Today we’d like to introduce you to Dakota Nyberg.
Hi, Dakota; please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story starts in March of 2020, when the pandemic hit. I was a senior in high school, so my final year was cut short. Being in lockdown for so long had me, and many others, bored, which is when a good friend of mine, Wesley, and I decided to start taking photos. We shot almost every day from March to September, and before I knew it, I was freelancing under the name Dakota Marshall Media. June of 2020 was when I first found interest in creating videos. Wesley and I took a stab at making our first short film, “Reinvigorate” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GTnXtGQqtH8&ab_channel=DakotaNyberg). Fast forward to September 2020, starting my first semester of college. My movies were being noticed across campus, and a small brand asked if I could create a testimonial video. With no idea what I was doing, I said yes. I made videos for brands throughout college, and In 2022, I rebranded to DMM Productions. 1 year later, I graduated college with a degree in marketing and officially formed my LLC.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting my business while still in college presented challenges. Balancing coursework with video work meant I couldn’t put all my time into growing the business. My brain was always focused on something other than school; it was almost always thinking about what I could do with my limited time to grow my business. Transitioning to run this business full-time in January 2023 was exciting, but running a business is different than creating videos. I’m a business person, so I’ve always understood where my focus needs to go, but there were a lot of tasks I needed to realize I had to focus on. But that’s part of doing business. When I start my next one, I’ll know how to do it.
Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your work.
In terms of client work, I work with many different brands. Watch manufacturers like Original Grain, non-profits like ORA Trails and Guitars 4 Vets, and larger brands like Taylor Guitars, Trust Point Inc., and Multistack. I’m a big believer in the idea of authentic storytelling. Every video I create tells a real story, whether for a client or out of passion. People do business with people, so creating videos that tell authentic stories is super important. I make films out of passion, too. One film I’m extremely proud of is “Traveling West,” it tells the story of 4 friends who travel 6,000 miles across the country without much of a plan. The film runs 40 minutes, and every time I watch it, I’m sucked in. It’s a feel-good film that makes you want to travel and explore the world. It gives you a sense of wanderlust. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3xFhfeGmlA&ab_channel=DakotaNyberg)
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Please share something that might surprise us.
I’ve always been an entrepreneur. In elementary school, I started a business called “Bracelets By Dakota,” making parachute cord bracelets. I sold these bracelets at craft fairs, at school, and through Facebook. This was my first business; I knew it wouldn’t be my last. Video was not my first choice; I never thought I’d start a production company. I developed camera skills because I spent daily shooting photos and videos that summer after high school. Since then, video has just been the avenue to create my first business, and I’m lucky to have found that I love it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dmmproductions.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakotanyberg/
Image Credits
Dakota Nyberg
