies for travel expenses Explore how real estate investments can boost your wealth-building efforts and provide tax advantages Understand the importance of regular bookkeeping and finding the right CPA to support your business goals About Amanda Han Amanda Han & Matt MacFarland are CPAs and tax strategists who specialize in helping people use real estate to save massive amounts in taxes and keep their hard earned m