Bet on Yourself: From Video Agency to Solo Productized Service with Neil K. Carroll

Today I’m joined by Neil K. Carroll, founder of vidwheel, who took the long way out of corporate: video agency → higher-ed job → rebuilding as a lean solo business. Neil shares how a simple testimonial project for a startup turned into something much bigger—a repeatable, productized service that helps founders uncover the stories and insights hidden inside their customer relationships. If you’re stuck in corporate and wondering what you would even sell, this episode will help you see the path: start with what you already know, listen for the real problem, and bet on yourself. What You’ll LearnNeil’s escape path: agency burnout → COVID pivots → higher-ed → soloThe “Root Thread” deep testimonial approach and why it delivers strategic customer insightHow to productize what you already do without boxing yourself inWhy referrals and local networks are enough for a one-person businessHow Neil priced his offer and why undercharging early is part of the processThe 4 levers every offer should hit: save time, save money, make money, reduce riskWhy betting on yourself beats betting on corporate stability Key TakeawaysYour corporate title doesn’t matter—your ability to solve problems doesProductized services make selling and delivery easierCustomer conversations reveal the real value you offerSolopreneurs don’t need 100 clients—you need a few right-fit onesYou can always go back to corporate… but very few people want to once they leave About Neil K. Carroll Neil is the founder of vidwheel, helping startups and small businesses capture deep customer stories through Root Thread testimonial interviews and his hardware-enabled Mini Studio (VidKit 3). He combines interviewing skill, remote production, and AI-assisted analysis to help companies extract messaging, proof, and product insight directly from their customers. Connect with Neil: LinkedIn: Neil K. Carroll Website: vidwheel.com