How did you start publishing your DVDs?

When I was young, I dreamt of being an author, writing books for everyone to read. Fortunately, however, my ASL talents proved stronger than my writing abilities!  Once I brought a book I'd written to a publisher who supported Deaf schools, but my book was declined. I felt that my writing was not great. Then, a mentor and business consultant encouraged me to use my hands to express myself! And there, I found my talent. So far, I've produced more than a dozen DVDs.

 

To create a DVD, you need a start-up investment, a script, a time-frame, and a business plan with a budget for filming, editing and marketing the video. Although I'm familiar with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premier, and other resources, and I can produce a script and come to a point when I think I'm ready to get it on camera, it can take a lot more time than I originally planned to get everything recorded! I'm grateful for the patience shown by my DVD publishers, because sometimes I make silly mistakes, and have to start over and sign things again and again! When I watch my own hilarious bloopers, I really am amazed at how silly I can be. Once, I signed something and then fell down when a fly zoomed in front of me. Another time, I just froze and forgot what I was supposed to say next! Sometimes I finger-spell something wrong, because I'm so focused on what I'm signing. It's always a challenge to get the recordings done, but we have fun in the process.

After all of the “signing” parts are over, we sit down and watch the footage to choose the best parts and get them in order. Editing, retouching, cleaning-up, and all of those fun tasks can take up to a month to complete. Once I've got a “final draft”, I send it out to my editor as well as to certain viewers and friends to make sure there are no silly mistakes, glitches, or parts that make people say, "What?"  After gathering all this feedback and making corrections, we polish everything, confirm the final version, and that DVD is ready to go!

Currently, I have only one vendor, Harris Communications. This great company has been so good to me for a long time, but I am also hoping to expand to bookstores and other sales venues.  Amazon sells two of my DVDs. Running my own business as a workshop presenter, keynote speaker, stage performer and video producer is deeply rewarding, so I no longer worry about those publishers who turned down my books. Thanks to video technology, multimedia enhancements for my workshops and performances, great people to work with, and all I have learned, I feel I have had plenty of successes and it seems sometimes that my whole life is just magical.

Check out Trix Bruce's DVDs!
http://www.trixbruce.com/dvds/

With these video programs, you can earn CEUs from the comfort of home! You’ll be able to improve your ASL storytelling techniques and interpreting skills.

 

 

How do you feel being a Deaf Entrepreneur?

When I was young, it was always my dream to have my own business. And now, my dream’s come true!

After I graduated with two college degrees, I didn’t think that I would become a performer or presenter. I worked as an American Sign Language (ASL) instructor for many years. During my work as an ASL instructor at high school, I felt that the experiences of working in a part time job during my college years helped so much with the assisting, tutoring, and teaching I was doing at the high school. However, I thought that if I changed careers, it might be to run my own business in women’s clothing, since I loved clothes so much.

While I was teaching at the high school, an interpreter asked me to provide a fun workshop. That started something that has now been running for 15 years. From meeting informally at someone’s house to filling venues at schools and hotel meeting rooms, my business has grown and developed. Everything I’ve learned through the years has been valuable, and although some of it wasn’t pleasant, most of it has been very rewarding.

I learned a lot from the stresses, mistakes, and challenges I’ve faced. I’ve had good support and enjoy working as a team. It is impossible to work alone! In the past, I thought I would go it alone, but I recommend against this philosophy. Now I relish working with editors, interpreters, hosts, participants, and coordinators.

“It’s amazing to have the chance to plant seeds and see people blossoming into unique and successful individuals. I try to follow in the footsteps of successful business owners. We are all proud of our accomplishments! When people discover that I am Deaf, and a business entrepreneur, they realize that a Deaf person - just like anyone else - can follow her heart, work hard, and become successful.” ~ Trix

I didn’t think of myself as a Deaf Entrepreneur until recently. Now, I believe this is the best description for what I do. Although I work with editors, interpreters, hosts, participants, and coordinators, I handle everything regarding my business basics on my own. I wish I had a manager helping me to keep going, but it hasn’t been practical. I have several contractors, though. My business has been strong and has grown, but it is still a small business.

I strongly believe in the word: SUCCESSFUL. The first five years, I didn’t think I would succeed establishing my own business. I had so much to learn. I certainly made mistakes, took some wrong turns, and struggled with some challenges. Yet, I conquered my own doubts and rose up after my stumbles, and now I am, by my own definition, successful.

Working very hard is something I enjoy. I really push myself. I know that I have to believe in myself to make things happen. With all the ups and downs, the key strength I have enjoyed is my “can do” attitude. Along with hard work, persistence, and enough help to pull things together, I have been able to maintain and grow my business. Without the support of my family, fans, and wonderful business contacts in schools, agencies and businesses, as well as my contractors, I couldn’t have come this far. I am thankful to everyone who has supported me.