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

Hi Claudia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Wow, I love this question. Looking back on when I started my business, I was absolutely terrified. I was in my Junior year of college at The University of Georgia and all of my friends were busy interviewing and accepting positions for a summer job at incredible companies. I felt absolutely lost because I had such a passion for storytelling, and did not know if I could truly make it on my own. That’s when I started reaching out to local wedding videographers, and I stumbled across Verity Videography by Mary Bess. We had an instant connection with our love for Jesus and passion for preserving memories. I worked alongside her that summer and saw just how possible it could be to be a business owner. After I filmed my first wedding, I knew I had found my calling. Actually starting a business was terrifying. Not only were there a ton of different legal steps I had to take, but I actually needed to start having bookings and equipment to be able to film! Luckily, my dad is an entrepreneur as well, so he, along with the rest of my family, friends, and mentors, helped guide me and give me the confidence I needed. I began heavily posting on social media and purchased the necessary equipment for how I wanted to film a wedding at that time. From there, I was able to book my first few weddings, and it snowballed from there! I am now doing this full time and I couldn’t be happier.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am local to Woodstock, Georgia, although I travel all over Georgia and beyond for weddings. If I had a friend visiting me, we would start off our morning at Eden in downtown woodstock, which is a gorgeous juice shop with the most delicious açaí bowls and coffee. After that, we’d go for a nice long walk on the trails in downtown woodstock with my dog, Georgia. It’s her favorite place! For lunch, we would go to Century House Tavern and sit out on the patio, which is dog friendly as well. Then for dinner, Ten Sushi!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh gosh I honestly do not know, I am still learning the ropes of Atlanta and my friends are constantly taking me to new spots! But I can describe my perfect day!

If I were to describe my perfect weekday, I would say I would wake up early to my dog, Georgia, an English Black Labrador, snoring loudly beside me. I can’t do anything until I have fed her and drank my coffee, and then I would take her on a nice long walk out in nature. We absolutely love the trails and dog park at Downtown Woodstock! Then I would get home and head to my desk, with Georgia in her dog bed beside me, again, snoring loudly. Finally I would get to work with editing whatever wedding film is in my queue that week. It is the best feeling in the world seeing a wedding film come together like a perfect puzzle. After a long day of working, I would feed Georgia and head out to meet some friends at Las Palmas, my favorite Mexican Restaurant! After a great day, I would get home and snuggle up with Georgia and either watch the Extended Cuts of The Office, or read a wonderful book!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to thank Mary Bess Champion for letting a clueless college student join her company for the summer of 2019. Not only was she the most perfect mentor, and went above and beyond at helping me learn the ins and outs of owning a wedding videography business, but she became an amazing friend as well. We spent hours chatting over coffee all about our love for Jesus and our passion for story-telling. Without her, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am today!

Website: www.claudiagoodwinfilms.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudiagoodwinfilms/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudiagoodwinfilms

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