Community Highlights: Meet Allison Venison of Venison Co

Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Venison.

Hi Allison, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My entrepreneurial journey began at fifteen, when I started taking unpaid PA jobs on independent film sets just to gain experience and learn the ropes. By sixteen, I had decided to write a script and pitch it to some of the people I’d met on set. One producer believed in me enough to secure $5,000 in funding to make the show.

I left high school to work full-time on the production, while babysitting part-time to earn enough to feed my actors on set. I poured everything I had into that project and was incredibly proud of what I’ was creating. But after nearly everything had been shot, the producer disappeared, taking every piece of footage and materials with them. I never got to see my film, and all these years later, it is still heartbreaking to think about.

That was the true beginning of my career as an entrepreneur and creative. It was a tough hit for a sixteen-year-old, but it taught me resilience.

I barely managed to graduate high school and eventually moved to Los Angeles. I began taking classes at Santa Monica College, filming weddings on weekends, and nannying after school to make ends meet.

Eventually, I saved up another $5,000 to produce and direct a short film for my USC application. I earned nearly straight A’s, which was huge considering I’d barely passed high school, and I submitted my film with my application. But I didn’t get in. I was devastated.

For years, it felt like every time I got close, I’d fall flat on my face. I had put in the work and seemingly done everything right, yet failure chased me. Out of practicality, I started a wedding videography business—not out of passion, but necessity. Little did I know, that decision would completely change my perspective on storytelling.

My outlook on weddings shifted after receiving a call from one of my first clients. I could tell from the tremble in her voice that something was wrong. She paused for a long moment before barely getting the words out: “He has cancer.” Their wedding was only a few weeks away, and they didn’t know how much time he had left. She wanted me to know that her fiancé might have a shaved head at the wedding, and that it could be a sensitive subject.

In that moment, I realized how meaningful wedding films truly are. I understood that the film I made for them could become one of their most precious memories. That experience lit a fire in me to grow Venison Co into what it is today.

What started out of necessity soon became a passion, and eventually grew into a full-blown production team. Today, Venison Co is a collective of talented cinematographers and editors capturing weddings and luxury hotels around the world. This past summer, we filmed in Montenegro, Chicago, Colorado, and Italy, and next up is New York City.

In the past couple of years, I’ve taken on a more directorial role at the company, as we’ve curated an incredible team of cinematographers. The future of Venison Co is opening its aperture to a more expansive field of film production. We’ve slowly begun creating branded and commercial films, with the vision of bringing our skills as wedding filmmakers to tell more stories through film—through our own brands, products, and by creating films for companies we deeply align with.

For me, this journey has been filled with so much joy, even with the challenges that come with building a company. What I love most is connecting with people, and creating films has become a meaningful way to do that—to inspire hope and share stories that matter. Community has been one of the most rewarding parts of it all. Sharing my journey online has allowed me to connect with others who are pursuing their own dreams, and over the years, I’ve built friendships and connections that I truly value. What began as a solo venture has grown into a supportive community of teammates, peers, and friends who make the work even more fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve shared only a few of the obstacles in my journey, but there have been many along the way. Running a business is a lot like off-roading; it’s not meant to be a smooth ride. But when you equip yourself with the right tools like wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, you can navigate the rough terrain with more confidence and precision.

The biggest challenge for me has been learning everything on my own. I didn’t have parents to guide me, so I had to get creative during the tough months. There were times I rented out my apartment on Airbnb and slept in my car just to make ends meet. No one taught me about taxes, LLCs, or investing. Those lessons came through years of trial, error, and a lot of YouTube videos. I often found myself comparing my progress to other entrepreneurs and feeling “behind,” but then I would remember that I started with nothing. I was an eighteen-year-old kid figuring it out alone in Los Angeles, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

Entrepreneurship can be lonely at times, but I’m deeply grateful for my relationship with God and the wisdom I’ve found in the Bible. The book of Proverbs, in particular, has been a powerful guide in both life and business. Whenever doubt creeps in, I turn to scripture for clarity and direction. I’ve come to realize that the greatest tools any entrepreneur can have aren’t just financial; they’re spiritual: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Venison Co is a production company that currently specializes in weddings, luxury content, story-led visuals, and hotel storytelling. What truly sets us apart is our approach to narrative. I’m Allison, the owner—and I’ve spent the past eleven years perfecting my craft. I’ve filmed hundreds of weddings, always challenging myself to tell each story in a new and meaningful way, finding connection between the audience and the incredible stories on screen.

What I’m most proud of is being among the early pioneers of cinematic wedding filmmaking. I’m proud of the standard we’ve helped set in the industry, and equally proud of the many talented videographers who have since emerged. Every message we receive from someone who says our work inspired them makes all of it worthwhile.

Looking ahead, Venison Co is expanding—recently stepping into the world of luxury hotel and lifestyle content, with many exciting projects on the horizon.

To anyone just beginning their entrepreneurial journey: feel free to reach out. I’d love to give back and help however I can. If you’re specifically looking for mentorship opportunities, I also offer mentorships linked on my Instagram.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Mentorship has been one of the best investments I’ve ever made in my career. I highly recommend reaching out—whether through email or a direct message—to people you look up to in your field. Two of my mentors weren’t offering mentorships when I first contacted them, so I waited until they did—and it was completely worth it.

While mentorships usually come with a cost, I truly believe it’s one of the best investments you can make in your business and your growth.

Most of my networking has happened entirely through social media. I’m a bit of a homebody, so the traditional networking world has always been a challenge for me. But over time, I’ve learned that you can build a genuine and supportive community online.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.venisonco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venisoncofilms/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@venisonco