Conversations with Augusto Herrera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Augusto Herrera.

Augusto, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in Queens, NY, and have also lived in Washington, Alaska, Arizona, and Florida.

Raised by a strong Dominican mother who taught me faith, resilience, positivity, and the importance of always moving forward in life. Using my imagination came naturally to me as a kid, and was encouraged in the household. I’m sure a lot of that had to do with growing up in the ’80s when handheld technology wasn’t as prevalent as it is today.

In the first half of my 20s, I lived in Miami and then moved to Orlando, FL. I tapped into the music, art, and entrepreneurial community and it was a great experience. From being involved in events to producing events with my wife for our community, it was a very fulfilling experience. I would definitely recommend people check what the creatives and entrepreneurs in their communities are up to.

Currently, my wife and I run a video production company Choose Love Productions. We love bringing our clients’ vision to life and creating content that connects with people. We’ve found photography and video to be a great form of expression and it also allows us to work with a variety of individuals and companies that we love.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to your vision of success will most likely not be smooth but you figure it out along the way. Sometimes it will feel as if you are being tested to see how bad you really want it. Start with your vision, your why and you figure out the how along the way. Embrace your failures and learn from them to help you grow.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve had to overcome is my own mindset. Overcoming the paralysis by analysis, meaning you think about an idea so much but never execute on it. You have to take those first steps to get the momentum going.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that keeping the focus on your goals and having a positive mindset takes daily work. Like one of my favorite speakers Zig Zigler once said, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing, that’s why we recommend it daily.”

I encourage everyone to face their fear of failure or what other people may think about them and take action on that idea they’ve been wanting to try out. You don’t want to have the regret of what could have been.

Your vision has to be so large and clear that the obstacles and struggles seem small by comparison.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in creative video and photography content for brands that are looking to inform and/or connect with their audiences.

One of the things I love most about what I do is that I get to take what’s in my mind and create something others can enjoy. I joke around with my wife that any client response besides “I love it” and a bunch of exclamation marks is unacceptable. One of the commitments to the work is to not settle and to keep growing and learning every day.

One of the things I’m proud of in my life is my family. My wife Chantel is one of the most inspiring and creative people I’ve ever met and I am grateful for her and what we have been able to create together over the years. I want to remind everyone how important it is to have like-minded people in your circle and corner.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Building relationships is an integral part of any endeavor.

I’ve learned to embrace a certain level of discomfort when going to new events and trying new experiences, it lets you know you are growing and evolving into a new space instead of staying stagnant. Some ways you can network are by finding groups and events in your city through search and social media, looking up your city plus what your interests are, and visiting local businesses that are doing what you want to be involved in. A lot of counties and local libraries also offer free assistance for businesses at many different stages.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@chooseloveproductions.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/bumpgoose

Image Credits
Chantel Rodriguez