Arthur Bradshaw - July Studio Owner of the Month!

Arthur Bradshaw in his Home Video Studio

The Suffolk VA area is rich in history.  Between the American Revolution, The Civil War and even a trading post dating back to 1608 this area is a cradle of many events that shaped our country.  But Suffolk's richest culture lies with her people, and Arthur Bradshaw, one of her native sons, daily works in his Home Video Studio to ensure the preservation and memories of this heritage by providing 'Video Services for Everyone".  Meet Arthur Bradshaw, Home Video Studio owner from Suffolk VA and our July Studio Owner of the Month.

"This is the area I grew up in and love," says Arthur. "I knew that after college there was no place else I wanted to be. So I chose to return and make my life here. I have family here and a deep appreciation for all the wonderful people of this area."

Arthur attended high school in Suffolk, then attended Coker College, a liberal arts college in South Carolina as a biology major.  "People ask me if I majored in biology because I wanted to be a dentist like my dad," muses Bradshaw, "but really it was more like I had to pick a major and biology -  starting with a 'B' - was near the top of the list."   But Arthur did excel in his scientific classes, learning the importance of discipline, attention to detail and how systems worked together.  He even began master's classes in endocrinology.  

But Bradshaw had a few other passions as well.  One was being creative and working with video. "I was always making slideshows for friends," says Arthur, "and my buddies and I made little movies, and I enjoyed the process of conceptualizing a story, shooting it, and especially editing."  He also met a pretty girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with - and so he took a position with a leading multi-national distributor of industrial supplies, equipment, and other commercial items.  

Arthur spent ten years in this position and learned many skills that would suit him later on.  He learned to be a self-starter and made "getting the job done" a way of life to personally meet the needs of his clients.  But he also knew that it was time to heed a voice inside him.  "I knew I had always pictured myself having my own business and it felt like time," says Bradshaw. "I was thankful for the skills I had developed but I still wanted to try doing something for myself in a creative field."

Arthur Bradshz

Plus, as he looked around at the corporate world he sensed a certain uneasiness.  Acquisitions.  Closings.  Layoffs.  "I know I am not immune to the things that life hands you," says Arthur, "but I at least want to handle things on my own terms."  So Bradshaw began looking at business opportunities.  It wasn't long before Arthur's wife, as wives often do, found the answer.      

"One day Brenda saw an opportunity on the web for Home Video Studio ownership. I filled out some information, got a phone call, attended a webinar and before long I was on the road to owning my own video business."

In June of 2010 Arthur opened his studio on a part-time basis. Less than a year later he made a big decision and went full-time in April of 2011 - as he had planned and on his own terms. In a very short time Arthur has excelled at his new life.  He is frequently among the top income earners of Home Video Studio.  And creatively he has won Best Company Promo, Best Documentary, Best Studio Tag, and The Rising Star Award at the Hanley Awards, an international award ceremony for video excellence. 

Was Home Video Studio a good decision for Arthur Bradshaw?  "This truly is like a family," says Arthur, "and, like a family, I can always count on support when I need it - from the home office to other owners in Home Video Studio."

All his life Arthur has been preparing for success in his business.  He has learned creativity, attention to detail, getting the job done, knowing his clientele, asking for support when he needs it, and giving support when others need it.  We have a feeling Arthur Bradshaw will be a success well into the future.

Home Video Studio Comes to Main Street!

In a world where, lately, we seem to hear plenty about Wall Street it's a pleasure to see that "Main Street" is alive and well in Apex, North Carolina.  There, from a charming location in the heart of Apex's historic downtown, Peter and Sharon Galluzzo own and operate Home Video Studio.  Daily they apply their firmly held beliefs in a vision, some hard work, faith and, yes, love to provide "Video Services for Everyone" in and around this Raleigh suburb.  

Their journey, from first thoughts about starting a home-based business to their recent move from home into a retail store, is a well-documented story of strategic planning and daily diligence to doing the right thing at the right time.  This is the stuff of a successful Home Video Studio owner. This is why we proudly salute them as March's Studio Owners of the Month. 

Peter and Sharon's success story begins, as many do, back in the days of their youth.  Peter had always had an interest in computer technology and, as a kid, wrote video game programs.  Naturally he gravitated to Computer Science in college.  This is where he met Sharon who, always outgoing and people-oriented, obtained her degree in English Literature.  Upon graduation from Hofstra University they soon married and started their life together in New York with Peter applying his computer skills in corporate America while Sharon commenced her career in public relations with its attendant duties of administration, fund raising and event planning. 

The next dozen years produced a wonderful life for the Galluzzos:  two beautiful daughters, career advancement and an opportunity to move to the Raleigh NC area - a gorgeous part of the country and a technology hub.  But Peter is not one to stand pat, and  a couple of thoughts had been gnawing at him.  One was a little "entrepreneurial bug" that kept biting him and giving him an itch to leave the corporate world and build a business of his own. The other was a growing hunger to work with video, tweaked by his involvement with the AV team at his church. So Peter and Sharon  began to investigate the idea of making money with video - not always the easiest prospect.   Lo and behold they found Home Video Studio, a business opportunity that boasted many success stories and a proven plan.  Here was an opportunity to work from home, be close to their two daughters, work as a team and make money doing something they loved. 

There's an old saying: "The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win." No Home Video Studio owners exemplify this maxim quite like Peter and Sharon.  "When we first began to inquire about Home Video Studio and whether it might be a good fit for us we realized we needed to take some preliminary steps to ensure a successful venture," says Sharon.  "The first of these was to take care of some personal debt so we wouldn't have that pressure added to the cares of starting a business." 

In the meantime they talked to several studio owners to get some wise counsel.  "We were sold on the idea of a franchise from the start," says Peter.  "The franchise would shorten our learning curve and that's what we liked initially.  We also liked the prospect of staying on the cutting edge with constant training opportunities - not to mention the tech support, the graphics department and a maintained website. The website has always been our number one front door and we've never had to do a lot to keep that door looking great." 

"Plus when we spoke with other successful owners we saw some consistent qualities that we believed in and  wanted to emulate," says Sharon.  " We could see that the excellent studios were big on planning.  They were positive.  They were confident yet teachable." 

So after their due diligence and at the right time (in their case after a couple of years) Peter and Sharon crossed the last of the preliminary preparations off their list, took a deep breath and opened their studio in their Apex NC home in June of 2008. 

Sharon and Peter Galluzzo at 10th Annual Hanley Awards

"Our original plan was for Peter to work his corporate job full-time until we got off the ground and established,"  says Sharon.  That would mean Peter devoting his evenings and Sharon devoting her days (in-between full-time mothering) to the studio.  "Then Peter would leave his full-time job, work the studio and I would get a job."  This "straddling" lasted a little over two years - then it became evident it was time to pull the trigger again.  Says Peter, "Our business was growing and we needed to make a decision.  After looking at our original plan we felt we needed to revise it.  We decided both of us working in the studio was the best way to yield the income we wanted and needed for our family."

This choice to work their studio full time was a risk, but aren't most major life decisions?  This is what they had wanted, and they began to make an immediate impact.  Soon the Galluzzo's name began to be mentioned regularly in the weekly top income list - and continues to be mentioned.  Soon many awards began adorning their shelves and walls - including the Quickstart Award, The Relationship Mindset Award, eleven (and counting) Hanley Awards for Video Excellence and  the most coveted Studio Owner of the Year in 2010.  Soon the Galluzzos became not just mentored, but mentors.  Sooner than planned Peter and Sharon saw the need to move out of their home and into a retail area.  "We really just make a plan and follow it," says Sharon describing their success." Sometimes it changes...sometimes things happen even quicker. Peter quit his full time job sooner than expected and we recently - again earlier than expected - moved into a store front."  

Yet these successes are not a surprise to them - just a realization:  "If there's any 'success formula' someone can draw from," says Peter, "it's that from the beginning we were running a successful business in our minds. We have been in "excel" mode since day one. And it wasn't do or die, either. It was just 'do' "  Sharon adds, "Now we have another hurdle to jump.  We must hire employees in order to keep growing.  This is new territory for us, but it's a must!  The important thing is that we had a solid foundation and the experience of nearly five years to build on when we're making decisions." 

The Galluzzos have learned a few things about being Home Video Studio owners.  Peter shares a few of his highlights:  "Number one, market your business consistently and daily. Number two, get referrals.  You need word of mouth business!  Number three, customer service.  Customers like the word "yes" and we try to say it often." 

Sharon shares Peter's sentiment on the importance of customer service and relationships.  "We love that what we do touches the hearts and spirits of our customers.  They trust us with their most precious memories and we feel honored that they let us do that.

The Galluzzos are certainly on a success track rooted in the basics.  They continue to set goals and plan.  They regard their business as the working out of their faith, their integrity and their commitment to community.  And what kind of business building is in store for the Galluzzos in the future?   "That's easy," laughs Sharon, "I want to have multiple locations.  And one of them has to be at the beach!" 

If that's their plan you can bet it's written down and acted upon a little bit every day...that's the Galluzzo way.

Why Not Follow Your Passion?

Dan Weinier was a former stock broker. 

What's your passion? What if you could follow your passion every day instead of going to work at a job you just don't like. Let's face it... most people don't like working for someone else. Many yearn to work for themselves.

What about you? Where are you at in your life? Would you like to make a life change?

Home Video Studio is a business that anyone can run and be successful at.

• Work from home or a retail store front.
• No experience needed.
• Low overhead - no employees needed.
• Proven marketing plan.
• High income potential. 

Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.

QUESTION: Can I start the business part time?

ANSWER: Yes you can. In fact this is how many HVS Studio Owners start out. They just can't leave their day jobs. We are very experienced in helping you make a transition from your current job to eventually working your studio full time. 

QUESTION: Do I need any experience in the video business?

ANSWER: No you don't. Many of our owners have played around with IMovie, Windows Media Maker, Vegas Video, Premiere Pro or even Final Cut Pro and have made videos for their kids, family etc. You may have done a video and asked yourself this question: Can I make money doing this?

QUESTION: Can I make money doing video for a living.

ANSWER: Yes, if you follow the HVS plan.

Call me to discuss. I am Robert Hanley, Producer/Director/Editor, CEO & Founder of Home Video Studio. Let's take a look at how you would make the transition from what you do now to running your own Home Video Studio.

My cell phone is 317-577-8220 or Toll Free - 1-866-714-1956.

We have a Webinar on Thursday evening, March 7th at 7:00 Eastern. If you are reading this you should attend. Here are some details.

I  invite you to join us for “Home Video Studio’s Start Your Own Studio Webinar.” This is an educational webinar about making the transition from what you do now to owning your own Home Video Studio.  Over 95% of attendees have said "It was well worth my time". We'll be discussing the Home Video Studio Opportunity and how it could make a difference in your life. We have some pretty amazing Studio Owners out there who have achieved some pretty good results with their Home Video Studios. We hope you get a chance to join us. You can find out more about Home Video Studio here: www.Myhomevideostudio.com. Title: Home Video Studio - Two Questions Date: Thursday, March 7, 2013 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Mac®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.6 or newer Mobile attendees Required: iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or Android tablet Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/693062050

Tony & Lori Melendez Celebrate 10 Years as HVS Owners!

Tony and Lori Melendez, Home Video Studio owners from Amherst OH, have an important anniversary coming up very soon! “Robert [Hanley, founder and CEO of HVS] told us the day we bought a Home Video Studio that we’d never forget the date,” says Tony, “and he was right! We decided to become studio owners on May 11, 2002.” That makes Tony and Lori nearly ten year veterans and, in many of their colleague’s eyes, the “Deans” of Home Video Studio owners.

What makes them successful? If you’re looking for secrets or shortcuts there are none. Tony and Lori exhibit the age-old traits of teamwork, a tireless work ethic, daily attention to goals and doing what needs to be done. They also display good old-fashioned kindness – a winsome quality that makes them a hit with their customers and a joy to be around.

Like many Home Video Studios Tony and Lori have worked as a team their entire married life. Tony spent his career as an educator - teaching and coaching - and has run his video business alongside of these demands, first on his own and then as a Home Video Studio franchisee. “A mentor told me when I first started teaching not to put all my eggs in one basket,” says Tony. Some teachers paint or clean windows on the side. I liked video so I started my own video business and worked it in the evenings, on weekends and in the summer.” Lori, who has a background in marketing and also ran a successful daycare while tending to the video venture, has partnered with him from the beginning. Together they took the daily steps necessary to fulfill their dream of a full-time video business. Upon Tony’s retirement from teaching last May that dream has become a reality. Not only that, but it is a family affair with children Evan, Kaitlyn, Rocky and Amanda chipping in along the way as well.

So how did they find Home Video Studio? “That’s really interesting,” laughs Melendez. I had taken on a wedding job and it was turning into a nightmare. It started out with my needing technical support and I couldn’t find any help – even with the manufacturer of my equipment. I happened to pick up a Videomaker magazine and saw an ad for Home Video Studio and called. Soon I was talking to a stranger named Robert Hanley who not only pointed me in the right direction for my technical problem but advised me on some pricing as well.”

With that Tony realized he wanted to be in business for himself but not by himself and soon Tony and Lori attended a Show-N-Tell in Indianapolis. On that fateful day in May they became studio owners and have enjoyed the income, support, expertise and camaraderie that Home Video Studio brings.

In the past ten years Tony and Lori have built a business and made money doing what they love…creating videos and making people happy. They have also won many international awards, including Studio Owners of the Year, Rookies of the Year, Best Video Production, Best Wedding and Best High Concept Video.

Do Tony and Lori have any advice for someone looking into being a studio owner? “This is a good time, maybe even necessary for some people, to go into business for themselves. If you have a passion for video this is the best way to do it.”

Home Video Studio Advanced Training Keynote Speech By Dan Weiniger or Westfield, NJ

Watch HVS Rookie of the Year Dan Weiniger give the Keynote speech at Home Video Studio's 13th Annual Advanced Training Dinner. Dan is the HVS Rookie of the Year for 2011-12.

Day 3 of Advanced Training 2012 -

We rolled into Day 3 of Home Video Studio Advanced Training 2012 today. Five tracks were offered. Here, Frank Rohmer teaches a class on HD/Codecs Workflow.

Dan Weiniger Leaves Rat Race of High Finance for High Tech!

Dan Weiniger has worked in high finance at the American Stock Exchange, in high calories as the owner of two ice cream shops and now in high tech as a Home Video Studio owner. Obviously, Dan isn’t afraid of heights – and his daily discipline to move his business upward is paying off. That’s why Dan Weiniger is April’s Studio Owner of the Month.

Dan, like many of our studio owners, came to Home Video Studio by way of his love for photography and video as a hobby while working in a different field. Although he grew up in New Jersey Weiniger got a degree in finance from Arizona State University and soon found himself owning a seat in the bustling environs of Wall Street and later on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange. How cool is that? Just like the movie Trading Places!

“It was cool,” says Weiniger, “but it was very hectic and, like any other business, a trend started where smaller margins and larger operating costs were making it harder for me to squeeze out a profit and I began to wonder if it was worth it for me.”

Dan’s natural entrepreneurial instincts kicked in another cool direction – literally – and he decided to own and operate a couple of ice cream stores is Florida. But alas, Dan’s financial muse called him back to the business of selling for Northwestern Mutual Life.

Soon after Dan met his wife Jan and they found themselves back in New Jersey and, after the adoption of their daughter, Dan settled in to be a stay-at-home dad and enjoy his family.

As life sometimes goes, however, there was a curve in the plan. Dan found out that he had congestive heart failure and had suffered a heart attack without even knowing it. Upon recovery he made the decision that there would be a few changes in his life. His abiding love of video and photography caused him to enroll in a class in visual communications.

It was in this class that Dan met Pete Gallo, who was in the video services business, was enjoying it and was making good money at home. Pete, one of our very successful studio owners, told Dan about Home Video Studio and soon Dan was on the road to studio ownership.

“I went to Show-N-Tell feeling good about this business,” says Weiniger. “I got a good vibe from Robert’s humility and from the energy of the studio owners that I talked to.”

Dan is now in his eighth month as an owner. His daily diligence, his creativity, his customer service skills, his drive and his sales skills all fuel the stuff that make for a good Home Video Studio owner.

“I like running a successful business and I like being home with my family,” says Weiniger, “that’s why this is a perfect fit for me!”

Grand Opening: Home Video Studio Corpus Christi, TX!

Alan and Kim Fon of Port Aransas, Texas celebrated the Grand Opening of their HVS Studio Store last week (March 24^th). I flew into Corpus Christi to attend their grand opening and what an opening it was! Nearly 200 people attended. It was a spectacular event! I snapped this picture at the end of the evening. Alan and Kim worked for Dell for years and then decided to start their own business. We’re glad they found Home Video Studio and I think, judging from the huge smiles on their faces, they are pretty happy as well. Want to take a virtual tour of Alan and Kim's HVS Studio Store? Click here.

Let’s discuss your new studio. It could be in your home or in a strip mall like Alan and Kim’s. Call me today: 866-714-1956. Let’s chat.

May the Force be with you!

Entrepreneur Magazine Chooses Home Video Studio #1 Photography & Video Franchise!

Home Video Studio is proud to announce that Entrepreneur Magazine has chosen us the Number One Franchise for Photography and Video Services. We are also rated #273 in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500. Thanks Entrepreneur!

Call me today if you want to know more about starting your own Home Video Studio.

May the Force be with you!

Robert Hanley - 866-714-1956