Chris Jorie, Writer, Director & Producer | Business Stories Magazine

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Chris Jorie. I'm a Storyteller who works as a writer/director/producer and teacher. I'm originally from Western NY and currently based in Upstate NY.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

Big sky and wide open spaces.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

My company began as a business structure for my creative work as an independent artist. It has evolved over the years with each project and helps customers identify the latest chapter of my creative process and identify the current content.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My best advice in starting a business is to have a passion for what you want to create and promote. A litmus test for being on the right track is, that when you are involved with that work, that it brings you joy that you want to share with other people. For me personally, my work takes me to a timeless space when I'm in process.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

A glowing review and recommendation from a producer and show I worked on. I was coaching a guest star who was primarily a music talent and hadn't had much experience acting. She was a bit scared and shy in rehearsal. I worked with her for an hour before the shoot and was able to communicate to her that her singing really was like acting too. She made the connection and absolutely shone in taping the show. To see her confident and shining was the best reward.

Where do you see your company in the future?

Producing films and television shows at home and internationally.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

The biggest misconception is that even with the best intentions, the idea that you can map the trajectory of your career in the entertainment industry is not realistic to me. It's more about being ready to meet opportunities when they present themselves. Granted, sometimes it's serendipity and other times it's persistence that gets results.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

It took me awhile to get used to the inconsistency of the work as a self-employed creative. My answer was to identify the diversity in my skill-set and expand the possibilities of generating income while still doing work I love. I eventually figured it out.