60 seconds with austin huddy: “always remember: story first.”

hot take: people – not computers – still say the coolest stuff. this series is dedicated to the soundbites, aha! moments & stories that are undeniably human.   

A network is a powerful thing. It can bring you mentors, job opportunities, and a chance to exchange ideas with peers. 

Or, in the case of toth shop, it brought us Austin Huddy. 

I met Austin Huddy in college at Queens University of Charlotte, and while our paths didn’t overlap closely back then, I continued to follow his work as his career evolved. When he launched Huddy Media, a Charlotte-based video production studio, I was genuinely excited to watch what he built – and consistently impressed by the clarity, thoughtfulness, and story-driven approach he brought to his projects with both brands and nonprofits. Austin has a rare ability to balance creative instincts with business strategy, which is exactly what stood out to me as I watched his company grow.

So when toth shop started looking for the right creative partner to elevate our video work, Austin immediately came to mind. Since working together, he’s delivered work that is not only beautifully executed, but intentional and effective, always starting with the story, the audience, and the goal.

Inviting Austin into this 60 Seconds series felt like an easy yes. His perspective reflects exactly how he shows up in his work: grounded, strategic, and human.

– crawford

toth shop (ts):  In 10 words or less, what do brands need to remember about using video effectively?

Austin Huddy (AH): Make your audience feel something, or they’ll forget everything.

ts: You describe your work as a blend of storytelling and promotion. Why is that balance so important?

AH: People inherently don’t want to be marketed to or sold to, but they’re always open to a good story. Storytelling is what makes people lean in and builds trust. Promotion turns that trust into action. One without the other is either art with no impact or marketing with no soul. Finding the right balance can be challenging at times, but when you find the sweet spot, you humanize your brand, build trust, and create an emotional impact that gets real business results.

ts: How can smaller brands or nonprofits compete visually with larger organizations?

AH: I believe it’s way easier for smaller brands/nonprofits to compete with larger organizations in the video and marketing space than they believe. Smaller brands win by being more human. Big brands have budgets, but small brands have proximity, authenticity, and real stories. 

Always remember: story first. Nobody, and I do mean nobody, has better stories to tell than local nonprofits and small businesses. In my experience, some of the most impactful work I’ve been a part of has been boots-on-the-ground and “run & gun” style storytelling, because it feels real, it feels authentic.

I could probably write a short novel on all the ins and outs of how to create an impactful video on a smaller budget, but just remember: a good story with a small budget beats a bland story with a big budget every single time!

ts: What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned while behind the camera?

AH: I originally got into video because I loved the technical side of it. Cameras, lighting, framing, editing. I thought that was what separated good video from bad video. And that stuff still matters, but it’s not the most important part. What surprised me is how much the real magic comes from making people feel comfortable. When someone feels relaxed and safe on camera, they stop performing and start being themselves. That’s when you get honesty, emotion, and moments you could never script. I can’t tell you how many emotionally impactful interviews I’ve gotten with people that have started out with them saying: ‘I’m terrible on camera.’ The truth is, if you’re not an actor or a TV personality, then you’re probably not great on camera. Creating an environment where people forget the cameras are there and let their guard down has been the most important thing I’ve ever learned in this business, and that’s something that wasn’t even on my radar when I first started.

ts: Every person we interview answers this same question last – Mile 18 is generally considered to be one of the hardest miles in a marathon. You’re hitting a wall. You’re forced to dig deep. What’s that look like in your line of work (or at a point in your career), and what do you tell yourself when you find yourself in the middle of a Mile 18?

AH: Mile 18 in my line of work can surface in many ways. The way that initially comes to mind is getting backed up on my work when I have a ton of shoots, meetings, and post-production timelines all converging together. Combine that with trying to balance time with my wife and son, taking care of my physical health, and trying to find a moment to let myself rest. I’m sure everyone can relate to the challenges of finding the “work-life balance” (if that actually exists) especially business owners.

In these moments, it can be tempting to rush through an edit, or not take time to properly prepare for a meeting to try to catch up, but I always remind myself that this is the part that separates ‘good enough’ from great.

Most importantly, I always come back to gratitude. I get to tell stories, work with creative people, and create impactful art for a living. I love what I do, and I’ve realized how rare that is. Keeping that mindset pushes me through any adversity that I might encounter, and ensures I give my all to every single project that my clients trust me with.