Grow Your Video Business with Ryan Koral

Ryan Koral
  • 4.9 (146)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

The podcast for ambitious filmmakers who want to build a thriving business—without burning out. Hosted by Ryan Koral, a 20+ year video production vet and coach, this weekly show is your behind-the-scenes pass to what actually works in the world of commercial video. Every episode is packed with real talk, tactical strategies, and candid conversations to help you: + Book better clients (at better rates) + Build systems that don't rely 100% on you + Charge what you're worth—with confidence + Create videos that make an impact and grow your bottom line If you're ready to stop winging it and start running your business like a pro—you're in the right place. 🎙️ New episodes drop every week. 🔗 Learn more at https://studiosherpas.com

  1. 2d ago

    497. How Getting Skinny Saved My Studio Over 10K a Month

    After 22 years in business, I hit that all-too-familiar wall where I'd fallen out of love with the whole thing again. In this solo episode, I get honest about the self-imposed deadline I gave myself to quit, the 160-mile Camino pilgrimage that made me question all of it, and the decision to get my business "skinny" so I could finally make moves I'd been too stuck to make. If you've ever felt buried under the parts of your business you never signed up for, this one's for you. Key Takeaways Falling out of love with your business is usually a signal you're spending too much time on the work you dislike—not proof you're in the wrong work. Selling stops feeling gross the moment you actually believe what you offer matters to someone's life or business, whether or not they hire you. Cutting expenses to get "skinny" (sharing studio rent, trimming roles) freed up roughly $10K a month and gave me room to be nimble again. You can't control the outcome—only what you do today—and there's a lot of freedom in laying down the weight that was never yours to carry.  In This Episode  [00:00] Welcome to the show! [02:09] Loving What You Do [06:07] Frustrations In Business [07:52] Business Is A Journey [19:56] Ryan's Book [25:53] Trimming Down [33:26] Onward Summit [34:10] Newsletter [35:38] Outro Quotes "So much of what I teach is do work that you care about, but the thing that gets in the way is when I end up doing the things in the business that I don't like doing." — Ryan Koral "All I'm responsible for is right here today. I can only control the things that I can control. I cannot control the outcome." — Ryan Koral "Getting skinny is allowing us to make choices we couldn't make in the past, because we were just stuck. I'm enjoying being nimble." — Ryan Koral "I still feel called to this work of storytelling. I feel more called now than before. So my work's not done." — Ryan Koral "To live a good life: pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it." — Mary Oliver (shared on the trail by Mark Manry) Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Get your Early Bird tickets for the Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    37 min

  2. Jun 29

    496. The Storytelling Secret Most Filmmakers Miss with James Harrington

    In this episode I sit down with my friend James Harrington, founder of the Ugandan Water Project, for a conversation that's way more about your business than you'd guess from the title. We dig into the art of storytelling that actually moves people to act, why the most relatable character in any story is rarely the obvious one, and how to figure out where excellence really pays off. It's part craft, part business strategy, and part permission slip to stop doing everything perfectly. Key Takeaways The obvious character (the founder, the hero) is often the least relatable—look for the Monica or the Peggy who your audience actually sees themselves in Visuals that carry the message without sound, and a willingness to disrupt the typical setup, are what make stories stick "Big picture excellence is knowing where to invest your excellence"—not doing everything to a perfect ten Protecting creative margin and downtime isn't a luxury; it's how you stay present, curious, and able to do your best work About James Harrington Passion, grit, and irreverence for the status quo - This unorthodox trio marks James Harrington's style, strategy, and tactics for mobilizing you to take on the impossible problems around you and transform your world. James is the founder of the Ugandan Water Project where he and his team leverage innovation and disruption to battle the water crisis in Uganda. Over the past 18 years, he has led his team to fund and implement more than 2,000 water projects serving more than 750,000 people. Additionally, they have launched AquaTrust - a water service enterprise; and his team is supporting the Ugandan Ministry of Water & environment to implement a cloud-based digital asset platform to manage all water sources serving 50 million Ugandans. Together, with the help of people just like you, James is leading efforts to ensure that all Ugandans have access to safe drinking water – Today, Tomorrow, and Forever. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:09] Meet James Harrington [05:55] Uganda Water Project [16:52] Doing Video for Non-Profits [18:41] Get Different Angles [28:41] Where Is The Pumpkin Pie? [32:26] Hiring Someone Else [36:16] What Is Truly Productive [42:56] Connect with James [44:14] Outro Quotes "There's a version of me that I'm trying to meet, and I think I'll find her in Kenya." — James Harrington (sharing the opening line of a fundraising letter he helped craft) "Often the obvious characters are not the relatable characters." — James Harrington "Big picture excellence is knowing where to invest your excellence." — James Harrington "Don't just practice till you get it right—practice till you can't get it wrong." — James Harrington "Pay attention, be astonished, and tell about it." — Ryan Koral (quoting poet Mary Oliver) Guest Links Visit the Ugandan Water Project Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Get your Early Bird tickets for the Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    45 min

  3. Jun 22

    495. Matter More So You Can Hustle for Attention Less with Jay Acunzo

    Most video business owners are stuck chasing reach when what actually grows a business is resonance. In this episode, storytelling and speaking strategist Jay Acunzo joins me to break down why mattering more to the right people beats marketing to everyone, and how to communicate with enough conviction that clients seek you out instead of the other way around. If you're tired of competing on price and ready to become your market's favorite, this conversation will shift how you show up. Key Takeaways Resonance beats reach. People don't take action because you reached them, they take action because they actually care. Jay's 6-part "dialogue outline" walks a client from "how does this help me?" all the way to "I'm in, how do I start?" Don't try to be different from your competitors. Aim to be refreshing to your specific market instead. Get into your client's journey early as their "running buddy" rather than waiting at the finish line to capture demand. About Jay Acunzo Jay Acunzo is a public speaking and storytelling advisor trusted by bestselling authors, TED speakers, seven-figure coaches, and brands like Mailchimp, Wistia, and Salesforce. Before starting his advisory firm, Jay was a digital media strategist at Google and head of content for 3 organizations, including HubSpot. He's directed documentaries, hosted podcasts, and created award-winning content for innovative startups and Fortune 500 brands. Today, Jay teaches business leaders how to communicate with greater clarity, influence, and resonance. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:35] Meet Jay Acunzo [12:46] Mediocre Content [21:02] What Defines A Successful Business [25:39] Stop Chasing [28:57] Winning Clients [44:03] Be Different Or Be Refreshing [45:33] Influence The Space [50:15] Communicate With Influence [53:21] Connect with Jay [53:54] Outro  Quotes "Reach is how many see it, but resonance is how much they care." —Jay Acunzo "Don't market more, matter more. If you matter more, you need to hustle for attention less." —Jay Acunzo "Don't be the best, be their favorite." —Jay Acunzo "Nobody's waking up thinking, 'I gotta call Ryan.' It is our job to tell the people." —Ryan Koral "You've been a commodity waiting around for some kind of gift." —Jay Acunzo Guest Links Follow Jay Acunzo online Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Get your Early Bird tickets for the Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    55 min

  4. Jun 15

    494. How He Built a Profitable Video Business From Rock Bottom with Andrew Nycz

    Andrew Nycz went from rock bottom to running a thriving video production business in South Florida—and his story is proof you really can rebuild from just about anything. In this episode, he shares how he validated a brand-new podcast offer with cheap Facebook ads before signing his first studio lease, why hiring editors was the smartest first move he made, and how he keeps a remote team that feels more like family. It's part business strategy, part comeback story, and all heart. Key Takeaways Test demand before you commit. Andrew ran $5/day ads for his podcast offer before signing a lease—proving the interest was there without the risk. Editors are the easiest first hire. Pulling editing off his plate freed Andrew up to focus on production, sales, and marketing. Great hiring is really about leadership. Patience, clear SOPs, and letting people inside your head turn a new editor into a great one. A fresh start can change everything. Moving to Florida and getting sober rebuilt Andrew's life and reignited his passion for video. About Andrew Nycz Andrew Nycz is a filmmaker and founder of Nycz Productions, a South Florida–based media company helping brands, entrepreneurs, and organizations scale through strategic video and storytelling. With a background in documentary filmmaking and digital marketing, Andrew blends cinematic storytelling with performance-driven content systems designed to drive real growth. Originally from New Jersey, Andrew made the move to Florida in pursuit of change—building his career from the ground up through persistence, discipline, and a commitment to mastering his craft. That journey continues to shape the way he shows up today: as both a creator and a strategic partner to the clients he works with. He has been proudly married to his wife Jennifer for 8 years, and together they are raising their two children, Layla and Daxton—who remain his greatest source of purpose and motivation. Andrew specializes in building full-scale content ecosystems, from podcast production and short-form distribution to brand stories and long-form narrative content. He has worked with brands, medical organizations, and high-level entrepreneurs to transform their message into scalable media engines—turning attention into authority, and authority into revenue. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:33] Meet Andrew Nycz [19:11] Owning A Studio [27:17] Hiring To Scale [28:55] Standard Operating Procedures [31:50] Training An Editor Well [34:46] Using AI Notes [35:33] Connect with Andrew [36:24] Outro Quotes "Rags to nothing to something—and it's all possible with the camera." — Andrew Nycz "If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." — Andrew Nycz "Change is the only constant in life." — Andrew Nycz "You can have it all. You just have to figure it out." — Andrew Nycz, recounting advice from his coach "You're living testimony that you can do hard things and overcome massive obstacles." — Ryan Koral Guest Links Follow Nycz Productions on Instagram Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Get your Early Bird tickets for the Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    37 min

  5. Jun 8

    493. How AI Saved a Project the Budget Almost Killed with Jason Moore

    AI filmmaker and 14-time author Jason Moore joins me to unpack how artificial intelligence has reshaped the way he tells stories — without stripping out the creativity behind them. We get into a real client project that only became possible because of AI, his three guiding principles for using it well, and how he handles the inevitable wave of online critics. If you're curious (or a little nervous) about where AI fits into your video business, this conversation's for you. Key Takeaways AI works best as a collaborator, not a vending machine — the more of yourself you bring to it, the better the output. Some projects only exist because AI makes them affordable. In those cases, nobody actually loses a job that was never in the budget to begin with. Every big tech shift — Photoshop, CGI in Jurassic Park, even self-checkout — displaced some work while creating new opportunities for the people who adapted. Jason's "soul test": if you don't bring your own creativity and judgment, you get soulless results. The human stays in the driver's seat. About Jason Moore Jason is the author of 14 books on topics ranging from creativity and design to artificial intelligence. His most recent release, AI and the Church: A Clear Guide for the Curious and Courageous, is an Amazon bestseller that has sparked more than 150 national training engagements. In film and television, Jason has collaborated with Hollywood producers and created book trailers for New York Times bestselling authors including Arianna Huffington, Seth Godin, Robert Greene, Ryan Holiday, and Marc Ecko. A graduate of The Modern College of Design, Jason now returns to his alma mater as an adjunct instructor, alongside his work as a sought-after keynote speaker and trainer whose career bridges the worlds of creative production, ministry, and emerging technology. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:58] Meet Jason Moore [12:06] AI Video Content [16:22] AI Video Package [27:47] Using AI Morally [38:23] Example Projects [48:35] Outro  Quotes "AI should be a 'do it with you' tool, not a 'do it for you' tool." — Jason Moore "You have a soul and AI doesn't. If you don't bring enough of your soul to your interaction with AI, you get really soulless outputs." — Jason Moore "I'm a human first, business owner second." — Ryan Koral "When the option exists, we're going to help more people tell stories in more compelling ways than we could in the past." — Jason Moore Guest Links Follow Jason Moore on Instagram | Facebook | X Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Get your Early Bird tickets for the Onward Summit Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    50 min

  6. May 29

    492. The Paid Workshop That Wins Bigger Clients with Evans Wilson

    In this live coaching episode, I sit down with Evans Wilson of Zenith Creative, who's spent years running his video business as a side hustle alongside a full-time corporate job. We dig into the real reasons he's stuck on pricing and growth, and I walk him through a paid discovery workshop strategy I've used more than 50 times to win bigger clients and build instant trust. We also get into the future of video in an AI world and why storytelling is still your edge. Key Takeaways A paid discovery workshop reframes you from "vendor pitching services" to "strategist worth investing in"—and clients stop ghosting meetings the moment money's on the table. Sell the result and the roadmap, not the meeting itself. Nobody's excited to buy another Zoom call. Apply the workshop fee to a package booked within 60 days to make it an easy yes for newer clients. AI is changing production fast, but storytelling, pacing, and trust are still the things you get hired for. About Evans Wilson Evans Wilson is the founder of Zenith Creative, a video production company he's run for nearly nine years alongside an 18-year corporate career as the solo in-house videographer for a large energy company. With help from his wife and a handful of trusted freelancers, he's built Zenith into a thriving business while quietly living the "double life" so many video creators know well. These days his focus is on growing Zenith, where he primarily serves construction and industrial services companies—though he's always happy to stray from that niche when the right project comes along. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:37] Meet Evans Wilson [11:36] Finances [18:32] The Video Blueprint Method [21:24] Selling Workshops [37:14] How the Content Market Changes [38:47] AI Content [47:56] Connect with Evans [48:21] Outro   Quotes "People who pay, pay attention." — Ryan Koral "What you want to sell is the results." — Ryan Koral "Get to the heart of the story, get to the soul of the brand, and then start thinking about how you roll it out into other content." — Ryan Koral "It's the worst it's gonna be right now—but the challenge is always, are you a good storyteller?" — Ryan Koral (on AI video) "The only thing stopping me is me, not them." — Evans Wilson Guest Links Find Zenith Creative online Follow Evans Wilson on Instagram Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    49 min

  7. May 25

    491. The Pricing Trap That's Quietly Killing Your Business with Zack Thompson

    In this episode, I sit down with Zack Thompson, co-founder of Bumpy Road Productions, for a live coaching session on pricing, packaging, and positioning. Zack's growing a sketch comedy series offer for brands, and we dig into why his current price points are leaving serious money on the table. If you've ever struggled to charge what your work is actually worth, this one's for you. Key Takeaways Your base package needs to be profitable on its own—don't price the entry tier hoping clients upgrade to your premium offer Charge for value, not crew size; a one-person shoot and a five-person shoot shouldn't be a $2K difference One specific, numbers-driven testimonial from a recognizable client is worth more than a hundred generic "they're great" reviews Build three simple packages with clear differentiation in scope and cadence rather than stuffing everything into the top tier About Zack Thompson Zack Thompson is the co-founder of Bumpy Road Productions. Majored in Film at Rochester Institute of Technology, then worked in outdoor documentary television for 5 years. Now he runs his own production company with his brother Jake. Recently completed a feature-length sports documentary, "Northmen Way, A Lacrosse Story". With Bumpy Road they have done all forms of client video work, specializing in comedy-driven video. Quotes "I'm done in the days of throwing a low ball price just to get a job and then kicking myself afterwards." — Zack Thompson "When you start to talk about the potential value, it becomes way easier to justify spending fill in the blank." — Ryan Koral "Just be careful on how you build those packages—make the base one that if you only ever sold it, you'd be all set." — Ryan Koral Guest Links Follow @bumpyroadproductions on Instagram and Facebook Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    44 min

  8. May 18

    490. Why Your Story Is the Strategy with Lynn Friesth

    Lynn Friesth spent 41 years at John Deere before stepping into what he calls an "encore career" — and now he helps other retiring professionals do the same. In this conversation, we dig into why story is the most underrated strategy in any business, how to draw real moments out of people who don't think they have a story, and the surprising market opportunity for filmmakers willing to serve the 65-and-older crowd. Plus, Lynn shares why "not done yet" might be the most powerful mindset shift you can make at any age. Key Takeaways Your story isn't just nice-to-have content — it's the thing that makes clients choose you over everyone else with similar skills Polished doesn't beat real anymore; the unscripted moments are what actually connect with viewers Retiring professionals are a massive, underserved market for filmmakers — they have the wisdom, the budget, and the need Testimonial videos from past colleagues and clients are way more believable than anything you could say about yourself About Lynn Friesth Lynn coached high-achieving executives 55+ to reinvent their identity, leverage their expertise, and create meaningful income—without getting lost in the noise of endless options. With his unique Human Wisdom + AI Toolkit approach, powered by LynnAI, they combine your hard-earned experience with the leverage of modern tools—helping you design an Encore Career that's both impactful and sustainable. Results he helped clients achieve: Turn decades of corporate leadership into a thriving advisory business Replace a corporate salary with a flexible, meaningful consulting practice Launch a personal brand that attracted clients in under 6 weeks In This Episode   [00:00] Welcome to the show! [05:08] Meet Lynn Friesth [09:35] The Five Stages of Manhood [18:04] Don't Overcomplicate Things [18:59] Being Real [24:34] Ask Questions [33:40] Lynn AI [35:47] Lynn's Book [36:57] Connect with Lynn [38:47] Outro   Quotes "Don't just drift into your encore life. Get started and design what you want to do. Don't drift, just design." - Lynn Friesth  "Your story is what's gonna make you different than the person next to you. Your story is gonna be the thing that's gonna make people want to work with you or not." - Ryan Koral  "I always tried to have a really tight script and follow it. But then I found out the most views I got were a couple of podcasts where I just riffed and stumbled over words and wasn't very polished at all — but I was real." - Lynn Friesth "Often high achievers want to talk about what should I be doing, when in fact what they really need to find out is who do I want to be." - Lynn Friesth Guest Links Check out Lynn's Website  Not sure what's next after corporate life? Meet Lynn AI — Lynn's virtual coaching assistant. He'll help you find your purpose, build your brand, and create a life of impact.  Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

    40 min
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4.9
out of 5
146 Ratings

About

The podcast for ambitious filmmakers who want to build a thriving business—without burning out. Hosted by Ryan Koral, a 20+ year video production vet and coach, this weekly show is your behind-the-scenes pass to what actually works in the world of commercial video. Every episode is packed with real talk, tactical strategies, and candid conversations to help you: + Book better clients (at better rates) + Build systems that don't rely 100% on you + Charge what you're worth—with confidence + Create videos that make an impact and grow your bottom line If you're ready to stop winging it and start running your business like a pro—you're in the right place. 🎙️ New episodes drop every week. 🔗 Learn more at https://studiosherpas.com

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