When people ask how I got into digital marketing, they’re often surprised by my answer.
I didn’t start in marketing.
I started in filmmaking—and before that, I co-founded an animation production company with the ambitious goal of creating children’s stories inspired by folklore from around the world.
The company was called Flibbertigibbets.
It was one of the biggest dreams of my life.
It also became one of my greatest teachers.
Big Dreams Need More Than Passion
Fresh out of college, I wasn’t interested in following a traditional career path. I wanted to create something of my own.
Together with two incredibly talented partners who specialized in Flash animation, we launched Flibbertigibbets. We believed we could build something special that would entertain children while celebrating stories from different cultures.
There was just one problem.
We had plenty of creativity, but very little business experience.
Looking back, I realize we weren’t lacking talent—we were lacking strategy.
Like many entrepreneurs, we assumed passion would carry us through the difficult parts.
It didn’t.
Creativity Alone Doesn’t Build a Business
We worked with limited resources and even less experience. Every new challenge became another lesson we had to learn on the fly.
My partners were also running a successful graphic design business, so naturally, client work took priority over our animation projects. As time passed, our dream company became something we worked on whenever we could instead of something we could fully commit to.
We kept moving forward, but we weren’t moving strategically.
At the time, it felt frustrating.
Today, I recognize those experiences as some of the most valuable lessons of my career.
The Lesson That Still Shapes My Business Today
One realization stands out above all the others.
A great idea isn’t enough.
Neither is talent.
Neither is hard work.
Without a clear strategy, defined goals, and an understanding of your audience, even the most creative businesses can struggle to gain traction.
Ironically, it’s the same lesson I now help my clients avoid.
Before we talk about SEO, AI, Google Ads, websites, or social media, we first build the strategy.
Because tactics without strategy rarely produce lasting results.
Knowing When to Pivot
Eventually, I realized it was time to move in a different direction.
Walking away from Flibbertigibbets wasn’t easy. It felt like leaving behind something I had invested my heart in.
But sometimes growth requires letting go of one dream so another can begin.
That decision led me back to my first love: filmmaking.
For the first time, I was able to fully apply what I had studied in film school. Storyboarding, directing, editing, cinematography, and visual storytelling suddenly had a place to thrive.
And that decision changed everything.
Success Came From an Unexpected Direction
The films I helped create began finding audiences beyond anything I had imagined.
Several projects were accepted into film festivals, earning awards and recognition along the way.
One of the films I produced was featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Howard Stern Show, introducing our work to a national audience.
Another project was even banned in Singapore.
At the time, I couldn’t help but smile.
To me, it wasn’t simply controversy—it was proof that storytelling has the power to challenge perspectives and start conversations.
Those experiences reinforced something I still believe today:
Stories have the power to move people.
That’s true whether you’re making films or building a business.
Why This Matters to My Clients
People sometimes assume digital marketing is mostly about algorithms.
I don’t.
Marketing begins with understanding people.
My background in filmmaking taught me how to tell compelling stories.
My experience building—and ultimately closing—my first company taught me the importance of strategy, adaptability, and resilience.
Today, those lessons influence every recommendation I make.
Whether I’m helping a local business improve its search rankings, building a new website, managing Google Ads, or creating an AI-powered content strategy, my goal isn’t simply to generate traffic.
It’s to help businesses tell their story in a way that builds trust, attracts the right customers, and supports long-term growth.
Every Step Led Me Here
Looking back, I don’t see Flibbertigibbets as a failure.
I see it as the beginning of my education as an entrepreneur.
It taught me that success isn’t about holding on to one vision forever.
It’s about learning, adapting, and having the courage to change direction when necessary.
Those lessons eventually led me to founding Chabot Business Solutions, where I now help businesses avoid many of the mistakes I made early in my own journey.
I still believe in big dreams.
The difference is that today, I know dreams become sustainable businesses when they’re supported by thoughtful strategy, continuous learning, and a willingness to evolve.
