Every Monday, we ask small businesses key questions. Here we speak to Elliot Hornell, owner of Aberdeen-based Reach Video.
How and why did you start in business?
I’ve worked in TV and video production for more than 20 years, starting out on Caribbean cruise ships making holiday memento videos. After training as a news cameraman and video editor with Meridian Television, I eventually made the leap into the freelance world about eight years ago.
Since then, I’ve worked for all the major UK broadcasters, as well as countless independent production companies and many others worldwide.
Now, my focus is putting those years of experience to good use by helping businesses achieve their desired results with video. Many firms struggle to know what videos to make, when to make them and what to do with them to get the best result. This is why, in 2018, I created Reach Video.
How did you get to where you are today?
It’s been a slow and gradual process, and I never really intended to turn my profession into a business. I came to understand it’s not only the video customers need, but wider assistance to develop a plan for how to use it.
Things like identifying what types of video will achieve business goals and what content will resonate most with a particular target audience, or what to do with the videos produced.
My business was born out of wanting to help firms harness the power of video and use it effectively for the best results.
Who helped you?
I’m a member of a couple of global video production communities and also regularly attend local business networking events. These groups are a great support for me, not only to make connections with prospective clients but also to meet people with different areas of expertise.
Support provided by the Federation of Small Businesses has also been invaluable. I get free advice on a wide range of topics, such as finance, insurance, legal, and sales and marketing.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had?
Don’t wait for the perfect time – take the moment and make it perfect. There will always be challenges, but with each step you take you will grow stronger, more skilled, more confident and, ultimately, more successful.
What is your biggest mistake?
Not following the advice above. I spent too much time finding out everything I could instead of taking that next step and learning on the job.
What is your greatest achievement?
I’m proud of still being here and making a living in an industry that is very difficult to break into. It gives me great satisfaction that, through running my own business, I can now give other young people a chance to get started in the video production industry.
How are you managing rapidly rising costs, and how could government help?
You have to manage the best you can. I regularly review business finances and cut costs and overheads wherever possible, because I don’t want to increase my prices.
Government could do more to mitigate the cost-of-doing business crisis, such as directing sufficient resources towards economic recovery.
What do you still hope to achieve?
There’s lots I still hope to achieve with Reach Video. It feels like we’re just getting started.
What do you do to relax?
I have a five-year-old son, so there’s rarely a week goes by without spending time playing in the park or walking in the woods.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on TV?
I read a lot of business-related books and listen to podcasts with a video production or business storytelling theme. Watching TV usually involves live sporting events like football, tennis and athletics.
What do you waste your money on?
I’ve regularly followed the Scotland national football team, home and away, over the years. I don’t see that as wasting money, although some people might.
What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Make coffee, if I have the time and jump in the shower if I don’t.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I’m not a huge car enthusiast. My Skoda estate has a big enough boot to carry a lot of camera kit, so I’m relatively happy with that. I’d quite like to own a campervan though – something like a VW California would be nice.
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