Business Spotlight with Tony Gnau from T60 Productions and T60 Health

In this episode of Success Chronicles, Coach Jackie interviews Tony Gnau from T60 Productions and T60 Health as he shares his journey from journalism to running a successful video production company. With a background as a TV news reporter, Tony founded T60 Productions in the early 2000s, working at WGN-TV to ensure financial stability. His leadership style is collaborative, valuing communication and creativity. T60 Productions serves PR, marketing, and HR departments, while T60 Health, a recent venture, focuses on healthcare-related companies. 

Specializing in healthcare, Tony identified that healthcare projects were the most enjoyable, profitable, and easy to work with. Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, he acknowledges the importance of understanding the business side, a lesson he learned later in his career. The conversation touches on balancing creative and business aspects, the impact of COVID-19, and the significance of continuous learning, especially in marketing and leadership. Tony also discusses personal health challenges, his adoption of a plant-based diet, and the evolving role of AI in video production.

Tony advises business owners to seek support from others and highlights the importance of giving back to those who have helped along the way. He expresses gratitude for the support he’s received and stresses the importance of maintaining strong relationships and staying adaptable in a rapidly changing industry.

Podcast Transcript:

Jackie Zach: Hi, everyone. I’m Coach Jackie Zach, and today we have a special guest, Tony Gnau from T60 Productions and T60 Health. Tony is the founder and Chief Storytelling Officer at both companies. He’s a three-time Emmy Award winner, an 18-time Telly Award winner, and the author of Lights, Camera, Impact, a number-one bestseller on Amazon. T60 Productions creates videos for brands like Walgreens, United Airlines, and even Dwyane Wade, but most of their clients are small to medium-sized businesses. Alongside his business, Tony also speaks at conferences and events across the country on corporate communications. On a personal note, Tony is a former USC Trojan football player, a Star Wars enthusiast, and a devoted husband and father. Welcome to the show, Tony. How are you doing?

Tony Gnau: I’m doing great. Thanks for having me, Jackie. I’m excited to be here.

Jackie: I’m excited to share what you do with our audience, which is made up mostly of business owners, so I’m sure your experience will resonate with them. Let’s jump right in. Can you tell us a little about your personal story?

Tony: Sure. I came into business somewhat unexpectedly. I never planned on owning a business. I started as a journalist, writing for my local newspaper at 16, then working on student radio and TV in college. I became a TV news reporter for about 10 years, but as I moved up in my career, I found myself doing fewer of the stories I enjoyed. I wasn’t into hard news; I liked feature stories and covering people. At one point, while working at the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, I wondered, “Is this going to be my life? Moving to bigger markets but telling fewer stories I care about?”

Around that time—early 2000s, still on dial-up internet—I noticed that companies often handed reporters bad corporate videos. I realized someone was being paid to produce those, and I thought, “If they can make a living off this, maybe I can do better.” At 31, unmarried with no kids, I decided it was the right time to make a change. I moved back to Chicago and started a video production company focused on corporate videos. Initially, I kept a job at WGN-TV to maintain a steady income while slowly building my business. Over time, my side gig grew enough that I could focus on it full-time.

Jackie: That’s a wonderful story. As you transitioned into running your own business, how would you describe your leadership style?

Tony: I’m definitely not a fire-and-brimstone leader. I’d describe myself as a collaborator. I work with creatives, and that requires a softer touch. I have specific ways I want things done, but I also believe in explaining why we do things a certain way. Creatives take their work personally, so I try to bring them along on the journey with me. I lead a small team: one full-time employee and a group of freelancers, and I approach leadership by encouraging collaboration and understanding.

Jackie: That’s fabulous. Can you tell us more about your company? Who is your target market?

Tony: T60 Productions has been around since the early 2000s. We primarily serve communicators at companies, including PR and marketing professionals for external communications and HR for internal communications. We work with both larger corporations and small businesses. Recently, though, we’ve shifted focus to healthcare through our new brand, T60 Health. We now specialize in healthcare-related videos, working with health systems, clinics, startups, and others in the industry. While we still do work through T60 Productions, T60 Health has become our primary focus over the last year and a half.

Jackie: How did you decide to focus on the healthcare industry?

Tony: We did a Venn diagram to help us decide. We looked at three areas: the projects we enjoyed the most, the ones that were most profitable, and the clients that were easiest to work with. It turned out that healthcare-related videos hit all three marks. Plus, we had already produced hundreds of healthcare videos over the years, so it felt like a natural fit.

Jackie: That’s great. When did you feel confident enough to run your own business? Was there a specific moment that pushed you to take the leap?

Tony: Honestly, it was probably a case of “ignorance is bliss.” I didn’t fully know what I was getting into. I figured I was good at storytelling, so why not start a business doing that for companies? I had no idea about the complexities of running a business. I think my confidence came from knowing I was good at my craft. I had won awards as a journalist, so I believed I could apply those skills to a new industry. Plus, I grew up around entrepreneurs. My dad owned his own business, and so did many of his friends. Starting my own business seemed like a natural next step.

Jackie: I’ve heard that from many business owners—they start out not knowing everything but figure it out as they go. What would you do differently if you could go back to the beginning of your career?

Tony: I’d take the business side of things more seriously from the start. Early on, I was focused on the creative aspects of video production, but I didn’t pay enough attention to building the business. It wasn’t until maybe six or seven years ago that I really started getting interested in the business side, like leadership and strategy. Even now, we’re still learning and adapting, especially since the pandemic. Running a business is a constant challenge.

Jackie: What’s a common myth about being a president or CEO that you want to dispel?

Tony: The myth that the president or CEO needs to have all the answers. That’s just not true. I think the best leaders are the ones who listen the most, whether it’s to their employees, coaches, industry experts, or other CEOs. Learning never stops, and no one has it all figured out.

Jackie: Great advice. What’s one insight or piece of advice you’ve received that you’d like to share with our audience?

Tony: One thing I’ve learned is that marketing should never be the first thing you cut when times are tough. As a video production company that serves marketers, I see how crucial marketing is to bringing in business. When things get tight, we focus more on marketing, even if it means reallocating resources from other areas. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential. You need marketing to bring in customers, especially during tough times.

Jackie: That’s so true. So, what’s something new you want to learn outside of your business?

Tony: Recently, I’ve had to focus on my health. I had a heart attack while on vacation in Amsterdam and discovered I have a family history of coronary artery disease. Now, I’m learning how to adopt a plant-based diet, which is a big shift for me because I love cooking and eating meat. So, I’m diving into new culinary skills to keep things satisfying while making this lifestyle change.

Jackie: Wow, that’s intense. I’m glad you’re okay! That experience must give you a unique perspective as you focus more on the healthcare industry.

Tony: It’s ironic, really. My life was saved by a healthcare video. I saw an American Heart Association video at a conference that explained the symptoms of a heart attack, like jaw pain and arm pain. When I experienced those symptoms in Amsterdam, I recognized them thanks to that video and sought help right away. It’s amazing how the work we do can make a difference in people’s lives.

Jackie: That’s incredible. Thank you for sharing that story. What’s one area of your business that you’d like to become more expert in?

Tony: I wouldn’t say I want to become an expert, but I do want to get better at understanding accounting. I’ve always been more of a creative person, and numbers haven’t really been my strong suit. I have a team that handles it now, unlike when I first started and had to figure out things like QuickBooks. Still, I know that having a better grasp of it will only benefit my business. So, while I don’t expect to be an expert, I’m working on it—for example, I will read an occasional accounting book. Thankfully, my accountant is patient and walks me through things.

Jackie: That’s great! So, what’s next for your business in the next one to three years? Any areas of growth or new directions?

Tony: Absolutely. We’re focusing on expanding our healthcare side and strengthening our position there. Another big focus is my public speaking. Initially, it was just a way to generate business, but it’s actually become a revenue stream. I love it—probably comes from my background as a TV news reporter. So, I’d like to grow that part of the business, possibly do more speaking, and let others in the company handle more of the video production.

Jackie: As you grow, what challenges do you foresee?

Tony: Well, avoiding another global pandemic would help! But in all seriousness, one of the biggest challenges is that more people are doing their own video production now, and that’s fine. We believe there’s a place for DIY videos, but there are certain projects that need a professional touch. Then there’s AI. It’s great and we are in favor of using it, but it’s advancing so quickly that it’s becoming a potential challenge. AI can now create videos, and while it’s helpful, we believe human connection is still critical. People trust real people, not AI avatars. So, educating clients about that is key. 

Jackie: What advice would you give to business owners trying to do it all on their own?

Tony: Seek help wherever you can find it. I still consider myself the Chief Everything Officer at my company, and many can relate to that. But if you want to grow from just owning your job to actually owning a company, you need help. If you can’t afford employees, consider interns or ask friends, family, or colleagues for support—anything to get help.

Jackie: Sounds like you’ve had some amazing people help you along the way. What would you like to say to them?

Tony: Oh, definitely—thank you! Writing my book after COVID-19 gave me a chance to express my gratitude to so many people. I think everyone who’s helped me knows how much I appreciate them. I make it a point to say thank you often and to give back when I can. Their generosity has been invaluable, and I’m always looking for ways to return the favor.

Jackie: Thank you so much, Tony. It was a pleasure speaking with you today.

Tony: Thank you for having me.