SHANICE PARKER

CEO + Founder: Billz Productions

In October of 2014 I created Billz Productions, a production company based in New York City providing services in photography and videography. I specialize in music videos, Instagram promotional videos, along with head shots and event photography. With a large entrepreneur clientele much of the visual content I produce is focused on branding and marketing. I believe my perception of the world beyond the lens is what sets my production company apart from other production companies. My passion simply comes from my ability to provide a service that produces visual content for all walks of life.

What are some ways of motivating yourself in times of doubt? Do you ever feel like giving up? Why do you keep going?

Music is my greatest source of motivation. Each day is different for me as an entrepreneur. There are some days when I feel like I have accomplished so much and there’s other days when I feel like I can be doing more. Music helps me cope with these feelings knowing there are other people who have experienced them as well. The success of the artist I listen to motivates me also. Their ability to achieve their dreams as an artist, reassures me that no matter what, I will conquer another day. There is no time for self doubt only self motivation.

Is it important to set goals or is it better to just “go with the flow”? What is your strategy?

From the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey nothing has been planned. Going with the flow has been my strategy for the most part. My goal has been solely to be successful in completing anything I put my mind to. If I focused on every step I needed to take to get to where I am today I would have put tons of pressure on myself. Life isn’t planned no matter how much you want to plan it, you never know what your next day will be like.

Someone once said that you can’t tell your big dreams to small minded people. Do you believe that it’s a true statement?

What we must understand is that everyone may have a different response to our dreams and goals. A lot of times, in my opinion, people who have a negative reaction in response to your dreams is due to their own fears of failure. Keep faith and perseverance in yourself and that fear they are experiencing may later turn into belief. Who knows, you may just inspire that person to began to believe in themselves.  

Is it important to dream big? What is the big dream for your business?

It is absolutely important to dream big! My biggest dream for my business is for it to exceed my life span and to bring wealth to my family and opportunities for my community.

Did you look for funding in the past?

Since I have began my business I have not looked for funding outside of my own resources. It is important to me to know that each of my accomplishments at this point in my career were funded by me. Although, at some point funding will be necessary for bigger projects, self funding has enabled me to learn lessons about money and how it should be distributed among a variety of different productions.

Why do you think that female owned businesses are a VERY small percentage (that has not been growing) of businesses that get funded by venture capital? What can we do to change that?

First off, we must be exposed and knowledgeable about the funding opportunities provided to all small business owners. Once we are aware of these opportunities we can properly assist female business owners seeking finances in the direction of appropriate funding.