Today we’d like to introduce you to Ace Assi.
Hi Ace, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been creating for about 20 years, but it really started at Dearborn High School. The WDHS video program was ahead of its time, and my teachers there were amazing. They gave me the chance to dive into film, video theory, and storytelling when very few schools offered anything like that.
After that foundation, I hustled. I took on every creative project I could: audio, filming, editing, photography, web design, graphics. Over time I realized my real strength was not just doing each skill good, but bringing all of them together into one vision.
That led me to launch two companies under one roof. PodLab Studios is Detroit’s premium podcast and video content house, designed as a creative playground with professional sets and gear. BuzzWire Media is the boutique agency side where we build websites, branding, SEO, and digital campaigns with a bold, luxury style.
Both brands work together naturally. A podcast client might need a new website. A business coming in for a rebrand might realize they can produce a full video campaign at the studio. Everything connects.
The businesses are young and lean, but the vision is big. It is about giving creators and companies premium creative right here in Detroit, and building something strong enough to scale nationally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s never exactly a smooth road! Starting two businesses at the same time felt like building the plane while flying it. In the early days I was everything: sales, production, design, client management, even fixing gear when it broke. There were nights I edited until sunrise, then turned around and hosted a client session like nothing happened.
Cash flow was another big hurdle. I wanted both companies to look and feel premium, but I didn’t have big budgets to lean on. That meant long nights, tough choices, and learning how to deliver a high-end experience without cutting corners.
Another challenge was educating people on the value of what we do. From the outside, content looks simple. But when clients walk into PodLab or work with BuzzWire, they realize how much time, talent, and detail it takes to make it professional.
The struggles made me sharper. They forced me to get resourceful, keep standards high, and stay focused on the bigger vision. I like to say every mistake was tuition for the school of business.
As you know, we’re big fans of BuzzWire Media & Podlab Studios. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
They’re 2 businesses in one creative space: Essentially, your one stop for all things media and digital creativity.
PodLab Studios is a premium podcast and video content studio in Detroit. It’s designed as a creative playground with themed sets and pro gear that make it easy for businesses, influencers, and podcasters to create high-quality content. We’re known for combining convenience with production value, so people can walk in with an idea and walk out with content that looks ready for TV or a brand campaign.
Alongside PodLab, Is BuzzWire Media, our boutique creative agency. BuzzWire focuses on websites, branding, SEO, and digital campaigns with a bold, luxury style. The unique part is how the two brands connect. A PodLab client might end up launching a website with BuzzWire, or a BuzzWire client might produce a campaign at PodLab.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve built something in Detroit that feels different. PodLab has become a go-to for professional content, and BuzzWire has created branding and websites that stand up against national agencies. At the end of the day, both companies are about giving local businesses a premium creative experience, and growing that vision beyond Detroit.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I have a ton of childhood memories because I’ve always had this ridiculously vivid memory. I’m one of those weirdos who can still remember the way something smelled or tasted decades later. Out of all of them, the ones that stick out most in relation to what I do today, are the techy moments. Growing up in the late 80s and early 90s, I still remember getting my first Nintendo and playing all night like it was the biggest deal in the world. Another big one was when I got my first camcorder, one of those giant Hitachi VHS shoulder rigs. I would run around making my own corny commercials and short videos just for fun. Looking back, that was me experimenting with creativity before I even realized where it would lead.
Pricing:
- Website Design Packages: Professional websites starting at $2,600, with optional SEO and digital marketing add-ons.
- Podcast Studio Rental (PodLab Studios): Starting from $125 per hour, includes themed sets, pro audio, and video production options.
- Full-Service Podcast Packages: From $650 per month, covering recording, editing, and distribution to platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.
- Video Production (BuzzWire Media): Brand videos and social content starting at $1,200 per project, with custom pricing for larger campaigns.
- Branding + Identity Packages: Custom logo and brand guides starting at $1,200, built to give businesses a premium look.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buzzwiremedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podlabstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buzzwiremediafb
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzzwire-media/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PodLabStudios
- Other: https://www.podlabstudios.com
