"I didn't want to be a penniless artist." William Mikula

31/05/2024 1h 3min Temporada 3 Episodio 34

Listen ""I didn't want to be a penniless artist." William Mikula"

Episode Synopsis

Podcast Episode Shownotes ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
Episode Title: Creative Entrepreneurship with William Mikula๐ŸŒŸ
Episode Overview:
In this episode of the Reb Chat Podcast, host Cathy Dixon sits down with William Mikula, a multifaceted entrepreneur, story-maker, voiceover actor, and film producer. William shares his fascinating journey from a young entrepreneur cutting lawns to creating a premium tequila brand, Lana Tequila, and breaking into the film industry. His story is one of resilience, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of customer value.
Segment Breakdown and Timestamps:

00:07 - Introduction ๐ŸŽ‰

Host Cathy Dixon introduces the theme of the third series on Creative Entrepreneurship and welcomes William Mcikula.

01:28 - Williamโ€™s Background ๐ŸŒ

William shares his early life story, moving from New York to Saudi Arabia, then to Houston, New Orleans, and finally Atlanta. He describes growing up in an entrepreneurial household.

06:20 - Combining Business and Creativity ๐Ÿ’ก

William discusses his desire to balance his creative passions with business acumen to avoid being a "starving artist."

08:04 - Early Business Ventures ๐Ÿšœ

William recounts his first business venture at 14, starting a landscaping service with minimal resources and the valuable lessons learned.

10:21 - Lessons from Early Entrepreneurship ๐Ÿ“š

Communication, risk-taking, and building referral networks are highlighted as key skills William developed during his teenage years.

17:58 - Productivity and Focus ๐ŸŽฏ

William discusses the importance of action over planning and maintaining a focus on the essential tasks that drive business success.

22:26 - Perseverance in Entrepreneurship ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ

William shares a story about his first invention, the hip leash, and his challenges in bringing it to market, culminating in a successful deal with Amazon.

34:49 - Transition to Creative Pursuits ๐ŸŽฌ

William describes how he transitioned from online business to creative writing and film, reigniting his passion for storytelling.

38:59 - The Importance of Taking Risks โš–๏ธ

Cathy and William discuss the necessity of taking calculated risks in business and creative endeavours.

42:18 - The Story Behind Lana Tequila ๐Ÿน

William details the journey of creating Lana Tequila, from identifying a market gap to winning prestigious awards and expanding internationally.

53:05 - Sustainable and Premium Product Design ๐ŸŒฟ

The sustainable design of Lana Tequila bottles and the health benefits of premium, additive-free tequila are discussed.

59:26 - Williamโ€™s Superpower ๐Ÿ’ช

William reflects on his superpower of maintaining an optimistic viewpoint and the importance of resilience in entrepreneurship.

1:00:04 - Current and Future Projects ๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธ

William talks about his latest film projects and his ongoing creative and entrepreneurial pursuits.


Key Moments:

Amazon Deal for Hip Leash ๐Ÿ›’ - William's breakthrough moment when Amazon placed an order for his first invention.
Winning Double Gold Awards ๐Ÿ… - Lana Tequila received double gold at the San Francisco Spirits Awards for both its Blanco and Reposado expressions.
Film Festival Encounter ๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ - The pivotal moment at the Atlanta Film Festival that reignited Williamโ€™s passion for creative writing and filmmaking.

Resource Links

Lana Tequila: Lana Tequila Official Website ๐ŸŒ
Personal Website: https//www.williammikula.com
William Mikula Books: JW Mikula Books ๐Ÿ“š

Call to Action:
Please subscribe to the Reb Chat Podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends. Follow us on social media for updates and more inspiring stories. ๐Ÿ“ฒ
Stay tuned for the next episode, and keep innovating! ๐Ÿš€