In this 2-hour conversation, Jacob Perkins sits down with Austin-based filmmaker Juan Mardones to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable creative career.

Juan shares his journey from studying film in Chile to rebuilding his professional life in Austin, Texas — navigating sound design, editing, camera operating, corporate video production, fashion films, and the transition toward directing his first short film.

This episode dives deep into:

• The difference between film and video
• Why sound is often the most overlooked part of filmmaking
• Creative identity vs client expectations
• The reality of fast-paced brand work
• Walking away from projects for mental health
• Rebuilding a portfolio in a new country
• Professionalism on set beyond just owning good gear
• Safety, leadership, and working with crews
• Making science fiction with limited resources

It’s an honest, thoughtful discussion about growth, confidence, creative control, and finding your voice as a filmmaker.

Whether you’re a videographer, filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, or someone navigating the balance between art and business, this episode offers practical insight and personal perspective from someone actively building their path.

Hosted by Jacob PerkinsGuest: Juan MardonesRecorded in Austin, Texas

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In this episode, we sit down with Sandra, founder of Austin Swappin’, Austin’s largest clothing and accessory swap community.

Sandra shares how Austin Swappin’ started during the pandemic as a small Facebook group and grew into a monthly in-person event serving 150+ people at a time, supporting local vendors, partnering with breweries and wineries, and donating leftover items to nonprofits.

We talk about:

✔️ Turning a passion project into a thriving Austin community✔️ Losing 1,000 followers to a hack — and rebuilding from scratch✔️ Growing events from 10 people in a park to full indoor venues✔️ Partnering with Wanderlust Wine Co, Batch ATX, Hi Sign Brewing & more✔️ How Austin Swappin’ works (pricing, items, rules, donations)✔️ Supporting local vendors through giveaways instead of booth fees✔️ Why feedback from the community drives everything✔️ What’s next for Austin Swappin’ — TikTok, growth, and future plans

If you’re an Austin entrepreneur, event organizer, creative, or small business owner, this episode is packed with real talk about grassroots growth, community building, and staying consistent when things get hard.

🎥 Filmed & produced by Hen’s Bread Productions — an Austin video production company specializing in podcasts, multi-camera interviews, events, and fast turnaround post production.

👉 Learn more about Austin Swappin’: https://www.instagram.com/austinswappin👉 Learn more about Hen’s Bread Productions: https://hensbreadproductions.com

If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share — it helps support local Austin stories.

00:00 – Welcome + mic check00:37 – What is Austin Swappin’?01:20 – Starting during the pandemic with virtual swaps02:37 – First in-person swap at Mueller Park04:59 – Growing from 10 people to 40+ attendees06:12 – Losing 1,000 followers to a Facebook hack07:41 – Rebuilding momentum after the setback10:22 – First business collaboration with Batch ATX12:31 – Moving indoors and realizing it’s getting big15:03 – Partnering with Wanderlust Wine Co17:02 – From blankets on the floor to organized categories20:15 – Introducing paid admission and scaling responsibly23:41 – Why Austin Swappin’ happens once per month24:22 – What items are accepted at the swap25:53 – Donating leftovers to local nonprofit Thriftish27:41 – Raising prices and managing event planning realities31:49 – Using community feedback to improve the experience35:11 – Bringing in local vendors and giveaways38:05 – Vendor collaborations + gift card model39:13 – Partnering with Hi Sign Brewing for attendee discounts40:00 – Working with creators + future growth plans

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This podcast is meant to be a conversation between entrepreneurs and decision makers. We bring our all star quality we're known for and hear from people that we think make a difference. Chapter markers listed below. 🎙️ Moving Company Completely Rebrands – Boxer Buddies | HBP Podcast Welcome to this episode of the HBP Podcast, where we dive into the story behind a moving company’s full brand transformation. In this video, we talk with the founder of Boxer Buddies about the challenges, strategy, and reasons behind rebranding a local service business. 👉 Learn how a thoughtful rebrand can shift customer perception, improve pricing power, and elevate your business in competitive markets. ✨ What You’ll Discover: • Why this moving company decided to rebrand • How branding directly affects the type of customers you attract • Marketing and positioning lessons every business owner should know • Real talk about entrepreneurship and growth in Austin 📈 Video Podcast Benefits This video podcast is a great example of how professional video storytelling builds brand awareness and establishes marketing authority. Video podcast episodes like this can be repurposed into social clips, ads, and long-form educational content that drives engagement and website traffic. 🎥 Want to start your own video podcast? At Hensbread Productions, we offer full-service podcast filming and editing tailored to businesses ready to elevate their brand. From multi-camera setups and broadcast-quality audio to optimized social cutdowns, we make the process simple and strategic. 👇 Learn more & book your session: 🔗 https://hensbreadproductions.com 📌 Subscribe for more conversations with local business leaders and marketing insights! #AustinPodcast #VideoPodcastProduction #BusinessRebrand #BrandAwareness #HensbreadProductions :41 Business and Rebranding 1:24 Marketing Challenges 4:51 Clientele and Premium Service 26:49 Local Markets and Google 27:45 Customer Experience Focus 31:05 Hiring and Industry Insights 34:32 Video and Branding Strategy 53:08 Project Management Tools 54:14 Work-Life Balance 1:02:39 Customer Feedback

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