Alumni-owned business spotlight: Tyrone Nelson Jr. (B.S.’20)
VCU Alumni is highlighting Ram entrepreneurs listed in our alumni-owned business directory. Learn tips from Tyrone Nelson (B.S.’20), owner of Newviews Agency, a full-service public relations and production company.
What tools helped you the most when you started out?
The biggest tool that helped us when we started as a video production company was the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (specifically Premiere Pro), Google Docs and spreadsheets. Being able to track all the people we were meeting or negotiating with and then creating a system to follow up with every individual we come in contact with was very important. Business is all about relationships.
Once you develop your service offerings and are dedicated to continuing to improve that, it really becomes “Who knows about this service?” Almost like the old saying, “If a tree falls in the woods and nobody hears it, did it really fall?” — same thing with your business. If you have great services and people don’t know about them, then do they exist in the world?
We made sure to write down all the people who we were networking with to ensure that we could spread the word on the type of work that we do. Eventually, as I hired more staff, going from a one-person shop to a staff of almost 20 people, those systems paid off. They turned into meeting structures, sales calls, production playbooks, etc.
What was the biggest challenge to maintaining your business?
Managing people; I think any business owner will say this. Whether it’s working with clients, staff or interns, people are different and people can be challenging, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
I truly believe that everyone is special and sees the world through a unique lens, and being able to incorporate their nuance into the business is one of the most beautiful things to witness and be a part of.
As a business owner, you have to be equipped to meet people where they are so you can get the best out of them, so they can produce what you’re looking for, but also so you can have a great time working together. You have to have the skills to be able to effectively negotiate with partners and potential clients as well as defuse situations when there is a misunderstanding on deliverables or internally. You also have to be able to effectively deliver your vision to your staff. It’s just a skill that has to be developed and a muscle that is always being stretched.
What advice do you have for people considering starting a business?
Start; just start, that’s the biggest thing. Sometimes we are so concerned about it being perfect and not wanting to put something out until we believe there are no flaws in it, but you can always improve after release. Allow yourself to improve by starting. Don’t let it sit on paper for too long. Don’t let it stay in your mind for too long — put some action behind it, and see where that takes you!
The first documentary we did was not by any means our best work, but it landed us a deal with Adidas. Who would have known where we would have gotten if we did not put that project out?
Go for it, and once you start it, surround yourself with great people. As the owner, before you bring people on, know your business like the back of your hand. Every wrinkle, every muscle, every bone, every vein, understand it. Next, start bringing people who can help you take it to the next level. It’s a journey, but it’s worth it.
Live as if there was nothing more urgent than becoming who you were meant to be!
Categories Alumni