Serge Cheretovich

Serge Cheretovich AKA Serge Creator is a professional content creator with over 10 years of experience. His content has helped celebrities and successful businesses from all around the world take their business to the next level and reach millions of people. In addition, Serge is the owner of PHOTOGRAPHER IN Agency and has developed a unique coaching program, Content Creator PRO, for creators with step by step guidance to help them grow their business. Serge is currently located in Los Angeles, California.

Where did the idea for Photographer In come from?

When I lived in Europe, I was mainly a photographer. But when I came to the United States, I became a company owner with my business “Photographer In Agency.” Being in the U.S., I wanted to open a company and help clients to better serve their businesses. I started assisting local businesses in Miami. Through this process, I transitioned from being an entrepreneur to business owner.

I also created the business, “Content Creator PRO.” I created this company to inspire and help people through a coaching program. I’ve been running “Content Creator PRO” for around two years and have been helping people with promoting their brands through engaging visual content. Another main idea of the company is to help creators with scaling their business, which I assist with using my previous experiences.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I wake up early, usually around 7:00 a.m. Then, I work out followed by a cold shower. After this, I eat breakfast and enjoy a cup of coffee. Next, I work on my computer, host meetings with clients and have production sessions. When evening comes around, I rest by reading a book and watching informative videos. But, before I go to sleep, I review my day and begin planning for the next day. I do this by editing my work tasks on my calendar. Using a calendar makes me productive and is one of the most important tools for me. I can tell a big difference in my day when I don’t use a calendar. When I stick to a calendar, I am very productive. I also use a pen and notepad to write daily tasks throughout the day. Another great way to be productive is to limit distractions and noise. I do this by silencing my phone, because phone notifications can be distracting.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I like to find a problem, and then its solution. For example, when someone needs something to solve, I first try to see what the problem is. Then, I try to imagine how to solve it. I also look at how competitors solve problems, then combine my own experiences with trying to find the best solutions.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I think working remotely is an exciting trend. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the game. People in businesses have had to adapt to the new normal, such as working remotely instead of in the office. With this change, people have created various solutions to overcome these challenges. There is a new stage of business and entrepreneurship, and people are doing way more now. I see working remotely as a big advantage for the future. People can struggle with remote work from their family disturbing them at home, but they will learn to adapt and change their lifestyle over time. People need to create a home office, so they have limited distractions. With working remotely, people waste less time and money on travel, especially in Los Angeles. Now, with remote work, people can steer their attention towards work rather than commuting during that time. In addition, people can connect with people instantly through Zoom. Even in one year, many are quickly adapting to this changing work environment. There is more acclimating to come with the constantly changing environment that the world is currently a part of. People will have more freedom if we continue to use remote working trends in the future.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Consistency is very important. You need to have the mindset of grind, work and hustle. It’s also important to stick to this mindset. Having the daily habit of creating this mindset will catch on. My habit is to work hard. I got used to it over time, and it has made me much more productive. Productivity makes your work life and personal life better and enables you to grow as a business leader.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to listen more and talk less. When I was younger, I did the opposite of this. Being open to hearing people’s point of view is extremely important when it comes to creating business relationships and communicating professionally. Also, don’t be too emotional to situations. It’s better to be more composed. Taking the emotion out of situations allows you to think more clearly about all aspects involved in the equation.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Some people think that their work comes from fate. They believe that there is a predetermined course of events that leads to the way things work out for them. I believe that everything in life is possible. You can change your life with your own ability. It doesn’t matter where you are in life, you can change and become the person you want to be. Your personal situations, like financial worries, are all in your head. If you think you will have a bad life, then you will ensure it. Your past experiences shouldn’t control you, and it is so important to break the limits in your head and work hard toward your goals. Remember, you are in control of your destiny, not any external force.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I set up goals, define them, plan what to do, and then work toward the goals. I recommend that others do the same. I also believe in the importance of sticking with things and not giving up. Do the work and actions toward your goals and stick to them. For example, when I have a goal, I do the same things over and over. This involves marketing, increasing quality of services, and meeting with clients. It’s been 10 years of doing the same habits and keeping the same mindset. Also, it’s important to create a business strategy and stick to it in every situation presented to you. I use the same tools but increase my quality with them. My actions increasingly grow over time, but I still perform the same activities all the time. All of this helps me have the lifestyle that I have and want.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

The most important thing is to focus on making clients happy. This is my top priority. Even if they are not happy, I do everything possible to keep them at least normal. Through keeping clients happy, and providing a quality service, it will be easier to get more known. People find out about me and my services through social media and word of mouth helps to connect me to people who are interested in connecting. As a result, keeping clients happy also helps with relationship building.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Don’t let small things have an impact on relationships with clients and partners. Don’t be quick in takeaways and thoughts. When someone says something you don’t like, don’t rush to tell them your opinion. Think about it for a while, then try to define your feedback about the situation at hand. A mistake I made in the past was responding with my emotions when a client said something that I didn’t like. Instead, write your thoughts down, and read it twice. Don’t be in a rush to send a message where your emotions can be wrong. This hinders your ability to build strong relationships.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Produce informational products and show your expertise. Find out what you are really good at. From this, build a coaching program or online course for someone in your niche. For example, a guide for how to make a viral video on TikTok. You could provide great Information for influencers who don’t know how to create viral content. Having a coaching program with strategic advice on how to go viral would be a major attraction to people looking to grow their personal brand. This is great for the younger generation, because they are avid users of TikTok. TikTok is more than just entertainment, it’s also a business opportunity. People can teach others about it.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Invest in yourself. Many opportunities to grow your business require personal investment. A smart way to grow your business is through connecting with other like-minded professionals and offering them an incentive to share your work. I have used this strategy to help grow my business in the past. Oftentimes this work isn’t free, but it is well worth the investment.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I use an online calendar to be productive. I use the Apple Calendar on Mac, but you can also use Google calendar. I use a calendar for time management. Another great tool is also Google Drive file stream, where you can organize files and projects all in one place. You can also use Google Chrome. With the browser, you can add bookmarks. If you manage multiple businesses, you can use Chrome for every business.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I recommend that every entrepreneur read The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardon. This book is for young entrepreneurs and is one of his most popular ones. I believe it has the most important advice, such as taking massive actions toward your goals. It also emphasizes the importance of working hard to achieve big results.

What is your favorite quote?

“For every thing in the world, It’s sweeter for us to chase than to have it” by William Shakespeare. This quote motivates me to work hard for my goals because there is always room for improvement and there is always another way to grow as a leader.

Key Learnings:

● I realize how important it is to have a focused strategy that makes life more productive.
● Mindset wise, hard work has been one of the driving forces in my career that has allowed me to reach great success.
● This interview allowed me to see how interconnected my habits and productivity are.