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

Hi Trent, what do you attribute your success to?
Mentorship is so important. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs – they all had mentors. I found a community of like-minded business entrepreneurs and coaches early on in my business. Without investing in coaching from an early point, I would be lost. Entrepreneurship is a difficult path, and I attribute the success of my business to having an equally passionate network of fellow business owners and coaches who keep me inspired, informed, and motivated.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the owner of Flatiron Creative Group, a video production company that specializes in creating “brand story” and promotional videos for adventurous brands. We have a unique way of operating our business too. We’re not just a “videography” company – we take a personalized approach to understanding each client we work with by researching their pain points, and develop media packages using a “video strategy” approach – and we have fun doing it. We’re laid back, have fun on set, and want our clients to have a wholesome yet professional experience.

Getting here wasn’t easy though. I have always been creative, but until recently, had next to no experience running a business. It took some financial risk, and lots of encouragement from friends, family, and colleagues, but running this video business is something I have ALWAYS wanted to do. I have a team of creatives now, and we’re having FUN creating branded video content for companies across the country, and world.

Lean into the uncomfortability, and be willing to fail. A successful and adventurous business may be on the other side!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Wow. Having to pick the “best time ever” in Colorado is difficult. There’s SO MUCH to experience. I’ve always been one to get outside of the city and enjoy nature. I travel often, and this is always my routine – no matter what city I’m in. My perfect itinerary starts with a cup of coffee and pastry from a local coffee shop. Depending on the season, I’d head up into the mountains for mountain biking or a few laps of snowboarding.

I’m all about small mountain towns too. Idaho Springs, Nederland, Georgetown – you really can’t go wrong here. As a creative person, I normally always have my camera or a drone with me. Even on days that I’m not “working.” I love snapping a few photos of my adventures or the mountains along the way, editing those up, and posting to Instagram. It’s even better when you get to share these moments with people who are equally interested in photography and mountain towns. I love grabbing lunch at a local inn, and taking a short hike before heading back down the mountains towards Denver.

To close out the day, I’m always down for a good whiskey paired with good conversation, and a Colorado sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely! As a follow up to my earlier response, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my network of creators and coaches. I invested in a program called Creator’s University early on in my career, led by fellow video business owner Connor Rickey. This group has more than 10x my revenue through the business strategies, creative techniques, and mindset shifts I’ve gained through being a part of this program.

Website: Flatiron-Creative.com

Instagram: @TrentAusten

Linkedin: Linkedin.com/in/trentausten

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