One On One With Harlem’s Derrick and Eula Guest

Derrick and Eula Guest the husband and wife team are the owners and co-founders of Griot’s Roll Film Production & Services Inc., an on-line marketing company that provide Video Services in-and-outside of Harlem. In a flip of the script Harlem World asked Derrick and Eula to interview each other as a unique way to introduce them to the HW family. We start with CEO, Derrick questioning his wife COO, Eula:

Eula M. Guest

Derrick Guest: What is your title?

Eula M. Guest: I am the Chief Operating Officer, COO.

DG: What is the name of our business?

EG: Griot’s Roll Film Production & Services Inc.

DG: What do you love most about our business?

EG: Meeting other business owners that have the same drive and passion for business as I do.

DG: Who do you work with in our business?

EG: I work with you and others, as Independent Contractors, Camera person, Editor.

DG: What issues have you faced during the recession in the business?

EG: Reaching our target market to continue to generate sales and to reach the market that has a marketing budget.

DG: Tells us a little bit about your background?

EG: I was born in Brooklyn, raised in the South Bronx by southern parents, who instilled in me skills that still help me to this day. I have a Bachelors in Business Administration. I have a background in public relations and business management.

DG: What made you choose this particular kind of business.

EG: I was the publicist for your Off-Broadway play “Choices”. When you wanted to open up this business, we did the business plan and researched the industry. We started in 2003, became incorporated in 2004 and never looked back. I enjoy being on film shoots, music videos and the creative process of the film business.

DG: Is there any decisions that you made in our business that you would do over again?

EG: Put away a bank load of money, do an internship, and find a business mentor or coach sooner.

DG: What do you think has been your greatest success for our business?

EG: I think that certifying our business was the greatest success for our business. We reach city and state agencies that we would have never reached without being certified.

DG: Who are the people that have helped you on your journey in building our business?

EG: I have to say Vivian Young, Goldie Watkins Bryant and you for allowing me to go back to school and get my bachelors. All those business owners who have given me so much support either through advice, confidence, coaching, prayer. Last but not least my mother Mrs. Gertrude Young, My mother-in-law Mrs. Cynthia Guest and Nana Mrs. Sarah Young for her wisdom and encouragement.

Derrick Guest

Here Eula Guest turns the table and ask questions to her husband Derrick Guest:

Eula Guest: Why did you start your business?

Derrick Guest: I started this business because I want to give access to media to people who normally would have that access.

EG: Tell us where you grow up?

DG: I grew up in the South Bronx.

EG: How long have you been in Business?

DG: I have been Business for six years.

EG: What is the most rewarding thing about our business for you?

DG: The most rewarding thing to me about my business is being able to be creative every day.

EG: As an entrepreneur what has been the most challenging?

DG: I believe getting people to respect what you do. I mean if we were not good at we do then our clients could not be a success at using on-line media.

EG: When do you see yourself in five years?

DG: Seeing Griots Roll Film Production doing big time projects, owning our own office building, hiring more staff and changing the way the game is played.

EG: What can you tell people about you that most people don’t know?

DG: One of my favorite snacks is banana and crunchy peanut butter.

EG: How do you define success for yourself?

DG: I define success for myself by being able to get up every day and be able to support myself and be successful with the career I love.

Check-out Griot’s Roll Film Production & Services Inc., at griotsrollproduction.com, griotsroll.wordpress.com/2010/06, (212) 281-2286