(1) LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
We decided to become entrepreneurs because we wanted to build a legacy for our family and work in an area where we can be creative and help others grow their businesses/organizations.

(2) LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?
James and I met while working at a television news station located in Philadelphia, PA (a top-four TV market). When establishing CCOD, our expertise in journalism and television commercials allowed us to be in tune with the clients' visions and amplify their stories with the primary goal of reaching their demographic audience. In addition, creating a monthly subscription for our services afforded our clients the ability to compete with larger businesses by having us as their own marketing team.

(3) LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending WBA. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?
Before signing up, I thought about how this could fit our family’s schedule because both of my kids were attending school virtually. I chose to apply for this course because I no longer wanted to have a side business mindset with a full-time attitude. So, I was honored to be chosen to attend virtually from January to March 2021. Luckily, I understood Google Classroom because my kids were using this system too.

During the height of the pandemic, everyone had an opportunity to either learn something new with the unusual downtime or go stir crazy. Luckily, there was LADEA, and I chose to learn something new. Now, we are used to attending classes virtually, but earlier this year, it was still a new and unique experience to see all of my classmates' faces each night for a total of 75 hours. It was a 75 hour commitment, and I can honestly say how honored I was to be amongst the diverse business owners ranging from health care, hair, nail, and makeup industry, clothing design to construction and empowerment products.

Within a few weeks, many showed support for each other such as following class members' social media sites, purchasing one’s service, and even partnership opportunities. LAEDA's Women's Business Academy Center is an excellent source to network with other entrepreneurs, develop strong business relationships, and learn how to navigate your business from potential pitfalls, and be prepared, at all times, with the proper documents needed for your business.

(4) LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?
One of our challenges is getting more black people involved in media production. We see too often an unbalanced production crew on and off productions set. We always like to show a diverse, talented team on our production shoots. Our accomplishment for our business was seeing the rapid growth and demand for our media services during the pandemic period. In addition, we helped small business owners and non-profit organizations sustain stability through our media services when many others were either pivoting their business model or shutting down completely.

(5) LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?
Creative Content OnDemand is a DBA of Fruition Life Media LLC founded in 2008 in Clayton, NJ. Creative Content OnDemand is our one-stop multimedia marketing turnkey powerhouse company specializing in the following professional services of creating compelling videos, capturing breathtaking photos, managing multiple social sites, and drafting public advisory for media outlets. Through both of our companies, we are able to provide wrap around services for non-profit organizations and for-profit businesses. 

Creative Content on Demand offers subscription-based services to meet our clients' budgets. We manage small or large teams as a project requires and can work on multiple projects at one time. We own a wide variety of media production equipment that allows us to produce just about anything you can imagine at anytime and anywhere. In addition, we can travel the country and, if necessary, recruit local professionals within the regions.

Fruition Life Media LLC has set its focus on one-off projects that help families, communities, and businesses who want to honor their loved ones uniquely. We produce videos that truly capture the life story of the person you are honoring. These videos help provide healing and radiate light celebrating their valued time here with us. Honor your departed love one with a Life Legacy Tribute Video, our signature style photo movie, to be viewed and regarded by generations to come.

(6) LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?
Our advice to future entrepreneurs is to write your business plan down and make it visible in your workspace so you can look at it daily. No matter where you're at on your entrepreneurship journey, set realistic annual goals for your business, keep learning and continue to study your industry.

April A. Ward and James E. Ward own a variety of media production equipment that allows them to produce just about anything you can imagine at any time and anywhere. They offer subscription-based services or one-offs to meet clients at their budgets. They manage small or large teams as a project requires and can work on multiple projects at one time. In addition, they can travel the country and, if necessary, recruit local professionals within the regions.

To get in touch with April A. Ward and James E. Ward you can call them at (856)-889-6451, Email them at info@weareccod.com, visit their website at www.weareccod.com, visit their LinkedIn and Facebook at Creative Content OnDemand or check out their Instagram, TikTok & Twitter at @weareccod.

The Women's Business Academy (WBA) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Winter each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and continued technical assistance. Apply online at www.LAEDA.com.