Meet Tony Merkel | CEO of Merkel Media

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tony Merkel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tony, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Entrepreneurship inherently involves risk-taking; it’s a fundamental aspect of building a business. In the early stages, the stakes are relatively low, making it easier to embrace risks during the initial building process. With less to lose, stepping outside the comfort zone of normalcy feels more manageable.

As the business progresses and expands, the nature of risk-taking changes. It becomes less about the willingness to take a leap and more about having the courage and acumen to assess situations critically and make informed decisions under pressure. This evolution brings new challenges and stressors, as the impact of decisions now affects the larger structure and the people within the organization.

Regardless of the business stage, the core principle remains: taking risks is essential for growth. Without it, both personal and business development remain stagnant.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m immensely proud of my journey from a truck driver with a passion for podcasts to the founder of Merkel Media, a diverse production company. Despite no formal training in media or filmmaking, I didn’t settle for the easier path. Instead, I embraced the challenges, starting with my podcast “The Confessionals” in 2017, which explored the supernatural. My dedication turned this side project into a full-time career within five years, amidst a rapidly growing podcast industry. The unexpected success of our first documentary, “Expedition Dogman,” was a turning point, leading to the expansion of Merkel Media beyond podcasts to include films, documentaries, and future plans for children’s cartoons, music, and book publishing. This journey is a testament to following one’s dream and vision, tirelessly working to transform them into a reality that not only provides for my family but also aims to influence culture through the arts.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What we love about our area of Tennessee is the proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains. The mountain views should not be missed, and there are many areas that are great for hiking, exploring, and we’ve even done some documentary filming out here. I would recommend visiting the fun and historic places in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, which offer so many activities for families and for people who just love being outdoors. I do not have much “free time” in my schedule, but the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas are worth the time to enjoy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife, Lindsay, has been a key part of our journey from growing from a single podcast to a media company. Her encouragement drove me to pursue this path, and her taking on the administrative roles – from emails to social media and website management – has been invaluable, allowing me to focus on creativity and growing our company.

Website: https://www.merkel.media/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconfessionalspodcast/, https://www.instagram.com/tonymerkelofficial/,

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-merkel-97242728a/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TConfessionals

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConfessionalsPodcast

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumRoq4stXAAVsSo5Js1_sg