Join Me As I Take You On Epic Travel Adventures

Aloha!

I’m Dwayne, and I have some exciting news to share:

TL;DR (Too Long, Didn't Read)

I just started my first business as a content creator on YouTube, and I hope you will consider supporting me as I take this business to the next level. Your support will help me create more high-quality travel videos that showcase unique destinations and promote local businesses, making it easier for you to plan memorable experiences.

INTRO

I just launched my first business! Aahhhh!!!! I'm a legit minority small business owner! As I type this, I'm pinching myself because I still can't believe it, and I'm so excited this is happening!

First, let me introduce you to Happy Media LLC, the name of my company. My company is based in Honolulu, Hawaii, where I currently reside. Although Happy Media LLC is my official "government name" for the business, dwaynearoundtown is how you can find me in these streets, namely on YouTube.

This whole thing started as a random idea I had almost two years ago after watching a YouTube video. It was almost as if a lightbulb had turned on above my head that day, and I thought, "I should create a YouTube channel about travel." Once I had the thought, I put the idea in the back of my mind. I never thought anything would come of it. Besides, all I knew about YouTube was how to watch videos; I had no idea how to create anything. When I had this idea, I was living in Los Angeles, and I loved the city so much that I wanted to share all my favorite places and things to do with as many people who would listen. But, after a major plot twist, which involved me relocating to Hawaii, going through a rough patch, and enduring repeated job rejection, the YouTube idea popped back into my mind. However, this time, I took action. One sunny Sunday afternoon, I grabbed my iPhone 12 Pro Max and went to Diamond Head in Honolulu to film my first video on January 22, 2023.

I uploaded that video to YouTube on February 11, 2023, and have worked on the channel ever since. I'm super proud of the content I've made so far. The channel has already gained traction with over 30,000 views, and I just crossed the threshold of 500 subscribers! I know this is small potatoes to some, but I'm SO excited for every sub and view!

ACT 1 - WHAT I WANT TO DO

So why would I want to open a business anyway? Well, good question. One reason is that I want to continue making compelling and entertaining travel videos. These videos help support local communities, small businesses and help to promote tourism wherever I go. One of my favorite comments to receive from those who have visited the place I’m highlighting is, “I’ve visited this city several times, and I’ve never heard of the place you have suggested,” and now they want to try. Moments like this give me total satisfaction because I am helping spread awareness of local businesses benefiting from exposure on the channel. My goal is to eventually go all over the world and spread this type of awareness; this business is how I can continue to do that.

Secondly, not many people look like me doing what I do, and representation matters. Being able to bring a fresh and unique perspective to travel stories as a black creator from Atlanta, GA, who moved to Hollywood only to find himself living on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is very important to me! I understand the enriching life of being from the South and the importance of family, friends, and faith, but I also appreciate the lights, camera, and action of it all. Georgia helped shape and ground me, Hollywood showed me new, unique, and creative worlds and opportunities that elevated my thinking, and now Hawaii is refining me and reminding me of what really matters: love and aloha. I hope those who watch the channel can see, feel and connect to that aloha through the storytelling I share from my perspective. I want to be genuine and authentically myself, and I hope that someone who looks like me can see they too can be and do anything they want. That is what I hope for.

One of my favorite things to do, like all-time favorite things, is to show people what a city has to offer when they visit. I take pride in researching and learning about the culture of a city, discovering where to eat, where to stay, and where to play to create unforgettable memories. My goal is always to help enhance your happiness by being your travel partner or, better yet, your travel concierge.

The reason I chose YouTube as my platform is because not only is it one of the most popular platforms for content creators, with billions of users worldwide, but it offers me a huge opportunity to find and reach an audience with the hope of someday being able to create revenue streams through ads, sponsorships, and more!

I’ve always considered myself a "Jack of all trades.” I started to believe that not being an expert in one area was negative and would hold back my career until I started creating videos. It’s almost as if every skill I've learned in my life up until now has prepared me for this moment, from writing to production to creative marketing to finance. I know I will crush this, and I am swinging for the fences!

ACT 2 - HOW YOU CAN HELP

I would love your financial support to take this channel to the next level and help transform it into something special. Your contribution will help grow my channel, create opportunities for collaborating with other creators and small businesses, expand my content offerings, and potentially attract brand partnerships. Your support will also contribute to a larger community that values information, exploration, and tourism.

The funds raised will be used to:

ACT 3 - SO, THEN WHAT?

The goal from here is to keep cranking out content and growing the channel so I can join the YouTube Partner Program, where I can access creator tools and become monetized.

I understand not everyone may have extra to give, which is totally okay. This campaign is not at all an obligation or a measure of your level of love or friendship. I know people have things going on, and life is "lifeing" out here. I promise I understand. There are ways you can still help support that would mean the world to me. Please check me out on YouTube and share my videos with your friends, family, and networks. Leaving comments, likes, and engaging can help me reach a wider audience. That works great too!

I would also be so grateful if you have a little extra somethin' somethin' and want to put a little change in my pocket. Every little bit helps! Thank you for taking the time to read this note and for your monetary support, call or text, or a little encouragement you gave me behind the scenes (you know who you are xoxo). I appreciate you more than you know.

CLOSING

I have so many fantastic ideas I want to pursue and will share when the time is right, but for now, know that my YouTube channel is up and poppin! I believe in the potential of my YouTube business, and I hope you will join me on this journey of a lifetime. I’m beyond excited to see where this adventure leads and I am grateful for your support. It means everything to me, and I am thankful for each of you. Here’s to making dreams a reality!

And don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram to keep up with where I go. I hope to see you around town.

With love and gratitude.

"Mahalo & Aloha"

-dwayne