Are you ready to discover the story of an entrepreneur and filmmaker who followed his dreams and turned them into reality? A journey filled with passion, sacrifice, and hard work, this tale proves that when you truly love something, nothing can stand in your way. From the struggles of balancing passion and practicality to the ultimate triumph of success, this is a story worth reading and a journey worth taking. Join us as we unveil the inspiring story of a true dream chaser Mr Sree Vempaty.
Since childhood, it was Sree’s dream to become a filmmaker. It was his grandfather Late Mr Narasimha Murthy’s tales of working and knowing the greats of Tollywood and Kollywood, such as NTR, MGR, Savithri, and Jamuna, ignited the passion within him to become a masterful filmmaker, shaping his very destiny.
With a degree in engineering and a passion for filmmaking, Sree embarked on a journey in 2005 to pursue his true calling. For over 12 years, Sree was into IT consulting and business development, working for big companies like Accenture, Capgemini, and T-Mobile across the geographies. He and his family lived in the United States for 8 years during which he learnt the craft of filmmaking from the New York Film Academy. In 2016 Sree's passion for filmmaking burned brighter than ever before, and he was faced with a momentous decision: to continue with the job which is a safe and secure path or to chase his dreams. He knew that true fulfilment and happiness lay in pursuing his passion and he decided to pursue his dreams with courage, and determination. He believed that nothing is impossible when you put your heart and soul into it, and thus he set out to make his dreams a reality, in 2016 he gave up his green card, sold all of his assets in the USA, and relocated his entire family to India.
Sree's greatest source of strength and inspiration is his loving family, who stood by him every step of the way, cheering him on as he chased his dreams and encouraging him to pursue his passion with all his heart.
Bigger dreams need a small starting step. It was Sree's wife who encouraged him to make a short film and he shared the short film idea with his family and 8 of his friends who met every day for tea breaks while working at Capgemini. Sree made a short film with the help of his family & friends and it was well received. One of his friends, Arun Sankar, noticed excitement and passion among the team every time there was a discussion about Sree's short film or filmmaking. The group of friends were thinking about starting a business and looking at everyone’s interest Arun proposed to start a video production house.
Sree and his friends took a few days to sleep over the idea and asked themselves a crucial question, "If we owned a video production house, would we be willing to leave a theatre while watching our favourite star's film for a work call such as a video shoot?" The answer from all of them was a resounding YES, as their passion for filmmaking was burning fiercely within each one of them. And this was the moment that set Sree on the journey to realizing his dream of filmmaking.
That’s it, they’ve incorporated a company, named it 8 Spades. The word ‘Spades’ symbolizes the Capgemini company’s logo the spades symbol in it. The company which was the connecting point where 8 people met each other
Having Sree as co-founder and its first employee, 8 Spades, an ad agency started offering video production and digital marketing services in 2017.
8 Spades' very first opportunity came from Heritage Inspired, a company that offers exclusive heritage tourism. Sree and his team were tasked with creating a stunning video that captured the rich culture, heritage, and architectural wonders of the Chola dynasty in and around Thanjavur. Despite the restrictions of shooting with no lights, sets, tripods, cinematic cameras, etc. due to the Archeological Survey of India’s regulations with the sites, and with a limited budget, the end result was nothing short of astonishing, a truly mind-blowing video for the brand:
Here is where they started: https://youtu.be/02PWoK7cHRo
In 2017 Sep, Sree and his partner Arun embarked on a journey, armed with their first video as a calling card, reaching out to friends, potential customers and companies to seek opportunities. The road ahead was not easy, but they persisted and pushed forward, slowly but surely, and opportunities began to present themselves.
Since then, 8 Spades took off, soaring to new heights and leaving the past behind. Over the last 5 years, they have been unstoppable, working with an array of reputable brands across various industries leaving a trail of exceptional work and satisfied clients in their wake.
Today 8 Spades is among the leading advertising agencies in Chennai, working with India’s largest agencies partnering up for video production.
Here is what Sree said when we asked about his recommendation for future entrepreneurs: “The first of anything we do is never the best, whether it's the first song composed, first artwork, first stage show, or first video. Remember that it takes time and unwavering passion to master a skill and turn it into a thriving business. So, embrace the journey and have faith in your abilities, learn with each step, and you will become more skilled, confident and successful.”
When asked about what his customers say, he responded: “I and my team are fueled by a burning passion for what we do, and it shines through in every aspect of our work and interactions with our clients. We are dedicated to always doing what is best for our clients, even if it means turning down projects that do not align with our values or add value to the client's business. This unwavering commitment to integrity sets us apart and has been the driving force behind our success.”
Sree's father Mr Vempaty Vishnu Rao is a successful entrepreneur, he was the first in their family to pave the way into the business world. His father-in-law Mr Perumal Karunanidhi, a successful businessman too, serves as a shining example of hard work and determination. Together, they both have been a constant source of inspiration and guidance for Sree.
Sree comes from a close-knit joint family where love and relationships reign supreme. Living alongside his brother Surya and his family, the household is home to a total of 10 people. It was during his time at Accenture in 2007 that he met the love of his life, his wife Sowmya, who wholeheartedly supported his dream to become a filmmaker and consistently motivated him to do what he liked the most. What sets Sree's family apart is their selfless devotion to one another, putting love and family above all else, even going as far as putting all of the family members' earnings into one account and spending that money for family needs together.
The journey of Sree and 8 Spades has been nothing short of inspiring, both on a personal and professional level. Their unwavering passion and determination have led them to where they are today. We wish Sree and 8 Spades all the success and growth in the coming years, and eagerly anticipate the heights they will reach.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/embed/BgyccEbvfHU to follow his journey.
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