Can you believe it? Episode 100 of Creatives Grab Coffee is officially in the books! 🎉
What started as two overweight guys sweating in a hot condo during the pandemic (thanks to three LED lights and no AC at Kyrill’s place) has somehow evolved into a 100-episode journey spanning five incredible years. When we launched this podcast in 2020, we honestly just wanted to stay sane during lockdown and maybe drum up some work. We never imagined we’d be sitting here reflecting on a century of conversations with video production professionals from around the world.
The path wasn’t always smooth—we took months off at a time in the early days, completely revamped our approach in 2022, and have been fine-tuning the machine ever since. But here we are, having connected with freelancers building their first businesses, seasoned production company owners scaling to new heights, and everyone in between.
In this milestone episode, Dario and Kyrill pull back the curtain on not just the podcast journey, but the biggest trends, challenges, and revelations that have shaped the video production industry over the past year. From partnership agreements (spoiler: get one NOW) to AI’s looming impact, from the harsh reality of business valuations to why everyone seems to want to make documentaries after 20 years in the industry.
Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or you’re just discovering Creatives Grab Coffee, this retrospective episode is packed with hard-earned insights, brutal honesty about the business of video production, and our ambitious plans for the next 100 episodes.
So grab your coffee (or espresso, if you’re Dario), and let’s dive into the lessons learned, mistakes made, and wisdom gained from five years of exploring the business of video production.
Creatives Grab Coffee is produced by Lapse Productions, a video production company based out of Toronto, Canada. Reach out to them for your video production needs.
SPONSORS: Canada Film Equipment and Audio Process
Watch the Full Episode 100 Celebration
Experience our milestone episode in full visual glory! Watch Dario and Kyrill dive deep into five years of podcasting insights, complete with their unfiltered reactions to industry trends and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. From partnership agreement revelations to heated debates about AI’s impact on video production, this YouTube version captures all the energy and authenticity that makes Creatives Grab Coffee special.
What you’ll see:
- Real-time reactions to surprising industry statistics
- Visual examples of the topics we discuss
- The chemistry that’s kept this podcast going for 100 episodes
- Bonus moments and tangents that showcase our authentic dynamic
Perfect for when you want the complete experience and can dedicate your full attention to the conversation. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more behind-the-scenes content and visual storytelling tips.
Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Take our 100th episode celebration with you wherever you go! This audio-first experience is perfect for your commute, gym session, or while working on your latest video project. Dario and Kyrill’s conversational style makes complex business topics feel like you’re grabbing coffee with fellow creatives who’ve been in the trenches.
Why the audio version hits different:
- Focus purely on the insights without visual distractions
- Multitask while absorbing valuable business lessons
- Feel like you’re part of an intimate conversation between industry veterans
- Perfect pacing for note-taking on the key takeaways
Whether you’re driving to your next shoot, editing late into the night, or planning your next business move, this episode delivers actionable insights that will stick with you long after the credits roll. Follow Creatives Grab Coffee on Spotify to never miss an episode.
Key Takeaways from Episode 100
Partnership & Business Structure
- Get a partnership agreement ASAPÂ – Don’t wait 11 years like we did! If incorporated, it’s called a “Unanimous Shareholder Agreement” (USA), not a partnership agreement
- Life insurance for partners – Use payouts to handle estate buyouts without handicapping the business
- Have difficult conversations early – Most partnership failures stem from avoiding tough discussions upfront
AI’s Impact on Video Production
- Adapt or get left behind – AI is here to stay, treat it as an efficiency tool rather than a threat
- Jobs at risk – Makeup artists and audio operators are most vulnerable to AI replacement
- Embrace AI tools – If you haven’t used ChatGPT yet, you’re already behind
Business Valuation Reality Check
- Production companies aren’t worth much – Lack of recurring revenue and limited assets keep valuations low
- We’re project-based businesses – Even 20+ year companies can’t predict revenue 6 months out
- Prepare your business to sell – Organize processes, client lists, and systems even if you’re not selling
Marketing & Growth Strategies
- LinkedIn is essential for B2BÂ – Stay active to remain top-of-mind with corporate clients
- Personal posts outperform business pages – Algorithm favors individual profiles over company accounts
- Awards can be valuable – Use them for team building and enhanced client experiences
Operational Efficiency
- Cut unnecessary costs – Review all expenses regularly, especially during economic uncertainty
- Organize everything – Clean up Google Drive, implement proper archiving, and backup systems
- Multiple businesses require structure – Time management and clear processes become critical
Industry Trends
- Niching vs. flexibility – What works for one company won’t work for another; test and adapt
- Documentary “midlife crisis” – After 20+ years, most producers want to make documentaries
- Start passion projects small – Create 3-minute versions before attempting 90-minute features
Podcast Lessons
- Don’t do it for money – Indirect benefits and learning are the real value
- Consistency matters – Bi-weekly posting works better than sporadic releases
- AI tools save hours – Riverside’s AI editing reduced post-production from 4 hours to 1.5 hours
