Gentle Media (origin story)

The Day it Started
I was standing in the front door of the Apple Store in Los Angeles helping as many customers as I could during Covid-19. I said goodbye to someone I had helped and they were beaming with joy. The sad thing? I would most likely never see them again or be able to help them again. The experience I had just provided them would benefit the brand at large but not myself or the customer (long term, if they expect similar service). Quite possibly, my standards are my own and I could never have been expected to match those of a corporation’s- due to sheer size.

Somewhere along the way, I realized the experiences I had gained up until that point, lead me to a clear path of helping others in a systematic and sustainable way. From working on set for major film, tv, and commercial productions for over six years and in specialty coffee shops for five years before that, I felt a special sense of awareness to people’s need for technical solutions to be delivered in a clear, kind yet firm fashion.

That day, April 14, 2021, I incorporated Gentle Media in an effort to push myself to market rather than waiting on an approval that would never come. From that day on, I have felt the silent push from the business to give it the sustenance and breath it needs to survive as an organization. In seeking to solve for long-term problems, Gentle Media intends to support new businesses opening each year by providing helpful information, resources, and services that allow business owners to do what they do best- lead.

Backstory

The first time I thought my name would make a good name for my business I was 23 years old and had just moved to California. Through a series of relationships and good luck, I found myself working on set for a Chinese smartphone commercial for Huawei. What was so special about it was that the photographer was Russel James and the model was Gal Gadot. After taking in the environment (and knowing nothing of hierarchical structures that drive the industry) I realized nobody was taking pictures on the phone that the commercial was for. 

I’m not a genius but didn’t we all learn from Apple that ‘Shotoniphone’ was not limited to iPhone? If we are attempting to sell the new (at the time) Huawei Matte 10 Pro with the Leica lens shouldn’t we be using the camera itself to show off its benefits? 

With that in mind, I approached the client team from China. After pitching the idea- that I (an assistant from the B crew) take photos on the hero product for the shoot. She loved the idea and got my address so after I finished so she could send me the new device (unavailable for purchase in the USA)- which she later did.

This exchange of services for goods was a favorite memory of mine for many reasons. Ultimately, I created an opportunity where I was otherwise a fly on the wall. I am always where I am for a reason. That much I know. For that reason, I continue to push forward in my business. Truthfully, the whole world Is a commercial set, with the ‘higher-ups’ waiting with baited breath to receive great ideas and actions for their benefit from anyone who will speak up. And to anyone willing to speak up, there is an untold reward for doing so.

Here and Now

This brings us to late 2022 where Gentle Media has served some incredible new businesses all across the country ranging from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma and beyond. We serve new businesses seeking to establish or maintain their online presence. One crucial change, happening now, is the transition from providing traditional web design offerings to a service-based offering which include Analytics and Performance reporting. By incorporating monthly measurements and insights, we are able to provide huge benefits to the client by covering all website needs including speed, performance, security and analytics as well as the traditional SEO, copywriting, e-commerce, product listing, UX/UI etc. offerings. The focus has to be on the real, in-world, business owner who is facing problems we are trained to fix.

If you started a SquareSpace website and are now stuck, please reach out to us so we can help you get unstuck and back on track to greatness with your brand or project.

Sincerely,
Philip “Zeke” Gentle
founder / CEO