You Need to Meet: Ben Yoo

by: Trevor Dickerson
 
What is the name of your company, project, or hobby?   
 
Nyoo Co. & EXP CULTURE LLC

Describe more in depth what you work on while at 804RVA.

I am a wearer of many hats, who may seem utterly confused about what he should be doing more often than not, especially at 804RVA. 

As the founder of Nyoo Co., I work as a freelance Photographer/Videographer and Event Producer, utilizing underground culture to promote the immense talent that our artistic communities have to offer. My projects aim to utilize technology and visual content to promote local artists, and expose them to a larger audience. As a dancer myself, I teach various styles of urban and funk dances such as Breaking, Locking, Waacking, Popping, and House. 

With our newest startup, EXP CULTURE LLC, my team and I are attempting to graduate a whole community of college age dancers and artists into a self-sustainable market. At this early stage in the company, our team is ambitiously hoping to offer services that include events production, content production, fashion apparel, as well as talent management and representation. We believe that a strong community at the foundation of a group of people makes the difference between a passing trend and a healthy market. 

Additional projects that I'm working on at 804RVA include web design, graphic design, and web development, especially because I increasingly feel left out and un-hip midst a room full of web developers. 

I also teach Tae Kwon Do on rare occasions...

How did you find out about 804RVA, or who introduced you?    

Google! ...Seriously.

What challenges you most about your industry or craft?

When entering into a relatively young market demographic, there is no precedence that you can base your business model on. Whereas some industries have remained the same over decades, artists and the communities that form around them are incredibly difficult to win over, especially over a long period of time. The urban dance and music culture seems to be in constant flux, and so far, there hasn't been a clear business model that prove to be successful while maintaining the integrity of the communities that are involved. 

What gets me up in the morning (or at least most mornings) is the challenge of coming up with a business model that is profitable, and at the same time, strengthens the market and culture over time. At the same time, this is what also keeps me up every night. 

With that said, if anybody disagrees with the above statement, please tell me so!

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Wolfpack?    

What I found at 804RVA from talking to and learning from the members of the Wolfpack is what I had been missing for years. For someone who has just taken the plunge into the world of freelance, startups, and small business all at once, the knowledge and advice that is graciously and freely given is invaluable! I can't thank you guys enough for helping me get to where I am now! 

I can't believe how thoughtful and caring everyone is at 804RVA. I only hope that I can pay it all back... and/or forward!

What's one interesting, funny or weird fact no one knows about you?  
 
I carry around a metal bat almost everywhere I go because I feel like it helps me think, and also because I found it at a Goodwill for $4. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to come up with a better reason to why I carry around a metal bat with me wherever I go. So, now you know.

Learn more about Ben's work >>

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