We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jacob Spiekermeier. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jacob below.
Jacob, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing Healthy Confidence and Self-Esteem
Say “Yes.”
I spent a long time saying “no” to opportunities I was fully capable of handling. I said “no” because I was uncomfortable with the unknown. I was afraid of failing. I feared making mistakes. I believed that my own unrealistic standards were the standards everyone else held to. But that kind of fear held me back from real growth. True growth comes from putting yourself out there and learning from your work, successes, and mistakes alike.
Recently, a pastor friend of mine asked if I could do some consulting for their worship ministry. Music, live sound, and video production are things I enjoy, so at first, it seemed like an easy “yes.” But then he mentioned ProPresenter and Ableton. I had never used ProPresenter or Ableton before. Visions of failure flashed in my head. These are powerful programs with the potential to make or break the flow of a service, and that was intimidating.
I told him I’d call him back. After weighing the pros and cons—skills, time, compensation, and what was best for my family—I made up my mind: I was going to try something new and be brave. After working up the courage, I called him back and said, “Yes.” I was honest about my skill gap, but also expressed my willingness to learn. He said that would be great, and that I could start the following week.
I’m so glad I said “yes.” This opportunity has been a huge blessing and a really fun experience. I’m proud of myself for being brave enough to try something new. As it turns out, I’m working with a team that knows ProPresenter and Ableton extremely well, which has allowed me to focus primarily on the soundboard. And I love it. I enjoy the challenge of creating a balanced mix and adding effects like compressors and limiters to enhance the overall sound.
It’s been incredibly rewarding to bring clarity and consistency to the church’s audio. What used to be an out-of-control mix is now balanced and beautiful. I’m genuinely proud of the work I’ve done, and it’s been encouraging to see my confidence grow along the way. Every week, I receive kind compliments from people of all ages, telling me how much the improved sound has blessed their worship experience. And to top it all off, that consulting job turned into a part-time position. What a win!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My name is Jacob Spiekermeier, and I wear a lot of hats. I work as a Media Producer at Kirkwood Community College, serve as the part-time Tech Director at my church, and run my own video production and consulting business called Oak Park Media. In addition to that, I serve on several nonprofit boards and stay busy raising a young family. Life is full—but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
One of my favorite things to do is learn. I enjoy watching videos on media production, live sound engineering, marketing strategies, and gear reviews. I love applying that knowledge to building AV systems that deliver big value without breaking the budget.
One of the things I appreciate most about my job at Kirkwood Community College is the variety of production work I get to do. It ranges from filming training videos to filming video podcasts to fashion photography. The projects are diverse and exciting, and I’ve had the chance to explore many different areas while building a gear closet that can support all of them.
In addition to working for the college and the church, I also run my own business, Oak Park Media. It serves as my creative outlet when things slow down. Over the years, I’ve worked on a wide range of projects, including TV commercials, website builds, documentary work, and freelance editing. I also partner with local nonprofits to help them better serve our community. No one wants to be hurting or hungry, and I’m passionate about supporting the organizations that are doing the hard work of meeting those needs.
Through all these roles and projects, one thing remains constant: I believe in the power of creativity, service, and community. Whether I’m behind a camera, behind a soundboard, or behind the scenes helping others tell their story, I find joy in using my skills to make a positive impact. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, and I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and helping others along the way.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’ve learned a lot on my media journey. Here are three things I’ve been thinking about lately:
Deep or Wide?
I’ve heard many creators say, “The more reps you put in, the stronger you’ll get.” I believe that. Over time, I’ve realized that being involved in so many different things has allowed me to put in reps across a wide range of skills. I know a little about a lot—my experience is broad, but not necessarily deep. And while that’s not a bad thing, it can be frustrating. I can do a lot of things well, but I wouldn’t call myself a master of any one area. It hasn’t held me back, but it’s something I think about. It’s hard for me to put my thoughts into words here, but what I think I am trying to say is, I want to pick an area to do more reps in and become more of a Master. Perhaps you feel the same way.
Be Bold Enough to Chase What You Want When I was in college, I knew I wanted to study video production. The problem was, most of the programs were focused on news broadcasting, and I knew I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to be creative. I wanted to tell stories and make things like I saw in movies. I’ve since built a lot of my skills through YouTube, online classes, and hands-on experience, but I often wish I had been bold enough to build a course path that truly aligned with my creative goals. If I could go back, I’d give myself permission to chase after what I really wanted—even if it meant getting skills but not the degree.
Grow and your own pace.
Growing up, my mother always told me I was creative. I didn’t believe her. Well, I did, but I didn’t understand what she meant. When I thought of creativity, I thought it meant creating strange things. Things that weren’t of the norm, like a banana on a wall or an abstract piece of art. By those definitions, I didn’t believe I was creative. I like my creative things to be more realistic, not abstract.
Growing up, it was hard for me to make the ideas in my head come out on paper. My handwriting was sloppy, my spelling was terrible, and my dyslexia ran the show. All of these things made me feel like a failure. It was so frustrating not being able to get my ideas out. Maybe you felt or feel the same way. For this reason, I only did what I felt like I could do well. And while I still struggle to get my ideas out, I think I am ready for a change. Instead of leaning on my natural gifts to be creative, I want to grow my creative skill set. Perhaps I will take a class on drawing or illustration to see what I can learn about line and shape. My advice for any creator is to not let the past define you, but own your skills and allow yourself to grow at your own pace. It’s more fun that way.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
While my bandwidth can vary, I always make time for learning, connecting, and growing. I love gaining new skills and building relationships with other creatives. If you have a skill to share, I’d love to learn from you—and if you’re interested in collaborating, I also take on freelance projects when my schedule allows. Whether you want to swap ideas, talk shop, or share your thoughts on anything I’ve mentioned, I’d be glad to hear from you. You can reach me at info.oakparkmedia@gmail.com (www.oakparkmedia.com) or connect with me on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oakparkmedia.com
- Instagram: jacobspiekermeier
- Linkedin: Jacob Spiekermeier
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