Jacob Tell launches LoDo Studios in Santa Barbara

BizHawk: LoDo Studios Steps Into the Spotlight in Santa Barbara

LoDo Studios owner Jacob Tell has opened a production and recording space at 216 E. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara. (Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo)

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Lower downtown Santa Barbara is home to a new and creative venue.

Created by entrepreneur Jacob Tell, LoDo Studios offers full-scale production areas for photo and video shoots, as well as a professional recording studio for voiceovers and podcast content. 

Tell, owner of marketing agency Oniracom, lauched the business earlier this year. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies and nonprofit organizations were aching for a return to parties, gathering and special events. LoDo Studios offers the space in its urban outdoor area at 216 E. Gutierrez St. The event area encompasses about 5,000 square feet of usable space for events of any size.

Among the groups that have rented the venue include the Green Business Network, the Isla Vista Youth Projects, the Environmental Defense Center, Los Padres ForestWatch, the Santa Barbara Foundation and the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade. The space also has hosted music events for local record label We’Wey Records and Sofar Sounds and comedy nights in association with Don’t Tell Comedy, according to a news release. 

“Real estate comes at a premium in Santa Barbara, and small- and medium-sized businesses don't often have budgets that allow them a high-cost production or event space," Tell said. "Not only are we reasonably priced, but we have gear and talented team members ready to collaborate with Santa Barbara's community."

Tell said that before COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted, nonprofit organizations were unable to run their in-person galas but still needed to raise their annual funds.

"They turned to livestream technology," Tell said, "and with our talented livestream team, we ended up hosting over 30 nonprofit fundraising livestream events from our studio space."

Tell created Oniracom, a digital marketing agency whose clients include singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, as well companies Spotify, AEG, NPR, Universal and others. 

The next big event at LoDo Studios is the Santa Barbara Solstice Foundation and its “Get on Board 2023” event on Oct. 15 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free and brings together local artists and community members.

[Article Source]

Jacob Tell featured on: The Customer Experience Advantage Podcast

Thank you David Avrin for featuring me on your podcast, and for the awesome introduction!

“There's no shortage of professionals who espouse the importance of impacting the world but, let's be honest, how many of them actually do? Well, my guest today runs a very successful creative services agency that not only works on causes they believe in, but helps their clients do it as well. Jacob Tell is one of the founders of Oniracom. He is one of the most brilliant, strategic, and effective marketing leaders I have ever known. Let's talk about profitable and impactful marketing with our guest Jacob Tell.”

See the episode and transcription on David Avrin’s website.

Below is a little teaser for the podcast if you need more convincing before watching the full episode.

Darryl Tell Celebration of Life Speech

APRIL 30, 2022 - Carlsbad, CA

By Jacob Tell

Photos by Kathy Tell

As optimistically as I operate, it’s critical to acknowledge the range of ones’ emotions. 

So to start I will say that it sucks my dad was diagnosed with a super rare blood cancer. It sucks that my dad suffered. It sucks he didn’t live longer as he told my mom several times that he wasn’t ready to go. It sucks he’s gone; I miss him. It sucks that many of you didn’t have an opportunity to see him recently, or to say goodbye — maybe because of the pandemic, or maybe because of distance. Or that my dad’s wishes to be private about his health kept a sense of urgency from seeping into your psyches like it did the Tell family. Many of you didn’t even know he was sick at all until he had already left us. Part of the human condition; not forecasting our futures.

My gratitude however, runs much deeper than all of this. And it has recently come with ease for me to draw upon silver linings. I mean look at you all, carving out precious springtime — traveling across timezones, some of you from different continents — all to be together, here, to celebrate Darryl Tell.

So yes, it has become natural for me to draw upon silver linings. 

Silver linings like having time in his final months to peer into his upbringing and gain understanding how being “Other” or being “Outsider” could mold his cynical worldview, his appreciation for diversity, his questioning of authority,  and his quest for justice. 

Silver linings like being with my mom, focused solely on her now.  Planning with her and Sarah for our futures. Hell, even doing taxes together gave us a sense of accomplishment that would bring my dad’s mind ease.

Silver linings like hearing stories from strangers or faint acquaintances about the great impact my dad provided them throughout their lives. Stories about the time he went to bat for them, protected them, educated them, or really heard them. Darryl Tell shared moments that genuinely mattered to so many — something I firmly understand, and yet am just beginning to understand.

Silver linings like reconnecting with childhood friends and learning my dad meant something deeper to them than being merely their buddy’s parent. Then recalling fading stories, or finding old photographs, or VHS tapes, and retelling his countlessly retold bad dad jokes.

Silver linings like experiencing palpable moments of sadness and grief with Kerri, which have created profound understanding for each other’s loss and love.

Silver linings like recognizing what my dad has meant to me at various stages of my life. For example, that he’s been my source of “YES AND” energy, encouraging my varied entrepreneurial ventures, and stoking my wild experiments throughout life.

And perhaps the greatest silver lining recognized yet is the lesson shared directly from my dad for us all: to make the most of the moments we are gifted. 

He told me several times in his final months:

“Do not wait. Travel and explore. Experience the world. Find new foods and cultures. Spend time with people you love. Spend more money on life’s experiences, rather than save it for material assets.” 

Or as I recently and often enjoy saying “Do all the things.” 

Upon his passing, this new perspective feels light on my heart. 

• Appreciation for the moment.

• Actively listening to self, the world, and others.

• Being present.

• Seeking wholeness.

• Taking life by the smooth handle.

• Not taking for granted our time with one another.

It really is life to “Do all the things.” Part of the human condition; living in the moment. 

Thank you all for being here to celebrate Darryl Tell.

And finally, to briefly share my words written moments after my dad’s passing on February 13, 2022:

“Thank you, Dad: you inspired, taught, questioned, challenged, illustrated; you gave unconditional love, humor, interest, insight, understanding; you are wise, sincere, brilliant, hilarious, and infinite. I’ll forever carry your spirit and continue to make you proud. I love you.”