Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in video and photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tricia Thomas, Owner of Salish Eye Productions, located in Chemainus, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Salish Eye Productions is an Indigenous-owned digital media and communications company that connects government, industry, and companies to Indigenous communities across the province to empower them economically and build a shared network of understanding. We use our experience in storytelling to help make the world a better place by partnering with mission-driven organizations that are creating positive change.
Tell us about yourself
I am an Indigenous entrepreneur, facilitator, business coach, speaker, and a proud member of the Halalt (Xeláltxw) Nation on Vancouver Island. As a mother of two children, my goal is to create positive change for Indigenous people and build cross-cultural relationships through photos, video, design, and communications. I believe that creativity and innovation are essential forces for positive development in every society, and I strive to discover sustainable paths for future success while honouring our ancestors and using our lands and resources responsibly. In my vision for the future, I see people working together as one, connected in harmony with the land, and thriving on a path of wellness.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Reigniting the optimism in our nations to move towards a more sustainable future.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being an entrepreneur isn't easy, and it can be exhausting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you are considering starting your own venture, here are a few tips:
- Know yourself. Starting the right business requires knowing yourself. Simon Sinek once said, "People don't buy what you do; they buy WHY you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe."
- Organize your life. Entrepreneurship is not easy, but it is easier when we are prepared. Entrepreneurship can involve late nights and unpredictability and can be an emotional roller coaster. Another thing to consider is whether the people closest to you are ready for your journey.
- Create a Business Model Canvas (BMC). A business model is a plan that shows how a company is going to make money and create a positive impact. Creating a canvas will help you to gather all the necessary information more easily because being able to see the work will support more collaboration with your target audience.
- Start small, then grow. Lean Startup allows you to minimize risk, move quickly, and get instant feedback from customers. Work on an elevator pitch to get the conversation going, create a minimum viable product (MVP), get instant feedback, and make the necessary iterations to deliver the value your customers get excited about!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.salisheye.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salisheye
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salisheye/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salisheye/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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