On episode 97 of Creatives Grab Coffee, we sit down with Rodrigo from Republic24, based in Monterrey and Mexico City, for an inside look at building a sustainable video production company in Latin America. Rodrigo shares his journey from film school to founding Republic24 over a decade ago and discusses how he grew the company without loans, relying on organic growth, smart hiring, and an unwavering belief in Google Ads as a lead-generation tool.

We explore his strategic expansion into industrial video content, how his team has tapped into cross-border collaborations with U.S. clients, and why niching down into B2B content has been a cornerstone of their success. Rodrigo also opens up about building a strong internal company culture, his cautious approach to scaling, and plans for a third location in Guadalajara.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Episode Introduction and Sponsors

02:18 – Guest Welcome: Rodrigo from Republic24

02:53 – Rodrigo’s journey from film school to starting Republic24

03:30 – Why expanding from Monterrey to Mexico City was essential

05:03 – Early lessons: making videos vs. selling video services

06:36 – From solopreneur to building a growing team

08:30 – How Google Ads fueled Republic24’s early growth

11:26 – Why Rodrigo still manages his Google Ads personally

14:41 – Targeting U.S. clients for shoots in Mexico

16:44 – Positioning as an English-speaking production partner in Mexico

17:17 – Niching into industrial and manufacturing videos

18:56 – Why industrial video is overlooked—and profitable

20:29 – Google vs. Meta vs. LinkedIn: what works for B2B

24:49 – LinkedIn’s underuse in Mexico

28:15 – Why Rodrigo never took out loans to build Republic24

30:03 – Budgeting growth through calculated hiring

32:32 – Hiring contract roles with long-term potential

35:15 – First key hires: editor and sales/admin assistant

36:49 – Building a positive workplace culture

37:59 – Activities that create a happy, loyal team

40:25 – Team loyalty through the pandemic

43:02 – Corporate video demand during and after lockdown

44:47 – Sales strategy: all inbound, no cold calls

45:39 – Risks of relying solely on Google Ads

47:19 – Nurturing past clients through personalized messages

50:34 – Future plans: expansion into Guadalajara and U.S. client growth

SPONSORS:

Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com

Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca

🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vHd8BdbkMQITFZmDJ0bo9

🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/creatives-grab-coffee/id1530864140

🎞️ Produced by LAPSE PRODUCTIONS – https://www.lapseproductions.com

To learn more about the show, visit: https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com/

#CreativesGrabCoffee #videographyhacks #videography #videographer #videoproduction #businesspodcast #videoproductionpodcast #lapseproductions #videomarketing #videoproductioncompany #videoproductionservices #videoproductionbusiness #internationalvideo #videoagency #lapseproductions #GoogleAds #videostrategy #businesspodcast #mexico #mexicovideo #videoproductionmexico

On episode 96 of Creatives Grab Coffee, Zach Shapiro from One Hundred Seconds (Portland, Oregon) shares his journey from a 20-year career in restaurants to launching a purpose-driven video production company. Zach explains how his passion for local food systems inspired his first documentary and how he built a business around telling authentic stories for small businesses. He discusses the value of niching down into short-form documentary content, working with non-actors, and the impact of becoming a certified B Corp. This episode offers valuable insights for video professionals and marketers looking to align creativity with purpose and grow sustainably in a competitive industry.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Episode Introduction and Sponsors

02:18 – Guest Welcome: Zach Shapiro from One Hundred Seconds

02:39 – Zach’s journey from restaurants to video production

03:33 – Inspiration behind his first documentary project in Italy

04:59 – How his passion for local food led to filmmaking

07:40 – Lessons from self-funding and editing his first film

08:42 – Launching One Hundred Seconds and early business model

10:38 – Building a portfolio through low-budget projects

12:41 – How accessible gear shaped early career growth

13:37 – Learning lighting through client demands

14:59 – Finding a niche: helping real people shine on camera

17:51 – Challenges of low-budget commercial productions

20:28 – Why Lapse Productions avoids time-lapse projects

22:58 – Partnering with other companies for large projects

24:43 – Zach’s passion for authentic human stories

25:47 – Working with B Corps and niche industries in Portland

30:32 – The process and challenges of becoming a B Corp

34:29 – Sourcing equipment locally vs. buying online

35:24 – Business benefits of B Corp certification

37:12 – Restaurant industry skills that translate to production

40:33 – Client management parallels between restaurants and production

41:23 – Editing as a parallel to cooking and creative process

42:04 – From small team to solo: Zach’s company evolution

SPONSORS:

Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com

Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca

🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vHd8BdbkMQITFZmDJ0bo9

🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/creatives-grab-coffee/id1530864140 🎞️

Produced by LAPSE PRODUCTIONS – https://www.lapseproductions.com

To learn more about the show, visit: https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com/

In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, Anthony Madani from Up Media (Vancouver, Canada) discusses his journey from animation into video production, and shares strategic insights on how focusing on healthcare and technology niches has accelerated his business growth. Anthony dives deep into the process of becoming a certified B Corporation, highlighting how aligning with purpose-driven initiatives and social impact projects attracts ideal clients. He also explores effective client communication, using detailed proposals and case studies to win trust, along with the value of reciprocity-driven networking. Additionally, Anthony reflects on the role of AI in video production, emphasizing its potential as a powerful tool rather than a threat. This episode provides actionable advice and valuable perspectives for filmmakers and marketers aiming to sustainably grow their video production businesses.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Episode Introduction and Guest Welcome

02:38 - Guest Bio: Anthony Madani from Up Media

02:46 - Anthony’s journey from animation to video production

04:38 - Early experiences and the shift from passion projects to corporate work

07:01 - The importance of exploring diverse industries when starting out

07:57 - Niching into healthcare and technology sectors

08:46 - Positioning as an industry expert without limiting new opportunities

10:20 - Using targeted case studies to attract ideal clients

14:39 - Organic process of identifying and growing a niche

15:48 - Advantages of becoming a Certified B Corporation (B Corp)

17:39 - The in-depth process and benefits of obtaining B Corp certification

23:45 - How being a B Corp impacts lead generation and client relationships

26:24 - Strategic approach to selecting ideal client leads

27:56 - Creating effective case studies to showcase results and expertise

31:36 - Importance of thoughtful, detailed proposals over rushed quotes

41:42 - Benefits and strategies for creating behind-the-scenes content

44:41 - Effective networking tips and building genuine reciprocity

54:24 - Leveraging AI to enhance video production quality and efficiency

01:07:16 - Future vision for Up Media and operational improvements

01:09:40 - Strategies for managing client delays and keeping projects on track

01:20:46 - Importance of clear proposals and transparent client communication

01:27:31 - Origin story behind the name “Up Media”

01:28:55 - Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

SPONSORS:

Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com

Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca

🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vHd8BdbkMQITFZmDJ0bo9

🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/creatives-grab-coffee/id1530864140 🎞️

Produced by LAPSE PRODUCTIONS – https://www.lapseproductions.com

To learn more about the show, visit: https://www.creativesgrabcoffee.com/