Corporate to Creative: A Story of Entrepreneurship, Risks, and Self-Discovery
This summer, the Minnesota American Marketing Association (MN AMA) co-hosted an inspiring event with Visual Captive, a Minneapolis-based creative studio specializing in video production. Visual Captive works with a diverse range of clients, from large corporations to small businesses, offering end-to-end video production services. Their mission? To help businesses tell their stories through powerful visual content.
Founded in 2020 by Phil Skulte, Visual Captive has grown into a leading video production company. In recent years, Anna Berger joined Phil, bringing her expertise and creative vision to the team. Together, they have developed an impressive portfolio of projects, demonstrating their ability to deliver exceptional storytelling for clients across North America and beyond.
Corporate Climbing vs. Personal Happiness
Phil shared a pivotal moment in his journey, spurred by a single question: “What if I died today?” This reflection led him to leave the corporate world and pursue his passion for creative storytelling. However, the road wasn’t easy, and Phil offered candid insights into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
The first lesson: don’t quit your stable corporate job to start a business right before a global pandemic (insert irony here).
Despite the challenges, Phil’s commitment to his creative vision has been unwavering. “I’m five years in, and I have yet to feel bored. I still have so much to learn, and I love that,” he shared. “If I died tomorrow, I’d know that I did take the risk and pursued what made me happy. I’d have no regrets about my career choices.”
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Authenticity is Key: “Be yourself. Listen to your inner voice. Don’t try to fit in,” Phil emphasized. Success starts with knowing who you are and what makes you unique.
- Leverage Your Past Experience: Phil and Anna’s corporate backgrounds have proven invaluable, particularly when working with corporate clients. Your previous career is often a strength in your new venture.
- Build the Right Team: Video production—and most industries—is a team sport. Surround yourself with people who excel in areas where you lack expertise. Phil said, “Your success is a direct result of the team you assemble.”
- Embrace Responsibility: Entrepreneurship requires extreme accountability. When mistakes happen, there’s no one else to blame. Learning from those moments is critical.
- Focus on Relationships: Networking fuels growth. Paid ads and fancy websites only go so far; strong relationships with clients and collaborators are what truly drive success.
- Establish Business Processes: To scale and deliver exceptional work consistently, robust systems and tools are essential. A professional experience for clients starts with well-defined processes.
- Find the Right Fit: Seek a career path or business model that celebrates your strengths rather than downplaying them. It’s worth the effort to align your work with your values and passions.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Phil acknowledged the challenges of entering a creative industry where much of the work is subjective. “Comparison can be the downfall of any creative,” he noted. His advice? Remember that your journey is unique, and you belong, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
Continuous Learning: A Must for Creatives
Phil and Anna stressed the importance of lifelong learning. Their tips for growth include:
- Watching countless hours of educational content on platforms like YouTube.
- Asking questions and seeking guidance from those with more experience.
- Taking opportunities to collaborate, even in introductory Production Assistant roles
- Surround yourself with experts who push you to improve.
“Set your ego aside,” Phil advised. “There’s always something new to learn, no matter where you are in your career.”
Final Thoughts
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It requires hard work, persistence, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. However, the rewards have been worth the risks for Phil and Anna.
Visit Visual Captive’s website to learn more and explore their incredible work. You can also contact Phil Skulte, phil@visualcaptive.com, and Anna Berger, anna.berger@visualcaptive.com, directly to continue the conversation.
Written by Noah Polipnick | Photo by Brad Neathery on Unsplash
