Small Business Feature: Beau Becraft

At First Bankers Trust Company, we’re proud to support local small businesses that drive our communities forward. In this Q&A, we’re featuring Beau Becraft, a valued customer that has found success with our small business banking solutions. Hear directly from him about his journey, challenges, and how partnering with First Bankers Trust has helped their business grow.

About Your Business

Can you tell us a little about your business and what you do?

My business encompasses all things voice over and audio production. I voice and produce advertising for companies and organizations worldwide. My work is heard on streaming services like Spotify, YouTube, and Hulu, social media platforms, and traditional formats such as radio and television.

I also record newscasts and traffic reports for multiple radio stations across the United States, including stations in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Florida, and Kentucky.

What inspired you to start your business?

I’ve always been fascinated by radio (and the ability to use my voice) – so much that the cake for my 2nd birthday was decorated like a boombox.

I have been fortunate enough to spend several years working in the radio industry, earning the trust and admiration of several businesses who asked me to continue writing, recording, and producing their ads after I left radio full-time around 2015.

So, I bought all the equipment I needed to continue doing just that. Ten years later, the business continues to grow. I have enjoyed every opportunity to utilize my creativity and talent to help businesses establish and expand their brands by producing engaging content. It’s helped me achieve a lot of personal goals and provide a great life for my family. My daughter, Olivia, is four years old and already shares my enthusiasm for sitting behind the microphone and being creative.

All of these things keep me inspired to continue growing my business.

Where can people go to find more information or connect with you for help on their projects?
You can hear some of my work and get in touch with me about your project at www.beaubecraft.com.

Experience with First Bankers Trust

Why did you choose First Bankers Trust for your business banking needs?
My wife, Emily, and I have been personally banking with First Bankers Trust for several years now. We’ve had such a great experience with our personal banking needs that it just made sense to continue using First Bankers Trust for my business. We tried other “big brands” previously, and the experience simply did not compare to the convenience and customer service we received from First Bankers Trust.

How has having a business account with First Bankers Trust helped your business grow?
I’ve voiced several projects for First Bankers Trust, and that has opened several doors for me as people hear my voice and reach out about working with them as a result. That’s been a massive benefit in the growth of my business. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. People come to me from hearing my voice on First Bankers Trust commercials, and I’m able to refer them to First Bankers Trust for their banking needs.

Have you used any of our other banking services, such as loans, business digital banking, or cash management? If so, how have they benefited your business?
I use the digital banking app every day. It allows me to track my spending and earnings, which is convenient for keeping track of what goes in and what comes out. That’s especially helpful during tax time. I also really value the ability to deposit checks from my phone. It’s a convenient feature that saves me so much time during the day to focus on other aspects of my business.

The Small Business Advantage

What’s the most valuable aspect of working with a community bank like First Bankers Trust?
The most valuable aspect of working with a community bank like First Bankers Trust is the convenience and customer service/support. Being able to visit any branch to deposit funds is incredibly convenient. It’s also great if I encounter any issues.

For instance, last year, I was targeted in a scam that involved a very believable check being sent to me from what I thought was a legitimate client. I contacted First Bankers Trust, and they were able to verify that the check was fraudulent, saving me from a potentially devastating situation that could have cost me a significant amount of money.

I spoke directly with a First Bankers Trust employee that was right here in town and had things taken care of almost immediately. That’s an invaluable benefit of banking locally and the reason I am grateful to be a First Bankers Trust customer.

How does having a strong banking partner impact your day-to-day operations?
Having a strong banking partner like First Bankers Trust makes day-to-day operations less tedious. The digital banking experience is something I rely on heavily because it cuts back on the amount of running around I have to do. I can deposit checks, view my account balances, and run reports/statements all in one convenient place. It makes running my business so much more efficient.

And, I know that if I run into any issues, there are multiple branches nearby that are ready and able to help me resolve them.

What advice would you give other small business owners when choosing a bank?
Take the time to compare what your local banks have to offer and find a bank that aligns with both your business needs and your needs as a business owner. For me, it was important to find a bank that was well established, had a great reputation in the community, and would serve as a great partner as my business continued to grow. First Bankers Trust checked all those boxes for me, and I can’t imagine using another bank.

Looking Ahead

What’s next for your business? Any exciting growth or plans in the works?
My business is in a great place. I’m still accepting new clients and continue working alongside those that were the inspiration behind starting my business over a decade ago. Last year, my business grew 30%, and that’s a trend I hope to continue this year and beyond as companies and organizations continue to choose and trust me in creating content for their needs.

How do you see First Bankers Trust continuing to support your business in the future?
It’s been an enjoyable experience to see First Bankers Trust growing alongside my business. Since I began ten years ago, the amount of products and services offered by First Bankers Trust has grown, creating better opportunities for efficiency in owning and operating my business. I look forward to seeing what lies ahead for the bank, and I know it will only continue to benefit customers like myself—both professionally and personally.