Creating affordable videos for small businesses is this company’s ‘secret sauce’
Full Swing Studios works with small businesses across Arizona to promote their brands
Darby Vance and Angela Hughey share a love of storytelling.
As a videographer, Vance understands how to give life to a story by weaving together compelling visuals. As a longtime advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Hughey appreciates how an impactful video can facilitate empathy and understanding to bridge differences and foster inclusion.
After working together on videos for ONE Community, a socially conscious coalition Hughey leads consisting of businesses, organizations and individuals committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, the two joined forces on Full Swing Studios, a media production company based in downtown Phoenix.
As small business owners themselves, they have an appreciation not only for the value of video for a business or an organization, but for how expensive it can seem at times. It’s why their business model is built around affordability, quality and pricing transparency.
Darby Vance, co-owner of Full Swing Studios
Angela Hughey, co-owner of Full Swing Studios
“We’ve created an opportunity, regardless of organizational size, for you to tell your story,” Hughey said. “I think many times organizations and business owners think videography is beyond reach. And what’s important to Full Swing Studios is we’re creating high quality and highly produced opportunities at affordable pricing. That’s part of our secret sauce. It’s something that can be attainable regardless of budget.”
Video production, with the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has become an essential element of a successful marketing strategy. It’s where Americans spend a good chunk of their day. Forbes reports U.S. consumers spend an average of nearly 2.5 hours scrolling on social media platforms daily.
According to Elite Content Marketer, 85% of businesses include video as part of their marketing plan, as two-thirds of consumers would prefer to watch a video about a product or service rather than read about it. Even more compelling, more than 90% of businesses said they landed a sales lead through video marketing.
Hughey saw how vital video marketing has become as part of ONE Community’s mission to create a more inclusive environment in Arizona’s local business and philanthropic communities. She knew that by partnering with Vance and aligning philosophically, the two could create opportunities for growth among industries that didn’t face as many barriers or as much stigma as the LGBTQ+ community.
Full Swing Studios shooting a video at Elevate Yoga & Wellness in Phoenix
“We know we have been able to move acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community through the power of storytelling,” Hughey said. “Regardless of what community you represent, storytelling is the key to the success of your organization. We all have a story to tell.”
From yoga studios to gourmet popcorn makers to organizations planning to honor individuals at awards galas to Local First Arizona, Full Swing Studios partners with businesses and organizations of every size and flavor to creatively share a story that needs to be told. And, because both Vance and Hughey are so invested in supporting local businesses, they offer a 10% discount to members of Local First Arizona and ONE Community.
“I find it super rewarding to work with all sorts of different businesses. It’s never a boring day,” Vance said. “We always have something cool and exciting to work on, especially working with a client for the first time. It’s very rewarding that we get to dip into all levels of businesses and stretch our creative muscles.”
And video production just scratches the surface of what Full Swing Studios is able to do. Vance and Hughey have created packages that offer professional photography, in studio or on location, as well as customizable video podcast opportunities.
“Full Swing Studios is evolving. It’s exciting to have this small business that is really making a difference,” Hughey said. “Our goal is to provide the power of storytelling to as many businesses and organizations in the great state of Arizona as we can and that starts with good partnerships and Local First has been a great partner of ONE community and Full Swing since the get-go. And we’re grateful.”
Learn more about Full Swing Studios at fullswingstudios.com.
Join Local First Arizona’s Business Coalition at localfirstaz.com/coalition-member.
