27 years old • Berthoud
Co-owner of TFLstudios
What’s your occupation? Explain your career, accomplishments and professional highlights.
I helped found, produce and now help manage TFLstudios. We specialize in news, views and reviews about cars, trucks and motorcycles of all ages, sizes and shapes. Across eight YouTube channels, we have a following of more than 4 million subscribers. I am very fortunate to have a team of 12 talented producers, presenters, videographers and editors that help make fun, family-friendly content that is seen by roughly 20 million viewers every month. It truly is a dream job I am very grateful for.
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I have been interested in cars, trucks and anything with wheels for as long as I remember. My father, Roman, has a background in journalism and had the idea to start a blog in 2009. That same year, he handed me a dinky camera (I was 12) and told me to push record. Our first video went viral; 13 bored souls watched with mild amusement. We started publishing a YouTube video every day, and over the years, we have developed a relationship with nearly every car manufacturer and built a great team.
Tell us something unique about you.
I am not cool. I played clarinet for 11 years in every imaginable band. But not like, cool bands. Think of the lame kid from “American Pie.” Through it all, I somehow met an amazing group of friends and a wife who is way out of my league. As my band director once told me in high school, band kids always turn out alright.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
One time the mom of a 5-year-old sent us an email saying her son watches an off-road video we produced every day. For his fifth birthday, she baked him a cake with the three vehicles featured. That little guy is going to grow up with a fun and financially draining hobby.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
I hope to still be doing the exact same thing. The world of content creation on the internet is ever evolving, and just like “Wham!” and leg warmers, people’s tastes constantly change. What once was a fairly consistent platform now requires reinvention every couple of months.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
Stop, drop and roll is not as big of a concern as an adult as elementary school makes you believe it is. I (thankfully) haven’t needed it once. How about learning how to do taxes, or how to fold a fitted sheet?
What’s the commitment of being a content creator?
It’s a full-time job, usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the office. But sometimes the office might be a rugged dirt trail in Arizona or a swanky studio in Los Angeles. We operate a lot like most businesses, with staff meetings, water coolers and endless emails.
What are your favorite cars and why?
I am a huge classic car fan, but not exotic, million-dollar dream cars. I am most passionate about cars that are attainable, especially those that transport you back to the era they came from. A personal favorite of mine is the old Volkswagen Beetle. No other car provides such a memorable driving experience for less money than a slightly rusty bug.
