Hi Zooliners,

Are you a young and cutting-edge entrepreneur looking for some guidance on how to run a successful business? Well, look no further! Tom, our CEO, is a seasoned pro in the media and production industry and he recently shared his top 10 lessons learned so far in his first Forbes piece. Did you know he had a Forbes column?  

Lesson number one: Passion is contagious. If you're not excited about what you're doing, why should anyone else be? When you're passionate about your business, it's easier to stay motivated and push through the inevitable obstacles that come with starting and growing a company. Plus, when you're enthusiastic about your work, it's infectious. Your team will catch the passion bug, too.

Lesson number two: Embrace the power of collaboration. Producing content is a team effort. Tom's worked with a ton of talented and creative individuals over the years, and he's found that the more he collaborates with others, the better the end result is. Plus, collaborating with others often leads to new opportunities and ideas that he wouldn't have come up with on his own.

Lesson number three: Invest in your team. We have a small but mighty team here at Zoo Productions that has been with him for years. By investing in us, our professional development, and treating the team with appreciation, we’re motivated to not only do our best work but also stick around for the long haul. You’re stuck with us, Tom!

Lesson number four: Communicate clearly. As a producer, Tom needs to be able to effectively communicate with clients, talent, and crew members to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Being clear and concise in his communication can be the difference between a project being successful or not. Plus, being a good listener is the other half of the equation. Don't be the person who only hears what they want to hear.

Lesson number five: Maintain a strong work ethic. Running your own company is not for the faint of heart. There have been many times when Tom's had to work long hours and sacrifice personal time in order to get things done. But the more effort he puts in, the more rewarding the work is, both personally and professionally. Plus, the grind is what separates the successful from the wannabes.

Lesson number six: Find mentors. Tom was lucky enough to have a father who has been a role model for him his whole life, but it's important to learn from others in the industry as well. Working with experienced producers and mentors can teach you a lot and help you grow as a professional. They've lived through their own challenges and roadblocks, and the impact of that type of firsthand experience can't be overlooked.

Lesson number seven: You didn’t think we were going to give it all away here, did you?  

To get the final ingredients of Tom’s secret sauce, you’re going to have to head to his Forbes profile to keep reading, 10 Lessons Learned In 20 Years Of Running A Media And Production Company.

Greetings on top, Zoo Kid On The Blog