Studio Owner Makes $50,000.00 in Two Months!

Pete Gallo, our Home Video Studio owner in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, is not one to rest on his laurels. 2011was his best year ever – and it came on the heels of 2010, his former best year ever. "There are many things I like as a Studio owner," says Pete, "but the most satisfying is the feeling of self-determination and empowerment. There is plenty of opportunity to grow every day.” Pete, a former Studio Owner of the Year, is January's Studio Owner of the Month.

So how did he set out to grow in 2011? “Definitely marketing!” says Gallo. “I put a concerted effort into consistently getting “out there” in my market and making my presence known...and I saw the results.” Pete credits much of his marketing skill to his HVS Training.

Pete, who came to Home Video Studio with an Electrical Engineering background and as a video hobbyist, is grateful for the ongoing training that is provided, especially the necessary marketing aspect of being in business for yourself.

"When I first considered Home Video Studio I knew I wanted to do video for a living, but I had natural concerns about starting from scratch and going it alone," says Pete. "Home Video Studio seemed like the perfect foundation because I would be involved with people who had been there before. This has proven to be the case."

Now Pete has a great home-based business and many happy clients. Whether it's Video Transfers, Film Transfer, Video Shooting and Production or any of the other Home Video Studio profit centers he enjoys the diversity and mix of services he offers. His expertise is also on display as a recipient of several Hanley Awards including Best Short Video and Best LIFEStory.

What else did Gallo build on this past year? Well, Pete is quick to say that any success his enterprise enjoys springs from a genuine desire to help people. One award of note that adorns Pete's studio is The Relationship Mindset Award, and it serves to remind him daily that he is in business because he takes care of his customers.

What does 2012 hold for Pete Gallo? “The most positive thing I see,” he says, “is a trend of more people coming in, more people calling - more inquiries in general. I believe a lot of that has to do with peoples' more optimistic outlook on the economic climate, so I'm going to keep marketing and get ready for an even better 2012.”

If the past is any indicator Pete Gallo will have a great year!

Entrepreneur Magazine Names Home Video Studio Number 1!

We're proud to announce that Entrepreneur Magazine has selected Home Video Studio as the Number One Video and Photography franchise in the United States once again. Thank you Entrepreneur!

Darrell Day of Greenwood, Indiana Named HVS Rising Star of the Year!

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” - Michael Jordan

There's a certain energy resident in a successful Home Video Studio owner. It's a force that puts things in motion. It's a contagious attitude that makes others want to be around it. It's a passion that overcomes daily challenges. Darrell Day, our August Studio Owner of the Month, is a great example of that energy.

“When I considered becoming a studio owner I had two rather large obstacles that loomed in front of me,” say Day. “The first was that I didn't really have any money labeled 'Start Business Money' and the second was I could barely cut and paste on my computer – so the thought of all the technical requirements demanded to do video work was daunting. Despite that, I knew I wanted to be a studio owner and I thought I'd be pretty good at it.”

So Darrell took action. He decided to use some of his 401K money to fund his enterprise - and he figured his technical skills would have to come as he needed them. On March fourteenth of this year Darrell opened his storefront Home Video Studio in Greenwood, Indiana.

While many of our owners come to Home Video Studio from a technical background or a sales background Darrell's path to our family took a little different route. Darrell loves to sing. In fact, he loves to sing so much that, after earning his Bachelor's degree in Music from Eastern Kentucky University, his exuberance put him in Europe performing opera and then singing with an opera company in Miami. “What good are passions,” says Darrell, “if you don't take action?”

Darrell eventually returned to the Midwest, got his Master's Degree from Butler University and was a choral director for fifteen years. It was at this time that he met Robert Hanley when Darrel brought in a tape of a musical he directed, to get copies made. “I was taken by the video business and what a valuable service it provided. I just wanted to be around it,” says Day. As his manner is, Darrell began to pitch in and help out where and when he could.

Soon his energy and heart to serve landed him a full-time position as HVS Director of Studio Services. There he was involved in franchise sales and the servicing of existing franchises. “I am a people person and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new prospects and attending to their needs and concerns,“ says Day, “but I really liked servicing our existing studios as well. Our support staff is top notch and it was a joy to be able to be a part of helping the studio owners realize their goals.”

In fact Darrell was so impressed with the operation he was a part of that he started thinking about being a studio owner himself. “I saw the wide variety of wonderful products and services we offer and I thought, 'I'm creative. I'm detail oriented, I like making people happy. I should be a studio owner' More than that, I felt an urge to put all my skills together and really take control of my life,” says Darrell.

Is it working out? Yes! Not only is Darrell well on his way to his financial goals but he was recently honored at the 11^th Annual Hanley Awards in Las Vegas, NV where he received the Rising Star Award. And remember his technical concerns? Well, Darrell also won a creative award for Best Use of Home Movie Transfer. Seems like Darrell's energy and passion are indeed keeping things in motion.

“Well, I certainly haven't arrived,” says Day, “I have so much to learn and do. But right now I'm swamped. I'm looking around at close to twenty-five projects in one stage of progress or another – and I love it. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be an integral part of people's lives and also to have a say-so in my own.”

Dan Weiniger of Westfield, NJ named Rookie of the Year!

It is my pleasure to announce and congratulate Dan Weiniger of Westfield, NJ on being named Home Video Studio Rookie of the Year for 2011. Dan joined Home Video Studio in July of last year and was honored Saturday night July 23 at the 11th Annual Hanley Awards at the Planet Hollywood Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dan also took home the Hanley for Best Vehicle Wrap and Dr. Strangelove. Dan was presented with the Social Media Award as well. Dan is now in his second year as an owner. Congratulations Dan!