In a recent episode of the Diamond Podcast, host Alfredo Diamond sat down with Tyler Moore, owner of Bolt Media Company, to discuss his journey from banking to video production entrepreneurship. Moore’s story is a compelling example of how unexpected paths and opportunities can lead to fulfilling careers.
Small Town Beginnings
Tyler Moore grew up in the small rural community of College Corner, situated between Liberty and Oxford. With a locksmith father who worked for Miami University and a mother in nursing, Moore describes his upbringing as being surrounded by hardworking parents. This early exposure to his father’s side locksmith business planted the seeds of entrepreneurial thinking in young Tyler.
After graduating from Miami University with a business degree, Moore began his professional career as a bank teller at Fifth Third Bank, eventually getting promoted to banker over his seven-year tenure there.
The Unexpected Pivot
What makes Moore’s story particularly interesting is how his career took an unexpected turn. While attending a large church near Cincinnati, he felt called to ministry work. This led him to complete a two-year Bible college program and eventually accept a dual role at the church as both Small Groups Director and Video Director.
“I thought the video was going to be a really small part of what I did,” Moore explained during the interview. However, this role reignited his long-standing interest in photography and videography, transforming it into “a full-blown passion.”
The Power of Mentorship
A pivotal moment in Moore’s development came when the church arranged for him to be trained by “Dave,” a professional who had worked on feature films with actors like Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson. This mentorship profoundly impacted Moore’s approach to visual media.
“He taught me how important the moment is… when you capture an image, when you take a picture, when you are shooting video like we are today, it’s honestly like magic,” Moore reflected. “The ability for us to freeze a moment in time… is a technological advance that civilizations never experienced until the last hundred years.”
Launching Bolt Media Company
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Moore’s role at the church expanded significantly as video became the primary method of communication with congregations. This experience, combined with increasing freelance opportunities, eventually led him to launch his own business in May/June 2021.
Moore’s transition wasn’t a blind leap—he started with two contracts already in place, including one with a studio in Harrison, Ohio, where he continued to freelance while building his client base. He immediately connected with local chambers of commerce to network with other business owners, emphasizing the importance of relationship-building over traditional marketing techniques.
The Business Approach
Today, Bolt Media Company operates under the tagline “Video Marketing Made Simple.” Moore takes a consultative approach with clients, focusing on understanding their “why” before determining what type of video content would best serve their needs.
“We really want to understand the vision, mission, and values of every organization we work with,” Moore explained. “If we know those things, the types of videos you need become very clear.”
Faith and Entrepreneurship
Throughout the interview, Moore emphasized how his faith has guided his journey. He views his time at the church not as a calculated career move but as a transformative experience that served as a “launching pad” for his future endeavors.
When discussing business challenges, Moore offered wisdom about the entrepreneurial journey: “A lot of people look at starting your own business and quitting your job as one big leap. It’s just that’s the first one. And then there’s a series of so many more leaps.”
His faith helps him navigate these ongoing challenges: “If God brought me this far, I’m not going to… He’s not going to just say, ‘Oh, well, now we’re done.’ So that’s where faith comes in for me.”
Looking Forward
Now operating a studio on Second Street in Richmond with a growing staff, Moore continues to focus on helping clients tell their stories through video. One of his proudest achievements was creating a brand video for Abilities, a local organization, that went viral and effectively communicated their mission in just three minutes.
Moore’s journey illustrates how passion, mentorship, networking, and faith can combine to create a successful entrepreneurial path—even when that path looks nothing like what you initially expected.