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

Hi Sushila, alright, let’s jump in with a deep one – what’s you’re definition for success?
Success. Our culture today is obsessed with this word, and we keep redefining it, no closer to satisfaction. I’m of the opinion that means whatever you want it to mean, honestly. And I think our modern world has created an all-or-nothing outlook on success that is frankly not conducive to being successful. For myself? Despite the roller coaster of extremes I feel on a day-to-day, I’ve always felt successful; I think just starting something and seeing it through, even if it changes, is success. Actually, I think fulfillment is a much better goal. In that way, you should hold your career to the same compatibility standards you would a date. If it’s not working, don’t force it. There should be passion, yes, but compatibility as well. And you should be willing to compromise your approach to your goals, and even your goals themselves if you have a change of heart, without compromising yourself. Being a creative or a business-owner takes you on an unexpected journey, and I think many people are surprised by the sacrifices they aren’t willing to make, and that is not something to ignore, or to feel shame about. It doesn’t even mean failure, because I believe success should mean one thing in the end: happiness.
I think the most successful people are at least one thing: flexible. When hindrances crop up, or even when you yourself are doubting the direction you’re going, perhaps even the fulfillment you are receiving, making changes is what is going to keep you afloat. You are going to feel like you’re giving up, because this wasn’t ‘the dream,’ and in the movies they always make it, so I failed. That’s a pile of you know what if you ask me. And that isn’t to say give up on your highest hopes and settle for less; rather the opposite.
Coming straight to it, everyone is going to have to make their own choices, little by little, and I don’t think any one person’s “Top Ten Ways to be Successful” is going to fit someone else’s. One of my main goals, for example, was to create time for myself – I wanted time to be creative, time to spend with my family, time to have a family when it was right. Time is most important to me. Being my own boss was one way to spare myself the 9-5, but I find that people often work 60 hours per week to avoid the 40-hour work week; and if it’s because you love it, go for it. But I figured out that if you are not that person, that is OKAY. Does that mean you shouldn’t be an entrepreneur? Depends. I think if you want to try pursuing a creative career, owning your own business, being your own boss, you will definitely regret not trying in some capacity. But I think again it comes down to flexibility, and your definition of success and fulfillment. If your definition is too rigid, and you ignore other values in life, you will end up in the same turmoil you would be in at the 9-5.
The most shocking lesson when entering a creative career is that it reveals to a person the sacrifices they are and aren’t willing to make in life, and I think when pursuing a career, one shouldn’t deny their own selves, because even if you find “success,” you may end up being unhappy, determined to reach the standard those around us have set as to what “success” is. The test I always use when I’m doubting my choices is this; I think to a time when I wanted something so badly that I did anything to make it work. Then I think to something I didn’t want to do, so badly that the first excuse that came I jumped on it. Then I ask, when the first excuse comes, am I going to jump, or push through? My first gut answer is usually the right one.
Pursuing a dream, a business, means accepting it is not always going to look like what you imagined, and that’s for the better honestly. It’s like when I create a storyboard for a film, I know in actuality it is merely a suggestion of how the shoot should go, and despite the preparation, when the location for the main scene burns down in a fire, I need to be able to adapt in an instant and still create something amazing that I’m proud of. THAT is success. And you know what, the same applies to everything in life, doesn’t it? So I think, ironically, the key to be able to keep going is to sometimes “give up” on that all-or-nothing viewpoint a lot of us have going into a risky venture like owning our own business. Personally, I think it will carry you much closer to happiness and fulfillment than forcing yourself to be the underdog hero we see in the movies.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The DBA is Sushi K’s Videostyles, LLC, but in all actuality, the business is me. I’m a one-woman band, most of the time, armed with my camera, my gear, and a mind for composing a story. I create brand videos, films, and other creative content, and while I’m usually behind the camera as DP or camera-op, I direct, write, and edit too.

Storytelling was something I had always done; making little movies with my family on our old camcorder, writing stories. But I was actually always academic, so no one really knew what I would end up doing, and sometimes I still don’t know. I knew at a certain point I wanted to keep making stories, and I knew that the film industry itself was a difficult door to open, and that I’d most likely have to create my own opening.

Here’s where I entered the scene to make life difficult for myself: I didn’t want to move to LA, or a big city, or sacrifice the lifestyle I wanted. I wanted work, but I didn’t want to get stuck in a technical job, missing the creative side of life I wanted to immerse myself in. So, I created my own LLC, Sushi K’s Videostyles, and made opportunities for myself. Initially I took anything I could get, but my greatest lesson I learned was figuring out when to say “no.” Someone once told me that the most successful people say no 90% of the time. That’s true. Don’t waste time, use it well; work smart, not hard, my dad always told me. But I learned something else too. My “business” went all the way from ‘I’ll be a Hollywood director,’ to getting taken advantage of as an unpaid intern, to filming a feature-length western on an iPhone. The reason I am drawn again and again to film, writing, making stories basically, is that in the process of telling a person’s story, in finding the best way to show the audience why something matters, is that I get to learn how to appreciate the best parts of many things I would have otherwise never seen before. No matter the content, it’s about the story.

What I noticed about this world I had immersed myself in was that it was changing, as all worlds do. Things were moving away from the clunky, expensive way of doing things to the boots on the ground make-it-yourself content-creator world. Yet the storytelling skills have never changed. In fact, it’s still the most important and most sought-out. Media is the number one way of communicating, and growing still, but it is not easy to get to that final cut. While less was more on the technical side, my ideal customer needed me and what I brought to the table to tell their story, whether it be for their brand, song, script, or themselves. And in today’s age, it doesn’t take a full crew or a big budget; it takes someone like me, with the skill, the knowledge, and the ability to make professional, cinematic content that is affordable to small-businesses and individuals. I think what sets me apart is that human connection, and the history of versatility to create content that is surprising and impactful, and relatable to anyone with a story to tell.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Being based in central/northern Arizona, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the geographic diversity of the state. This is why Arizona can be especially attractive to filmmakers with outdoor locations, but business-owners as well. Just take a look at the tourism and art communities in Jerome, Prescott, or Sedona. Jerome would be a great place to start, not only to walk about and get inspiration from the historic buildings, but you can find some of the best restaurants too. For the artist, I think a theatre trip in Prescott is well-worth it, or perhaps one of the city’s art-walks. One thing about Northern Arizona is that the small-business, creator/maker community is so incredibly strong, and for the most part, it’s full of humble, sincere, dedicated, passionate people. And of course, if solitude is needed, you can find creeks, mountains, deserts, lakes, and pines to hike around. The red-rocks of Sedona is usually a favorite, or a visit to see petroglyphs and ancient ruins for the history buff.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everything I do is dedicated to my loved ones, so it makes sense this shoutout would be too. My parents, Debra and Bhash, taught me how to value my life, to work smart not hard, and for that I owe them everything. Also a shoutout has to be given to Zach Kline, fellow filmmaker and partner, because there is no point without you. To my siblings and best friend, Marcus, Cristin, and Tristine, for never compromising. And finally to Helen Stephenson, without whom I’d probably have given up a long time ago. I am what I am because of the people who stand with me, who supported every crazy turn I made, and who fulfill me more than any career could.

Website: www.sushiksvideostyles.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sushila-kandola-74aaa3134?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2F

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sushi-Ks-Videostyles-LLC-103936831426679/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBNWKd2eRBeVDJD9c7dkPhw

Other: https://campsite.bio/skv

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