Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanice Parker.
Shanice, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In the year 2014, I decided to start my journey as a business owner. I had dreams of being in the film production field prior to my entrepreneurial adventure. I couldn’t have imagined that I would take my destiny into my own hands entering the production field. At first, I applied to jobs within the production field on multiple occasions and each time I was stopped in my tracks with the lack of experience in film production, seeing that I went to college for Communications and Black Studies. I admit, there was a lack of experience I had on paper to validate my ability to work in the field but I knew I was fully capable of handling any task I was given. I figured I would create an experience for myself and use whatever work I complete as a testimony to my ability to work efficiently in any role I was given. I made an identity for myself and the start was by creating a business name, Billz Productions. The next step was identifying where I would be providing my services, New York City, seeing that I reside there it would best fit. The final step was learning about each service I will be providing within production which was photography, videography, and creative directing services. One piece of advice I would give to people starting their own business is to be aware of the fact that you will be in charge of not only providing the service but learning the ability to conduct business professionally, which leads to you to have to know how to perform each duty of your company. In learning that I was more than equipped for any production job after 3 years of business. Although there is always something new to learn it is your strength and ability to complete each goal you set for yourself and determines the success of your business. Now, knowing that I can handle the entrepreneur role I am happy I was denied a position at another company otherwise my clients would have never experienced production work specifically crafted through my experience to capture the monumental moments of their life. Not only was I able to make my dream come true, I was able to do the same for my clients.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A smooth road, not at all. For me, deciding to become a business owner wasn’t the hard part, deciding to keep the business going was the hard part. I faced many challenges as a grown adult, learning my craft, and gaining clientele. All challenges I faced contributed to my development in my decision making ideas and which keeps my business afloat. For any woman such as myself deciding on taking the entrepreneurial voyage, I would say to you, don’t allow a challenge to deter the world from experiencing your craft in a business form. There are clients for all different business owners.
We’d love to hear more about Billz Productions.
I wear many hats in my business. I am the CEO, videographer, photographer, creative director, bookkeeper, and basically, everything that keeps a production business afloat. I am mainly known for my red carpet coverage assisting Media Correspondents in providing elaborate event coverage that fits the needs of the company that hires me. I am also known within my community as the party photographer. I love working with my community clientele because they have worked with me from the very beginning of my career. They appreciate me as much as I appreciate them. It is important for me to make sure no matter how much the company evolves that my one of a kind customer service is provided to current clients as well as my new clientele. I am most proud of my ability to talk with my clients and quickly assess what they are looking for and develop a one of a kind creative product.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
What I will say to anyone interested in finding a mentor is to know that you will find them when the time is right. Keep working, networking, and attending events. Many of the people within your field are doing the same and the more you are doing those things the more there is a possibility that your mentor may gravitate to you and your mission. People who you want to mentor you want to see if you are a hard worker and willing to keep pushing forward within your career. Don’t expect them to want to teach you anything if they can’t see the same work ethic they put in their career from the work you put into your career. Show and prove is the best way to excel!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.billzproductions.com
- Phone: 347-780-9546
- Email: info@billzproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billzproductions/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billzproductions
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/billzproduction
Image Credit:
Chris Fox Kelly
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