Special Guest Feature: Joe Kessler | Purpose Fueled Saint Paul
Joe never went to film school. He learned video production on the go, one project at a time, starting with an on-camera hosting gig for Walmart that cracked open a whole new way of seeing his work.
He believes everyone is a compelling character worthy of having their tale told. He’s also raised three daughters he calls confident, funny, and creative, and he’ll tell you the Eagles winning the Super Bowl twice matters to him almost as much.
This is him.
1. What do you actually do (in plain language), the way you’d explain it to a friend over coffee?
I own and operate Kessler Productions; a full service video production company based here in the Twin Cities. We do video projects both here and all over the country, all with the goal of helping people/businesses be the star they are in front of the camera.
2. What’s the moment or decision that changed the direction of your life or career?
Walmart. I landed an on-camera hosting gig for Walmart years back, were every week, or every other week we’d be doing commercials that I was he host for and it was that commercial campaign that expanded my vision of the video production space and also helped me hone in on specific skills as the host, around making people feel comfortable on camera.
3. What do you believe about people that most others in your field don’t?
Everyone is a compelling character worthy of having their tale told.
4. What are you most proud of — in life, not just in work?
Raising 3 confident, funny, beautiful, sweet, kind, clever, creative and compassionate daughters…and of course The Philadelphia Eagles winning the super bowl (twice now)
5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Actor
6. How do your closest friends or family describe you? Who do they say you are?
Thoughtful, selfless, caring, funny, obsessive compulsive, chill, and an over-the-top Philly sports fan…
7. What don’t people know about you that they should?
I’ve had over 100 stitches in my lifetime (my poor mother raised me in and out of a hospital)…I’ve dealt with the grief of losing a newborn son…I’ve run a few different businesses over the years in both the comedy and improv scene as well as the filmmaking scene…I produced a short documentary during COVID featuring “Hope Breakfast Bar” and their efforts to feed the Twin Cities during a trying time, of which one several awards in various film festivals around the country.
8. What does “purpose” mean to you personally?
To bring a mix of joy and empathy into the world.
9. What’s the title of your next chapter — in life or in business?
Keep-sake creatives…aiming to create some content that pairs a mix of the video storytelling side of things we do in business but steering it towards some personal projects.
10. What don’t people know about you that they should?
I didn’t go to school for filmmaking or video production…I sorta learned it on-the-go.
11. What’s one thing you’re hoping people leave your conversation thinking about?
Give people space and be patient with those around you, even when you just want to zip past, onto the next thing.
12. What’s a question you wish more people would ask you?
Would you like fries with that? JK… IDK… Who has been influential in your world and why?
About Joe
- Name: Joe Kessler
- Title: Owner
- Company: Kessler Productions
Join Us at Purpose Fueled
Conversations like this one happen every month at Purpose Fueled Saint Paul, hosted by Scott Wiyninger. If you want to be in the room for the next one, reserve your spot here.