18 APRIL 2022
Published by TIRSAMARIE
MEET CJ WOLFE
Tell us about you, your business, and what you do.
To me, a picture is not just worth a 1000 words, it is a powerful way to make your vision immortal. I believe photography and videography is not just a tool to preserve memories but away to launch inspiration into the future. I founded Immortal Vision Studio with this in mind in 2020, pivoting from my five-year plan in corporate finance. I began as a student athlete and part time photographer playing basketball in college. Growing up with a creative eye for content and storytelling as a way to stay out of trouble in North Philly, I realized creative entrepreneurship was part of my future vision.
Immortal Vision Studio provides a safe and accessible space for creators to produce and showcase content. We offer studio and equipment rentals, photography and videography production, graphic design, web development, and creative entrepreneurship programs for local high school students. What sets Immortal Vision Studio apart from other businesses is our foundation in social entrepreneurship.
The model isn't just dependent on getting clients, but is about sharing my vision to influence and better the lives of other young black athletes and creators through finding their vision. We aim to do more than produce content for clients, but to educate, inspire, and connect to our community.
Remember success loves speed, it can come as quickly or as slowly as your hard work and consistency.
-CJ Wolfe
If you could use one word to describe your entrepreneur journey what would it be and why?
- “Fearless”
I would describe my entrepreneurship journey as fearless because I left my secure position as a financial advisor to start my own business at 25 years old. I was unphased by the uncertainty of COVID-19 and was actually inspired as the world was slowing down to dedicate my career and future to my craft. That word is also important to me because the confidence in myself and my vision that every entrepreneur must have is something that I want to share with other creators like myself.
Who’s the one person that supported your dreams when you first started?
- I actually can’t think of one person that wholeheartedly supported my dreams when I first started. That might sound surprising, but those close to me did not hold back expressing their concerns about leaving such a secure corporate career. They supported me how they could, but were very skeptical and nervous. What pushed me through is knowing it was because they love me so much and I am so grateful for that.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
- In five years, I see my business established as the best creative studio in Philadelphia, and look to expand and franchise out to other cities. We see ourselves using our same process and same model with a commercial warehouse studio location, digital production agency with Headquarters based in Philadelphia, and outreach to high schools and universities for exposure to future creative entrepreneurs. We also are launching a non-profit to serve Black and brown boys from ages 13-17 who come from underserved communities to also introduce them to creative entrepreneurship and relate to my story.
How do you define success?
- I define success as something that you enjoy doing and truly makes you happy. I believe being successful is a deeply personal thing and means setting a goal for whatever you want to do, crushing it, and most importantly being truly happy in every part of the process.
As an entrepreneur, what does VX mean to you?
- VX to me is a brand that means more than just the clothes. I admire how sharing and spreading inspiration is important to their brand as much as it is to mine, because uplifting and celebrating creators means everything to me.
Where can our readers find you?
- Follow me on instagram @cjxwolfe & @immortalvisionstudio
