Today we’d like to introduce you to SoCal Shaolin.
Hello SoCal Shaolin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I started my channel and making toy review videos in 2012. I am a fan of Pixel Dan so that’s what I wanted to do. I quickly found out I wasn’t having any fun doing reviews. I always went out hunting for toys and collectibles, so I just started filming my hunts and that’s what my channel became and what it’s known for. I love showcasing toy stores, comic shops, and conventions in San Diego and anywhere on my travels. Viewers and subscribers tell me they like my videos because they find out about new places to hunt, they didn’t know existed. Other viewers enjoy them because they wouldn’t be able to visit them because of where they live. With my channel, I bring these toy stores to every viewer.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. The first few years nobody was watching my videos. I thought about quitting many times. Once I stopped making review videos and filming my toy hunts and finds, it became enjoyable. I have fun hunting and being surprised by what I find and sharing that with my subscribers. It making editing the videos fun. Editing can take hours, even for a simple 10-minute video. Enjoying what I do is what has kept my channel going for 11 years. Once viewers started seeing how much fun I was having and showcasing all these cool stores and Cons, the views and subscribers started growing. Now, it’s my loyal viewers and subscribers that keep me going. I didn’t start doing this to be a social media influencer. I started my channel for the fun and love of the hobby. My subscribers know this, and that’s why they support me. I’ve made some good friends in real life from subscribers of my channel. Made many more friends online that I hope to meet one day. The toy community is awesome!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My YouTube channel is one of my hobbies, and enjoy doing it. I have a full-time job and a family. I have my wife and 2 sons. Finding time to hunt and edit can be challenging, but I usually work on editing after everyone’s asleep
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Start a YouTube channel and make videos on something you enjoy doing. Don’t do it to become an influencer or to make it your job. That will come naturally. If you make videos just to follow the trends it won’t be any fun. Just do what you enjoy. Don’t worry about views or subscribers
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socalshaolin/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/socalshaolin
