Startup Grind Lansing - Uno Deuce Multimedia

2024 Slavery to Freedom Series: Slavery to Freedom – Dr. Tanisha Ford

Dr. Ford is the author of four books and wil so ea rihts inter Blacko culture,
speak on the intersection of politics, economics and culture. She has received several awards and honors for her work. For example, she was named one of the Root’s 100 Most Influential African Americans. Her research has been supported by many institutions, including Ford Foundation, New America and Emerson Collective, to name a few.

By Paul S|February 13th, 2024|Categories: Blog, Slavery To Freedom|0 Comments

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Powering Progress: Inside Ultium Cells’ Groundbreaking New EV Battery Plant

A $2.6 billion investment in the EV industry is driving forward the future of the auto industry in electric and innovative ways – right in our very own Julie Holton’s town of Lansing Michigan.

In this week’s episode of Expert Connections, Julie interviews Grace Griffin, the Lansing plant director of Ultium Cells. Hear about the future of transportation and the diverse job opportunities available. Grace highlights the ongoing talent search and invites viewers to a talent showcase on January 31st.

\Ultium Cells is committed to sustainability and boasts a truly unique battery cell technology for General Motors’ electric vehicles. Grace emphasizes the company’s partnership with the Lansing region and its dedication to a community that has readily and openly embraced their work.

Learn more about Ultium Cells here: https://www.ultiumcell.com/

By Paul S|February 9th, 2024|Categories: Blog, Expert Connexions|0 Comments

CLIENT STORY: CASA for Kids – Advocate

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) specializes in providing support for children, and their families, who are going through the legal system. Change a child’s story. To learn more go to casaforkidsinc.org or call (517) 331-9310

By Paul S|February 8th, 2024|Categories: Blog, Client Story|0 Comments

Welding. Haven. Student – Images from Our January Stories

3 new stories start off 2024. Watch as we show off our image making skills with Shiawassee RESD, Haven House and MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. For the full video of each of these, please go to our Vimeo channel,
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► Subscribe to the UnoDeuce Multimedia Channel Here:
https://www.youtube.com/unodeucemultimedia
► To keep up with our new client videos:
https://vimeo.com/unodeuce
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Remember there’s always another story to tell, and we would love to tell your story. Please connect with us: https://www.unodeuce.com/contact/

#videostoryteller #nonprofitvideo #unodeucemultimedia

By Paul S|February 7th, 2024|Categories: Blog|0 Comments

EXPERT CONNEXIONS: Marketing Trends to Ditch in 2024

‘Tis the season for experts to tell us how to get ahead in the coming year… Instead, a twist in this episode of Expert Connexions… with a look at what marketing trends to ditch in 2024!

Should you join the exodus from X?
Is there such a thing as being too niche?
And what should you do about plummeting organic reach on Facebook and Instagram?

Julie Holton talks with Alexis Neumann of mConnexions Marketing Agency about the anti-trends and what to replace them with, in your 2024 marketing game plan.

For a deeper dive into these anti-trends – along with a list of new trends – check out the blogs and resources from mconnexions.com.

Connect with Julie, Alexis, and the mConnexions team:
https://www.mconnexions.com/our-team

By Paul S|February 2nd, 2024|Categories: Blog, Expert Connexions|0 Comments

CLIENT STORY: Shiawassee RESD – Program for Heavy Equipment

Shiawasse Regional Education Service District (RESD) offers a program for anyone who would like to learn how to operate heavy equipment. Learn more at SRESD.org

By Paul S|February 1st, 2024|Categories: Blog, Client Story|0 Comments

Meet the UnoDeuce Creative Alchemist – James Van Zile

James Van Zile is UnoDeuce’s Creative Alchemist and has been in that role for the past three years. He started in 2019 as an intern and worked his way up to become UnoDeuce’s second in command this past year. He has been the one who fully developed our Livestreaming and Event production arm and has fleshed out our new podcast services as well. He also manages all things office, equipment and IT. Please reach out to him for any video storytelling or event video needs!

By Paul S|January 31st, 2024|Categories: Blog|0 Comments

GUEST BLOG: Your Guide to a Successful Business Expansion

Are you the owner of a small business looking to grow and expand? Taking your business to the next level can feel like an overwhelming task, but with careful planning, it doesn’t have to be. You can take advantage of new opportunities for growth while maintaining consistency across all platforms.
In this blog post, UnoDeuce Multimedia sheds light on how you can successfully expand your business with smart strategies that set you up for long-term success.

Launching New Offerings

Info Entrepreneurs notes that a key factor in successfully expanding a business is staying ahead of industry trends by launching innovative products or services that appeal to customer’s needs. This could mean introducing new features on existing products, developing entirely new products, or providing additional services like consulting or workshops.

It is important to keep up with industry trends to stay ahead of competitors and provide value to customers. Whatever direction you choose, make sure that it aligns with customer demand while staying true to the core mission of your brand.

Design New Products With a 3D Tool

3D design software is ideal for designing new products, offering a range of features such as intuitive 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering capabilities that enable designers to create stunning, highly-detailed models and product prototypes with ease. This software has a user-friendly interface and extensive library of textures and materials, which makes it an ideal choice for designers looking to take their product design process to the next level.

Securing Funding

Look into financing options for your expansion. This may include obtaining a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) or other lenders, utilizing venture capital funds, seeking private investors, or taking out a line of credit from a bank or credit union.

Increasing Marketing Initiatives

A well-rounded marketing strategy is vital for a successful expansion. While digital marketing is a powerful tool for reaching a wide audience, the importance of traditional marketing methods should not be underestimated. A classic example is the business card, which continues to be an effective tool for making a lasting impression. More visible and tangible than an email, a business card provides potential customers and clients with a physical reminder of your business.

Creating a personalized business card has been made easier with the availability of a business card template for free use. These templates provide a great starting point, which you can then customize to suit your brand identity. Adding your own images, text, selecting color schemes,and choosing the right font enables you to create a business card that not only looks professional but also conveys the essence of your brand. This blend of digital and traditional marketing ensures a comprehensive approach, allowing you to effectively promote your expanding business across diverse platforms.

Employing New Staff

If you plan on expanding your business significantly, chances are you will need additional staff to help with the extra workload and new responsibilities. When hiring new staff members, consider their skill sets and experiences and how they can contribute to the success of the company. Make sure that new hires have signed contracts outlining their roles and responsibilities as employees of the company.

Investing in Content Marketing

Content marketing offers businesses a range of benefits, from increased brand awareness and audience engagement to improved search engine rankings and lead generation, making it avaluable investment for companies looking to build their online presence and attract new customers. By creating high-quality content that provides value to your target audience, businesses can establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry and build lasting relationships with their customers.

Stepping Up on Cybersecurity

Expansion is as much a test of strategy as it is of opportunity. As your business grows, secure access to information you collect, store, and share becomes increasingly crucial. Investing insecure connectivity through secure private networks, virtual private networks (VPNs), and two-factor authentication may seem expensive at first, but they are necessary for preventing cybercriminals from compromising your customers’ private data and financial information. Similarly, make sure devices used in data processing have secure firewalls installed and antivirus systems running to protect them from outside intrusion.

Structuring as an LLC

LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. For small business owners looking to expand operations, forming an LLC is an ideal way to protect themselves and set themselves up forlong-term success. While laws and regulations vary from state to state, the primary benefit of an LLC is that it limits business owners’ financial risk—meaning, if someone sues the business, only assets that belong to the business can be pursued. Understanding local laws and researching available tax incentives will help in expansion, and with a proper legal structure likean LLC in place, you have more growth opportunities and crucial safeguards for your business.

Continuing Your Education with an Online Degree

Expanding your business often means ensuring that its digital assets are secure and protected. One effective way to enhance your cybersecurity knowledge and skills is by pursuing a degree in this field. With this degree, you’ll gain comprehensive insights into protecting your business’s computers and network systems from various cyber threats. Understanding the nuances of cybersecurity is not just about safeguarding data; it’s a critical aspect of maintaining customer trust and business continuity.

Recognizing the busy schedules of business owners, this option of earning an online degree is particularly appealing. It offers the flexibility to learn and upgrade your skills without having to step away from the day-to-day running of your business. An online cybersecurity degree can equip you with the latest knowledge and practices in the field, ensuring that as your busines sgrows, so does the robustness of its digital defenses. This proactive approach to cybersecurity is a crucial investment in the longevity and success of your expanding business.

Upgrading Office Space

Investing in a larger office space is a great way to expand your business. Ample office space allows you to manage multiple projects, expand staff, and conduct larger meetings without feeling restricted. When searching for office space, make sure it is larger than what you initially need now, as it should allow room for growth. It’s important to ensure that the selected location fits within your budget and is easily accessible for clients and employees. Moreover, having a spacious office will create a more productive working environment—employees will be more comfortable with larger desks and access to natural light. Taking all these into account, it’s easy to see why investing in larger office space can be advantageous when expanding your business. Expanding any kind of business takes significant effort and dedication, but taking proactive steps at each stage of growth will ensure success now and later down the road. Set up as an LLC, finance your projects, employ new staff, market effectively, think of fresh ideas, spruce up your office with signage, going back to school to beef up your business acumen, and step up cybersecurity measures—all these are crucial when expanding. So follow these considerations throughout each step of the growth process to ensure smooth sailing during expansion and beyond.

UnoDeuce Multimedia started as a passion project and has evolved into a robust small business in Lansing, Michigan. We love to tell stories–true, meaningful stories full of sincere purpose. To see how we can help your business, contact us today!

By Paul S|January 30th, 2024|Categories: Blog|0 Comments

LANSING MARKETING HACKERS: AI for Marketers Panel Discussion

Are you interested in knowing how AI is transforming the world of marketing?
Do you want to stay ahead of the curve and learn from industry experts?
Join us for an engaging panel discussion where our panelists will share valuable insights on how AI is changing the way marketers approach everything from data analysis to customer engagement.

The marketing landscape is constantly evolving, and AI is playing a significant role in shaping the future of marketing. Our panel discussion will provide you with the latest trends and strategies for leveraging AI to achieve your marketing goals.

Julie Holton, Principal Strategist + Owner of mConnexions, will moderate a panel of experienced professionals who have excelled in the field of marketing and have a deep understanding of how AI is changing the game.

Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from industry experts and stay ahead of the curve in marketing. This panel discussion is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to learn how AI is changing the world of marketing and be a part of the conversation.

By Paul S|January 26th, 2024|Categories: Blog, Lansing Marketing Hackers|0 Comments