BIG STONE GAP, VA – SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 – Assisting other small businesses with their digital production and marketing needs is the primary goal of Just Adventure Productions LLC, a recent recipient of a $10,000 Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) Seed Capital Matching Grant.
Justin Falin officially opened the business which provides full-service videography, done videography, and social media marketing in December 2022. Expansion plans for the future include web design, mobile apps and social media training services.
Currently, the business employs one full-time and one part-time employee and has worked with several small businesses in Wise County and the Town of Big Stone Gap.
“VCEDA was pleased to assist Just Adventure Productions, LLC with a seed capital grant,” said Jonathan Belcher, VCEDA executive director/general counsel. “The business projects up to four full-time and two part-time employees within five years.”
“We have a vision to become the premiere digital media production and marketing agency in the region,” Falin said. “Our goals are to be a reliable and reputable business that becomes integral in aiding the digital marketing success of residents and businesses in Southwest Virginia.
“Just Adventure Productions provides a full range of consulting under one roof and is intended to propel businesses into the digital age of media and marketing,” Falin said. “We work with businesses, organizations and individuals of all types to tell their story, showcase testimonials, showcase products and services, recruit new talent or supporters, highlight a competitive edge and more.”
Falin, who is also completing his senior year at the University of Tennessee majoring in mass communications, is a member of the Wedding and Event Videographers Association International and is completing the criteria to receive the WEVA International Merited Professional Videographer certification.
Just Adventure Productions LLC Owner Justin Falin opened his new business to assist other small businesses with their digital production and marketing needs. Just Adventure Productions LLC is a recent recipient of a VCEDA seed capital matching grant.
His videography career began as an idea from a friend to document their fishing adventures during the pandemic. He became interested in how to grow his social media followings through engagement, interaction and responsive analytics and as his social media following began to grow, he began getting requests from other businesses to help with their digital content and promotions. With four years of production experience, he decided to form his own company.
Tabitha Hibbitts Grieger is the social media consultant for Just Adventure Productions, bringing more than 20 years of small business experience in addition to experience in the corporate setting, political campaigns and state government, Falin said.
“Just Adventure Productions holds as a core value an emphasis on treating all of our customers with the individuality and attention they deserve as partners,” Falin said. “We understand the obstacles many business owners face when trying to market themselves and our focus is on providing personal yet professional digital media and marketing to Southwest Virginia at an unparalleled value.”
The VCEDA grant, Falin said, “definitely helped us a lot. The equipment used is expensive and without the grant, I would have had to go in debt to purchase the additional right equipment we needed. I had already invested about $20,000 in getting things up and running so this grant really helped. We hope to be hiring some more people on our production crew in the near future.”
Falin indicated he will primarily focus on business customers in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.
Falin worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing his application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Wise County Industrial Development Authority.
“Justin’s new business to our region is real game-changer for all sorts of ventures in marketing and public relations,” said Becki O’Quinn-Purdie, SBDC program director at MECC. “His genuine passion for the area not only shines through, but radiates positivity, casting SWVA in the most vibrant and impactful light. Mountain Empire Community College’s SBDC has enjoyed working with Just Adventure and seeing how his services will positively reflect our local businesses and communities.”
“We are pleased to see Just Adventure Productions receive the VCEDA Seed Capital Grant,” said Natalie Chapman, Wise County economic development supervisor. “A number of Wise County entrepreneurs have successfully launched and expanded their small businesses with support from this grant program in recent years and Just Adventure Productions, offering digital media and marketing services, is a prime example and will be a welcome addition to Wise County’s business community.”
Just Adventure Productions, LLC may be reached by calling 276-393-9835. The business may also be found on Facebook, or through its website at justadventureproductions.com.
About Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Southwest Virginia’s e-Region: The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1988 to enhance and diversify the region’s economy and help create jobs, markets Southwest Virginia’s e-Region and its focus on electronic information technology, energy, education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship. VCEDA is a unique economic development organization that manages funds for economic development projects from a percentage of the coal and natural gas severance taxes paid by coal and natural gas companies that operate in the region. Located in southwestern Virginia, the region includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton. www.vceda.us or www.e-Region.org.
About the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority Seed Capital Matching Grant Fund: VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell, and Wise counties and the City of Norton.