10-Year-Old Montage Master Builds Simcha Empire
Above: Ten-year-old Jordan Tibor is the picture of professionalism at the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Expo at the Westin Perimeter in August.
By Patrice Worthy
While most 10-year-old boys are busy playing video games or sports, Jordan Tibor is building an empire.
Jordan is the creative director of Montage Mania, a photo and video montage production service for b’nai mitzvah celebrations, weddings and other parties.
Jordan created a name for himself after presenting a few montages for his Cub Scout pack. Now he and his mother, Allyson, the owner of Montage Mania, are operating a business that has expanded to include DJ services.
Montage Mania gained clients with a booth at the Bar and Bat Mitzvah Expo at the Westin Perimeter in late August and will have a booth Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Mazel Tov Atlanta expo at the Emory Conference Center.
Jordan has business savvy many adults would envy while facing tough challenges for any elementary school student.
He is a student at Wilson Creek Elementary School in Johns Creek. His mother said he struggles with learning difficulties and has been diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
It’s a gift and a curse. Jordan’s disabilities may make him a little awkward in social settings, but they fuel his work outside the classroom and connect him with such high-tech entrepreneurial role models as Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.
He is known near his home for selling things. At 6 years old he cut up a birthday cake, put the pieces in a wagon and sold them around the neighborhood. At 8 he blanketed the neighborhood with fliers advertising his gardening skills.
“The neighbors didn’t even have to ask,” Allyson said. “They already knew who it was.”
His childhood is colored with stories of his entrepreneurial spirit getting the best of him, and his mother said his enterprising attributes get more dominant with age.
“He has always been one of the kids who just can’t let things go. He searched for patio furniture for us forever,” Allyson said. “Kids like that get hooked on something and don’t let it go. He’s always been into making money.”
Jordan’s quest for success enables him to channel his energy and his focus in productive ways. He spends hours on the computer researching and honing his skills. He began making montages on Movie Maker and has upgraded to Animoto.
“Home Depot and Lowes are my playground,” he said. “I am more organized with my business than my schoolwork. I feel like I’m better with my business than school, but I don’t really know. I like both.”
Allyson said his grades suggest he’s better at business than school. Though math is his favorite subject, he sometimes forgets to write down his homework. On the flipside, when Jordan got his first paying montage gig, when was hired to create a montage for the bar mitzvah luncheon for Jodi Rogoff’s son, he provided excellent service.
Rogoff requested two songs in the video, and Jordan researched for hours to complete the project. His ability to focus on small details has been key to his success.
“He does most of the research for the business. He went online, where he learned the difference between a corporation and an LLC,” Allyson said. “When we went to get the business license, he knew exactly what he wanted to file under.”
Rogoff said she was impressed with Jordan’s skills and the fact that he went above and beyond to provide excellent customer service during the party.
Jordan’s montage was only a part of his services. He took the time to contact the Standard Club, the party’s venue. and set up the night before. He helped with cleanup, and when Rogoff’s son requested a DJ at the last minute, Jordan stepped in.
“Honestly, I hired him for several personal reasons,” Rogoff said. “At the last minute I said to a friend I wish I’d done a montage, and she said to hire him. We were beyond thrilled. The montage was incredible. I admired the extra steps, and people were amazed.”
Stories like Rogoff’s are getting Jordan the exposure he needs, and he said he plans to grow his business.
“It’s the best product and best service,” he said with a smile.
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