The Tin Shingle Blog

Usually the person behind the camera is silent, speaking only through the people on film. But this week we’re showcasing the incredible force behind the lens of Capital One Spark’s “I Am Small Business Proud” campaign: filmmakers Trisha Dalton and John Sears. These two are truly a dynamic duo and we’re in awe of their energy, creativity and work ethic. During their journey on the highways and streets of America, they are stopping in small towns and big cities to meet new faces of small businesses, courtesy of Capital One. Why is Capital One doing this? In the words of Buck Stinson, Senior Vice President for Spark: “As a leading financial resource for small businesses, we understand the value of getting close to our customers. This is a great way for us to capture a true representation of small business owners and celebrate what they do every single day.”

Trisha and John are on this journey across America to listen to and record stories first-hand as told to them by the business owner(s). They conduct the interviews and edit content to create one-of-a-kind video “portraits” that feel as real as if we sat down for a cup of coffee with the small business owners ourselves. And if that’s not enough, they also turn the camera on themselves to give us recaps of where they’ve been and share a behind-the-scenes look at what they love most about the towns and cities they visit. These two are amazing!

We interviewed Trisha and John to get the scoop on how they manage unexpected situations, their secret to getting business owners to open up and share their stories on camera, and what got them started on their own path as small business owners themselves. Trisha and John are all about hard work, passion, and major #smallbiz love; cheers to these two!

Tell us a little bit about your own small businesses as filmmakers.
We have both run our own film production companies since college, working regionally and nationally, specializing in personal story, social impact videos for personal interest as well as corporations and non-profits.
 
What would each of you say has been a highlight so far while you’re on the road?
Capital One Spark Business has given us the fantastic opportunity to travel around the United States and talk to local small business owners.  It has been a highlight to hear their stories.
 
Have there been any difficult situations where you had to “make work” on-the-fly MacGyver style?
Things have been going quite well so far but we don’t want to jinx ourselves!
 
How does a business tell you their brand story? What tips do you have for businesses translating their brand stories to you?
We have an easy time connecting with small business owners, because we are small business owners ourselves, and we spend time getting to know them before we turn the camera on, so that they feel comfortable sharing the stories of how they built their business and brand, and their passion that drives it.
 
When a small business pitched you, what stuck out that made one story more compelling to you to select as your video?
There are so many great businesses and stories behind them that it’s hard to choose.  We have tried to select a variety of types of businesses and stories.
 
As filmmaking partners, what habits and strategies do you employ to “make it work” so well on the road?
We make sure to listen to one another and have fun while we’re working.
 
How do you work as partners on the road? Does your work on set help you work together so closely on the road?
We are used to sharing responsibilities, and leaning on one another's strengths, and that has carried over into our road trip routine.
 
What kinds of connections or commonalities between people's stories are you finding as you interview people across the country?
All the small business owners we have met with have had an incredible work ethic - many of them work ’24/7', have a real passion for their business, and a strong sense of community - they all consider their community to be integral to the success of their business… It’s easy to see why small business is considered the heartbeat of America.
 
As you go from city to city, how much does the context of the place effect the small business you are profiling? Do you notice some towns to be more small biz friendly than others?
The small business owners we have met with are very community oriented, whether in a big city or small town.  We have seen strong communities everywhere we have been.
 
As small business owners yourselves, are you identifying with aspects of any of the short features coming out of the #SmallBizProud project? Filmmaking is usually associated with making art and telling stories, but what of your business building skills?
Partnering with Capital One Spark Business has given us the chance to meet so many business owners and broaden our network of individuals. We identify with many of their trials and tribulations, like long hours, and wearing many hats.  More than anything we have been inspired by their optimism, success, and  generous approach to their communities.
 
How are you able to make these mini-films on the road? Is one editing while the other drives?
Sometimes one person edits,  while the other drives, but we do most of the editing in local bed & breakfasts, and small business inn’s, where we stay along the way.

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The spirit in the heart of a small business owner is an awesome thing; as Trisha and John put it, “small business is considered the heartbeat of America.” Being an entrepreneur means being part of a remarkable group of people, and we’re glad these filmmakers are introducing us to many new faces and businesses! There are so many lessons to learn, from being part of a sense of community, to leaning on each other and having fun…all key ingredients to making a small business work over the long haul.

Go ahead, see if these small business stories don’t become part of your daily routine…tap into them to get fired up in the morning, get over the hump during a long afternoon, and help you sprint to the finish line at the end of a long day. Join us and be #smallbizproud!

Follow Trisha & John's journey on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!

The key to fashion and accessories in warmer months, whether you’re wearing jewelry out to a party or packing clothes for a long weekend at the beach, tends to be “less is more”.  Less baggage weighing down your overnight bag, less heavy necklaces on your skin, and so forth.  With that in mind we have a #SmallBizStyle story in honor of Memorial Day that is packed with just what you need for the start of summer and all season long.  Even better?  Everything on the list is under $100.00 and of course each item is created by a small business!

Loly in the Sky

Shoes.  These can be one of the most important parts of your summer wardrobe as you’ll be on your feet hitting up parties, parks, barbeques and traveling by many modes and you want your tootsies to look good and feel good.  Enter Loly in the Sky a small biz we’ve been crushing on since they joined Tin Shingle.  Their shoes never fail to elicit squeals and “where did you get those” questions, and their quirky and clever designs have definitely carried over into their new summer offerings.  New this year? The business has grown beyond loafers to offer heels, sandals and wedges (congrats guys!), which means it will be hard to pick out just one pair! That said their affordable pricing means you don’t have to!

Nina Forrest Jewelry

In the summer wearing lighter jewelry is a must.  This doesn’t mean forgoing accessories but on really hot days or all day events (think parties, barbeques, beach blanket bingo…) less is definitely more.  To fill that void in your accessories collection head on over to Nina Forrest Jewelry.  We’ve shared some of our favorite necklaces and earrings that still pop but are still really light.  Even better?  Each piece is under $100.00 and you can score an additional 15% off by signing up for their newsletter!

HipKnoties

What to do you grab when you need something comfortable, flattering and still stylish to wear to summer pool parties, barbeques, outdoor weddings, travel and beyond?  Just one thing (or perhaps a couple in different colors): HipKnoties.  This comfortable, versatile (you can wear it over 30 ways) garment is a favorite of stylists, the Today Show, moms, college gals and more and is the perfect warm weather must that really can travel anywhere with you - and folds up small enough to toss into an overnight bag and leave plenty of room for all of your Loly in the Sky shoes!

Simple Sarongs

If the O-List says it’s amazing, it must be true!  Okay maybe that isn’t enough for you but there is a good reason everyone from Oprah to Good Morning America to the Today Show is buzzing about Simple Sarongs.  As a fan and user myself, I’ll tell you this towel/sarong combo is a godsend.  I hate the usual towl-around-your-waist-toga many of us DIY (that slips off the moment you move), and I hate cheap, thing beach towels.  I love Simple Sarongs each (super stylish) sarong has hidden buttons in it to keep it held in place, and when I’m not wearing it, I’m laying on it thinking “thank goodness I have such a soft, large and colorful beach towel”.  Clearly, this woman founder knew what she was doing when she created this summer must-have!

Honest Earth Candles

You know what screams “I’m stylish and chic”?  When your home smells good (think rosemary, eucalyptus, thyme)  as summer guests arrive, and when your backyard (or terrace) is lit with lovely votive candles to illuminate your evening cocktails and conversations.  Enter Honest Earth Candles.  They had me at “we despise chemicals” and of course, their amazing aromatherapy candles.  Not only are these great for your own home but they’re perfect summer hostess gifts! If you’re in the mood for a realllly romantic Memorial Day weekend or some summer lovin’ in June, July and August, try their soy melt massage candles as well ; )   Final bit of Memorial Day fun here?  This entrepreneur is also an Army wife!
 

This week’s #SmallBizProud vid-spiration is all about overcoming obstacles and following the love of what you do! From a small business that makes apps to help solve problems for other small businesses, to former college suitemates at the helm of their own women-run business, it’s all about the love of running your small business and the passion to overcome challenges that keeps these #smallbiz superstars going. You can’t not be inspired by the story of a dry cleaning company that rebuilt after a five-alarm fire and the lessons they learned along the way. For a family-owned nursery that has been in the family for four amazing generations, the reward is the pride they take in serving the community over the decades. This week’s small business owners are here to tell us that sometimes the point isn’t to make a huge fortune; sometimes you hang in there when the going gets rough for the love of your small business. And, at the end of the day, the pride you feel at never giving up is more valuable than all the money in the world!

Bibbentuckers: Dallas, Texas
A five-alarm fire and a five-million dollar loss would be enough to stop a superhero in his tracks. But, for John Palms, President and CEO of Bibbentuckers Dry Cleaning, “failure was not an option.” Well aware of how many people depend on the company, from employees to customers, John knew he had to rebuild. Crediting what he calls a “survival instinct,” he and his team pulled together and rebuilt the store in eight months. When a disaster of a different kind--the recession--struck, John still didn’t give up. Instead, he and his crew worked with more determination, willingness and tenacity than ever to grow and be a bigger brand. Today, they believe in themselves even more and John feels that, in a way, the challenges they faced have helped lead to more growth. He says, “you’ll never meet that ultimate wall where you just stop. You’ll always find a way to around the wall, over the wall.”

Hear Bibbentuckers amazing journey back from disaster:

Appable: Oklahoma City
What’s “the coolest thing” for Kelly Tran, CEO and Founder of Appable, going back to when she was in the second grade? Coding! Born in Vietnam, Kelly was drawn to technology from a young age and, with the encouragement of her parents, started coding as a child and never looked back. She started her tech company, Appable, to create apps that “solve the smallest problem in the most creative way” for other small businesses. Appable gives people the ability to turn ideas into an actual app! Their core focus is building software that has the best user experience out there. A self-proclaimed “passionate problem solver,” Kelly is made for the work she does. As she puts it, “I’m so in love with the work that I do everyday!”

Get to know Kelly and prepare to be inspired by her passion and enthusiasm:

Endara Enterprises: Shreveport, LA
“Life is short and you gotta make the most of it” is the motto of Mary Jo Grey, Vice President of Endara Enterprises who runs the company with her business partner Rubby Endara Gregg. Founded in 1990, 100% women-owned and certified minority-owned, this impressive business is built on the amazing relationship of Mary Jo and Rubby. Former college suitemates who stayed in touch over the years, from the day Mary Jo and Rubby decided to start their own company it was a #smallbiz match made in heaven. The secret? Both are in love with their work, and each plays to their strengths (as Mary Jo puts it, Ruby is definitely the “tough love” side of the biz). Mary Jo, who always “gives 200%,” is frank about the bumps in the road they’ve had along the way. But their passion has kept them afloat, and they reap the rewards every day doing what they love on their own terms, together!

Meet Mary Jo and hear what makes her business thrive and her formula for success:

Hillside Nursery: Wichita, KS
The history of Hillside Nursery stretches back 90 years, entwined with the family tree of owners Matt and Mark McHenry, whose grandfather hand-built three of the greenhouses. Started in 1925, Hillside Nursery has been in Mark’s family since 1948. Being third generation means Mark and his team really know the plants and their community: some of their customers are grandchildren their grandparents’ customers! They pride themselves on handling all aspects of production in the eight acres in the middle of the city and being a part of Wichita: when Mark drives around town, he can see trees planted by the nursery 50-60 years ago, growing and thriving. Mark states that he doesn’t have this job to “get rich,” but as you hear the pride in his voice as he describes what it’s like to do a final walk-through at the end of a long day, it’s clear he’s a rich man in the greatest sense of the word. An amazing story of a third and fourth generation family business rooted in their community that is guaranteed to move you!

Get to know Mark and his exceptional family legacy:

Past Episodes:  
You can catch up on other past short features (warning that will have you glued to your computer! but are super short) as well as follow the team in real time by following their mapped out route, their YouTube channel and their social media feeds: Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
 
Capital OneDisclosure: The #SmallBizProud content series is sponsored by Capital One Spark. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Capital One.