Meet Kolton Rice

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kolton Rice. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kolton below.

Kolton, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding my purpose has always felt like something just out of reach. Something I’ve been chasing for as long as I can remember. And truthfully, some days I still question if I’ve found it. But other days, it feels like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. As a kid, that meant putting on little shows in the living room or acting in school plays. I didn’t have the language for it back then, but I knew I loved creating moments that made people feel something.

That curiosity eventually led me from performing to directing, and now to running a video production company. I still work with stories every day, but the shift has been this: it’s no longer about telling my story, it’s about helping others uncover theirs. And that’s where I’ve found purpose. Not in having it all figured out, but in doing work that feels honest, creative, and connected to something bigger than me.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

In 2019 I started a media production company called OpenEye Studios. Over time, we narrowed our focus to video marketing. Today, we help organizations tell their stories in ways that actually move the needle—whether that’s through a brand film, a process video, or something else entirely. Whatever we create, it’s built with purpose and aimed at a clear goal.

Making the video is only part of it. What I really enjoy is digging in with other business leaders, figuring out what’s holding them back, and finding creative solutions that are also strategic. That mix of storytelling and problem-solving is where I do my best work.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Starting a business is no easy task. What it really takes is grit, a vision, and a shit ton of hope.

I’ve tried to be smart about how I run mine. In an industry like this, you have to stay nimble—things change fast, and you’ve got to adapt just as quickly. I’ve also had some luck along the way. But a big part of it is knowing which opportunities to chase and which ones to let go. That kind of clarity doesn’t come easy.

One thing I’ve learned is that being confident in yourself, really backing your own instincts is huge. You won’t always have proof that something will work. Sometimes all you’ve got is your gut and a little momentum, and that has to be enough to move forward.

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?

I don’t come from a family of entrepreneurs, so when it comes to things like sales, taxes, and growth, I’ve had to lean on books to build that foundation. One that had a big impact was Profit First by Mike Michalowicz.

I actually found it after reading his other book, The Pumpkin Plan, which a former employer recommended. That one was good, but Profit First is the one that truly changed how I run my business.

Managing cash flow, juggling expenses, deposits, and trying to stay profitable was something I constantly struggled with. This book gave me a simple system to make profit a habit, not an afterthought. One of the biggest takeaways was the idea that if you take your profit first and work backwards from there, your business will naturally adjust. It forces discipline, and it keeps your business from becoming a cash-eating monster.

It’s not flashy advice, but it’s real, and it’s worked. That mindset shift has helped me run a healthier business and stay focused on what actually matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://openeyestudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolton_rice/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenEyeStudios/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kolton-rice