Grow Your Video Business

Johnny Mendez shares the raw story of how his successful video production company hit rock bottom financially in December 2017, and the seven-year journey of rebuilding with better systems, mindset, and business foundations. He reveals how this painful experience transformed not just his company but his entire approach to life, work, and personal growth.

Key Takeaways

• The shift from being "filmmakers who had a business" to "business owners who provide filmmaking services" is crucial for long-term sustainability
• Managing your finances properly isn't optional - even successful companies with great clients can collapse without proper cash flow management
• Personal growth and development are just as important as business skills - "you don't achieve your goals, you grow into them"
• Joining communities of like-minded professionals provides both support during difficult times and accelerates your learning and growth

About Johnny Mendez

Johnny is the co-owner of Hen House Media, an award-winning video production company serving clients for the last 22 years. Before launching his business, Johnny worked in film production and broadcast television. He's had the honor to film nationally and internationally working alongside truly remarkable clients.

He has experienced his share of lows in both his personal life and business endeavors. These challenges led him to embrace personal growth and continued learning, which has profoundly impacted his life, helping him navigate through tough times, especially as the industry changes. Now, Johnny is rewriting his story and code, and wants to share that story in hopes of helping others.

Above all, Johnny enjoys long walks on the beach with his family, and is planning a tell-all book on his love of sandwiches.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Welcome to the Show!
• [04:54] Meet Johnny Mendez
• [05:44] Hen House Media[14:15] Financial Wake-Up Call
• [26:21] Managing Your Assets
• [29:06] Financial Tips
• [36:28] Investing In Yourself
• [43:52] The Great Reframe Podcast
• [45:49] Connect with Johnny
• [48:07] Outro

Quotes

"We used to be filmmakers who had a business, and now I think we're business owners who provide filmmaking services." - Johnny Mendez

"There's a great quote. There's a guy Jim Rome who has a quote that says you don't achieve your goals, you grow into them. And that like is something that I want to just like half printed on my wall because it's so true." - Johnny Mendez

"The money that comes in is not the money that you have. You have to put it through all of its filters to see what's at the bottom that you actually are. And then you can control that number by controlling everything that happens in the middle." - Johnny Mendez

"For me, what's really important is family, right? My family is like the center of my universe and everything I'm doing now is in service of them. I want to spend more time with them. I want to be present." - Johnny Mendez

Guest Links

Find Johnny Mendez online

Check out The Great Reframe on YouTube |Instagram

Check out The Great Reframe podcast

Follow Henhouse Media onInstagram|Facebook|Twitter

Links

Find out more about10xFILMMAKER

Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group

Follow Ryan Koral onInstagram

Follow Grow Your Video Business onInstagram

Check out the full show notes

Carter Hogan shares his journey from filmmaker to software founder and reveals why most video professionals don't actually have a lead generation problem - they have a lead nurturing problem. He breaks down practical ways to automate the "low-value activities" in your business so you can focus on the creative work that matters most.

Key Takeaways

• Your leads need 7-8 touchpoints before they'll trust you enough to hire you - if you're not consistently staying in touch, you're leaving money on the table
• A simple monthly newsletter highlighting recent projects and how they solved client problems is the easiest way to nurture leads effectively
• Automating payment processes and follow-ups not only saves time but prevents thousands in unpaid invoices from slipping through the cracks
• Presenting a professional front through automated reminders and follow-ups makes clients feel like you have a full team, even if you're a solo operator

About Carter Hogan

Carter Hocan is the Co-founder and Owner of Vidlead, a video production company. With 10 years of experience as a videographer and producer, Carter gained recognition through his YouTube channel DevinSuperTramp. 

He also spent five years with Fulltime Filmmaker Online Film School. Carter's expertise in creative storytelling and video production drives Vidlead’s mission to deliver innovative content solutions for businesses and creators alike.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Welcome to the Show!
• [06:30] Meet Carter Hogan
• [11:24] VidLead
• [14:14] Lead Nurturing
• [17:59] Monthly Newsletter
• [22:30] Automated Messaging for Socials
• [30:54] VidLead Financial and Time Benefits
• [32:21] Invoicing
• [47:56] Outro

Quotes

"People ask me like, what's going to help me? And it's like, well, if you haven't signed up yet, one, you're going to save money because you're going to cancel at least three or four softwares... And then two, you're going to free up a lot of your time so that you can work on your business." - Carter Hogan

"If you can automate the low value activities in your business and focus on the higher value activities, you're going to get a lot more bang for your buck. You're going to make a lot more money that way. Cause you're focusing on where your time really should be spent." - Carter Hogan

"Even if I'm selling like a $50 broomstick on Amazon, I still have to hit like at least five or six touch points to have somebody trust me enough to buy my $50 broomstick. Now we're talking about thousands of dollars in video production." - Carter Hogan

Guest Links

Get your first Month free with VidLead

Connect with Carter Hogan on LinkedIn

Follow VidLead on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Links

Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER  

Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group 

Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram

Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram

Check out the full show notes

Jason Raitz shares his journey from public speaker to communication coach and reveals how seemingly small changes in how we speak with (not at) people can dramatically impact trust, relationships, and revenue. Through powerful stories and practical advice, Jason shows how better communication isn't just nice to have - it's essential for business growth and client retention.

Key Takeaways:

• Most leaders communicate out of fear, manipulation, or force for short-term results - but this approach eventually drives away team members and clients 
•  Effective communication follows the 20/80 principle: be fully present (10%), ask exceptional questions (10%), and genuinely listen (80%) 
• Your listening skills and communication effectiveness could be costing you $80,000-$100,000 a year and 8 hours of productivity every week 
• When you speak "with" people rather than "at" them, you'll build trust that naturally generates referrals and increases revenue

About Jason Raitz

Jason Raitz is on a mission to help leaders speak with people, not at them. As President of Speak with People, he equips leaders with communication skills that build trust, foster loyalty, and drive growth. 

Since 1996, Jason has spoken at over 700 events, reaching more than 200,000 people. He also hosts the Speak with People Podcast, inspiring Leaders to refine their communication and deepen relationships. 

He and his wife have been married for 28 years and have 5 kids. They're huge advocates for adoption the rare disease community.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Welcome to the show!
• [04:22] Meet Jason Raitz
• [11:44] Being a Better Communicator
• [13:43] Words and Actions
• [23:06] Tips for Better Communication
• [28:04] Be A Story Collector
• [34:54] Why Communicate Better?
• [44:47] Connect with Jason
• [46:24] Outro

Quotes

"Real influence isn't demanded, it's earned one meaningful conversation at a time." - Jason Raitz

"People will listen to you for a season if you communicate out of force. They will listen to you if you communicate out of fear, if you come down hard on them. But that only works for a short time." - Jason Raitz

"When you speak with people, you speak from a place of health. You speak from a place of trust, joy and collaboration. Like you want to get the absolute best." - Jason Raitz

"Healthy communication is oxygen for our relationships. And you just breathe life into people. The difference is astounding." - Jason Raitz

Guest Links

Free Communication Course

Find Jason Raitz online

Listen to the Speak With People podcast

Follow Jason Raitz on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Check out Ryan's resources (including his book, "Speak With People, Not At Them," releasing September 2025)

Links

Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER  

Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group 

Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram

Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram

Check out the full show notes

Ryan Holck shares his journey from creative implementer to strategic partner, revealing how the right questions at the beginning of a project can completely transform both your client relationships and your bottom line. He breaks down exactly how to stop wasting time on prospects who aren't aligned with your value and start positioning yourself as more than just someone with a nice camera.

Key Takeaways

• Asking "Who's the top person we're trying to reach and what's the next step you hope they'll take?" changes everything about how you approach video projects
• Bringing up budget expectations early saves everyone time - try saying "Projects like this typically run between $X and $Y" to quickly assess alignment
• Helping clients understand the value of what you're creating relative to their potential return makes price conversations much easier
• Good creative work isn't just about technical execution - it's about getting stories that connect emotionally and drive real results

About Ryan Holck

Ryan Holck is a speaker, author, marketer, and brand messaging strategist. As creator of the Distill Your Story framework, he guides brands to tell their story clearly so they are memorable and referable.

He specializes in helping brands identify their unique story, simplify their messaging, and deliver it strategically both online and in person. 

Ryan combines storytelling principles with marketing practices to help brands be memorable and referable. His work has spanned industries including: soloprenuers, family-run businesses, green energy, women’s health, food safety and state-wide nonprofits.

In This Episode

• [00:00] Welcome to the Show!
• [05:18] Meet Ryan Holck
• [06:12] Focusing On Your Goal
• [12:03] Discussing Budget With a Client
• [24:18] Advantage of Creative Storytelling
• [26:47] Using Testimonials
• [29:54] Educating Your Clients
• [36:23] Different Types of Clients
• [42:02] Connect With Ryan
• [43:43] Outro

Quotes

"Great questions lead to great creative. If you could sit and think about what are two or three things that I could ask a potential client that would help me understand what they need, but would also help reveal to the client what truly is going to be the change moment in this project for them." - Ryan Holck

"Do not be afraid of the creative process because you were made to be creative. And at the same moment, it is not everything you are, that your creativity is a piece of what you are and who you are, but it is not the entirety of it." - Ryan Holck

"The game changer moment for me is when our discovery calls went from me just asking a lot of questions to helping a client understand what kind of client are they." - Ryan Koral

Guest Links

Find Ryan Holck online

Grab your free website audit

Follow Ryan Holck on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Connect with Ryan Holck on LinkedIn

Follow Distill Your Story on Instagram | Facebook

Links

Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER  

Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group 

Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram

Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram

Check out the full show notes

Matt Church shares his revolutionary approach to building a fulfilling business centered around your unique expertise and preferences rather than chasing market opportunities. He explains why the "third choice" of running a practice (not just a job or business) creates more freedom, impact, and alignment with who you truly are.

Key Takeaways

• You have three choices: get a job, start a business, or run a practice – and running a practice around what you know gives you more control and fulfillment
• Your differentiation comes from preference and selection, not trying to broadcast how special you are to everyone • Work from your essence, expertise, and experience to create something unique without the pressure of being completely different from everyone else
• The "vacation test" is brilliant: would you go on vacation with your clients? If not, they're probably not your ideal clients

About Matt Church

Matt Church is one of the world's leading strategic thinkers and speakers, known for helping people prepare for tomorrow by taking action today. As the founder of Thought Leaders™, he's dedicated to developing leaders who make a real difference. From his early days as Australian Fitness Leader of the Year to being inducted into the Professional Speaker Hall of Fame, Matt has consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible. 

He's a bestselling author whose work has been published in 5 countries, and he's recognized as one of the top 21 most influential people in the speaking industry globally. When he's not helping clever people be commercially smart, you'll find him on Sydney's northern beaches restoring his 1962 trawler, Sweet Potato.

In This Episode

• [00:00:00] Welcome to the show!
• [00:05:56] Meet Matt Church
• [00:06:39] Thought Leaders Practice Book
• [00:11:06] Experience and Technical Competency
• [00:14:43] Imposter Syndrome
• [00:16:59] Ways of Knowing
• [00:27:20] “Comparisonitis”
• [00:48:30] Being Yourself for Others
• [00:55:11] Scarcity Mindset
• [01:01:12] Connect with Matt
• [01:04:03] Outro

Quotes

"You do the world no service by playing it small. It's a form of false humility and it's not what you were born to do. It is a privilege to be self-expressed and it's a privilege to do so in service to others." - Matt Church

"Action precedes confidence. It's much better to launch, to ship, to put yourself on the other side of a declaration and then figure it out. Because we can spend a lot of time on this side getting it right, going ta-da! And it falls flat on its face." - Matt Church

"The times we've been most successful is when we've been the most focused – on the audience, the product, the offer, the goal. It's easier to market. It's easier to know where to network." - Ryan Koral

Guest Links

Find Matt Church online

Download any of Matt Church's books (including The Thought Leaders Practice and NEXT)

Thought Leaders Business School

Be Less Shit On Camera (online program)

momacrae.com (coming soon...)

Follow Matt Church Instagram | Facebook

Links

Find out more about 10xFILMMAKER  

Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group 

Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram

Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram

Check out the full show notes