I left my 9-to-5 job to start my own corporate video production business. Now I work 24/7.
This funny-but-true statement perfectly encapsulates my entrepreneurial journey as a corporate videographer – a path I never imagined taking, yet one that has enriched my life in ways I could have never foreseen.
You see, I was raised with the good old “study hard, work harder” mantra ingrained in my psyche from a young age. The conventional corporate ladder was the expected trajectory, the proverbial holy grail of success.
But little did I know, I was destined to be the rebel, the one breaking that chain and forging my own unconventional path in the world of videography services.
Let’s rewind to my younger days, when the world seemed simpler, and the choices appeared binary. Fresh out of secondary school, I found myself at a crossroads: Junior College or Polytechnic? Being a tad stubborn and averse to change, I opted for JC, hoping to stick with the familiar subjects like English, Math, and Science.
Little did I know, that decision would set me on a chaos course.
Boy, was I in for a rude awakening! That first year of Junior College took such a toll on me that, before I knew it, I had dropped out entirely. The academic pressure, coupled with the weight of societal expectations, became too much to bear. It was a pivotal moment, one that forced me to reevaluate my priorities and aspirations.
After a much-needed year-long breather to clear my mind and gather my thoughts, I decided to take a leap of faith – I enrolled in a Polytechnic course, Information Communication and Technology (ICT). Admittedly, I knew nuts about this field initially.
But as fate would have it, those three years ignited a passion within me for information & communication that would shape my entire career.
Upon graduating, I found myself in the corporate IT world, diligently climbing the ranks for seven years. It was a stable, comfortable existence, one that aligned with societal expectations. Yet, something was missing. A fire burned within me, yearning for more than just a steady paycheck and a predetermined path.
Then, one fateful day, I did the unthinkable – I fired my boss (figuratively, of course) and took the entrepreneurial plunge as a corporate videographer.
No safety net, no harness, just pure, unadulterated courage (or perhaps temporary insanity). It was a decision that would forever alter the course of my life.
Crazy? Absolutely. Terrifying? You bet.
But that leap of faith set me on a journey I could have never predicted or prepared for. It was an exhilarating, all-consuming adventure in the world of videography services, filled with triumphs, challenges, and everything in between.
Here I am, a decade into running my own corporate video production business, having survived – nay, thrived – against all odds. To be honest, making it through that first year as an entrepreneur and corporate videographer was a victory in itself, a testament to my resilience and determination.
But I persevered, learning invaluable lessons along the way, embracing the chaos and reveling in the freedom that comes with being your own boss in the field of videography.
Would I do things differently if given the chance? Perhaps I’d ensure a financial safety net before diving headfirst into the unknown world of corporate videography.
Or maybe I’d seek guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs and videographers who had walked the path before me. But truthfully, I’m forever grateful for this unexpected journey, for it has shaped me into the corporate videographer I am today.
If my story teaches anything, it’s this: life rarely follows a straight path.
Embrace the detours, the curveballs, and the opportunities that present themselves unexpectedly. You never know where they might lead you or the invaluable lessons they might impart.
Looking back, I never could have predicted that a stubborn teenager’s decision to drop out of Junior College would eventually lead me to this point – a successful entrepreneur and corporate videographer, reveling in the freedom and challenges that come with offering videography services and corporate video production.
To those dreaming of breaking free from the conventional 9-to-5 mold to pursue their passion, whether it’s videography or something else entirely, let my story serve as inspiration.
It won’t be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. Embrace the chaos, the unknown, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Most importantly, have the courage to forge your own path, even if it defies societal norms or expectations.
Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what life is truly about? Embracing the unexpected, seizing opportunities, and creating a journey that is uniquely your own, whether it’s in the realm of corporate videography or any other field that ignites your passion?
Thank you for joining me on this accidental entrepreneurial expedition as a corporate videographer.
Here’s to embracing the unknown and forging our own paths, no matter how unconventional they may seem!