Franchise Focus: Home Video Studio

Owner: Jeff Johnson.

Product or service: Video production and services.

Location: 4582 N. Vistapark Drive, Moorpark.

Date established: April 2008.

Hours open: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays; Saturday by appointment.

Telephone: 530-1174.

E-mail: [email protected].

Employees: One.

Franchise fee: $109,900 for franchise fee and equipment.

Estimated annual gross revenue: $100,000.

Questions to Jeff Johnson: What prompted you to start your own business? I have worked for the past 10 years as a network television camera operator in Hollywood. As my family began to grow, I started to think about working a little closer to home. I decided to take the skills I've developed in my professional career, as well as my background in video production, and put them to use locally. Home Video Studio seemed like the perfect fit for me. They are an international franchise with a proven business method and the services the franchise provides are right down my alley.

What is your educational and career background? I have an associate degree in radio/television from Moorpark College and a bachelor's degree in radio/television/film from Biola University. I started to dabble in video production while working at a summer camp right after graduating from high school and fell in love with it the first minute. After graduating from college, I broke in with Fox Sports Net. From there, I began to branch out as a freelance operator on shows including the "Sharon Osbourne Show," "Street Smarts," "The Larry Elder Show" and "The Tyra Banks Show." I currently shoot "Deal or No Deal," "Opportunity Knocks," "Best Damn Sports Show Period" and many other popular shows.

How much research did you do before starting your business? A lot. I don't take decisions like this lightly and my wife and I spent about a year and a half researching Home Video Studio and other companies. Ultimately, we felt like this was a step of faith that we needed to take and we haven't regretted it one bit. I love being home more and having the freedom to be there for my three children.

What were the most helpful sources, including Web sites? The most helpful sources were the existing owners of Home Video Studio around the country. They were readily available to answer my questions and give me a picture of what it's like to own my own studio.

When were you the most discouraged? I'd say the most discouraging time was during the "financing" stage. The original plan was to use home equity to purchase the franchise, but that was right in the middle of the big real estate decline. We had to pursue other avenues and were actually led (by Home Video Studio) to some great people who got us some excellent financing. That was a great day when that phase was finally over.

What company or individual do you admire? At the risk of sounding cliché, I'm going say my father, Spence Johnson. He actually owned a franchise as I was growing up and really put himself through a lot to make sure we were provided for. I always admired the way he ran his business with integrity and excellence.

What will make your business stand out from competitors? Customer service. There are a lot of video production companies in the area, but mine is the only one that truly offers services for everyone. I can transfer your home movies to DVD. I can edit your footage to make it more enjoyable to watch. I can create beautiful photo keepsakes for weddings, funerals and other events. I can also do corporate image or training videos for companies.

Who is your target client/customer base? Honestly, we have services that appeal to everyone, from the empty nester with 20 years of home movies to the marketing director of a local company. Home movies need to be preserved on DVD before they deteriorate and video is an essential way to promote your business.

"" Businesses less than a year old can be profiled in Who's New in Business. Businesses older than one year can be profiled in Company Spotlight. Those owning franchises in the region can be profiled in Franchise Focus. Only businesses that have never been profiled in The Star may participate. For details or the questionnaire, call 437-0239.

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