Indie Entertainment and Podcast Network

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jaclyn Seelagy, Co-Founder of Faustian Nonsense, located in Boulder, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Faustian Nonsense is an entertainment network specializing in fiction podcasts, particularly genre shows like sci-fi, horror, and superhero stories. Our audience consists of fans of audio fiction, particularly genre geeks!

Tell us about yourself

As a lifelong fan of genre fiction and, more recently, of audio dramas, I've always loved the idea of being the one telling those stories. When my partner and I decided to start our own fiction podcast, we knew we had the writing covered. But we couldn't do all the voices ourselves and needed help with the audio editing, music, and more. In searching for people to help with those aspects of the series (our first show, JACK OF ALL TRADES), we found ourselves developing a network of talented, passionate people who love telling stories. So we decided to turn that network into a business, with the ultimate goal of helping storytellers, including ourselves, make a living off of doing what we love.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We've created many fun and strange podcasts through Faustian Nonsense and helped many others grow and find an audience. The most thrilling moments are when someone listens to a show we made and loves it, and especially when our work moves them to create something of their own. We've seen fan art of a few of our shows, and it's an unbelievable thrill every time!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

For me, personally, delegating is difficult. In areas that I don't have much experience or skill, like marketing, I don't mind getting help. But I have an urge to do everything myself that's difficult to overcome for work that I know I'm capable of.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

First, find people who excel at what you're trying to do and ask for their advice. Don't be afraid to reach out to the biggest people in your field; most folks are happy to talk about their work and their passions--and the worst they can say is no!
Second, work with people who are passionate. That doesn't always mean hiring the most experienced person or the most well-known candidate. If someone loves what they do, they'll bring more creativity and flavor to their work (a must for anyone in the entertainment world). More than that, you'll create a culture of excitement and love. From there, encourage mutual support within that culture, never competition, and you'll have an organization that lifts each other up in an energizing way.
Finally, communicate regularly with those you work with. This seems obvious, but one mistake my partner and I made early on was trying to do each other favors by taking on what we thought the other would hate doing. As it turns out, we were wrong! We wound up each doing what WE hated doing and losing a lot of time and energy. Once we started communicating better, we switched up the division of labor, and both had a much better time. This goes for every aspect of the business--consistent, open communication is key.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.faustiannonsense.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaustNonsense/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faustiannonsense/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FaustNonsense

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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