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

Hi Ernesto, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
At times it feels like a constant uphill battle. Sometimes you have to look ahead and not at the current situation and ask yourself how bad do you want this? It will not always be easy and there will be failures. Thoughts of giving up will always present themselves and that when you must work the hardest! Do you know if you should or should not give up. As easy as some might think you never know what the next corner might reveal. There have been many times I and the team thought of giving in and instead push through. Around the next corner maybe your next big opportunity! Follow your heart!

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.
The business is called Felt Not Heard Productions. It all began with custom car audio and the idea of feeling the bass not hearing it. At one point we borrowed a camera to film a small commercial if you will, to advertise custom car audio I was building on the side out of the garage. A short time into this I realized how much I enjoyed filming and got my younger brother involved. It spiraled from car shows to weddings, quinceaneras, and real estate work. At the current moment we have footage on Motor-trend TV and are working with “Dominator” AKA Joe Woods from the hit show on Discovery Channel’s “Street Outlaws.”

Getting to this point has been a huge challenge. Just as any creative, you have to go out and prove yourself. There have been countless hours of free work done over the years. This led to the idea of throwing in the towel and moving on. We did put the cameras down for a period of time. Through others we worked with our name circulated and the phone began ringing and I knew at that moment we had to keep pushing. Push we did! It has not been easy, and I would say even today it’s not the easiest. We learned collectively that if you want something bad enough you don’t just give up. You must look over the hill and understand that all the hardship is part of the story. Embrace the suck and enjoy it to the best of your abilities. One day you will look back and laugh at all the hardship.

If there was one thing, I would want the world to know about our brand, it would be that you can do it too! In whatever field you have decided on! Set goals and strive to reach them. When it doesn’t pan out figure out the why and readjust and try again. That is part of the journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Arizona I would have to take them by my good friends (Josh Nepa) Garage first. It is car guys heaven! Following that a few days at the track with our friends from TimeBandit Performance would be a must! A journey out east to Karma Tacos family-owned business for great food! We would also have to spend an evening grilling in south mountain enjoying the skyline of Arizona. A for sure stop would be any local breweries! Arizona is home to some of the best tasting beer around! There is an infinite number of great places to visit in Arizona!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would have to shout my family. My wife is with me across the US at every show helping in any way possible. My younger brother also Co-Owner has always been there to grab the slack when I am un-available. My mother paid to open the LLC when I didn’t have a dollar to my name. My father has always helped with gear anytime he can. Our kids both my wife’s and mine have always given any support they can as well as sacrificed time away from home. It is truly a family collaboration to make it all work! We also cannot forget my good friend Josh Nepa from Autumn Air. He invested in us early on and has always been there for any advice we need as we make this journey! A big shout out to all the friends we have met along the way!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fnhproductions/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/FNHProduction

Youtube: youtube.com/@FnhP

Other: Feltnotheardproductions@yahoo.com

Image Credits
FNH Productions and Family for Photo Credits

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.