Unlock the Secrets to Bold Career Moves and Lasting Success

From Passion Pivots to Building a Winning Team – How to Navigate Your Journey to the Top

Hello Producers,

I’ve been following John on LinkedIn for a while, and if you want some behind-the-scenes info, this episode has been a long time in the making, and I’m so glad we finally made it happen! It was particularly special to me. As someone who studied film at university, I could relate to a lot of what John said, and I silently admired his journey—from where he started to where he is now. Trust me when I say that breaking into the industry, whether it’s video production, film, or other creative fields, is very challenging. After all, that’s exactly what John mentioned as well.

John Mouratis is an entrepreneur, videographer, and founder of Storyflow, a video production agency that prides itself on bridging the gap between creativity and practicality. With a unique approach to video content, John helps brands and agencies find what truly works, rather than just what looks good. His process is centered on thinking big, building lean teams of senior creative talent, and maintaining clear communication. Having worked with top brands like Google, Nike, Vogue, and Ralph Lauren, as well as agencies like Flight Story, TBWA, and McCann, John has established himself as a leading voice in the video production industry.

In this episode, John shares his journey from Greece to London to pursue his passion for video making. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a successful production company, along with practical tips on using social media to stand out, grow a following, and attract clients. Listen in to get inspired by John’s story and discover how you can elevate your own content game.

Lessons:

  • Follow Your Passion: Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot

  • Work Hard with Purpose: Set Goals and Stay Focused

  • Speak Up and Stand Out: Make Your Voice Heard

  • Build a Winning Team: Treat People Right for Lasting Success

  • Be Bold and Aim High: Overcome Challenges and Achieve Greatness

Lesson 1: Follow your passions (and don’t be afraid to switch)

This lesson comes from the beginning of John’s journey—something I can relate to, and I’m glad we discussed it because John is a great example of this. He studied something he wasn’t passionate about and didn’t see himself pursuing as a career. What did he do? He finished his master's in one field and then pivoted to something completely different. Not enough? Well, he moved across Europe on top of that! Still not enough? Perfect timing hit, and it was during COVID. That’s what I call bravery. Years later, he’s thriving in his field. That’s some true inspiration!

Lesson 2: Do the hard work but have a goal in mind

Building on the previous point, undeniably, nothing was laid out for John. He came to London with no prior experience—or at least very limited experience—no connections, and nothing set in advance. But he had passion, determination, and boldness. I know it sounds like something from a Hollywood film, but I’m not making it up! I was genuinely curious about how he did it. After all, I was in a similar position when I wanted to break into the industry too, and John was smart. Starting from the bottom, he worked his way up. It must have been challenging—questioning whether it was worth it and feeling discouraged. But he persevered and deserves a lot of respect for that.

Lesson 3: Don’t be afraid to speak out

One of my favorite topics, and something I’m always curious about—why did John start on LinkedIn? How long has he been there? What are his goals? You’ll find out in the episode. But what I really enjoyed was how he approaches the platform and engages with others. It might just be me, but I often see the same, generic posts talking about the same topics over and over again. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing bad about that, and I’m not here to criticize—it might just be my opinion. You know, posts about strategies, general branding advice, getting licenses, etc. That’s why I liked John’s take on this. He’s not afraid to voice his opinion, he’s open to discussion, and he challenges you to start a conversation with him. I’m not saying he’s the only one doing that, but how many are bold enough to be that way? So jump into his comments and start some fun chats!

Lesson 4: Find your people and be nice to them

As a founder and producer, I can’t imagine how demanding and stressful it must be. OK, I can partly imagine because I asked him this question, but still! What impressed me most was when he talked about what he enjoys most about his work, and it’s something everyone should hear, get inspired by, and apply. I think a lot of people talk about the right culture, but how many can actually say they feel valued, excited to work, and fairly compensated? I’d bet not that many! That’s why I loved John’s take: it’s all about people. Treat them well, feed them properly, and give them fair compensation. We need more founders like that!

Lesson 5: Be bold and aim high

I’m sure you know this lesson by now. Whether it’s moving across Europe, switching industries to pursue your passion, climbing the ladder to get your dream job, or setting up your own company—John has done it all. I’m so glad we recorded this episode because it inspired me too and made me reflect. Sometimes we come up with excuses when things don’t go as planned, and we want to give up. I think it’s normal to feel that way. But I genuinely hope this episode motivates you to keep going. Don’t worry, I’m not turning this into a motivational newsletter—but hey, a little push never hurts!

With a large portion of our audience coming from LinkedIn, it’s worth noting that John is quite a popular voice on this platform. He has over 20k followers and is recognized as a top voice. Many might assume that there’s a lot of engagement, viral posting, and strategizing behind it. While that may be true to some extent, I was glad we touched on this topic, even if only briefly. I don’t want to give away John’s full take on the platform, but make sure to pay attention to it—it will be a great takeaway. And of course, don’t forget to follow him and drop some funny comments to spark juicy conversations!

Keep producing,
Tommen