SBDC Helps Entrepreneur Launch Video Production Business
After getting laid off from her job, Linda O’Connell of Onalaska, Wisconsin turned her hobby of making and editing home movies into a full-time video production business. Take 5 Productions specializes in turning memories stored on old VHS tapes, camcorder tapes and 8mm reel-to-reel films into DVDs for families to enjoy and cherish.
To make the leap into small business ownership, O’Connell sought assistance from the UW-La Crosse Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “I went through the Entrepreneurial Training program, a six-week program that helped me so much,” says O’Connell. “After the program they helped me put together my business plan and become more focused.”
Since taking the course and writing her business plan, O’Connell took third in a local business plan competition and was selected to produce the background video for the Miss Wisconsin Pageant. Her business experienced a 25% increase in revenue in 2010 and is on track to exceed that growth this year.
O’Connell spends about 50% of her time on movie transfer services. The remaining time is devoted to corporate video production, wedding video production, video slideshows and DVD duplication. She currently runs her business from a home office but hopes to one day have a store front and studio where she can create videos and conduct classes on movie editing. As she works toward that goal, she continues to utilize advice from the SBDC and has taken additional classes. "The SBDC provided me excellent insight and expertise and has been instrumental in helping to develop my small business. It is awesome to have that type of service available.”
For more information on Take 5 Productions, visit www.take5productions.net
April 2011