Finding A Champion

One day, while picking up supplies, I ran into a home builder that I knew . When he inquired about my kids' show project, I explained my need for deeper financial backing. He gave me the contact info to Joe Michael, a semi-retired investment banker known for his extensive connections. Joe and I met several days later and after looking over my promo materials, he insisted on seeing the studio right away. Needless to say, he was was quite impressed by our studio setup. He agreed to help bring in significant investors but emphasized that I had to sell the concept. Joe's involvement was a turning point. We quickly worked out an agreement, and he began mentoring me on business fundamentals. Joe’s weekly visits kept us on our toes, ensuring our progress stayed on track.

Joe’s mentorship was transformative. His experience and connections were invaluable assets. He pushed me to think beyond the creative aspects and focus on the business side. His guidance helped us refine our pitch and business plan, making our project more attractive to potential investors. Joe’s belief in our vision gave us the confidence to push forward, even when challenges seemed insurmountable.

From Creative to Businessman

Joe saw that we were just a bunch of creatives with a vision and decided to introduce us to management consulting firm of Kenneth Dalto and Associates. When they first walked into the studio, we were taken back by the presence of their black suit and tie business attire, but we welcomed their guidance. Their strategy sessions with my team was focused on business structure and operational procedures.

"Bruce Wood was the lead consultant, and he had a tough job ahead of him." Our meetings were intense and lengthy, It was my first experience with flip charts, diagrams and a lot of black and red magic markers. We must have gone over company procedures fifty times before I finally caught on that producing a television show was just a product of the company. Bruce’s persistence paid off; I eventually realized the need to transition from a producer to a CEO and Executive Producer, but most importantly a CEO. He instilled the importance of running the business side of our venture effectively, allowing me to focus on strategic decisions rather than day-to-day production tasks.

Bruce’s guidance was a wake-up call. He emphasized the importance of having clear procedures and a solid business plan in place. The transition from a hands-on creative role to a more strategic leadership position was challenging but necessary. Bruce’ and Joe's expertise helped us streamline our operations, ensuring that we were well-prepared for the next stages of our journey. The lessons learned during this period were invaluable, shaping my approach to running the company and guiding our future success.

Meeting Joe Michael was pivotal, demonstrating the significance of a well-structured business plan and strong industry connections. Finally, working with a management consulting firm emphasized the critical lesson of distinguishing between creative and business roles. This transformation from producer to CEO taught me that success in any industry requires not only creative vision but also strategic planning, robust networking, and the ability to adapt to new roles and responsibilities.

Through this journey, I was learning that success in the business of television industry, much like in music, demands a blend of creativity, business acumen, and relentless determination. My focus shifted entirely to business, prioritizing the search for and retention of investors. I knew that this involved risks and I was now at the stage where I had to take some. The unit next to mine of our building became available and I just wasn't sure what to do, so while in a conversation I mentioned to wi Susan the seamstress, if she thought it was a good idea. She replied; Yes, if there was more than twenty thousand in the checking account. Well, I immediately looked, saw there was twenty two thousand in there and that was good enough for me to make the jump.

Greenestuff was running low on cash flow amidst this facility expansion and I desperately needed more investors. Reflecting on the publicity we garnered in Las Vegas; I realized that replicating the success of the Sun article in our local newspaper could have a similar impact. I reached out to Mitch Hotts, a reporter at the Macomb Daily, a contact I had known from my music days. To my surprise, Mitch promptly visited my studio to see what I was working on and conducted an interview. That afternoon, the paper’s photographer followed up, and the very next day, I found myself on the front page of the newspaper.

Before the article, our company’s checking account was down to twenty-two thousand dollars. Within two weeks after the front-page feature, we had amassed eight hundred and seventy-five thousand ($875,000.00) dollars. It was during this time that Joe introduced me to another investor as Little Mike, who was a well-respected businessman in the community, Mike purchased a significant amount of stock and also became a Board Of Directors member. Riding high, I was able to lease the two remaining units of the commercial building. This allowed for the buildout expansion of a lounge, writing and editing suites, a conference room, and a state-of-the-art recording studio.

Jay Brown, the accountant from Dalto and Associates, stressed the importance of proper record keeping and spreadsheets, which I despised and he knew it. After spending several hours going through the numbers, he leaned across the table and said, "You have raised over a million dollars by selling off four percent of your business."

I asked, "Is that okay?"

He replied, "You’re an fn genius."

Man, I let out a sigh of relief, I really had no idea.

We were growing rapidly, hiring an audio engineer and an ingenious music director. I invited Peter to my office for a serious conversation about becoming the show’s producer, which turned out to be one of my best decisions. The strategic publicity not only saved Greenestuff but also propelled us into a new phase of growth and innovation. Our quarterly investor relationship meetings were increasing in numbers as well.

The leap from creative visionary to successful businessman requires a fundamental shift in mindset. As creatives, we often focus solely on our craft, neglecting the business aspects that are vital for long-term success.The first crucial step was acknowledging that the creative work is now a product. This realization demanded a new perspective on time management, financial planning, and strategic decision-making. Embracing business fundamentals doesn't mean abandoning creativity; rather, it's about creating a structure that allows creativity to thrive sustainably.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect was learning to step back from day-to-day creative tasks to focus on the bigger picture. At first this transition felt uncomfortable, but it was essential. Being a successful business person doesn't diminish the creative identity; it enhances your ability to bring your creative vision to life on a larger scale.Ultimately, the journey from creative to businessman was about balance – maintaining artistic integrity while developing the skills to turn passion into a thriving enterprise.

NEXT: Things Fall Into Place

Episode Four