MADEXXXX MADEINC your full commitment . So , we only like to do things we ’ re excited about . That ’ s why we like to create our own opportunities . We like to create projects from the ground up .
Rome : As we get busier , time is very important to us . The ROI on whatever we do has to really make sense because we don ’ t want to waste time at this point . We have a lot of projects that we want to get done , so we have to choose wisely .
MADE : It ’ s very clear that consistency has played a role in Dormtainment ’ s success . What entrepreneurial traits have you discovered that help keep you guys focused and productive on your day-to-day schedule ?
Amanuel : It ’ s just working hard and if this is what you do , then this is what you do . I think what the guys said earlier about looking out for the brand and doing things for our brand and fanbase , more than that , we all came together and decided to be creative . Beyond anything , that ’ s what matters the most . To be creative , to put a smile on someone else ’ s face , so get some laughter to some people who haven ’ t gotten it in a while and to people who are curators of comedy . We want to add to that creativity . We want to make it better . We want to be innovators . At the end of the day , no matter how many videos you put out or what day of the week it is and if these analytics are matching up with those analytics and you see a growth rate — how good is the content ? How good are you at creating a good story or getting a joke out that ’ s interesting ? How are you connecting to your audience that ’ s watching you ? How can you reach people and teach them something new ? Or how can you show them something they ’ ve never seen before while layering it with tons of hilarious moments ?
Rome : I think staying in love with the journey is a big part because we could have easily stopped a long time ago . But , you have to fall in love with the process that we wake up and do every day . You have to fall in love with the no ’ s and the yes ’ s . It really has to be your passion .
MADE : You guys started the group when you were really young . Have you always been disciplined ?
Rome : Well , I first want to point out the fact that you said we started the group when we were young — we ’ re still young . You know , black don ’ t crack . Earlier on in 2009 , we would meet during the week , but there wouldn ’ t be a scheduled day . We would just meet here and there and then shoot the videos . And we were doing videos every Sunday , but once we had the formula of meeting at 10am and treating it like a business , that ’ s when our discipline really locked in . Because we were able to meet every day and get stuff right for the week and it wasn ’ t sporadic as much anymore .
Cameron : I think two things that helped us to be disciplined is that in 2012 we all quit our jobs and decided to do this full time . And then in 2013 , we moved to LA and it ’ s too expensive out here to play around , so we had to get disciplined .
MADE : Very true ! Throughout your journey as
YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT THERE ’ S A GIFT IN EVERY FAILURE .”
– ROME GREEN JR .
Dormtainment , you ’ ve faced some setbacks — from losing your YouTube channel years ago to recently losing a member of the group . How do you guys regroup from a setback ?
Cameron : I would say one of our biggest setbacks is where we have to wait 30 days for a check . On this journey , you know you have to keep going . In entertainment , nothing is guaranteed . You don ’ t know when you ’ re going to get it or when you ’ re going to make it , but you have to have that blind faith that you will . Keep getting better so that when the opportunity comes , you ’ re ready . We just keep going , no matter what gets thrown at us because there are going to be ups and downs and that ’ s life in general , but especially in the creative space in entertainment because this is the only field where you just don ’ t know . It ’ s not like being a doctor where you go to medical school and then you become a doctor . [ In entertainment ], you don ’ t know . You ’ re competing against millions of people who want the same thing , same goal , same dream . It ’ s about [ your ability to ] keep pushing and being mentally tough and being spiritually strong and just to keep moving forward . Damn , I answered that pretty well .
Amanuel : It was alright . You know what I like to compare it to . Honestly , we ’ re like Vikings . Everyone has to be like a type of Viking because
made-magazine . com | 46