We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jake Huber. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Jake , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My 9-month-old baby girl, Romy, is my first child, and she has been nothing but joy for me and my wife, Grace. I love watching her grow up, and every day is special with her in our lives.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jake Huber, and I’m the Managing Partner of SplyceHouse, a creative company specializing in event video production. We create pre-produced content, event openers, recap videos, and on-site productions for clients ranging from nonprofits to Fortune 100 companies. If it’s event-related and outside traditional A/V, it’s our specialty.
Over time we saw that 90% of our revenue was tied to event videos, from fundraiser pieces to 24-hour turnaround recaps and high-energy hype videos. That led us to focus exclusively on events, where we can deliver the most value. We run a nimble, efficient operation that maintains high production quality and serves a clearly defined ideal client profile.
In our fourth year, this focus has paid off. We are now approved vendors for Amazon Web Services (AWS) and one of the largest hotel chains in the world, and our specialization has helped us stand out in competitive vendor pools. With several major projects in the works, we see this year as the start of an exciting next chapter for SplyceHouse.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
For me, two people stand out. The first is my father, the hardest worker I have ever known. He owned and managed a construction company while doing much of the labor himself. In an eight-hour day, the only breaks I saw him take were to think through a problem. He skipped lunch to get more work done and completed remodels faster than his competitors, often with just one or two helpers. His attention to detail, speed, and quality left a lasting impression on me, and I carry that same work ethic and operational mindset into SplyceHouse.
The second is former *Sports Illustrated* photographer Dave Klutho, with whom I worked for seven years before starting SplyceHouse. Dave was also incredibly hard-working, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. His eye for detail was unmatched, and his passion for creativity drove him to produce work that turned heads. He thrived on challenges others considered impossible.
From both my father and Dave, I learned that work ethic and problem-solving skills are invaluable. Those qualities have shaped me far more than simply knowing how to operate a camera or complete a project. They have influenced how I approach every aspect of my business.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There has never been a time when I truly considered giving up, but running a business definitely comes with ups and downs. At SplyceHouse, we have been fortunate to grow quickly, yet that growth has brought its own challenges and moments where I questioned why I chose this path.
Starting a business is exciting, and in the beginning there is a lot of uninformed optimism. Soon after comes a period of informed pessimism, when you realize how difficult and competitive the work is and that you may not have all the answers you thought you did. I reached a point where it became clear that, in order to grow beyond our current stage, I needed to develop new skills and gain a deeper understanding of business. All of this happens while you are still covering payroll, taxes, and benefits every two weeks, no matter how busy or slow things might be.
That period became what is known as a “crisis of meaning,” a stage where many business owners give up. You question everything you have done and why you chose to do it, while realizing that to move forward you have to take on tasks you may not enjoy or feel skilled at. I believe this is where many companies stall out or fail.
I pushed through that stage thanks to an incredible team and mentors I could turn to for guidance. Once I began to see the bigger picture, even the tasks I didn’t love became easier because I believed in the process of what we were building. Today, I feel we have moved into an “informed optimism” stage. We understand the challenges better, and we are more confident than ever about how to grow and improve as we move forward.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think there are a lot of incredibly smart people who are getting today’s marketing wrong. Marketing and sales work together, but too many people turn their marketing into sales. I see talented professionals tie nearly all of their marketing efforts to an “ask,” and in my opinion that approach devalues a brand. People don’t want to be sold to, and when marketing becomes a sales pitch, it often has the opposite effect.
I believe marketing should focus on providing value to an audience. There are hundreds of ways to do this without asking someone to “reach out for a call.” In today’s environment, creating value first builds trust, which in turn drives sales more effectively than direct pitching. There are a lot of smart people who have yet to fully embrace this idea.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that when people who know me well tell my story after I am gone, they say that I truly cared about others, that I was an unselfish business owner, and that I wanted everyone around me to grow personally and achieve their goals.
Life is short, and real happiness comes from kindness, not material possessions. I never started a business with the goal of making as much money as possible. I understand that numbers matter and that cash flow and profit are essential for growth, but it is equally important to me that people enjoy their work and the people they work with. I believe in building others up, not tearing them down.
The phrase “a rising tide lifts all boats” resonates deeply with me, and I want that to be the feeling people have when they are around me. My hope is that those closest to me know I want them to succeed and that they feel supported in both their personal and professional journeys.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.splycehouse.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splycehouse/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-huber-443a9b12b/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/splyceHouse
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/splyceHouseLLC
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLYCEHOUSE
