Maxwell Bentley enrolled at the University of North Georgia (UNG) in Fall 2013 with his mind set on majoring in computer science.
"It was something I had in my head for a long time," said the man from Cumming, Georgia. "It was also something my parents wanted me to do."
About 18 months later, Bentley made a major life decision. He turned his filmmaking hobby into a business, calling it Bentley Media LLC.
"I started off making videos for local business in the area," he said. "Then I made a video titled "Can I Wear Your Hat?" as part of a sexual consent awareness campaign for the Office of the Dean of Students for UNG. Then I slowly started gaining traction and it just took off … suddenly I was a finalist for the 2018 Business of the Year with the Forsyth Chamber of Commerce."
Bentley realized he wanted to become a professional filmmaker, but he was majoring in computer science. So he made another change, switching degree programs after two years.
"Everyone else in my family I called and told them, except my dad," Bentley said, admitting he was nervous about telling his father he wanted to change his major at UNG. "I took him to dinner and said 'Here's the sitch, so to speak. UNG has the great communications program with a concentration in film. And I think it is something I need to do.'"
His father was not pleased to say the least.
"I could understand because he was thinking about job security and wanted me to have a high-paying job," Bentley said. "But we weren't seeing eye-to-eye."
Three months later, Bentley's business was holding steady and even gaining new clients. That was when his dad's attitude changed.
"He saw how well I was doing and how much happier I was," Bentley said. "So he has come to terms with it."
Bentley also came to terms with his busy schedule. Running a business and attending college full time was no easy task.
"It's funny how having a crazy schedule forces you to have good time management," he said, explaining he used apps to maintain his work and class schedule. "I really had to balance myself, especially with my extracurricular activities."
In addition to running a film business and carrying a full load of classes, Bentley participated with the Improv Club on UNG's Dahlonega Campus, worked for a semester on the Vanguard student newspaper on the Dahlonega Campus, founded the public speaking club on the Cumming Campus, and volunteered as an orientation leader for four years across multiple campuses.
He also maintained a 3.6 GPA for the Hope Scholarship.
"I recently joined Toastmasters International to better my communication and public speaking skills, something I'm very passionate about," Bentley said.
His eye was still on his prize of connecting his degree with his film business. He did it when he graduated in May 2019.
"My ultimate goal is to be an industry leader in communications with film being my weapon of choice," he said, crediting his family with the desire to succeed.
He explained his father owns an electrical contracting company. His grandfather owned a restaurant and tailoring company and his great-grandfather owned a law office.
"There has been an interesting evolution of business ownership in my family over the years," Bentley said. "It's in my blood, needless to say."
Bentley acknowledged UNG's role in helping him reach his dream.
"Being in this community has been life-changing," he said. "Caring faculty and staff, small class sizes, and endless student resources make UNG a wonderful place to be. I wish I could stay here forever."
