In this episode of Strictly From Nowhere, host Justin Abrams interviews Shawn Hamilton, founder of Conduiit, a company focused on simplifying the process of managing film tax credits through their product, Incentiviiz.
Shawn shares his journey from being a production accountant to a tech founder, emphasizing the importance of customer empathy, feedback, and the challenges of fundraising in a tough market. The conversation delves into the impact of tax incentives on economic growth and the unique business relationships that Shawn has built with major brands in the entertainment industry.
Takeaways
- Shawn Hamilton transitioned from accounting to tech by identifying gaps in the industry.
- Customer feedback is crucial for product development and iteration.
- Empathy for customers helps in understanding their needs and challenges.
- The film industry often lacks the technology to manage tax credits effectively.
- Incentiviz simplifies the process of capturing film tax credits for production companies.
- Georgia has become a leading state for film tax incentives.
- Building strong relationships with investors and partners is key to success.
- The importance of being adaptable and willing to learn in a startup environment.
- Shawn's journey highlights the significance of perseverance and stubbornness in entrepreneurship.
- The entertainment industry is driven by trial and error in content creation.
Sound Bites
"I'm stubborn for one, right?"
"Customer empathy is super important."
"We're not in the widget business."
"Incentiviz is a TurboTax for film tax credits."
"Georgia is the biggest incentive granting state."
"We're always trying to solve at the right scale."
"This is a big year for us, very excited."
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to Shawn Hamilton and Conduit
03:04
Shawn's Journey from Accounting to Tech Founder
10:51
The Importance of Customer Empathy and Feedback
18:39
Navigating Business Conversations with Major Brands
23:43
Understanding Incentiviz: A Solution for Film Tax Credits
28:25
The Impact of Incentives on Economic Growth
33:36
Building Relationships and Trust in Business
https://www.conduiit.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-hamilton-35563a46/