239: How to Take Control of Your Time as a Business Owner w/ Blake Pollino

Grow Your Video Business

What is the most valuable non-renewable asset in your life and business? It’s time. Your time is limited, so why not use it doing what brings you the most satisfaction and joy? Today’s guest designed his businesses to let him do just that.

Key Takeaways

You’re not alone in your work. By being part of a community of people in the same profession, you can help and support each other and foster mutual success.

As soon as you can, start creating systems to automate as much of your job as possible.

Branching out in the type of services you offer is often an inexpensive way to create more security.

About Blake Pollino

Blake spent ten years doing business development and marketing in the corporate/start-up world. He shot his first wedding for free in December 2017 and filmed his first paid wedding the following March.

Blake worked 80+ hours a week building his video business while still working a full-time 9-5. He went full-time almost one year to the day after his first paid wedding. Blake launched BP Media Group in 2019. Since then, he has worked with companies/brands like ConocoPhillips, Shell, the Philadelphia 76ers, Junior Olympics, Texas A&M, Stephen F. Austin University, and more. In late 2019, he spun his real estate photo/video work into its own company, BP Real Estate Photo & Video.

Becoming the Boss of Your Own Schedule with Systems

As someone who runs multiple businesses, Blake could be constantly at odds with time. However, he learned that money that buys you more time is money well spent. Blake explains how establishing and using automated systems has freed up more time in his business.

By having employees and systems in place, Blake is able to own his schedule. Having previously worked over eighty hours a week, you better believe he appreciates his ability to take quality time off for his family and his own passions.

Building the Relationships that Pay You Back Over and Over Again

One aspect of Blake’s success has come from relationships with clients. There are some companies, particularly marketing agencies, that will need video for many different projects and clients. These, in turn, can lead to new work opportunities. We discuss how seeking out and cultivating relationships with just a few companies can greatly multiply your work.

A lot has to do with the effort you put into securing clients. By putting your energy into going after big clients, you’re being more efficient with your resources. These are often the clients that you can reliably count on for multiple work opportunities.

What systems do you have in your business that allow you to own your own time? How do you go antelope hunting instead of mouse hunting? Leave a comment on the episode page!

In This Episode:

• The benefits of being part of a shared experience [6:00]
• How Blake transitioned out of corporate work and into entrepreneurship [12:10]
• Taking advantage of automation to buy you more time [17:33]
• Taking control of your time and schedule to be able to focus on your true priorities [24:40]
• Why it can be tough to be both a creative and an entrepreneur [33:40]
• Finding clients who lead you to even more opportunities [35:45]
• Whether to hunt for field mice or antelopes [41:50]
• Diversifying your business without buying new gear [43:37]
• What to do after your success [52:00]

Quotes

“Some of the moments that have led to the most success in this business have come from going to workshops. It’s not necessarily the content that is taught at those workshops, which is normally great; it’s the relationships that I’ve made.” [10:31]

“We’re in a really cool place where people are starting to see that the ocean is plenty big for everyone. We can really help each other and lift each other up.” [11:19]

“There’s a big struggle in the creative industry. We’re artists. We want to create something and show our art. But, whether we like it or not, we’re also business-people. We have to run these businesses. Many struggle to do both these things.” [33:43]

Links:

Get on the Onward Summit Waitlist!

Core

Find Blake Pollino online

Follow Blake on YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Essentialism by Greg McKeown

From 6 to 7 Figures by Austin Netzley

Additional Links:

Check out the full show notes page

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