Meet Joshua Ramsey | Photographer/Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Ramsey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
What a long story really. I took a lot of risks leaving my federal job in 2018 to go work for a big tech company. One of those risks was job security. As a veteran I would have never lost my fed job, but I wanted more skills. So after a conversation with my wife, I went to work for one of the oldest and biggest tech companies in the US, where I became a certified project manager. The company was full of progressive ideas in the workspace for veterans, parents, women, etc… it was great until Covid. When their numbers started faltering so did their “caring” for employees. Instead of taking care of their employees, the took care of their shareholders. They got rid of 10’s of thousands of employees. My boss and my bosses boss and everyway sideways in the organization chart was decimated. It was at that point I swore to never work for someone else again. Life is too short to be tied to an employer that doesn’t care about you.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After I left the Marines in 2006 I struggled to adapt and work. I was a combat Marine with 3rd Battalion 5th Marines. I believe in 2010 I used my GI Bill to go to college where I majored in Business Management/Marketing. I also started working at the VA Hospital in Columbia, MO. In 2011 my son Roman was born and in 2014 my daughter Veyda came along. School, work and children all had a hand in saving my life. They gave me purpose, which is important to success. You have to have purpose or you will give up.

Nothing was easy after coming home from the Marines. I struggled so much with addiction, PTSD, relationships, risky behavior….. I mean I look back and it was just chaos.

I eventually went to seek mental health treatment, I still go today, to learn how to deal with the challenges of PTSD.

Moving forward to where I am today professionally… How did I get here? I don’t think I can pinpoint it, but every time I failed, wanted to give up… I didn’t. All the failures, and they still come today, is ALL part of the process and story to your success. I realized I had to fail, its how I learned.

It took me a long time to recognize that. I still have to tell myself that. Self employment is not easy.

I frequently listen to other successful people, read books about what it takes and how to keep moving forward and one thing is clear… You have to keep getting up. I read a book called, “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson, in the book it talks about how having problems and figuring them out are what makes humans happy. You really should be asking yourself not “What does success look like”, but rather “What kind of problems do I want to deal with”.

If you pick the wrong thing or business or whatever, you will never stick out the problems that come along. Becoming successful is all about figuring out all the problems and failures that come along the way, and being happy to do so because you like what you do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here in Columbia, MO, its a college town. Home of the Mizzou Tigers! One thing I love about this town is the instant access to rural areas and nature. You can go to 5 mins in any direction out of Columbia and you can find yourself in a farm field or the Missouri River, the KT Trail…..

If I had to make an itinerary it would involve trying all the local foods here in town. We do food at a very high level. A few examples are: C.C. City Broiler (Best Steak in the US), Flyover, Cafe Berlin, Sophias, Murray’s, Chris McD’s, Seoul Taco (St. Louis based), Broadway Brewery. Sparkey’s Ice Cream (The best Icecream in the world I’m pretty sure) I could go on and on.

Taking someone to Coopers Landing on the Missouri river is great for local music, nature, and people.

The University of Missouri’s Campus is gorgeous and hopping on the One Wheel or bike is a great time.

Hiking the Pinnacles, or Rock Bridge State Park is always a great way to explore.

There’s tons to do here!

Or heck, just go downtown on Broadway, and shop, drink, and people watch!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I honestly could not do this without my wife. If she wasn’t here, we wouldn’t be having this interview. She not only has been supportive of me to take on big dreams, but she is also honest in her critique of me when I ask for it. I know she will always shoot me straight, even if it is negative. Its our success together that has allowed us to be where we are today. Much love to my wife Cimarron!

Website: www.flywrx.com

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Image Credits
I took all these photos! Me Joshua Ramsey!