Making the Right Moves: Stellar Focus Media Scales Up with a Microloan from TEDC

Table of Contents:
The Search for the Right Career Path
Turning a Passion into a Thriving Business
Embracing an Entrepreneurial Mindset Requires Determination
Finding a Financial Partner That Champions Small Businesses
Eyes on a Future That Is Bright with Potential

As a young entrepreneur, Tulsa native Joel DeArchae Mackey has been fortunate to find his passion in something that could become a full-time way to earn money. As owner and head Creative Director at Stellar Focus Media LLC, he helps fellow business owners build their social following and promote their companies through video, ads, and more—with equipment funded by a microloan through TEDC Creative Capital.

The Search for the Right Career Path

Born and raised in Tulsa, Joel Mackey always had a creative bent. “I loved movies. I loved music. I wanted to be an actor,” he says. An athlete as well, he soon found himself blending athletics and creative communications through high school and college. “I would make and edit little sports videos and post them as a way to express myself,” he says.

After graduating from college, Joel explored many jobs—communications, sales, insurance, and even waiting tables, which he sees as beneficial to his journey into entrepreneurship. He learned the value of effective communication skills, networking with people, and putting himself out there. Landing on video creation, social media, and marketing strategy happened as he was simply living life and following his passions.

One day, he was lifting weights with some friends, and as it happened, one of them had a camera. They took turns recording each other, and Joel discovered a new artistic passion. “I’d never had a camera before, and I just fell in love with using it,” he says. “So I bought my own camera in February 2024. That’s how I originally decided this is what I want to do. And ever since I started, I just haven’t looked back. Nothing ever made me feel as purposeful as this.”

Turning a Passion into a Thriving Business

With his passion now clear, Joel began exploring opportunities to make it profitable. He opened his video and media strategy business, Stellar Focus Media, in the summer of 2024. Various realtors and real estate investors in his network were the first to reach out, and he helped them by shooting photos and videos of their properties.

 Much of his early work, he did for free for fellow business owners. But when he had his first video and photography shoot that paid over $1,000, he realized he could sustain himself long-term if he made the right moves. “That’s what really opened up my mind, as far as, I can really make some money for this work,” he says.

Through Stellar Focus Media, Joel is constantly looking for ways to help others scale up their businesses. He scripts, films, edits, and posts the ads he creates and then implements different systems and software programs to turn ad views into leads and booked calls. “At the end of the day, that’s what business owners care about the most,” he says.

With this pattern of strategy, creation, and then monitoring progress, Joel has seen dramatic results from his work at Stellar Focus Media. “One of my friends was a fitness coach,” he says. “I helped him scale his Instagram from 2,000 followers to 15,000 followers, and he’s coaching and doing his thing now. Somebody else that I know, Seth White, is a realtor, but he also does music and has a brand as well that I helped scale to 70,000 followers on TikTok. He made $30,000-40,000 on one of his drops.”

Embracing an Entrepreneurial Mindset Requires Determination

With such success, it might be tempting to think Joel has had it easy. But he’s dealt with challenges as well. Like most people, he has faced imposter syndrome at times, which he tackled in part by building small successes early. Seeing the smiles on the faces of those he helps and hearing them say they appreciate his work has been transformational. His business success has given him confidence and helped him be comfortable in his own skin as an entrepreneur.

“I believe entrepreneurship is a reflection of your self-development,” Joel says. “You have to really put in the time to understand yourself better.” To do that, Joel focused on recognizing the things that were holding him back from being creative, disciplined, or showing up for himself—personal work that isn’t always easy but is definitely worth it.

“These have definitely been some of the hardest years of my life,” he says. “But I’ve never been more happy and more purposeful than I am now. When you go through things, they mold you and help you grow.” This self-growth is essential to sustaining a small business, he says. “I think that’s how God is looking at it. If you want a growing business, then in order for you to sustain it in the future, you have to build those habits and that foundation now.”

Finding a Financial Partner That Champions Small Businesses

Part of Joel’s entrepreneurial journey has included learning to make the right moves financially, including finding funds to purchase top-notch equipment for filming, editing, and more. He first heard about TEDC Creative Capital when he opened his business bank account at Regent Bank. He wanted to ensure cash flow in his business to accomplish his goals long-term, which included personal goals too, such as helping out his parents.

“I thought, if this is chess, I want to make the smartest move on the board,” Joel says. As he talked with Regent Bank about a more traditional SBA loan, he came to understand that a microloan would serve him better. So, Regent Bank connected him with TEDC.

 Joel learned a lot as he worked on his microloan with TEDC. It was the first time he’d had to do a balance sheet, for instance. But, TEDC guided Joel throughout the process and made it simple. He appreciated his loan officer’s responsive approach to his questions, as well as the support that went beyond just a financial transaction and included believing in him and his business.

“Just having people who believe in you is a big thing,” Joel says. “TEDC was actually going through the process of helping build my business up, and that’s just something you don’t see with a lot of lenders,” he says. “That’s real value. I can tell that they actually care about me and want me to succeed, which is huge for me. It’s just as huge as them helping me with the funding. The experience was just 10 out of 10.”

Eyes on a Future That Is Bright with Potential

With new equipment in hand and a clear vision, Joel has positioned Stellar Focus Media for greater growth. He is looking forward to working with people all over the world and employing a team of creative professionals to help him do it. Focusing on his purpose is a lesson he’s learned, and he encourages other entrepreneurs to do the same.

“The biggest thing is just understanding your values, understanding your why for what you want,” Joel says. “The ‘why’ is always the most important thing when it comes to building anything.” For him, that means being the best he can be, not just professionally but personally.

“I want to be the type of man that I know God wants me to be,” Joel says. “That’s what pushes me to get up and do what I need to do to secure my future every day. I’m focusing on just being present and not taking anything for granted.”

If you have a small business you’d like to scale with new equipment or more, TEDC Creative Capital can help. As a community-minded financial institution focused on small businesses, TEDC provides a variety of nontraditional funding vehicles, from SBA loans to microloans and more, alongside educational programs to equip entrepreneurs with the tools they need for success. Connect with our friendly team to learn more.