Meet Mark Dockery | C0-Owner of HQ22 Creatives (a video production company)

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

Hi Mark, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My approach to work-life balance has significantly changed over time. I’ve come to realize it’s not so much about dividing my time evenly between work and personal life, but more about choosing where and when to direct my energy. At first, I was all in with work, dedicating about 90% of my time to it, thinking I could just hustle my way to a better balance. Needless to say, that didn’t work out at all lol.

I’ve learned to view work-life balance as something that shifts with the seasons—knowing when to lock in during busy times and when it’s okay to take it easy and recharge during the quieter moments. This change in perspective has been a game-changer for me. During those all-hands-on-deck periods, I set firm cut-off times to make sure I’m not working ridiculously late. I remember times I’d be editing until 3 or 4 in the morning, only to wake up, look at my work, and hate most of it because I was half asleep when I did it. Now, I’m much more strict with myself, shutting off my work by 11pm at the latest—and that’s only on rare occasions and never more than two nights in a row. On a regular day, I try to wrap up work by 8pm, though I’ll admit, sometimes it stretches a bit, but I try not to let it go past 9. lol

Talking about the personal side, I’ve really stepped up my game in spending quality time with the people I care about. Like, I buy a pack of Pistons tickets every year so my son and I can hit up a few games together. It’s turned into our thing—guaranteed dad and son time that we both look forward to. It’s my way of making sure we have those special moments, no matter how busy work gets.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m the co-owner of HQ22 Creatives, a video production company out of metro Detroit. Yes, we do hit the road for projects too, and we love it! The company officially kicked off in 2019, but my journey with video started way back. I studied video production at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh back in 2002, which is where I met my business partner, Quenton. After graduation, we took different paths—I dove into freelance work, and he jumped into news. Over the years, we teamed up for projects here and there until 2018, when Quenton suggested we join forces for real. So, we did, and here we are, turning our passion for video into something bigger.

Here’s the deal about us at HQ22 Creatives: we’re not just any video production company. We’re a duo of dreamers and storytellers, passionate about everything cinematic. Whether it’s helping a business share its story or supporting a non-profit in its fundraising efforts, we bring our A-game, infusing each project with our signature cinematic flair. We’ve collaborated on diverse and impactful projects, from fashion shoots with Macy’s to inspiring campaigns for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in association with Planet Fitness, and even educational content for the University of Michigan. What really sets us apart? Our ability to capture the essence of each story and present it in a way that’s uniquely engaging.

Reflecting on these five years, I’m honestly amazed we’ve come this far. Most businesses don’t survive this long, and here we are, gearing up for the next five. The future’s looking bright for HQ22 Creatives. We’ve got a clearer vision than ever, we’re expanding our team, and I’m just buzzing to see where we’ll go from here. If I had to guess, we’re going to touch a lot of lives with our visual storytelling. But what I’m really proud of? It’s the relationships we’ve built along the way. Working with clients who’ve become like family, growing alongside them—it’s been nothing short of amazing.

Getting to this point wasn’t a walk in the park, though. In the beginning, we were all about creating, not about the business side of things. We had the creative side down—our passion was always there. But stepping into the business world meant we had to learn a whole lot more about being entrepreneurs. Setting up systems, figuring out pricing—it was all new to us. Yet, we didn’t shy away from these challenges. We took on mentors, paid for coaching, and studied many entrepreneurs, eager to grow not just as creators, but as business owners too.

One big lesson we’ve picked up along the way? Document everything. It might seem like a small thing, but understanding the importance of keeping records has been a game changer for us. It’s not just about covering your bases—it’s about having a clear overview of where you’ve been and where you’re heading. This practice has helped us make informed decisions and keep our business on track.

Our passion for creating stories and storytelling is what I want the world to know about us at HQ22 Creatives. It’s at the core of everything we do. We’re not just making videos; we’re telling stories that matter, that inspire, and that make a difference. And as we look to the future, we’re excited to continue sharing these stories, touching lives, and making an impact through our work

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d want to keep things chill and show them a good time, Detroit-style, but in my own laid-back way. I’m not the type to jam-pack a week with activities; I’m more about soaking in the good vibes at a few cool spots. Top of the list? Detroit Shipping Co. It’s this awesome place built from shipping containers, and it’s got a bit of everything—different restaurants, bars, and even live music outside. It’s a pretty unique spot, and I think it showcases the creative spirit of the city.

We’d definitely grab a bite there, trying out different foods from the various restaurants inside. And because I love a good hidden gem, we’d hit up a speakeasy or two around the city. Detroit’s got its share of these secret bars, and I’ve got my favorites. It’s all about enjoying good company, great food, and discovering some of the city’s hidden spots together. That’s my idea of showing someone the best time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my family for the support they show me as a whole.

Website: www.hq22creatives.com

Instagram: hq22creatives