Epic Entrepreneurs
Welcome to Epic Entrepreneurs! What does it take to build a real and thriving business in today’s world? As entrepreneurs and business owners, we went into business to have more freedom of time and money. Yet, the path of growing a business isn’t always filled with sunshine and rainbows. In this chart-topping show, host Bill Gilliland; author of the best-selling book “The Coach Approach” leverages his decades of experience coaching proven entrepreneurs to make more money, grow the right teams, and find the freedom of EPIC Entrepreneurship.
Epic Entrepreneurs
The Spirit of Buffalo: Finding Balance in Business and Life with Waska Finkelstein
Waska Finkelstein joins the Epic Entrepreneurs podcast to share his remarkable 40-year journey through professional video production and personal transformation.
At the heart of our conversation is Arthur Ashe's powerful quote that guides Waska's philosophy: "From what we get, we can make a living. From what we give, however, makes a life." This perspective has shaped how Waska approaches his video production business, integrating service, authenticity, and community connection into every professional interaction.
Perhaps most valuable is Waska's perspective on building genuine relationships before business transactions, contrasting the transactional networking of New York with the community-focused approach he's embraced in Asheville. His EPIC values—Education, Planning, Inspiration, and Commitment—provide a framework for entrepreneurial success grounded in wisdom rather than mere profit-seeking.
Ready to see how authentic connection can transform your business? Listen now!
About Waska:
Emmy Award-winning Independent Producer and Director of Photography Perry ‘Waska’ Finkelstein founded Pro Video Productions with a focus on exceptional quality, service, value, and relationship-building. With over 20 years of experience, he has produced video content for industries including corporate, commercial, sports, music, documentary, and broadcast television. After building a loyal client base in New York City, he expanded to Asheville, North Carolina in 2021, offering professional video production and editing services globally.
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Bill
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Bill
Hey there, welcome to this week's episode of Epic Entrepreneurs. And I'm here with my friend, waska, and he is one of the more interesting people in the world. His main business is pro video productions, but I can't. I'll let him tell you all the stuff that he does. It's unbelievable. So welcome to the show, waska. Tell us what you do, yeah.
Speaker 2:Well, hey, bill, thanks for having me on. I really appreciate that. I appreciate you and well, it's interesting. You say what do I do? So my business and my career has been in professional video and television production for over 40 years now, so I used to do a lot of networking and marketing and all that stuff throughout the years. I'm a little bit more seasoned now. You could see from my kids tell me it's gray. I used to say no, it's blonde. But anyway, I've been around the block a few times and so I find it interesting, especially coming from New York where it was all about marketing.
Speaker 2:Down here in our beautiful Asheville area, it's more about like connecting and community, which I love. So I like when I get into conversations it's more about like who are you? You're like who I be rather than what I do. But we're talking about what we do, so I will incorporate who I am into what I do. So I'd like to start off with a quote that Arthur Ashe said.
Speaker 2:So I was fortunate enough to work as a producing cameraman at the US Open for 16 years and there's a statue of Arthur Ashe there and on it it is inscribed his quote. That reads from what we get, we can make a living and what we give, however, makes a life. And I saw that quote and that statue so many times that always sat with me. I thought that was such a beautiful thing because, especially as men were taught to, you know to work and make money and get things and accumulate and nothing wrong with that. But that's kind of like the demand paradigm and I just thought it was so important you know to give back and be a service. So I really resonate with that quote and the importance of being in service, which I do incorporate into my business and really in whatever aspects I can in my life.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I want to dig into that a little bit. You said we're talking about doing. We have a formula called B times do equals have, and you can only do so much. At some point you have to become more. So I'm super. It's interesting. Being of service obviously helps you do more and helps you have more. In this case, life is the way you've put it, so that's a beautiful one. Thanks for bringing that in. Yeah, so well, tell us a little bit more. I know you did more than just the video, but yeah, sure, sure.
Speaker 2:So that's been the mainstay of my career. And then I got into a spiritual community just not even by design on Long Island in New York, where I lived. And it's interesting because people say, like Waska, is that Polish? What does that mean? My birth name is Perry Wayne Finkelstein, a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn, and in 2015, I was gifted this name, waska Waboos, which is in the Shishindi, or the people better known as the Apache tradition. So the vision keeper of our community dreamt this name for me. She had to have the same dream three times and then she told me the name and it was interesting because it was people in the community like Dancing Flower and Silent Wind and Two Feathers. So I thought I'd be like Crouching Eagle Boy or Wolfman or something. So she's like it's Wasco Waboos. I'm like what does that mean? You know, and it's you know, I take out my journal, I start writing it. She's like no, no, no, you know, it's oral tradition. So I had to listen and remember it.
Speaker 2:So this is the short version because, because native people typically they're they're pretty verbose and I like that, that even in gatherings I've gone through the kids, you know, small kids will sit there and listen to the elders which you know in my life and the way I grew up. You know kids are fidgety and we can't sit for very long, so I found that very inspiring. So anyway, huasca is of the people of the South, like the Cordeniero people, the energy medicine of the South, and Wabus is, the way they say, buffalo over the North. So you have the complementary opposites, north and the South, the balance, and the Buffalo is all about abundance and being in service to the people. So Wasco Wabus means with the generosity of spirit of the Buffalo's heart, he remembers the healing medicine of humor and laughter as the sacred clown and shares that lightness of spirit and service to the people. So I've said that a few times, I've had to memorize it. So anyway, I go with Waska.
Speaker 1:I don't want to say it. Yeah, I got the spirit of the buffalo. Yeah, yeah, it's a mouthful.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah, it's pretty much about being in service and I use lightness and humor, so I incorporate that into pretty much everything I do. So when? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, self and that I incorporate that spirituality into my video production and everything that I do and I think for the most part it works. You know that traumatized, dysfunctional, obnoxious from New York Perry comes out once in a while, but I do my best to keep it balanced, yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's awesome. Let's shift gears here and talk a little bit about business. If you had to start over and do business again, what would you do differently?
Speaker 2:Wow, that's a great question. So I was very, very fortunate when I got into video production. You know, I just I mentored under a few people. I got right into, you know, network television and TV shows, new York's very replete with everything sports, entertainment, um, politics, a bit of everything, um. So what I would say, you know again, incorporating everything in together, uh, the, the business aspect as well as my personal being, um is, is and this holds true I think you could probably relate to this is the stress part and the fear part. You know, fear, am I going to have enough money? Fear, am I doing it right? Fear, am I pleasing? So I think if I were to do things differently, I would do my best not to be so fearful of any of those things and just really kind of go with the flow more and have more confidence in my abilities and my intuition as well. So that would be my advice to myself.
Speaker 1:Confidence and intuition. I love that, yeah, yeah. I think if people would set out with confidence, I mean usually good things happen Most time things work out. I mean we look back on it and you're like man, why was I so stressed about that?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know I mean it's a bit crazy. So what have been some of your learnings along the way?
Speaker 2:Um, some of my learnings. Well, um, I was very, very focused on um I I guess in hindsight maybe on success, but I don't. I don't think I was very cognizant of that Um. So I worked, you know, sometimes 12, 14 hour days on production. I was younger at the time when I first started and I loved it, um. So I've told my kids, I've raised, I've raised three um young, three young boys, into wonderful human beings now, to be autonomous, to always give 100%, to have integrity and grace and forgiveness, and so those are things I learned along the way. So what I might do differently again is to follow that intuition, to give that 100%, not be so focused on pleasing other people, which is, you know, something that I think a lot of us do growing up. So those are things that were helpful to me and helpful for my kids also. I'm not sure if I answered your question.
Speaker 1:No, 100%. I mean, I think it's great, I mean leaning into integrity, grace, the things you want your, I think the things you want your kids to be, the legacy you want to leave, is super important, or maybe the most important thing that we do as people. I mean, well, you know you can work 100 hours a week or whatever, but you know they don't remember that you know, or they?
Speaker 1:may remember it negatively, but they, you know that's, that's the thing. So what do you? What do you think some of the misconceptions are in the world about running a business?
Speaker 2:Um, I think one one thing I found that was really important is you can't do everything yourself.
Speaker 2:Um, uh, and I used to be a perfectionist so it was hard for me to delegate. Um, and I've had a lot of people work for me and with me over the years, so I think a misconception is I got to do everything myself and, being, like you know again, a past perfectionist, you know you want it done a certain way, so directing and delegating and sharing, because it really is all about teamwork, you know, because you could only go so far doing things yourself. That's probably the most important thing that I, that I learned is you know you're only going to get so far. You know being a solo. You know entity and then sharing in having feedback from people, like having little meetings where you're brainstorming and sharing ideas. You know there's a lot of value in that and I know you guys do that with Action Coach and all the lunch meetings and all people getting together and sharing ideas and talking about their businesses and how they can help one another. There's tremendous value in that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I think so. So I have a question for you that just came up in what you said how does one become a past perfectionist?
Speaker 2:Well, it's first acknowledging that you, you know, first acknowledging like hey, my name is Bill W, you know from.
Speaker 1:Right, yeah, of course, yeah.
Speaker 2:It's making the acknowledgement hey, you know this is, this is something that does not serve me anymore. You know this is, this is something that does not serve me anymore. And you know, looking at that and saying, okay, it's okay. You know they could, they could be a little mistake in that paint line in the ceiling. You know you're the only one that's going to notice it, and other people really don't tend to judge us as harshly as we judge ourselves, you know, and that's I think that's very, very true. And, um, I also do men's work and coaching, and guys in particular and this may be true of women also, but guys tend to, like you, want to do it perfectly and want to fix things and want to make sure it's, like you know, done the correct way, and and that's great. But there's also a certain grace we need to give ourselves so we don't wind up, you know, beating ourselves up and it cause that's that's, you know it's. It's not productive at all, not healthy either.
Speaker 1:Tell us about the men's work. What's that about?
Speaker 2:Sure, so, uh, part of that that community I was involved with, um, uh, I was interesting enough, it was a women's mystery school that I was invited into, but there was a lot of other things going on with that. So, um, so I was part of, um, a men's group there also, and, um, so I I was facilitating, co-facilitating, a men's talking stick circle, which is, um, yeah, it's a, it's a native tradition where whoever has the stick is the one who gets to speak and everybody else, instead of being in your head, just listens and sharing ideas and things like that.
Speaker 2:So, um, you know. So I'm starting a torrent, so tell me your question again, cause my mind's going in 10 different places.
Speaker 1:I'm just trying to the the the men's work. I mean, you were talking about how you, how you got in. I was just trying to understand, like what is, who are you helping? And sure, Sure Uh.
Speaker 2:I think it it it organically started raising, raising two boys, and then um, and then I was in a relationship where I raised Ed. I call him my bonus son from 10 years on. So I think it was just a natural progression of it, wasn't even designed. What can I do to be a better dad, a better son, a better brother? And then this men's group just developed. Just really being open to talking about men's feelings and men's work is very, very popular now. Yeah, 100%, yeah.
Speaker 2:So anyway, this group that started called the Way of the Illuminated Warrior. That came from inspiration and a vision I had back in 2011. So I've been doing that ever since. We do telecircles now I've facilitated a few retreats and it's basically just having a space, a safe and sacred space for men to be able to speak from the heart, not judge each other. There's nothing to fix. We just get together and we talk about stresses, wins, losses, issues. It's kind of like a business model to a degree how we could be successful in our personal lives. That translates into business, into into relationships, into pretty much everything yeah, I mean.
Speaker 1:Jim rohn said the harder you work on yourself, is is the key. So work harder on yourself than you do on your job. So I I think, yeah, I've always found that when I was working on myself, that the business did better yeah and so, yeah.
Speaker 2:So when I mean, if you want to be better in business, work on yourself. I've always found that when I was working on myself that the business did better.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm sure, and so yeah. So I mean, if you want to be better in business, work on yourself, yeah, Whatever that looks like for you, so yeah, it's a good thing. So I mean, you've learned some stuff about balance along the way, obviously, because we've talked a lot about it. Yeah, what are some tips or tricks or some things that you've learned about balancing personal and business demands?
Speaker 2:Yeah, another great question.
Speaker 2:I think in the beginning I looked at it as strictly business, you know and it's not that I'm not still professional, I am but I found that, like, building relationships and being part of a community really translates into doing successful work.
Speaker 2:A lot of the clients that I've worked for over the years I became friends with or at least you know I keep in touch with and it kind of translated over even into personal relationships also, which I love, because to me, I've found that I'm most effective when I could sit down with somebody and say, hey, like what's your vision? Like what are you looking to accomplish here? Um, and and talking about that and figuring out ways to make that happen, rather than a strict um edict of, okay, we're doing business and we have to, you know, stick to certain um paradigms of what business is supposed to look like Um. So for me, um, combining, like again, the relationships and community uh minded approach into how the business works, um is really really proved to be very successful, you know, for everybody, cause it takes out that that um, that paradigm, like we have to be, you know, a certain way, rather than being ourselves and sharing what the vision really is.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we don't have to be straight-laced in suits and ties and hard-charging and all that stuff.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Well I find very interesting enough, like in New York, it was very much like networking meetings. You go out there. There was a lot of financial guys, so they'd be like, hey, I could help you with your portfolio. I'm like, well, my brother-in-law does that, okay, bye. Next. And they want to have no further conversation. And then coming down here and go into some business networking meetings, it was wonderful because it's like the first, you know, whatever 15, 20, half hour or maybe the whole conversation was about hey, what are you into? What do you? You know? Oh, you like hiking. And then we'd say, hey, well, what is your business, you know, and that to me, is so much more natural, organic and a way to build a relationship. It's not like, well, what am I going to get out of you, what can I get from you? No, that's you know. That's just not the problem.
Speaker 1:I don't believe works. Yeah, I was talking to somebody the other day and they were talking about like a normal crisis should work more towards intimacy. Yeah, and I mean that's a big word, I'm not talking about, like you know, physical intimacy, but if you, if you start out, I mean you have a conversation over coffee, you get to know each other and then you can talk about like, what do you want, and then there, maybe I can help, maybe I can't, or at least I probably know somebody who can help you, as opposed to hey, you're no good to me, I'm out, I'm going to find somebody who is good to me. Yeah, it's an interesting change, it's good. Hey, I've got some. You know, epic is a acronym, and so just sort of quick fire, maybe a word or a sentence or two about each letter. So the E is education, education. What are your thoughts?
Speaker 2:on that Education I feel like, especially the older I get, I want to learn from those who have been what I consider successful and more so, wise. You know, I get a lot from from reading and just watching podcasts people who who have shared wisdom from their experiences that I can relate to and then I could take into my own mindset and um. So I think, um, you know further, further gaining wisdom and knowledge is is it's an endless journey? Yeah, lifelong learning I like it. Yeah, it's an endless journey.
Speaker 1:Yeah, lifelong learning, I like it. Yeah, how about planning?
Speaker 2:Planning. I forget who said it, but I do believe like those who fail to plan can plan to fail. So you know, in my business, you know pre-production is so important. It's like having a blueprint, a script or even a storyboard for a production like really translates into um and product. So I think planning is is very, very key.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so the I is inspiration. What are your thoughts around inspiration?
Speaker 2:Well, the first thing that comes up is uh, cause I'm very inspired by music. So, uh, uh, allow me, allow me this. Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme, suggesting rhythm that will not forsake you. Till my tale is told and done, won't sing anymore. Anyway, that's a song written by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, but it's about inspiration. So I take inspiration again from music, from experiences, from educating myself, the wisdom of others and starting my day with gratitude and positive affirmations and all. So that's really what inspires me for the most part.
Speaker 1:I love that. And then the C is commitment.
Speaker 2:Commitment, Commitment. To me, I believe, it's hard to be successful whether it's in business relationships or really probably just about any aspects of life without a commitment. I find where there's a lack of commitment is usually a lack of trust, and when there is a lack of trust, things typically fall apart. So I think commitment is really one of the first things we need in any relationship to be successful. Wow.
Speaker 1:Lack of commitment is a lack of trust, and if there's a lack of trust, things fall apart.
Speaker 2:Wow you believe that also. I think that's true.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, a hundred percent. It's an interesting one. I never have thought about the lack of trust piece of it. If you can't commit, then you don't trust. It's an interesting, it's an interesting one. I mean I, I it's, you know, I think it, I mean it, it applies to everything. I mean it could apply to, it could apply to a tennis stroke. I mean, if you don't, if you don't trust your tennis stroke, you're not going to commit. It's, it's so interesting that that you brought that up, that's, that's really, uh, that's really entertaining.
Speaker 2:So what do you wish somebody had told you that they didn't, that you know now in business, in life and whatever you want to take it yeah, um, I I would say because I believe this is true in business as well as um, like growing up again doing the men's work to probably the most important thing is to stop beating myself up. And I say the same thing to guys like that negative self-talk is so defeating. And again, whether it's in our personal lives or in business, like, have some faith, have some confidence. I know I know for a lot of guys, this is not true for everybody.
Speaker 2:I grew up in an alcoholic family. My dad was not a good role model. He loved me, I loved him, but this is true of a lot of guys. So, you know, finding role models that you know not necessarily you know sports figures or you know nothing wrong with that either, but but but people of integrity that could help us grow, that could help us feel good about ourselves as as men and I'm speaking, you know, this could be for women or any gender but having faith in our own abilities and not beating up ourselves and having that negative self-talk, I think is really the most important thing for me, because positivity has always been a win-win in my book and that's probably the most important thing that I tell my kids, that, I tell the guys I work with and I tell myself on a regular basis. Important thing that I tell my kids that.
Speaker 1:I tell the guys I work with and I tell myself on a regular basis that's awesome, waska. Well, I consider myself a very positive person and I love the positivity that comes from you, waska. That's awesome. So, if people want to get a hold of you, what's the best way?
Speaker 2:of you. What's the best way? Um, come on over, I'm serving tea at noon, uh, yeah, well, my website is uh provideoprodscom. That's uh p-r-o-v-i-d-e o prods p-r-o-d-scom. That's probably the easiest way. Um, if you look up waska, there's not too many Waskas around here either. But, um, but yeah, or contact you. Um, I will say this whoever sees this um podcast. Um, I'm happy to whatever service um you are interested in, I will. I will offer 15% off, whatever the service is. If you mentioned seeing this conversation with me and Epic Bill, G.
Speaker 1:Yeah, thanks, waska. Well, I really appreciate you being here. Thanks for taking time.
Speaker 2:Well, I appreciate you, Bill, Thanks for all the stuff that you do with Action Coach and the wonderful event that you put on in Asheville Asheville Business Summit. So I'm looking forward to that also.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and, by the way, Wasco helped us out with the video production on the Asheville Business Summit, which we'll be having another one coming up in September. Stay tuned for that. No-transcript.