A Lake County native and self-made entrepreneur, Javy Esquivel embodies “Hoosier Energy” and stands out as a prominent figure in the community.
“Northwest Indiana, in general, is a big proponent of small businesses. With everything thriving and people constantly moving into the area, I feel like there’s a lot of opportunities for anyone to start and grow a business,” Javy said.
Javy is the proud owner of Short Pro Media, a local full-service media company serving both residential and commercial clients. Though he attended a small local college and majored in media—while the program was still in its infancy—Javy naturally gravitated toward what he knew best: entrepreneurship.
“Being born into a family of entrepreneurs, it was pretty easy for me to step into that world as I got older. Having family members involved in entrepreneurship made it feel natural,” Javy said. “When someone handed me a camera and said, ‘I’ll give you 50 bucks if you take three good photos,’ none of them turned out, but I enjoyed it. Over time, I found myself falling in love with what I was doing, and that helped guide me to where I am today.”
Before experimenting with a camera, Javy’s artistic endeavors began with a pencil—an early influence that still echoes in his work today.
“I drew a lot of comics in high school and even came up with a fake production name for it—like how Marvel or DC has their own branding. I wanted something unique, so I thought, ‘Okay, these are short comic strips, so I’ll call it Short Productions.’ Then, when I started messing around with cameras and photography, I needed a name for this little side business I had going. The name Short Pro Media is a callback to those comics I used to make,” Javy said.
For Javy, his art is more than a means of monetary gain, but a self-fulfilling canvas of opportunity.
“I honestly love what I do,” Javy said. “People’s reactions motivate me. It’s not just about capturing the moment, whether the team won or lost; it’s about capturing the emotions and getting a positive reaction from the athlete or their family members.”
In addition to the positive reactions from others, Javy finds immense pleasure and motivation in the time spent with his family.
“I collect and build Legos with my kids and wife. I love the Marvel and Star Wars Lego sets, and my kids enjoy them too,” Javy said. “Sometimes we go out and buy a set to build, or we visit a trade show to look for old collectible sets or figures. It’s something we all enjoy as a family.”
Despite often being described as an "oversaturated market," Javy encourages anyone interested in the creative arts to pursue their passion.
“It’s never too early to start, and it’s never too late to start. I think a lot of people hesitate because there are so many photographers and videographers, and they wonder, ‘Will there be enough clients for me?’ The answer is yes,” Javy said. “There’s always someone out there looking for a photographer, and it could be the one who just started.”