3 Reasons Why I Chose “Banana Bread Media Co.”
I have dreamed of starting my own business for as long as I can remember.
For years, I assumed that a dream was the extent of what that notion would be. I was engrained in a path in the mortgage industry, literally following in my father’s footsteps, and, honestly, way too scared of taking a risk as large as going out on my own.
But slowly, steadily, that notion started eating at me.
More and more I felt like I was not in the right place. That my weaknesses would always loom over me in my industry, or in most any corporate industry. That my distaste for “Old-School” selling would be my limiting factor. Or that I was devaluing gifts I already possessed, and that were already receiving praise.
Then came a push, when I lost a close friend to a senseless act of violence. That made the voice louder. It made the clock ticking on my window for change louder.
Shortly after that, my wife, young children, and I had to put down the family dog after a battle with cancer.
Finally, soon after our dog, I lost my father, my branch manager, and my sole mentor in the mortgage industry to an unknown heart condition. He raised me to be dutiful, and so I immediately picked up where he left off with the branch. I hired new staff, grew our marketshare, and persevered through a steady downward trending market.
For two years, I gave that endeavor my all and, looking back, I have no regrets. That time was hard to endure but it sharpened my skills, my resilience, and furthered my knowledge of corporate America in a way that gave me conviction for a new idea, my idea, Banana Bread Media Co.
J. Raleigh Hood Photographed by Tina Thomas of TinaTakeMyPhoto
As a perfectionist, who doesn’t necessarily love being a perfectionist, the name of my company was important. I knew I couldn’t take a confident step as the owner of a company whose name I didn't authentically relate to.
But when I arrived at the name and started to write out my “Why’s” below, that’s when it all started to click.
1. Banana Bread
can only be made from something
that many perceive to be
past it’s prime,
rotten, or
simply “bad.”
It is an act of reclaiming something, crafting it, and making it entirely new. In a time where I felt like my career was going bad, I realized that I had all the tools that I needed already, and all I needed to do was add the right recipe.
2. Banana Bread is
homemade
and crafted
with care,
often times for someone specific.
Personally, it makes me think of my grandma. She was a great inspiration to me, a beacon of resilience and morality. I lived with her for many years, both when I was a child and again as father with children of my own. She and I shared the love language of feeding those we love by cooking something specifically with them in mind. That feeling takes me back to her home, which is why I chose Banana Bread’s retro colors. But it is also representative of the content I provide. Our videos are weird, different, but obviously crafted with care for a specific audience.
3. A silly, random
piece of viral
video content.
I am someone who loves to keep tabs on the new, odd internet trends, but the infamous “Banana Bread at Work” viral video somehow eluded my feed for years. But, when I finally stumbled upon it, it felt like a message.
The midwestern man of wisdom seemed to be referencing the world that I was steeped in for over 10 years. One full of "Hell no’s,” repetitive meetings, inadequate pay, and even Cubs fans. But, banana bread? A delicious, simple, crafted surprise that arrives unexpectedly when you’re miserable at work? Hell Yeah, Bro. Hell Yeah.
So much of this silly video rang true with me in an oddly real way. I’m a White Sox fan, who dislikes the Cubs, I’m a bit odd and unexpected, but also (usually) a welcomed addition, and I related to the message that waiting for things can be (Sometimes, like) worth it (dude).
But most of all, I realized that a silly, seemingly meaningless piece of video content could make me feel something. It could make me feel inspired, feel at ease, and even feel “seen,” all from a homemade video that was under 60 seconds.
The culmination of these experiences emboldened me to confidently put a label on my company that I loved and believed in. I felt a conviction and purpose that propells me to offer my own crafted content and messaging for others looking to reach new audiences online.
If you or your business is looking to stand out by spotlighting your story for a new audience online, contact me at helloBBMCO@gmail.com to start a conversation, today!
