How Nic Went Full Time In His Video Business (and Doubled His Income)
In every creative business, there comes a turning point. For Toronto-based video producer Nic Mongillo, that moment came when he stopped waiting and started building.
Nic didn’t just get lucky. He made a series of clear, courageous decisions that helped him leave his day job, more than double his income, and go full-time with his video production company, ByNic.
In this episode of The Business of Video Production podcast, I spoke with Nic about the journey he’s been on over the past six months. What unfolded was a masterclass in mindset, strategy, and the kind of discipline that separates the dreamers from the doers.
This blog post expands on that conversation. If you’re a filmmaker, videographer, or production company owner who wants to make the leap and build a serious business, Nic’s story might be just the push you need.
When Good Enough Isn’t Enough
Before we started working together, Nic was already running a production company on the side. He had a part-time job and worked on client projects between shifts. Like many creatives, he was balancing passion with practical responsibilities.
But there was a gap between where he was and where he wanted to be.
He had ambitions. He had the skills. But the business wasn’t consistent enough to support him full-time. Income was unpredictable. Marketing was reactive. Pricing was vague. And without a clear structure, growth was slow.
Nic knew something had to change. He wanted to stop playing small. He wanted to step into his business fully. But he also wanted to do it the right way, with clarity, professionalism, and a solid foundation.
That’s when he made the commitment to go all in.
Building a Business That Deserves Clients
One of Nic’s early realisations was that if he wanted clients to take his business seriously, he had to take it seriously himself.
He focused on improving the fundamentals. That meant tightening his niche, clarifying his offer, and communicating with more confidence and authority. He stopped presenting himself as just a talented freelancer and started showing up as a business owner with a defined process.
That shift changed everything.
Clients responded to his confidence. He began attracting projects that were a better fit. And he moved away from chasing one-off jobs to building longer-term relationships with the right clients.
Systems Create Freedom
Nic is the first to admit he’s not naturally drawn to systems and structure. Like many creatives, he preferred to stay immersed in the work itself. But he also understood that without systems, he would stay stuck.
So he embraced the uncomfortable. He built a repeatable sales process. He refined his video production proposals. He created a system for following up with leads. And he carved out time each week to work on the business, not just in it.
These systems didn’t remove the creativity. They supported it.
With structure in place, Nic had more space to focus on the work he loved and more confidence in the way he presented his business to the world.
Marketing as a Discipline
For many production company owners, marketing feels like a mystery. Or worse, a chore. But Nic approached it with a different mindset: as a professional discipline.
He didn’t wait until things got quiet to start marketing. He made it part of his weekly rhythm. He engaged on LinkedIn. He sent outreach messages. He booked calls. And he tracked what was working and what wasn’t.
Even when it felt awkward or slow, he kept showing up.
The result was a steady stream of leads, a growing sense of momentum, and a clear reputation as someone who was serious about his work.
Going Full Time Without the Chaos
One of the most inspiring parts of Nic’s journey is how he made the leap to full-time.
He didn’t quit his job impulsively. He didn’t bet the house on a single client. He built up a runway. He doubled his income. And he waited until he had enough consistency and confidence in his process to make the jump.
When he finally left his job, it wasn’t a leap of desperation. It was a step into a business that was already working.
This is an important lesson for anyone wanting to go full-time. You don’t need to burn everything down. You need a plan. You need support. You need to work that plan consistently until the business is ready to support you.
Nic did exactly that.
What It Actually Means to Go Pro
Throughout the episode, we kept coming back to one central idea: going pro.
Going pro doesn’t mean buying more gear or renting a studio. It means treating your business like it matters. It means setting boundaries. Pricing your work appropriately. Showing up even when it’s uncomfortable. And doing the hard, unglamorous work that builds a business that lasts.
Nic embraced that mindset. And it paid off.
He began leading conversations with clients instead of following. He started saying no to low-budget projects that didn’t align with his vision. And he focused on building something sustainable, not just something impressive.
This mindset shift was just as important as any business strategy.
Results That Speak for Themselves
Six months after committing to this path, Nic had more than doubled his income. He left his job. He built a full-time business. And he created a level of freedom and control that had previously felt out of reach.
But just as important as the income were the internal results.
Nic became more confident, more focused, more in control. He no longer needed to wait for things to get better. He made them better.
That’s the real reward of going pro. Not just money, but momentum. Not just clients, but clarity.
Lessons for Other Creators
If you’re in a similar position to where Nic started, working a job while running a side business, unsure whether you can go full-time, there’s a lot you can take from his story.
Here are a few takeaways worth considering:
Structure beats hustle. Building systems will get you further than working harder.
Clarity attracts clients. The clearer your offer and positioning, the easier it becomes to sell.
Marketing is a muscle. The more you practice, the stronger you get.
Growth comes from focus. Saying no to the wrong projects opens space for the right ones.
Confidence is built by doing. You don’t wait for it, you earn it by showing up.
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing. Willing to show up. Willing to experiment. Willing to take the steps that most people avoid.
Final Thoughts
Nic Mongillo didn’t build his business on hype or hacks. He built it on discipline, clarity, and a quiet commitment to growth.
His story isn’t about flashy success. It’s about something deeper. A decision to stop drifting. A willingness to do the work. And a belief that his business and his life could be better.
He didn’t wait to be chosen. He chose himself.
If you’re ready to do the same, you might be a fit for The20: a mastermind for video production business owners who want to focus, grow, and build something they’re proud of. People like Nick will be in there. You’ll be surrounded by others who are making bold, strategic moves and supporting each other along the way.
Learn more at ryanspanger.com/the20