#105 Systems, Margins & Mindset (ft. Six Strong Media)

In this episode of Creatives Grab Coffee, hosts Dario Nouri and Kyrill Lazarov sit down with Kris Simmons, founder and CEO of Six Strong Media, a U.S.-based corporate video production agency headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

With more than 280 vetted camera crews across the U.S., Kris has built one of the most operationally tight networks in the industry. He shares how Six Strong Media maintains local presence in every major market, manages pricing consistency, vets freelancers, and protects margins while scaling sustainably.

Topics Covered:

00:00 – Intro & Six Strong Media overview

05:00 – Building a 280-crew national network

08:00 – How to vet freelancers & build trust remotely

13:00 – Freelancers vs production companies – who to partner with

16:00 – Rates, value perception & industry ego

20:00 – Budget pressures & short-term thinking in production

25:00 – Insurance & legal bottlenecks on corporate shoots

29:00 – Process improvement & client communication

38:00 – Running a true family business with defined roles

48:00 – Margins and pricing strategy for sustainable growth

Key Takeaways:

• Why success in production is about systems, not just creativity
• How to build a national crew network that feels local to clients
• The importance of pre-negotiated rates and expectations
• Why clear processes protect profit and culture simultaneously
• The difference between running a creative studio and a scalable agency

🎥 Guest:

Kris Simmons – Founder & CEO, Six Strong Media

📍 Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee

🎧 Hosts:

Dario Nouri & Kyrill Lazarov — Lapse Productions, Toronto

https://www.lapseproductions.com

🎙️ About Creatives Grab Coffee:

Creatives Grab Coffee explores the business of video production, bringing together studio owners, producers, and directors from around the world to discuss growth, operations, and creativity in the industry.

SPONSORS:

Canada Film Equipment: www.CanadaFilmEquipment.com

Audio Process: www.Audioprocess.ca

🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vHd8BdbkMQITFZmDJ0bo9

🍏 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/creatives-grab-coffee/id1530864140

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