We had the good fortune of connecting with Ben Axelrad and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ben, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“You have to spend money to make money.” Work with what you’ve got, that’s what I believe. If you have a lawnmower, you can have a lawn-mowing business. Even if you don’t, your willingness to work hard and provide a service is a sellable entity. When I started my business, I needed a space I could rent for four hours on a Saturday to teach one TV writing class. I found the cheapest one available–$15/hr for a dingy black box theater with a folding table–and got started. It was an 8-week class, so in total it cost me $480. We’ll call it $500, ’cause I bought some snacks. But here’s the thing: I didn’t have 500 bucks. So I sold 10 spots at $250/each and took the startup from that. It was a no risk proposition! It had to be, because I couldn’t afford to lose. The class was popular enough that it justified a second class, and then a third, and then three at a time, then five, then ten. Once I had money, I was able to invest it into the business. But at first, the currency I had to work with was bravery, hard-work, and ingenuity. What you have is always more important than what you don’t. If you have a vision, what’s the version you can bring to life right now?

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I would never describe my journey as easy–it took a ton of hard work–but it has been fairly simple. I started small with a single TV writing class that filled a void in the market, and kept evolving as the needs of the clients and world dictated. The product is ever-changing, but the service has always remained the same: I give people a system and community. Oh no–is this a cult? This might be a cult.

It’s not a cult.

The system: I have a universal productivity process that breaks large and/or overwhelming tasks down into a series of manageable, comprehensive steps. Three phases, 10 total steps. It tells you what to do, when to do it, and how to think about it. My focus has been creative clients/projects, but it works for literally everything. It systematically produces good work, but more importantly, it slows your brain down so that YOU can produce good work.

Community can take the form of a supportive group, as it has with some of my classes, but it can also be a single person who encourages you; who goes on your journey alongside you. When I started teaching–and then again with coaching and consulting and counseling–I didn’t know if I would be good at the work itself, but I knew with absolute certainty that I’d believe in my students/clients with such a conviction that it made them doubt their self-doubt. If they believed in the process, and they believed in me believing in them, it wouldn’t be a matter of if, but when they succeeded. And then the results would speak for themselves. Success is transformative, and I’m in the transformation business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, I’m getting traffic-induced anxiety just thinking about this.

Let’s see… Jitlada for Thai. Irv’s Burgers. Al pastor tacos–I like Angel’s Tijuana in Eagle Rock. Magpie for ice cream pie.

For sights: Griffith Observatory hike. Runyon and Topanga ain’t too shabby, neither. I love the coastal drive from Santa Monica to Malibu. Farmers Markets are great for wandering and people watching.

See a movie at the Vista. Comedy at Elysian or Dynasty Typewriter. Maybe some weird, experimental theater in Hollywood.

The weed is great, but strong, which doesn’t always mix with weird, experimental theater. But hey, if that’s for you, Cornerstone Wellness in Eagle Rock is the best in the game.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Alana Johnston was the person who encouraged me to try teaching. Definitely wouldn’t be where I am with that. Plus, she’s a great and hilarious person.

Website: https://benaxelradpilots.com

Instagram: benaxelradpilots

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