Today we’d like to introduce you to Karl Solano.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Karl. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, I got started in college, and I got accepted into a travel abroad program for my Biology credits. The trip would have been to Kenya studying different bird species and habitats. I purchased my first DSLR for this occasion because I wanted to document the trip and my studies. BUT it was an election year in Kenya at the time and our professor had to cancel it altogether for safety reasons.
Bummed that I didn’t get to go, I was still in possession of my first DSLR (Nikon D3000). I started bringing it with me on family outings and from there, I got more accustomed to using it. I documented video for the band I was a part of and used it for marketing purposes. After my time making music passed, I used the camera to take photographs for the restaurant I managed. Food photography then became a tertiary source of income for me.
A film and PhotoShop class later, I am now taking photographs more frequently and constantly create content. I have been shooting for about seven years now, at the professional level for roughly three. The culture has opened many doors for me and now I’m here filling out this interview! =)
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely been FAR from smooth. Mostly because I had no idea photography and film were going to be integral elements of my life. I was always a creative individual, but I thought that my smarts would lead me down another path (I was an honor student almost every year as a kid). Knowing what I do now, I am striving to own a company that involves film/photography in some way shape or form. The struggle is honestly honing in on a single niche and expanding from there.
Please tell us about The Chill Initiative.
My business is called “The Chill Initiative,” and it’s a relatively young company. I am at the startup stage of it, literally doing everything I can to keep it afloat. Running a business is something one gets better at by solving problems and doing the nitty gritty things as they come along. I feel as though educating myself and reading books, articles, etc. are helpful BUT don’t give any real-life learning lessons.
The Chill Initiative currently specializes in film and photography for your brand. We also offer social media marketing but the bulk of our service is to provide content for mediums that our clients need the most. Being the ENFP I am (Myers-Briggs personality type), I have also made apparel for the company even though it’s not a clothing brand. It’s the way my brain works, and at this point… don’t be surprised if I someway, somehow incorporate real estate into it as well.
I am most proud of just getting my service/passion out there. We are obviously very young, but just hitting that “go” button is a success in my book. I went out and made it happen, instead of sitting on a dream. What sets us apart is how we encompass your brand and deliver it with our own little twist. The Sri Racha sauce of creative agencies…well that’s the goal at least, lol.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would most definitely do it differently… financially at least. I wish we were taught financial literacy at a younger stage in life.
Pricing:
- Short Film/Video for business – $650 (2-5 min long)
- Photo Shoot (1 hour) – $350
Contact Info:
- Website: www.karlsolano.com
- Email: karljsolano@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/karlsolano
- Other: www.thechillinitiative.com
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