115 - From Student-Athlete to Founder: Gabriel Curtis on Storytelling, Systems, and Revenue

Описание: In this episode of the InNOLEvation® Mindset, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, host Mark McNees welcomes Gabriel Curtis, founder and CEO of Insight Studio Productions, a media production company launched in 2021 that expanded from video production into marketing strategy and storytelling. Curtis explains why he moved the business to the Orlando area for family, central access, and easier travel, then shares his upbringing as the son of immigrant parents from The Bahamas and Zimbabwe and how athletics shaped his work ethic, including earning an FSU cross country/track scholarship and setting a national record for The Bahamas. He describes starting the company while in school without ever having a W-2, landing early clients through networking, turning his apartment into a studio by selling his bed to remove distractions, and building a portfolio that led to major work, including a College of Engineering cinema-style campaign. Curtis highlights a key growth challenge—creating repeatable, predictable revenue through long-term client packages—and discusses mindset practices like unplugging and a morning “power hour.”

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
00:44 Insight Studio Overview
01:16 Why Orlando Base
02:29 Immigrant Roots and Work Ethic
03:12 Athletics to Entrepreneurship
04:20 Early Entrepreneur Role Models
04:59 FSU Running Highlights
05:28 Staying Competitive Post College
06:17 Starting a Business in School
08:40 First Clients and Hustle
09:58 Selling the Bed for Focus
10:56 Landing First Big Win
12:33 Exceeding Expectations Mindset
13:53 Elephant Rider Path Framework
16:51 Doomscrolling Dopamine Drain
18:29 Designing Your Environment
20:41 Plan Then Follow It
21:14 Scaling After First Client
22:23 Big Break Engineering Ad
24:52 Retainers Predictable Revenue
27:02 Getting Out Your Own Way
30:12 Power Hour Mindset
34:45 Advice To 2021 Self
36:54 Closing And Subscribe