Worthy Creative U is an empowering platform designed for aspiring and mid-career creatives seeking to transform their passion into a successful career.

Founded by Robert Petersen, a seasoned video producer, videographer, editor, musician, and graphic designer with over 36 years of experience, Worthy Creative U offers a wealth of resources and mentorship to help you thrive in the creative industry.

Our mission is to inspire, educate, and guide creative individuals by providing:

Get Inspired - Grit and Motivation: Through motivational content and success stories, we inspire you to push through challenges and stay committed to your creative journey.

Level Up - Skill Improvement: We offer tutorials, tips, and hands-on guidance in various creative disciplines such as filming, photography, video editing, and graphic design to help you refine and enhance your skills.

Win Clients - Client Acquisition and Business Relationships: Learn how to attract clients, build lasting professional relationships, and navigate the business side of the creative industry.

Create Fans - Audience Engagement: Discover strategies to create and grow a loyal fanbase for yourself or your clients, ensuring your work reaches and resonates with the right audience.

Worthy Creative U is more than just a learning hub—it's a supportive community where you can gain the confidence and knowledge needed to excel in your creative career, whether it's a hobby, side hustle, freelance gig, or full-time business.swer here.

Sharing over 36 years of creative success and experience to help you become the successful creative you've always dreamed of being.

I’m Robert Petersen, founder of Worthy Creative U and BriteFire Films. With over 36 years of industry success—from my start at ABC News and Sports to launching BriteFire Films in 1992 and collaborating with ad agencies, corporate clients, and government agencies—I’ve dedicated my career to mastering the art of creativity.

Since joining the university over a decade ago, I have produced live broadcast television and creative projects that push the boundaries of visual storytelling, while also discovering a deep passion for mentoring and teaching my students.

I bring this wealth of knowledge and experience to our supportive and inspiring Worthy Creative U community.

My mission is to equip you with the skills and confidence to transform your creative passion into a successful hobby, side hustle, or thriving freelance or full-time business.

Join me to Get Inspired, Level Up Skills, Win Clients, Create Fans, and yes—let’s drink plenty of coffee together along the way.

The value I offer is priceless: decades of experience and tens of thousands of dollars worth of mentoring, all available to you for free.

Gratis. No cost. Gift.

Why am I doing this for free?

Early in my career, I faced many challenges and lacked access to necessary resources or mentors without paying thousands of dollars that I couldn't afford.

Now, with a stable career at the university and my own company, BriteFire Films, I have the opportunity to give back to the creative community I love.

While I appreciate any support—like buying me a cup of coffee to keep the show running—my main motivation is to help other creatives avoid the pitfalls and tough lessons I had to learn the hard way.

I’m here to empower you to Learn, Love what you do, and Live Creative.

Robert Petersen isn't just a mentor; he's a veteran in the creative arts with a rich tapestry of experiences that uniquely position him as an authority in visual storytelling and creative production.

With a dynamic career spanning over 36 years, Robert began his journey at ABC News and Sports, progressing to a significant role in influencing clients and students worldwide.

From his early days, Robert exhibited a profound passion and aptitude for visual storytelling. Apprenticing with renowned ad agencies, he achieved expert status as a cameraman and technical director. in live production, and a respected cinematographer and editor.

His collaborations with major networks like Fox Sports, CBS, and ABC Sports on prominent college and professional athletic productions sharpened his skills in the demanding field of live sports broadcasting.

In 1992, Robert and his wife Mary founded BriteFire Films, producing over 1,900 projects ranging from commercials and corporate communications for Fortune 500 companies to compelling documentaries and interviews.

His work, demanding both technical excellence and creative vision, has captivated audiences and clients globally—from the adrenaline-pumping thrill of boat commercials to the tranquil allure of nature documentaries and travel videos.

At Minnesota State University, Robert has spent over a decade mentoring the next generation of visual storytellers. His commitment extends beyond teaching; he has designed and engineered advanced production facilities, significantly enhancing the university’s broadcasting capabilities.

This role has allowed him to shape and inspire hundreds of students, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel in the competitive media production industry.

Robert's qualifications to teach and mentor are rooted in a lifetime of real-world experience and a passionate commitment to the arts of filmmaking and storytelling.

His dedication to sharing his knowledge—and his joy in the creative process—makes him not only a qualified instructor but also a compelling mentor who encourages his students and followers to explore, grow, and express themselves through visual storytelling.

At Worthy Creative U, Robert leverages his extensive experience to help others transform their creative passions into successful careers, hobbies, or side hustles. He is uniquely qualified to guide you through this journey because he embodies the very essence of creativity and resilience in an ever-evolving industry.

With Robert, you're not just learning techniques; you're gaining a mentor who lives and breathes creativity, ensuring that you too can learn to love what you do and live creatively.

Yes, it's really free.

I am committed to giving back to the creative community that has enriched my life with success and fulfillment.

At Worthy Creative U, I'm sharing everything I know without holding back—I am the resource I wish I had when I started.

There are no hidden costs, sales funnels, or mandatory upsells here.

In the future, might I offer paid courses, charge a nominal fee to cover hosting costs for our community platform, sell creative workshops, or offer personalized coaching?

It's possible, as these options would allow us to expand and enhance the support we can offer. However, rest assured, everything currently available on Worthy Creative U is completely free and comprehensive for everyone to enjoy and learn from indefinitely.

I do have one simple request: if you find value in what I share here and on my YouTube channel, consider buying me a cup of coffee every so often. This small gesture helps cover production costs and shows your appreciation and support for the work we're doing.

If you're not in a position to contribute financially, it's all good. Worthy Creative U is about providing support to all creatives, regardless of financial ability. Your success is what truly matters, and if you ever make it big, remember us with a cup of coffee and share your success story—I might even feature it on the show!

Maybe. Probably.

Before my time at the university, I thrived in the competitive, dog-eat-dog world of corporate creativity for 25 years. Every day was a battle against other talented creatives—a challenge I relished.

But transitioning to a university campus, I discovered something truly unexpected: a profound passion for teaching and mentoring.

Working with students from every continent (well, except for Antartica... so far) has been one of the most fulfilling joys of my career.

It's a refreshing contrast to the corporate sphere, and it's incredibly rewarding to see these young creatives flourish.

This love for mentorship led me to Worthy Creative U.

The idea sparked recently, partly due to a significant shift in my university role—moving away from creative and live broadcast work towards a more management role.

This change, though a natural evolution as our program expanded from nothing to producing major sporting events and esports and supporting a wide array of student activities, caught me off guard.

And then it hit me.

If such changes can still shake me after decades of success, I can only imagine how devastating they could be for those just starting their careers.

That's why I started Worthy Creative U: to forge a collaborative community where we can all learn, grow, and support each other.

Here, I aim to help you Learn, Love what you do, and Live Creative by getting inspired, leveling up, winning clients, creating fans, and yes—enjoying a good cup of coffee (or your favorite drink) together.

After all, celebrating our successes and fostering a sense of community is just as vital as mastering the technical aspects of our craft.