Drew's mentorship journey.

Growing his new business from local projects to five-figure contracts

Drew made the transition from freelance to full-time filmmaker quite a few years ago. His side gigs grew consistent, leading to a full-time videographer position with a long-term client. The job provided stability but lacked the creative freedom Drew craved. He often felt restricted and unable to tell the impactful stories he longed to share.

Last year, Drew’s world turned upside down when he was unexpectedly let go from his position. Initially devastated, he soon saw this as an opportunity to pursue his passion for filmmaking on his terms. He had concerns though about living in a small town and the availability of work with the budgets he was after.

Determined, he launched his own business, focusing on meaningful projects and impactful storytelling. “I knew if I was going to do it, I had to be all in,” Drew said, reflecting on his decision.

Realizing he needed guidance, Drew turned to the mentorship program. Initially skeptical about the return on investment and some of the methods suggested, his doubts dissipated as he immersed himself in the program. The structured approach to both filmmaking and business development was critical to his long-term success.

As part of the mentorship, Drew rebranded his business and shifted his pitch model to attract clients with bigger budgets. He strived for remarkable outcomes in every project. 

This new approach quickly paid off. Instead of sending a typical pitch deck via email for a new client opportunity, Drew completely changed his process “I created a pitch deck, did a personal video, and even went to the village to take drone shots,” Drew explained.

“It was a lot of effort, but it paid off.” This effort led to Drew’s proposal rising above seven other applicants, securing his highest-paying client ever and entering the five-figure club for the first time.

Through the mentorship, Drew gained the confidence and tools to exceed client expectations. He developed a deeper understanding of storytelling, branding, and client engagement, equipping him to tackle new challenges and achieve greater success.

His determination and the support from the program has kept him focused. He transformed his approach, understanding the importance of presenting his unique value to clients.

One of the most significant transformations Drew experienced was the boost in confidence and his ability to pitch himself effectively.

 He is confident that the work has just begun, but as promised this time, he is all in and doing it right. He now has the foundation to go after more five figure clients, building his business with consistent well-paying work, with films that make an impact in his community.