Doc Waller, Creator of Becoming Possible

Doc Waller, a creative entrepreneur whose lifestyle brand is about helping people create moments that provide them with the ambition to explore their capacities. Everyone can benefit from having a mentor or someone to help them find their passion. Allow Doc an inspirational architect inspire you with his Becoming Possible lifestyle brand.

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Location: East Alabama

Year Founded: 2013

Company Name, Title: Becoming Possible (Doc Waller Studios, LLC)

Education: College Dropout (the USAF was my education)

Favorite quote:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” – Teddy Roosevelt

Website: www.becomingpossible.com

Social media handles: @docwaller (Twitter & Instagram), doc.waller (Facebook), Becomingpossible (Google+)

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Can you give a brief introduction about your BPossible Lifestyle brand? What inspired you to create BPossible and what did it take to get your brand where it is today?
Becoming Possible is 50% an extension of how I believe I’ve approached life since around the age of 21, and 50% of the perspective I embraced after having to step away from a long-term passion project I put nearly all of my heart and soul into. It’s a way of looking at life and responding to the ups and downs that are a part of the chaos that comes with it. In regards to the lifestyle part of Becoming Possible, it’s only been over the past year or so that I decided to begin opening up other parts of my life (style, health, soul, professional) to my audience as a means of spreading the core message of Becoming Possible.

To get here, it’s just taken the pure willingness to get things wrong. In my head, I knew what I wanted to get across, and I knew what kind of impact I wanted to have on my audience/followers. However, it’s taken a good two years or so to shake off the cobwebs, figure out what doesn’t work, and truly embrace the elements of my identity/voice – which, in the end, is really what “brand” is.

In your BPossible brand you speak about inspiring people which is so important when creating a vision. How is your brand and mentoring program able to help others?
I think it’s impactful because I’m really focused on articulating the very practical side of inspiration. A lot of the work I do is trying to find ways to move the entire idea of inspiration out of the realm of cliche, or fantastical, or whimsical. We can’t deny the need to be inspired. However, I think it’s hard for a lot of people to show, or admit publicly that they need inspiration. Inspiration is like air, if we don’t get enough of it, we begin to suffocate. I see that as a truth, and that’s why I’m so driven to continue to create and curate that inspiration.

Would you be willing to share how you started your company (ie, funding, branding, advertising, etc.)? What surprised you about the process?
Well, generally it started through self funding. Any content I produced (ex: On Beauty with Doc Waller web series) came from money I earned from emcee-ing, or teaching workshops, etc. Then, after realizing I wanted to embrace building the brand full-time (taking an extended-hiatus from professional theatre), I met with a colleague (who I have a close relationship with) and asked if she’d be willing to help me find some investments to get my brand off the ground. She actually decided to provide those funds herself, and with her support, I’ve largely been able to grind through the first year and a half of experimenting, failing, and developing.

I think the only thing that has surprised me about the process, has been a few moments when I thought, “Damn! Why did I spend that much time and money on that idea!?” At times, I surprised myself by not thinking things through.

Self doubt sometimes stop people from trying new ventures. What words of encouragement can you offer individuals starting a business and for those trying to find their creative outlet, passion or even their own voice?
Love your difficulty.

Seriously. You have to find a way to have an intimate relationship with your difficulty and challenges. Just like being in a relationship where you love the other person, and won’t turn your back on them just because they get on your nerves or cause you headaches every now and then. You have to appreciate the shit you go through, realize that’s it’s only making you stronger, and know that it’s all going to be a part of your success story in the end.

You had an amazing opportunity to speak at a Tedx Talk. Can you describe your experience as a TED speaker? Did this platform influence you to start your BPossible brand? In all of your speaking engagements what do you hope the audience walks away with?
I truly is a great opportunity. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking/performer at both TEDxHuntsville (with my nonprofit group) and TEDxAtlanta. The opportunity really hit home because I was a major fan of the TED conferences before I was asked to speak.

Yes, actually. The TEDxAtlanta talk was very much a turning point in my life. I can even remember being on stage and thinking “This moment is a new chapter for me.” Having to prepare for that talk gave me the foundation for what is Becoming Possible today.

You know, I think I just want audiences to believe me. That’s all. Everything else handles itself. As long as the audience can feel a certain amount of authenticity and love in what I’m delivering – I’m satisfied.

Do you have any upcoming events or future projects you’re working on?
Yep! I am launching a new live event series called Made Possible in Atlanta on February 21st at Polygon in Atlantic Station. My goal is to make this first event a success and tour with it throughout the remainder of the year in other cities. Tickets for the Atlanta leg of Made Possible can be purchased at my website.

What productivity tools do you use to get work done (This can be an app, software, book, etc)?
I’m a major fan of the Google apps. Keep and Drive help me maintain my sanity. For small desktop publish needs I use products from Serif, and for larger needs I love anything by Adobe. For video editing, Sony Vegas is my go to. In terms of books, I try to read “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield at least once a quarter. It’s a must read!

What’s been a defining moment in your career and what can we look for from Doc Waller in the coming years?
I have three defining moments. (1) Going into the Air Force, (2) moving to NYC to work as an actor, (3) moving on from my nonprofit, The Layman Group.

As far as the future…much more consistent, high quality content. Starting next month, I’m going to get back into churning out daily videos, as well as larger curated interview content. Come 2015, I will definitely be speaking on stage much more frequently. I’m also going to stick to plans of increasing the personal engagement with my followers. Becoming Possible will be successful as long as its community can flourish and interact. That’s very important to me.

Be sure to check out Becoming Possible and follow all social media channels.