We were lucky to catch up with Cristian “capi” Duran recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Cristian “Capi” with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Both of my parents migrated to this country in their early teens. I was born shortly after my moms 15th birthday, growing up with teen parents was hard in many different ways. But, the one thing I picked up on was how hard both my parents worked to provide for my sisters and I. From six day work weeks for my dad, who often came home around 6 or 7pm. To my mom making sure the house was running smoothly and cleaning strangers homes for extra money. I’ve always taken a lot of pride in my work ethic. Whether it was my first job at Coldstone creamery or my latest 5 year stint with Nike. One thing always echoed in the back of my head, something my father told me at a young age “You’re always going to have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition”. That might fly over some peoples head, but as a hispanic male it’s always been a standard for me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Cristian but my family & friends call me Capi. I’m 24 and grew up 30 minutes outside of Portland, OR. I love decorating my time with music, watching sport and being active. Oh, and I love to create! But how does one become a mixed media business owner?
I always credit my mom (Karla Garcia) for giving me the extra $150 I needed to purchase my first camera from our local Costco at 18 yrs old. But it was Ms Cole, my high school leadership teacher who first put a camera in my hand at 17. I had just lost my ASB President campaign going into my senior year of high school, after previously holding a class officer role the previous 3 years, I found myself without a “purpose” as dramatic as it sounds. Over the summer, I attended a leadership conference at a local college. It was here where she noticed my interest in the conferences camera crew. After doing what high school teachers do best, she presented me with a camera that was donated to our class from a local media business. It was in this year that I began my journey as a creator, without really knowing it. Over the course of my 2018 senior year, I created recap and promo videos for our high school events and of course, lots and lots of mistakes.
I attended Portland State University for two years before dropping out at the height of the pandemic (2020). Although I didn’t know it at the time, going through the classic broke college kid, heartbreak turmoil, my parents divorce, and rock bottom experience was what laid the ground work for me to become who I am today. At the time, my creative experience consisted of travel vlogs and pictures of my friends. In a world of change, two things remained constant. My best friends, and NIKE. I got a seasonal role that turned into a part time job and would later usher me into the life and lifestyle that I have today. It wasn’t until covid kept me home that a new passion grew, graphic design. I channeled my love for sports, music, pop culture, and of course NIKE. I began to create phone wallpapers, instagram graphics and a handful of custom pieces. It was here that I learned how to make money off my passions. Over the next 3 years, I leveraged connections which allowed me to shoot photo and video at local NIKE, sporting and house music events. Having never had any formal training in photo/videograpy or graphic design it was here where I learned to make mistakes and fail. Taking on any project to build up my portfolio and master my craft.
Fast forward to fall 2023, I was informed that NIKE would be closing down my home store. This is how my journey with NIKE ended. The once center of my life financially and socially, was no more. You always stay in touch with coworkers but its never really the same. It was at this time that I decided to go back to school full time as well as embark on a new journey with a company of my own. Even though “Captown Media” had existed since 2020, it was the start of taking it on full time. Juggling school and a new mixed media business was a challenge that required my best effort every single day. I was never short of support from my family, best friends and of course my girlfriend. They believed in me, even in times when I questioned if I believed in myself.
Now a year later I have had the pleasure of directing brand shoots, capturing content for local businesses and of course nightclub recap videos. I move forward with excitement as I look to build this business of mine off the ground. “Creating” is my brand, it’s what has fueled this journey of mine since I was 16 years old. Every picture taken, every video edited, and every graphic design made all led to this moment. Each step takes me closer to my dream of owning my own media studio, a place to create with no boundaries. To inspire through art and give back to the world.
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 believe that the most crucial aspect and skill for my journey was being able to teach myself how to use editing softwares and the basics/principles of photo, video and graphic design. I couldn’t afford to take classes so “YouTube University” and lots of trial and error were my teachers.
As well as my ability to pull myself out of my shell and flourish into this newly confident and ambitious young man which got me invited to places that I would have never found myself in before. I always preach prioritizing physical health, given that I lost 55 lbs from 2021-23 which allowed me to reinvent myself.
Being a one man team requires you to not be afraid to take a project on all on your own and to learn every aspect of your craft.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
“Ego Is The Enemy” by Ryan Holiday is a book I read back in 2022. I have found myself going back to it countless times over the last couple years to refresh my memory on some of my favorite lessons. Such as,
“Every time you sit down to work, remind yourself: I am delaying gratification by doing this. I am passing the marshmallow test. I am earning what my ambition burns for. I am making an investment in myself instead of in my ego. Give yourself a little credit for this choice, but not so much, because you’ve got to get back to the task at hand: practicing, working, improving.”
Ryan Holiday, Ego Is The Enemy, Pg. 83
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Captown Media & Cristianduran17
- Other: Tiktok: Captownsfinest
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