We’re looking forward to introducing you to Wesley Holboy. Check out our conversation below.
Wesley, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
As a Full-Time entrepreneur working in video production and photography, my day-to-day work can be monotonous and/or tedious, so I jump at opportunities that let me explore my passion in a different direction. An example of that is MV Live! hosted at the Lincoln Theatre downtown Mount Vernon, WA.
To say that this project has filled me with joy is a tremendous understatement. I get to work with really talented local actors, create videos to very well written scripts, have fun on set AND fun in the editing room. No, I don’t make any money from these projects (and they can take a solid amount of time to complete), but the level of joy derived from these projects more than makes up for it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Wesley Holboy, I am a long time video creator and photographer from Mount Vernon, WA. I’ve been working in video production and photography for over a decade now, and I have had the chance to work on a wide scope of projects in my career. Everything from cooking shows to music videos, keynote presentations, live theatre performances, promotional videos and sometimes even celebration of life films for families to remember stories of their loved ones. I LOVE sharing stories!
I created my company, Holboy Entertainment, when I was 15 years old. I saw an interesting hole in the market…nobody was enjoying their time in front of a camera!
I’d ask folks how they enjoyed video or photo shoots they had recently been on, and more often than not, I’d hear that they had a hard time and didn’t look forward to the next time they were in front of a camera. Heartbreaking!
My goal was to change that. To make the filming or photo experience not only enjoyable, but FUN!
Today I get the chance to work with many different local organizations, and I like to think I have brought my original goal to reality. I often hear how excited people are to work with me, frequently hearing “That was so fun!” or “You made that feel so easy.” and even “I have never enjoyed being on camera before, but you took the stress away. This was an amazing experience.”
Let’s make something awesome together. A simple call to adventure that I offer ALL of my clients. Let’s not just make a video or take a photo, what if we make it fun? What if we make something you didn’t think we could? What if we make something together that makes people stop for a moment? In a nutshell, that is what Holboy Entertainment is about.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Originally, I’d say my Dad. He started a company right around the time I was born, Holboy Automotive Electric and Repair, and that shaped me in more ways that I know. I wanted to do something similar, and I never could have guessed that Holboy Entertainment would fill that roll for me. I always loved the idea of our last name being part of the business name, so being a romantic myself, I did the same with my business as a nod to my original entrepreneurial inspiration, my dad.
Another more recent influence:
My dear mentor, Rebecca P. Murray of Showcase Your Shine, showed me more than I could ever imagine about video production and photography. She exposed me to the magic of pre-production, and how much of a massive difference that can make in the overall quality of a project. She also happens to be the woman who put the very first Sony camera into my hands early in my career, and that as it turns out would be a big deal for me. Thankfully, we still get to work on projects together each year, and I learn something new each time.
A good example of how important it is to find a mentor. BEYOND valuable.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
This is a hard topic for me, mainly because in hindsight it feels so foolish, but YES. There have been times that I’ve wanted to give up and do something easier…
There have been financial hardships on this journey, personal hardships, harsh commentary on projects, slow seasons and inconstant clients. There have definitely been moments where I looked at the situation I was in and I thought “Maybe I should just go get a job.”
Thankfully, my wife-to-be is a fantastic person for support, and I have a collection of wonderful people in my life who are excited for me. Without those pillars of support, I don’t know that I would still be doing what I am today. Though I do LOVE what I do, and it never feels wrong being behind a camera or behind a computer editing, having that support to remind me where I’m going means so much to me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Something that I am quite proud of, the public version of me matching the private version of me…authenticity as I see it. I think being the same person in public and in private is really important for people who work with people, like I do.
If you scroll through my social feeds, that is the guy you will run into on the street, and I try to always meet people with excitement and curiosity.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
It is my hope that when I am gone people remember me as a positive man who tried to spread the light of positivity at every opportunity. Positivity through excitement, through support, a good laugh, an empathetic ear or simply through presence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.holboyentertainment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holboyentertainment/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleyholboy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Holboy-Entertainment-100089075161830/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@holboyentertainment
