Discussing the First Five Years of Kestum Bilt with the Man That Started It All
I recently had the good fortune to travel back in time five years to share some advice with my younger self as I—um, he—was about to open Kestum Bilt. I have to say, we make a handsome pair.
Younger Pete: Thanks for dropping in.
Older Pete: No problem. It’s nice to be back.
Younger Pete: Why are we sitting so far apart?
Older Pete: Long story. But take this mask. One day you’re going to need it.
Younger Pete: Umm... So, am I making the right decision? Does Kestum Bilt work?
Older Pete: Yes. And our film professor was right. You’re going to be happy you got the MBA instead of the MFA. There’s a lot to running a successful business.
Younger Pete: I like the sound of success.
Older Pete: Slow your roll. It won’t always be that way. Get ready for a lot of highs and lows.
Younger Pete: People still say “slow your roll” five years from now?
Older Pete: Don’t be a wiseass. You’re not a 21-year-old kid, shooting wedding videos anymore, not that there’s anything wrong with that. You’ll be working with national brands like Seiko, Boss Revolution, Navy Federal Credit Union, Blue Emu, Medi-Weightloss, and our ad agency partners. So listen up.
Younger Pete: Sorry.
Older Pete: If you remember nothing else, remember this—approach every production as if it’s your last because you’re only as successful as your last production.
Younger Pete: How do I know if it’s successful?
Older Pete: Equate your success to the client’s success. If they win, you win.
Younger Pete: Copy that.
Older Pete: And remain humble. Just like you were at Tampa Digital. Be the kind of mentor to others as your mentors were to you.
Younger Pete: I didn’t know we were also writing fortune cookies now. Ow!
Older Pete: You had it coming.
Older Pete: Where was I? Oh yeah, humble. That’s been our calling card. We do great work, but people really like working with us because we put their needs above our own.
Younger Pete: You keep saying “we.”
Older Pete: Kestum Bilt is a team. You’re not going to be able to do it alone. Who can? You’re going to surround yourself with really talented producers, directors, and creatives who know how to check their egos at the door. And you’re going to learn a lot from them because you’re going to be smart enough to listen to their advice. In the end, Kestum Bilt is a “we” thing, not a “me” thing.
Younger Pete: Copy that. How’s Rhandi?
Older Pete: She’s awesome. Marrying her was the best decision we ever made.
Younger Pete: We really lucked out.
Older Pete: Hell yes. And about a year into this she is going to remind you that you’ve been developing the strategy for Kestum Bilt long before you jumped into it. So don’t be hard on yourself when things don’t work out because the world is going to be as unpredictable as ever.
Younger Pete: What are the clients like?
Older Pete: Like clients. Some good. Some bad. Some are still with us, and some come and go. Pretty soon you’ll know when to move on from a relationship or pass on a project. Just remember to stick to the business plan and always stay—
Younger Pete: Humble. Copy that. Anything else?
Older Pete: Always delegate. You can’t be a producer, director, and salesperson on every project. Also, start learning to shoot vertically. And stay flexible. One day you’re working on a thirty-second spot, and the next day you’re working on docu-style branded content or a PSA for an amazing non-profit.
Younger Pete: Understood.
Older Pete: Again, stay flexible. You never know when you need to pivot. But you and your team will make it out okay if you just stick to the plan. Their success is your success. In fact, even after just five years, you’ll realize that your team’s success is even more important than your own.
Younger Pete: Thanks man. This has been really helpful.
Older Peter: You’re welcome. Hey, you want to watch The Tiger King?
Younger Peter: Um…do you mean Lion King?
We binged watched the show from a safe distance. Then I showed my younger self the Kestum Bilt 5-Year Buzz Reel. We were pretty geeked.
This article was interviewed and written by Glen Hosking and Pete Guzzo.