We recently connected with Dakota Nyberg and have shared our conversation below.
Dakota, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
When I started my video production business at 18, I had no idea what I was doing. I wasn’t just learning how to create great videos—I was figuring out how to run a business, work with clients, and build a professional reputation. Since 2020, I haven’t had a traditional job working for someone else, but that doesn’t mean I was doing it all alone. I had mentors, supporters, and plenty of trial-and-error moments along the way.
My confidence grew when I realized that success isn’t about knowing everything upfront—it’s about being willing to learn. Early on, I felt pressure to prove myself, especially as the youngest person in the room. But over time, I saw that the best entrepreneurs and creatives are always learning. It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to not have all the answers. And it’s okay to step into spaces where you feel inexperienced—because that’s where the most growth happens.
Through running DMM Productions and working with corporate clients on high-impact projects, I’ve learned that confidence isn’t about pretending to be the best in the room—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and continually improving. That mindset has been key to building a successful business and earning the trust of my clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I started my video production business, DMM Productions, when I was just 18. For four years, I worked on it while in school, slowly building my skills, figuring out how to run a business, and taking on projects when I could. Growth was steady but slow—until 2024, when I finally went full-time. That was a huge turning point. Suddenly, I had the time and energy to fully commit, putting in 40, 50, sometimes 60 hours a week. That’s when everything really took off.
What’s exciting to me is that I get to do this full-time, on my own terms. I don’t have to rely on an employer or a traditional job—I’ve built something from the ground up, and that’s something I’m really proud of.
One of the coolest parts of this work is getting to learn about so many different industries. One day, I might be filming inside a manufacturing plant, seeing how massive industrial machines are built. The next, I’m working with a financial firm, learning how they help businesses grow. Every project is an inside look at a world I might never have experienced otherwise. And beyond that, I get to meet so many different people—business owners, employees, leaders—each with their own unique story. It’s fascinating, and it keeps the work fresh and exciting.
Right now, I’m just focused on continuing to grow, improving my craft, and working on projects that I’m excited about. It’s been a long journey, and I know there’s still a lot to learn, but getting to wake up every day and do this for a living is something I don’t take for granted.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three things stand out as the most impactful in my journey: community, the ability to say yes and figure it out, and commitment.
Community has been huge. No one builds something alone. You need people around you who are rooting for you, people who can challenge you, and people who have skills and experience you can learn from. I’ve been lucky to have mentors, friends, and fellow business owners who have supported me along the way. For anyone starting out, I’d say actively seek out those connections. Surround yourself with people who push you to grow and who have been where you want to go.
Second is the ability to say yes and figure it out along the way. Early on, I took on projects I wasn’t 100% sure how to execute, but I figured them out as I went. That mindset of being open to challenges, learning on the fly, and trusting that you’ll find a way has been key. If you wait until you feel “ready,” you’ll be waiting forever. My advice? Take the leap, say yes, and trust yourself to learn as you go.
Finally, commitment. Now that I’m full-time, I see how important it is to show up every day. Some days, you feel 100%, and you give 100%. Other days, you’re at 20%, but you still show up and give that 20%. Consistency matters more than motivation. If you’re starting out, build the habit of showing up even on the hard days. The small, consistent efforts add up over time.
There’s no perfect roadmap, but if you have the right people around you, stay open to learning, and commit to showing up, you’ll figure it out.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think it’s best to go all in on your strengths, but at the same time, you need to have a working knowledge of everything, especially as a business owner. You don’t have to be the best at every skill, but you do have to understand how things work so you can manage, problem-solve, and make smart decisions.
There are plenty of people who are better than me at handling a camera, setting up perfect lighting, or fine-tuning the technical details of a production. But what sets me apart isn’t just the technical side, it’s my ability to produce a great project from start to finish, to work with clients in a way that’s both professional and approachable, and to run a business effectively. A lot of creatives struggle with the business side of things and many don’t even want to deal with it. That’s where I’ve leaned into my strengths, bringing creativity and strategy together to not just make great videos, but to make the whole process smooth and valuable for my clients.
That’s also why I build specific teams for each project. I bring in people who specialize in different areas so I can focus on what I do best while letting others focus on what they do best. That way, the final product is the best it can be, without me trying to be an expert at everything.
So yes, double down on your strengths. But if you’re running a business, make sure you know enough about everything to lead effectively and build a team that complements what you bring to the table.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dmmproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmmproductionsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmmproductionsllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakotanyberg/
Image Credits
Austin Lysaker
Kyna Min
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