We had the good fortune of connecting with Mario Charles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mario, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Honestly, I was never a bad employee I just got tired of building someone else’s dream and started working on my own thing. I’ve worked harder and longer hours for myself than I’ve had to for others and the one motivator is that it’s my business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a photographer/videographer or as I’d like to call it a visual storyteller. In all the work I do I try to capture the essence of a client, add my secret sauce to it and give them something that they can be proud of.

I started taking pictures for fun in college in 2001 with my Sony point-and-shoot not really diving any deeper than the surface level of photography. In 2012 a friend and I had this YouTube channel about tech and that was when my love of Videography started. Fast forward to today people now pay me money to shoot videos and pictures of them.

Getting to that point wasn’t easy especially when you’re self-taught and have to run a business you’ve never done before. I heard someone say failure is part of winning, I wouldn’t say I’m winning now however, compared to where I was yesterday I can definitely see the growth.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m here in Nashville, Tennessee and my best friend and I are foodies. Breakfast would be at the Loveless Cafe they have the best jam and biscuit I’ve ever tasted. As a visual storyteller, I would have to take my friend to walk downtown to see the Nissan Stadium, the pedestrian bridge and go to every single rooftop bar we can from the Bobby Hotel & LA Jackson (which btw has the really good wings) just to name a few. Not forgetting to stop at the newest hotspot Fith & Broad for some shopping and dining. We would make some stops at Buchanan St for the ambiance there. Not to forget my favorite restaurant Nada where one can enjoy some freshly made tacos & cocktails in beautifully decorated scenery. Along the way, we would stop and make some memories next to the murals that we would see in East Nashville, 12 South & Wedgewood Houston where the PH cocktail bar is located. Needless to say, it would be a great week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife Lorraine Charles deserves all the credit. Without her support, I would not be where I am today. Running my own business hasn’t and isn’t perfect there are so many variables. You can go from the highest mountains to the lowest valleys in a matter of weeks. Having an understanding life partner makes the lowest valleys bearable.

Website: www.mariocharlesproductions.com

Instagram: @mariocharlesproductions

Facebook: Mario Charles Productions

Youtube: Mario Charles Productions

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