Louis Were Mattew is the founder and producer of HQue Media, a production and photography company.
Biggest milestone: Getting an opportunity to produce for CBS’s Dr. Phil Show ranks highest in my list of milestones. I remember that I had doubts on whether I would manage to execute such a task as effectively as demanded when I was first contacted by the lead producer of the show. For a start, I didn’t have enough man power. Neither had I imagined myself handling such a big project with such a wide, global audience. Deep down, though, my gut told me that this was my big break. I could do it I was just as good enough to make it as any other global producer. Looking back, I fear that most of us are really held back by the sort of self-doubt I had, especially when faced with major projects that could help our careers or businesses to break even. We don’t think we are good enough and as a result, we keep on passing opportunities to make money. Through my business, I have interacted with many brilliant minds with incredible ideas that are lying in limbo waiting for self-confidences to build up.
On building my career: I make sure that I surround myself with people who embrace positivity. I will shed you off if you try to bring me down. People are the ultimate resources that either build or destroy you. Above all, I have tended to believe in myself in order to push through. When I finished school, no one seemed to want to hire me. I was always on non-paying internships. But I knew that I had more to offer that could bring me money. I didn’t want to stay stuck in a box, and after exposing myself to different productions and professionals, I opened my own production company. I am glad that i chose entrepreneurship over the comfort of employment.
My financial losses: When I started out, I invested so much time and money on every project that came my way. With time, I realized that I was losing money instead of making profit. This was because I would pour my money into projects that were not profitable without first vetting their viability.
My career losses: I haven’t had any major losses in my career. I think though that completely ignoring my personal life has been my biggest challenge. In my earlier years, I focused all my time on where to get the next pay cheque and in the process, I lost so many close personal relationship. I have since learned that to be efficient, you must be able to strike a balance between your personal and career life.
My saving method: Currently, I have been re-investing my profits and a large percentage of my income back into the business. This not only grows my business faster, but stabilizes its capital base while ensuring that my cash is multiplying at a faster rate than it would otherwise. I also have a strategy that keeps my costs and expenses at the bare minimum since I know that rainy days are inevitable in entrepreneurship.
If I could start all over again: I would invest more time in creating valuable relationships both in my personal and business life. We need connections to continue growing in these two areas and such relationships make it easier when networking or building bridges. It is also important to have a circle of relationships that will stand by you during your shiny and stormy days.