Community Futures St. Paul – Smoky Lake wants residents to go online to support a local entrepreneur and help win the Just Watch Me video contest run by the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program.
Jonathan R. Holeton of MindWave Studios in St. Paul is one of five finalists competing for votes. If successful, Holeton will receive $1,000. He is the only Albertan finalist, with the other four from Manitoba.
“Contest entrants had to submit short videos that express why self-employment works for them and share stories of business success,” said Community Futures general manager Paul Pelletier, in a press release. “Our hope is that these videos will inspire others to consider being their own bosses.”
The 90-second video starts with Holeton hitchhiking on the highway. He stumbles upon a video camera and records his way into the Community Futures office in St. Paul. He looks up at the Community Futures sign and the green trim splashes him, with a video effect, an image meant to show him “waking up,” he said. Having entered in a striped sweater from hitchhiking on the highway, he comes out in a suit and well groomed.
A poem is narrated by his father Richard R. Holeton. Local filmmaker Eric Spoeth filmed the video, someone Holeton described as his mentor and inspiration for getting into the field.
The video and other entrants can be viewed on the website at communityfuturespanwest.ca/contest/voting/index.php. Supporters can vote for Holeton before Nov. 26.
“It’s a video to inspire others with disabilities to do what they love, and inspire others to be entrepreneurs,” Jonathan said.
MindWave is a full-time business for Holeton. The business name, MindWave Studios, refers to the power and energy of the mind.
MindWave Studios is a local graphics and video production company that specializes in promotional videos, birthdays, anniversaries and other special events.
Heaven Sent used MindWave Studios for a promotional video, available for viewing on Youtube. Holeton plans to expand services to transfer VHS to DVD.
“It’s a business focused on capturing memories,” described Holeton.
If he wins the prize money, Holeton said he would put it toward paying down the debt on equipment he bought to start the business.
