FULL CIRCLE
Written by Vinnie Van Wyk
Over the last few years, we’ve been able to work for people that helped springboard our production company. One in particular, is Blair McHaney. I was a personal trainer in his gym and on the very same stairs where this present day photo was taken, we had a conversation in the Winter of 2010/2011 about an idea to do video for the gym and diffuse it through social media. Since I had no previous video experience, it was a leap of faith on his part, which proved to be an extremely inspiring force. The video was a skit that went viral (locally among gym members). There and then I saw the opportunity, and the idea for Kabja Concepts was born.
Shortly thereafter, there was a fitness competition I helped develop and one of my first videos was a promo for it, which was played at a large event for the members. Jenny, who still works for Blair to this day, held up business cards and let the audience know I had produced the video and started a video production company.
Afterwards, a gentlemen named David Solomon approached me and said we should talk about doing video for his financial advisory firm. He was one of our first clients.
Now, after leaving Washington to live in New York to pursue film, finding my wife, and coming back 9 years later, I reconnect with Dave Solomon in his new office. We end up chatting about doing another video project, which was telling his life story; one of perseverance in overcoming obstacles. That in itself was a grand privilege.
The amazing coincidence is who happened to move into the same office building across the hall was none other than Blair McHaney and his team. While completing the project with Dave, I reconnected with Blair, and boom here we are: 9 years later and I’m back standing on these stairs, this time getting the honor of telling the Founder’s Story of a man who is part of my founder’s story; one who is a special part in helping enhance my career by always having his door open (even in the busiest of times), and always ready to be an encouragement to my ideas.
Rarely in life do you get this kind of privilege; to come back and reconnect with the people who took chances on you, helped you grow, and motivated to reach out for bigger and better things. For that, I’m extremely thankful, moved, and inspired. Thank you Dave. Thank you Blair. And thank you all of who are still part of Worx, formerly the Gold’s Gym that started it all.
To the see the latest project which includes many of the people I’ve mentioned above, click HERE. There’s more coming soon, including Blair’s Founder Story. To see Dave Solomon’s story, please click HERE.