Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Joseph.
Hi Isaiah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Since I was a child, I have always loved to tell stories. I still have my notebook from first and second grade where I wrote really creative and vivid stories for my age. As years went by, my storytelling continued to improve but I also began to find other career interests. In 10th grade, I randomly signed up for a video production course without much knowledge of what it really was but little did I know that small choice would change my life forever.
In college, I majored in Journalism but after a while, I realized my heart was truly in creative storytelling and video production. Fast-forward to 2020 during the beginning of Covid-19 and my graduation semester, a lot of my dream corporate jobs I applied for rejected my applications due to the pandemic which forced me to self-reflect and get in tune with my real goals and aspirations. I knew that I thrive best creating my own so this rejection was ultimately the perfect storm leading me to create my own media company based off of my own creative mindset and standards.
I was still unsure about how I would go about embarking on this entrepreneurial route but I knew what I wanted and that was to freely follow my passions. I began writing down all my passions, strengths, and weaknesses, and from this I made a business model that birthed iLevel Visual Storytelling LLC combining my college knowledge of storytelling with my passion of creative filmmaking.
From here I created a brand centered around using cinematography to tell great stories and impact. I planned to center my clientele around businesses, producing commercial and documentary content as my specialty. Most importantly, I wanted to build a brand around great customer service and experiences.
Over the next two years, this formula proved to be successful for me as I have been able to work with influential figures and celebrities like Steve and Marjorie Harvey, rappers, political figures, mayors, popular Atlanta restaurant chains, international pageants and more. I plan to only build upon this foundation that all started from me taking a leap toward my dreams, aspirations, and passions.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has not always been smooth. Running a business has a lot of factors that you have to control. As much as I would love to solely focus on my creative projects, there are many other elements of business that have to be in place to ensure the longevity of it. One challenge has been learning all of this in this uncharted territory. Trial and error has been a huge teacher. Keeping motivation and continued upward movement instead of lateral is also essential. In business, not everyone has your best interest in mind. I have ran into situations where people tried to take advantage of my business and talents as a way to indirectly get money in their pockets. These are all real situations that many entrepreneurs face. What has helped was to have tunnel vision focused on my long-term goals. It has also helped that I am following my true passion. Following your true passion is important because it helps fuel you through the adversity. It gives you the motivation to learn through the bad in order to build your foundation for the future.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a storyteller by way of writing, video production, photography, and graphic creation. When I work, I pay attention to every detail because I believe every detail has a role in telling a specific story. This is what sets me apart. I can produce captivating visuals but I intend for my work to have more substance, meaning, and impact. I want the viewer to feel emotion from my art. I want them to be immersed in all elements of it. With this mindset, I believe my creative passions and art can be effective in impacting lives.
I believe that most importantly, my service sets me apart. In this industry, your work speaks for itself but I believe your service, professionalism, and how you make people feel speak even louder. It’s all about who you know and to stay connected with great individuals and clients, you have to provide great service and experiences. I want my clients to feel comfortable, special, and to have a great filming experience. This is what I believe is a strong reason for why I have been connected to many amazing and influential clients. I plan to only build on this clientele in the future by doing these same things.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I know I have said it multiple times in here but its only because I believe its important. The first piece of advice would be to make sure you are following your passion and what’s in your heart. In today’s time, it is so easy for us to look at other people’s success and try to imitate it but their path is not your path so their success might not equal your success. Some people are born to be successful entrepreneurs and some people are born to be the heads of major organizations. You have to do a self-reflection to make sure you are following the road destined for you. Once you are certain of this, you have what it takes to go 100% in on it. This passion is going to fuel you down the road to achieving your dreams through both the good and the bad.
Another piece of advice would be to learn from all of your mistakes. Take every lesson or shortcoming as a way to get better. Never make these shortcomings personal because if you make excuses for yourself, that same shortcoming might come again at a later time and might be larger and more detrimental. No shortcoming is bad, its actually a good thing because it allows you to move upwardly instead of laterally but only if you learn from it. Embrace adversity and use it to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iLevelVisualStorytelling.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilevelvisuals/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/its_zay/
