Story & Lesson Highlights with Joe Forte of Phoenix

We recently had the chance to connect with Joe Forte and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Joe, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been finding so much joy in my run for Tempe City Council. Announcing my candidacy has been an incredible journey, and I’ve loved meeting fellow Tempe residents who are passionate about our city and want the best for it. I’m excited about the opportunity to represent Tempe as a member of the City Council in the near future!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Joe Forte, and I’m the co-founder of D-MAK Productions, a Phoenix, Arizona-based video production and AV services company. We specialize in two key areas: creative production, where we deliver full-service video content like marketing, internal communications, recruitment, training, and digital content for businesses and organizations; and AV services, where we handle projection, lighting, sound, video, and live streaming for large-scale corporate events.

What sets D-MAK Productions apart is our commitment to white-glove customer service. In an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, we take a hands-on, analog approach. Real people answer the phone and are there for our clients when they need us most.

This year, we’ve been tackling some exciting projects, including a major pharma campaign that stretched our creative muscles, providing AV services for a long-time client, Benchmark Electronics, at their big yearly kickoff event, and producing content for a popular online personality with a massive YouTube following. I’m thrilled to lead a team that brings stories to life and creates unforgettable experiences for our clients.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work is someone I’ve never met, but whose influence has shaped me profoundly, Jim Rohn. For over twenty years, I’ve been captivated by his business philosophies, particularly his quote, “Find a way to serve the many, for service to many leads to greatness.” That idea has guided my path. Early in my career, I focused on building my business and making money, but over the past five years, I’ve discovered a deep passion for community service and volunteer work, which has given my life true purpose.

I’m actively involved with several non-profit organizations in my community, including Keep Tempe Beautiful, the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, Tempe Sister Cities and Sister Cities International, and the Tempe Diablos. This commitment to service inspired me to run for Tempe City Council, where I aim to bring my love for helping others to a broader stage, finding meaningful solutions to improve people’s lives. Jim Rohn’s wisdom set me on this journey, and I’m grateful for the impact his teachings continue to have on me.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
One fear that has held me back the most in my life is the fear of conflict. As a people-pleaser, I’ve often shied away from disagreements, preferring to keep the peace. But I’ve come to realize that conflict, when approached respectfully and with an open mind to others’ perspectives, can be incredibly valuable. It’s through these interactions that I’ve grown the most. Surrounding myself with people who don’t always share my viewpoint has been a game-changer, pushing me to challenge my assumptions and become a better version of myself.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
One project I’m deeply committed to, no matter how long it takes, is in my volunteer work with Sister Cities. I was introduced to this world by Dick Neuheisel, who invited me to serve as an Ambassador for Arizona Sister Cities, helping to start new Sister Cities organizations and grow existing ones. When we began working together, Dick set an ambitious goal of establishing ten new Arizona Sister Cities. Sadly, he passed away earlier this year, and his loss is deeply felt. I want to honor his legacy by modeling my life after his, with service at the forefront. I’m committed to achieving his vision of creating those ten new Arizona Sister Cities, even if it takes me the rest of my life to do so, in Dick’s honor.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
When I was a young boy, I always dreamed of owning a beautiful car, and I fell head over heels for the BMW 540i. Years ago, I finally bought one, but the moment I got it, the excitement faded fast. That car turned out to be a money pit, every little repair cost hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars. It just didn’t live up to the hype. Now, I drive a used Honda Accord, and I’m genuinely satisfied with this simple, reliable car. It’s paid off, and the money I save by not pouring it into car payments or fixes goes into investments. Over time, those investments will pay off far more than any shiny object I used to chase.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dmakproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dmakproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-forte-92a10a29/

Image Credits
D-MAK Productions