High school teacher to entrepreneur | David Risdon

In this episode, Dave Risdon shares his journey from high school teaching to becoming a successful freelance content creator in Christchurch, New Zealand. His transition began with early signs of video passion during university, where he found himself editing student projects despite having no formal experience.

Inspired by Gary Vaynerchuk, Dave learned video production through YouTube tutorials before dawn while still teaching. He initially focused on showcasing post-earthquake Christchurch businesses, which evolved into larger commercial projects. The turning point came when he received an eye-opening quote for a tourism board project that demonstrated the financial potential of videography.

Dave discusses the evolution of content creation, noting how technology and audience preferences have shifted from polished cinematic content to more authentic, raw footage. He emphasises the importance of personal branding and sharing behind-the-scenes content, which has helped build lasting client relationships.

His work spans various sectors, including sports (notably with the Tactics NRL team), weddings, and corporate projects. Dave maintains a YouTube channel documenting his freelance journey, though he's clear that becoming a full-time YouTuber isn't his goal.

The conversation explores the pros and cons of freelance versus agency work, with Dave preferring the freedom and unpredictability of freelancing despite missing the team environment at times. He stresses the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people and maintaining a good work-life balance.

The episode concludes with insights about content creation, digital products, and the evolving landscape of video production in New Zealand.