Cody Pettengill is co-owner/creative at Sublime Exposures Films. Sublime Exposures has an obsession with being the best wedding filmmakers in their whole industry, and they accomplish that by focusing on what clients want not what other filmmakers want.
Despite being named after a 90s Ska band, they aim to offer the highest end of services. Cody is the creative path paver for the business, but his partner and girlfriend Hayley is the systematizer and co-owner operator.
For more details, visit their website here.
Here we sit down with Cody, to know a bit more about his journey as an entrepreneur.
Q. What inspired Cody to become an entrepreneur?
Cody: Money and freedom of schedule.
I’ve worked hourly jobs, I’ve worked salary jobs and I’ve managed shift work in my day.
I always know I can find better ways to do things and I’m sick of needing permission and waiting endlessly for procedures to change. I want to control my own finance and my own time, and working for someone else is no way to do that.
Q. How did Cody get started?
Cody: I got started slowly! I’ve failed a few different times.
I started by jumping off the cliff more than once because I hated what I was doing and I needed to do something else. I’ve always been a creative type and my skills have transformed into more valuable skills over the years to where I am able to start dictating my own prices in the world.
It’s been a good ride!
Q. What was your biggest startup challenge? What steps did you take to overcome it? What did you learn?
Cody: My biggest startup challenge was the organization.
I’m an artist, no matter what we title it or wrap it up in. Adding Hayley to my team single-handedly solved that as she’s got a background in science and research. She’s incredibly organized and my life wouldn’t be the same without her.
Q. What is the Most Memorable Thing Did Cody Done Since he Started his Business?
Cody: Our very first wedding film for a paying client just so happened to be a national college athlete. His co-quarterback was Trey Lance of the 49ers and he shared our very first post on our business page EVER giving us 50,000 views on our first publication.
It was a combination of luck and skill, but that propelled us from the start and we’ve been good to go ever since. Still an amazing stroke of luck and an experience that I’m grateful for.
Q. What is one book you recommend, and why?
Cody: The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene.
I only answer that one book because it’s his least controversial but still incredibly informative, but you should read all of his books.
Until the robots take over we are dealing with HUMANS in our business. It is wise to get to know them as well as you possibly can. These laws of human nature are not changing any time soon, so as legislation comes and goes you can bet on these laws as a constant barometer for your actions.
Q. What are your top 3 favourite online apps, tools, or resources and what do you love about them?
Cody: Goodnotes on my iPad, hands down is my favorite app!
I have years worth of notebooks taking up space in my garage right now, and Goodnotes allows me to keep all of this same information in the size of my tablet.
I love writing to clear my mind and strategize my future. Having infinite paper with which to do so is a game-changer.
You also need an iPad and an Apple Pencil to operate it, so it’s not incredibly cheap. If you’re young and getting started out, you can order one through Verizon with cellular service and pay it off monthly.
Don’t worry about the rabbit hole associated with online “productivity” just write and clear your mind to orient yourself and your goals and your actions will align.
Other than that, Youtube, Audible, and online courses have helped me transcend the lineage I was born into.
Q. In terms of legacy, what is the mark you’d like to leave on the world?
Cody: I want to wake people up and break their script everywhere I go.
I love doing that in person and aim to in every single interaction I have.
If I can create art that permanently rings that bell for someone, I’ll die happily.
Q. In one sentence, what’s the best advice you’d give to someone just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey?
Cody: Find a market demand and be the best at filling it.
You won’t have to put all of your efforts into the trap of marketing. Focus on having an amazing product in a space that needs it and you’ll do just fine.
To keep up to date with Cody and his journey, connect with him on Instagram.