Tom Stanhope, Owner, Grow Your Business with Video
After many years working behind a camera, Tom Stanhope now helps entrepreneurs go from camera-shy to confident creators. Tom talks to The Industry Leaders about how he helps business leaders master video for growth and why we shouldn't be afraid to fail fast.
How did you end up sitting where you are today?
I planned to work in the world of art and antiques but ended up working for a video production company in the West Midlands. It was here that I discovered my passion for video and was lucky enough to have been thrown in at the deep end.
Over the years, I've hidden behind the camera helping others tell their stories. Over the last few years, I've stepped in front of the camera and started to tell mine!
I believe that entrepreneurs deserve to get visible with video, so I help camera-shy business owners go from nervous novice to confident creators.
What kind of work does your role involve?
I help entrepreneurs master video for business growth. I do this through simple, step-by-step methods. I help take people the fear out of the tech, grow a creator mindset, craft a powerful story and build an actionable strategy. This is delivered through practical, actionable and accountable methods; a membership, a free community and bespoke one to one work.
What gets you excited about your industry?
I love the change that I can make happen. I work with businesses of all sizes, from startups to multinationals, and they all benefit from the right kind of video content created for the right audience.
Video can transform businesses fast if done right.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Fail fast.
Don't be afraid of trying things another way but if they don't work, stop doing them.
What, or who inspires you?
I'm inspired by people who bring kindness and excellence into their working life. I'm very fortunate to have many inspirational people around me, cheering me on.
How do you keep up to speed with what's happening in your industry?
I take an 'always learning' attitude.
I work in an industry with a very heavy tech element. If I take my eye off the ball, I can fall behind. I've always got a course on the go or a book that I'm listening to or reading. If I'm always learning, I'm always adding value to my clients.
What was the most challenging project or situation you've overcome?
I discovered that I have adult ADD in my late 30s.
All of a sudden, the mistakes of the past and the way forward were revealed to me. This was a period of huge change in my life. My mental health was fragile, and I was feeling repeatedly pulled off course. This was my crunch moment. With the support of my wife and kids, friends, and family, I was able to forge a new way to do things - a method that allowed me to play to my strengths and allow for my weaknesses. Making these changes has resulted in a profoundly better life for the people I love and for me!
ADD is far more common amongst entrepreneurs than we acknowledge. It can be a huge asset. A super-power even! But it needs to be harnessed for good.
You finish work today and step outside the office to find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
Knowing me, the first thing I'd do is feel really guilty!
But if I was 'forced' to keep it, I'd try and do a few different things.
First, I'd invest - in myself, my business and my family. I'd also support local food-banks here in Plymouth. People shouldn't be going hungry in the 21st century.
Plus, maybe, I'd buy a teeny tiny Umbrian, hilltop villa and a Morgan...
How do you switch off after a day at work?
I love to paint and draw. Art has always been part of my life.
Food is also hugely important to me. Cooking for family and friends is another passion of mine.
If you had one wish for the future of your industry, what would it be?
That more people got over their fears of being in front of the camera and embraced the power of video without worrying about what people might think!
What book or podcast should everyone know about?
Time for an answer that seems a bit pretentious! I promise it isn't!
This book by a classical philosopher is the blueprint for almost every modern personal development book and guru today. It is short, to the point, and directly applicable to the modern lives we live.
How should people connect with you?
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