University of North Georgia (UNG) senior Maxwell Bentley decided to turn his hobby of filmmaking into a business in January 2016.
After a successful six months, the Cumming, Georgia, native decided to change his major from computer science to film and digital media. His decision was validated in early 2018 when his business, Bentley Media, was named as a finalist for Forsyth County Business of the Year.
"I was honored to be in the running," Bentley said, explaining his company was only 2 years old and only had an online presence. "I don't have storefront facilities. And I was a one-man show before I started hiring interns."
Scientific Games ultimately won the Business of the Year Award, which is sponsored by the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. But Bentley is pleased with his decision to start his own business while pursuing his education at UNG. He also is glad he switched his major to film.
"I feel validated now, because I realized even though I started a company that is doing well, I still have a lot of learn," Bentley said.
