Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Tukes.
Hi Joshua, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am an artist, storyteller, and entrepreneur. I’ve always had a passion for the arts since I was a child. Growing up, some of my biggest inspirations for the arts came from Disney, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, a variety of Movies, and much more. I’ve always been interested in creating my own stories and characters. My two younger brothers, Elijah and Michael Tukes likewise grew up as creatives and artists themselves. It’s something we shared with passion and as a brotherhood. As we grew, we explored different ways to express our creativity which lead to painting, drawing, writing our own stories, acting, photography, filmmaking, hosting creative events, etc. When we became adults, we used our creative passion as freelance workers, which later evolved into us creating an official company by the name Tukes Entertainment LLC. Currently, we have a studio rental space and media production business under the name “Tukes Studios” located in Riverside, CA. We have been on this journey as independent creatives and entrepreneurs for a good while now, learned so much, with much more work to do to achieve our ultimate dreams. Our ultimate goal is to establish our business as a flourishing asset with multiple streams of income to help fund our own intellectual property projects into film, animation, comics and more. We believe by first growing our business as entrepreneurs it will open doors, as well as create financial stability to venture into the other area of our goals, which we are currently working on as we further grow our business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We have faced many obstacles and challenges along this journey. For starters, I will first speak on myself as an individual, then as collective for our business. As an individual creative, there is always a challenge when trying to express and complete a new idea. So easy it is to get excited from a spark of inspiration, but years past and you never did what you needed to do to grow and manifest that idea into completion. Whether a big or small project, I always find myself face-to-face with this hurdle. I have made a commitment to always do my best to complete an idea and see it to the end, some take longer than others, and some I have to ration out with time as I can not work on and accomplish every new idea at once, no matter how bad I might want to at times. This is true for any project, be it a painting, comic, film, or something else. This has also been especially true when completing projects for clients as it is what they are commissioning you to do or teaching students which I have had many years of experience with teaching in the arts for children, teens, and adults. The point is always to finish what you started, at least to the best of your ability. Even if it didn’t turn out like you wanted initially, at least you have the sense of accomplishment and can learn from it what to do or not to do for next time. I’ll leave at that in regards to speaking as an individual creative.
Now on to the business side of things expressing obstacles one the biggest ones we faced is “taking a leap of faith”. For example, when we first got the building to establish our “Tukes Studios” it was at the tail end of pandemic, i.e. 2020. Normally for most people, that wouldn’t be the ideal year to start a new business. But we did it anyway and it has been rewarding since. Also, there are endless challenges when starting out your first few years as an official business owner, whether it’s customer service, sales, the back end of your business structure, developing your brand, or taxes. But the point of the matter is to learn as you go with full confidence and resiliency toward your goals. Willing to make mistakes and be in a position of discomfort as you further manifest your initial vision and goals. One of the best words of advice I heard from someone was that “the best way to get into business is to get into business”. Never has that rang so true in my ears then expanding on my journey as a young entrepreneur.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
There are several things I do regarding the work I do with many hats to wear each day for Tukes Entertainment. To simplify it to my best of my ability, I do sales, creative brand development, project management, and production work. Outside of the direct business I run, I’ve also worked as an art teacher for a variety of art programs. One such program currently with “FTHPAC”, also known as “From The Heart Performing Arts Center” with my friend MeLeah Robinson, who is the founder of the program; teaching all areas of the arts such as theater acting, dance, music, and visual arts to the youth in various schools in Southern California.
To give a better understanding of my business, I would say Tukes Entertainment is divided into three parts. The first part is the “studio rental facility” were customers and clients can rent out the space in our building to do photoshoots, video shoots, podcasts, and small events. We made a tremendous effort to make our space fit for the creative. We have photo backdrops, lights, fog machine, meeting room, lounge area, and a variety of creative sets that operate like a swiss army knife perfectly adjustable and customizable for the needs of the customer or client.
The second part of our business is the media production side where our main focus is providing video and photo services for a clients. Over the years, our production work has ranged from commercials, music videos, event shoots for business, ads, and more. We have our own production team ranging from video camera operators, editors, photographers, and a network of talent to draw from. We use our own studio, as well as go on location for all our production needs. We very much enjoy the creative process of finding and delivering the story of the client through the media arts. To communicate their brand message and get the results they need for their business bottom line. Samples of our production work can be found at OrionShotCinema.com.
The Third part of our business is our creative projects. One aspect of this that we have established is our “Tukes Films” division which currently can be found on YouTube.com under the same name. We have a variety of short films ranging from action, comedy, and more. We have also hosted creative arts events such as our “Tukes Arts Expo” which comprises live performances by a variety of music artists, showcases an art gallery from visual artists, presents short films from filmmakers local to Southern California, vendors, and more. Other areas of our creative projects in development as forementioned are larger films, animation, and comics. Many of which contain original stories, sitcom comedy, action, adventure, fantasy, original superhero characters, and more. All within time, this too will be fully developed.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I believe mentorship is so important in growing successful in any endeavor. I personally have several mentors in my life that specialize in a variety of important things, be it business, creative, spiritual, family, etc. For me finding a mentor has always been about a willingness to talk to people you normally may not talk to and make connections. Also, finding areas someone may have more knowledge than you about and choosing to foster that relationship then let it be a “pass and by” conversation. Like for instance, getting someone’s contact info and following up with them. Many individuals who may turn out to be a mentor are more than glad to help mentor someone, but you have to make the initiative to start the conversation, show you are serious about what you do, that you are open to learn, reliable, willing to take constructive criticism, and act on whatever guidance points a mentor figure may want to provide. In other words, be a true student.
To share a bit on one mentor figure we have with our business, it started out as a connection made at a speaking engagement, then later several conversations of what we are each working on with our goals and business, that later evolved into a mentorship and business partnership. You never know how relationships can evolve, so always be ready to ask questions and learn from someone who is further ahead than you.
Pricing:
- Studio Space Rental $85 an hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tukesstudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tukesstudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Tukes-Studios/100066139367358/?ref=py_c
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tukesfilms
Image Credits
Image Credits go to Michael Tukes & Kaine Hel Message me to clarify which specific photos belong to which person depending on which ones you choose to feature The three head shots of the men are my brothers and myself. Joshua, Elijah, and Michael Tukes. Founders of Tukes Entertainment LLC. & Tukes Studios. The other photos are samples of our company photography work
