Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Barkley.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The story of Bonsai Creative (in part) begins with the success of The Pet Rock and the Chia Pet.
In 2014, my business partner (and best friend) Nick Buggs and I were frustrated by the types of businesses the market was rewarding (like Pet Rock and Chia Pet). For the most part, companies that served no community and solved no problem.
We were fed up with resigning ourselves to the sidelines. So, we made a pact to start a business together or never speak of our frustration at the start-up founders getting rich from silly products again.
With Nick’s background in technology (Computer Science, Vanderbilt University) and my background in media (Journalism, Marketing, Middle Tennessee State University), we decided to form digital media and publishing company.
It wasn’t until 2015 when we traveled to L.A. to help facilitate the Walk-Of-Fame ceremony for the late great Dick Gregory that we became enamored with the film business. During that trip, we were privileged to see the entertainment business from the inside out.
Most importantly, we realized that thousands of film creatives lived as “starving artists” and didn’t have to if they had the right combination of funding, tools, and education.
We shifted our focus to Independent Film the following week and haven’t looked back since. Seven years, three feature films, and 300-plus podcast episodes later, we are still going strong.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are no smooth roads to entrepreneurial success. Every day presents an opportunity to learn and grow. The number one obstacle for us is finding product-market fit.
It’s challenging to discover how to serve a market best. It’s even more difficult in an opaque industry like Film. For Bonsai, that means asking questions like, “How do we improve the odds of success for Indie Filmmakers with our Branding & Marketing solutions?” “What partnerships should we pursue to increase funding to filmmakers?” and “Who in the filmmaking community is open to consuming education and resources if the commitment level is near zero?”
There are also systematic roadblocks. In the studio movie business, P&A (branding and marketing) expenses are necessary for the success of a film. However, because of the cost and the lack of state-based rebates and grant support, Indie Filmmakers tend not to have a single line item for branding and marketing in their budgets. The result is that most Indie films don’t achieve ROI.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bonsai Creative?
Today, Bonsai is focused on putting our client’s films in a position to be seen by their audience and ultimately be profitable. We create bespoke branding and marketing strategies and link arms with our industry partners to execute those strategies.
That includes social media placements, public relations, Key art development, photo and video promotions, and more.
We also support and advocate for the Indie filmmaking community through our five-star podcast, MAKE IT, festival panels, workshops, and keynote speeches.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
There are two things I love about Los Angeles above all other benefits.
First: Los Angeles is not a monolith. It’s like living in five different cities in one. L.A. is wide. You can find your tribe, your lifestyle, and your pace.
Second: Perhaps, obviously, the film creatives and hungry entrepreneurs. When you’re in Los Angeles, you can’t avoid being inspired and motivated by all of the creatives and small business owners you come across.
Pricing:
- Bespoke upfront cost, $.01 per impression after that
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bonsai.film
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_bonsaicreative/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bonsaicreativeenterprises
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-barkley-25998a219/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/flameinurheart
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC0NlDHvRm9xKLOrJ3nkUyFg
- Other: https://linktr.ee/BonsaiCreative
Image Credits
Monica Murray
