Business: COCOSHAKIM
Founder: Jesse Gibson
HQ: South Auckland
What products, services, solutions or technology have you developed?
I provide video production services using a quick turnaround model I’ve developed as a micro parallel to the film industry production cycle. This model utilises mandatory physical fitness as a means of maintaining job readiness and streamlining the mind for an efficient creative process.
WHAT KEY CUSTOMER PROBLEMS OR CUSTOMER “WANTS” DOES YOUR SOLUTION SOLVE?
People are passionate about what they do, but often lack the skills/resources to share their work with the world.
With our service we can provide clients with video campaigns to get their brands/causes off the ground on social media. The campaigns are made simple to match the clients understanding and can grow as they gain more confidence in utilising videographers in their outreach.
We also provide video consultancy to assist clients with basic content creation to help them self-refine as they grow. People share their passions with us and in return we share with them our passion for the craft of video making.
Who and where are your target customers?
We often target Māori/Pasifika businesses and artists or initiatives in the South Auckland area. It’s been amazing getting amongst the thriving enterprises out there.
There’s a certain magical feeling that comes with helping a small business get off the ground, and though we have plans to pivot into more macro targets we’ll still retain our identity as a South Auckland enterprise.
How and when did you first come up with the idea for your business?
This current iteration of my enterprise (Social Media Videography) came into effect around June of 2023. Prior to that I had operated as an “all-rounder” shooter after finishing film school in 2021.
An award winning dancer friend of mine (Villa J Lemanu) contracted me to document a project under Creative NZ, and since then my escapades into getting paid to film others have only grown.
What are three things about your business that you are proud of?
- First and foremost, I’m proud that it exists. I’ve met many talented individuals who could easily set up an income based on their passions. For me to be of the number who have done so successfully will always be seen as a blessing.
- Secondly, I’m proud of the way relationships are nurtured between the team and clients during the production process. We place a heavy emphasis on “mutual giving” meaning the exchange is viewed as an offering between all parties (we are Indigenous Creatives so a lot of our doctrine is pulled from cultural practices of sustainability and relationship growth).
- Thirdly I am proud of my team. We are small but from our starting point we might as well be a mega corp! The team have kept me accountable as we grew and have endured the unknown by my side through all that the journey mustered. It’s been an honour to be at the helm of such a crew.
How do you market your business and what advice do you have for others around marketing?
For social media videography I market mostly on the Instagram platform. I’d recommend it for other creatives as it can operate as a portfolio as well as nurture a community that supports your work and sometimes feeds into your client pool.
Instagram has very diverse systems of sharing content which can also expand your own outreach as a business. I’m new to TikTok but from what I’ve seen it looks like a fun space to push your clients’ marketing as well as your own (as well as having one of the strongest algorithms on the market right now).
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in building your business so far?
Learning the step-by-step process to daily growth. Once certain milestones are reached its too easy to remain at that level for extended periods.
I’ve been fortunate to find myself in business programs such as the TUKUA program by Ngahere Communities, which has helped me better gauge the growth of my business.
What is the biggest entrepreneur lesson you would like to share with other Kiwis thinking of starting their own business?
The hardest part is starting. But you got this and I believe in you!
Story created in partnership with Grid AKL.
Innovation Nation is a series celebrating stories of innovation and diversity in entrepreneurship from around New Zealand.
