Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Herzog.
Jared, briefly walk us through your story – how did you start? How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been an enthusiastic people-watcher. Studying fellow humans stroll by, buried in their thoughts, pondering their universe or chatting with one another— I like to guess their problems, what life-altering experiences inform their identity or where they properly fit into society. Do they contemplate the theory of dark matter or do they even believe we’ve been to the moon? Who loves them? What makes them—them? It’s better than fiction.
That curiosity drew me to (of course, it’s 2019 for god’s sake) start a podcast. Aptly named Someone You Should Know, I interview fascinating individuals to explore their life, soul, and sense of humor. I’ve interviewed everyone from flat-earthers to marketing gurus. So far, it has been an interesting collection of conversation, to say the least—and each guest has changed me in little facets. It’s been a wholly gratifying experience.
I also like making documentaries. I’m currently working on a piece about the Paranormal and the socio-psychological differences between skeptics and believers. I recently shot and directed an “art house” 5-minute doc that captures the lives and sentiments of the homeless in Denton, TX.
Finally, I spit words for a blog I smugly call Stop Trying to Be Happy. For each post, I pour through research, studies, and interviews to find the best perspective on certain qualities of life that affect us all. I’ve discussed lying, finding passion and I’m currently working on one on loneliness.
I invite anyone to come to learn with me.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The obstacles for any entrepreneur are infinite. But there are two that have been the most consistent:
1. Figuring out how to turn my many passions into a single career has been a life-long Rubix cube. I started out in flight school with starry-eyed hopes of becoming a private pilot. After earning my privates license, I switched to trying to be a famous rockstar in a band (my mom still says I’m a rockstar), then I retreated back to school to become an artist, only to change majors again to journalism, where I found a passion for writing. Post-graduation, I started work at an ad agency and opened a small recording studio, called Wild and Free Studio. There, I developed a knack for audiovisual production and started interviewing people for video projects which fostered a deep interest in the stories and lives of other people. Needless to say, pinpointing ONE thing to pursue has been quite a winding road, I just like a lot of stuff, man.
However, I realized I don’t need to wait for the perfect job to do what I like. So, I started making things from scratch and relying on word of mouth to show people my work. It’s been a blast so far.
2. What makes anything miserable is being surrounded by people who nay-say you into self-doubt. I recently cut many of those energy-vampires from my life, but, alas, some still linger. I think finding humans who are not only supportive but encouraging is the secret sauce to a sweet-tasting success of any entrepreneurial pursuit.
Please tell us more about your business, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I started my business, jaredherzog.com (
My clients prefer my work because I help represent their brand and businesses in unique, artistic ways—rather than the boring-schmoring corporate cookie cutter garble (though, admittedly I’ve produced my fair share of that). I’ve been hired to design websites, whip up compelling copy, direct, shoot and edit video, produce radio ads, and even write jingles.
I periodically record bands and solo artists as well.
How do you define “success”?
If I change a single person’s heart, mind or perspective to improve their lives and help them improve the lives of others, then I have all the success in the universe.
But my entrepreneurial goal is to put out clever, interesting, and thought-inducing content to an audience large enough to rival Buzzfeed or Vox.
I would also love to work on Documentaries with a full crew funded and streamed by Netflix or Hulu.
Also, I hope to, one day, master the magic of opening a beer bottle with the butt of a lighter. I still have no idea how anyone does that.
Contact Info:
- Website: jaredherzog.com
- Phone: 9725051292
- Email: wildandfreestudio@gmail.com
- Instagram: @someonepodcast
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
