From Passion to Platform: How Annette Burgess Is Putting Small Business Stories on Screen

By Kekeletso Nkele, small.news Assistant

(small.news) — Walk into almost any neighborhood, and you’ll find them: There’s the family-run bakery that’s served the community for decades, the nonprofit quietly placing youth into first jobs, and the women-owned boutique holding a block together. These businesses are the connective tissue of local life. Yet, most of them have never had a professional video made about them.

Annette Burgess wants to change that. She is the co-founder and CEO of GurlCo Media. She built a production company for businesses that traditional studios overlook — small operators, nonprofits, and community organizations with powerful stories but modest budgets.

A Business Born from Belief

GurlCo Media didn’t begin with a business plan. It began with a conviction. Burgess and her creative partner, Naomi Fota, founded the company on a simple idea. Every small business deserves a high-quality, strategic video, not just those with big budgets.

“We weren’t interested in chasing trends or simply being visible,” Burgess explains. “We wanted to build something sustainable, aligned, and rooted in truth.”

“Storytelling isn’t just about promotion — it’s about connection and clarity.” – Annette Burgess, Co-Founder & CEO, GurlCo Media

That philosophy guides GurlCo’s work, whether producing eight-second social clips or 120-minute documentaries. While the format adapts, the intent is constant. Each project is anchored in what Burgess calls “intentional storytelling”: understanding why a business exists comes before deciding how to show it, creating a throughline from vision to finished product.

Starting at 50

Burgess started GurlCo Media in her 50s. This may seem unconventional, but she sees the timing as an advantage. It gave her clarity, something younger founders often lack.

“Starting GurlCo in my 50s gave me a different approach,” she says. There was no chasing investors or fixation on vanity metrics. From day one, Burgess focused on building something that lasts. She wanted a company with values visible in the work, not just in the mission statement.

This approach resonates deeply with the small business owners she serves, many of whom build on their own terms—outside the fast-growth startup mold. It makes GurlCo’s approach relatable and authentic for its community.

The Challenges Every Small Business Owner Will Recognize

Burgess does not shy away from the hard parts of the journey. Revenue consistency is one of GurlCo’s biggest challenges. The “feast-or-famine” rhythm affects almost every service-based small business.

“There are seasons when things are flowing, and seasons when you’re still building pipeline and visibility,” she says. “Learning how to stay grounded and focused through both has been one of the biggest lessons.”

If this experience sounds familiar, it is because most small business owners face it daily. Burgess understands these realities firsthand. She is building her company in real time, dealing with the same cash flow pressures and challenging seasons.

The Wins That Prove It’s Working

Despite growing pains, GurlCo’s momentum is real. The company has produced branded campaigns for both local businesses and national brands. It also creates original documentary content, reflecting a hunger for — and a gap in — small-business-focused storytelling.

However, the successes that matter most to Burgess are not measured in numbers. They are found in meaningful moments.

“It’s heartwarming to see a client connect with the story we’ve shared, or watch a small business come alive with newfound confidence.” – Annette Burgess, Co-Founder & CEO, GurlCo Media

That emotional connection — when a small business owner feels seen and represented with care — is GurlCo’s north star.

What This Means for Your Business

If you’re a small business owner who thinks “video is not for businesses like mine,” GurlCo exists to challenge that. Barriers of cost, complexity, and access have kept quality video out of reach for many. Burgess built her company to dismantle these barriers.

If you have ever felt your story wasn’t big, polished, or profitable enough to be told, you’re not alone. Annette Burgess has this conversation with clients every day. Her answer is always the same: your story is not a footnote. It is the story. Reach out to GurlCo Media to see how your small business story can be brought to the screen, no matter your budget or experience.

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