Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Andrew.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Before founding OptiView Entertainment in 2014, I created Reflections Show, a theatrical light show experience featuring 4D elements. The success of Reflections Show paved the way for OptiView’s expansion, blending immersive art, audio, lighting, artists, photography, film, and social nights—continuing to push the boundaries of sensory entertainment. In Dec. 2021 we sign a lease on our 4th location for the project in Longwood FL, this story is about why we left that location for those who are curious.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Previous Chapter – A Darker Truth: Why OptiView Left Our Orlando Location
https://orlandovoyager.com/interview/hidden-gems-meet-joseph-andrew-of-optiview-360-tours-llc/
Longwood Location – Success & Struggles – OptiView Story Part 3
855 N US Highway 17-92, Longwood FL 32750
Before founding OptiView Entertainment in 2014, I created Reflections Show, a theatrical light show experience featuring 4D elements. The success of Reflections Show paved the way for OptiView’s expansion, blending immersive art, audio, lighting, artists, photography, film, and social nights—continuing to push the boundaries of sensory entertainment. In Dec. 2021 we sign a lease on our 4th location for the project in Longwood FL, this story is about why we left that location for those who are curious.
It’s important to note that the vast majority of Seminole County and Longwood government supported our community-driven projects. However, a few bad apples in positions of power worked against us in Seminole County with the landlord, ultimately derailing our efforts for our Longwood attraction for a long-term destination.
Our goal is to go beyond the average—pushing next-level creativity, world-class art, and manifesting a unique creative space despite the many challenges we faced.
Unfortunately, during our time at the Longwood location, our biggest obstacle wasn’t competition—it was a landlord working in cahoots with a few corrupt Seminole County officials who actively worked to force us out by starving us of income and violating our rights.
The landlord, his general contractor (GC), and certain local officials had a deliberate strategy to make our operations unaffordable. Their tactics included:
• Deliberate delays by discouraging the necessary trades needed take on our electrical work, architects, GC’s, both landlord and some county officials.
• Using the GC to overprice even minor construction work, such as two small stalls needed to close our permit for permanent CO.
• Building not up to code, containing illegal non permitted structures
• 12 Month delay to open venue due to landlord’s actions and inactions.
• Landlord declined use of Digital Billboard, Beer Wine, Air BNB experiences, kitchen build out when all previously known and agreed upon verbally.
As a result, our clientele was impacted, leading to constant gossip and speculation about our permit issues within the community.
In the end, the landlord, his GC, and a handful of corrupt Seminole County officials not only sabotaged me and my businesses but also jeopardized the livelihoods of others committed to OptiView for over a decade.
So you think you know me – Checkout “Meet The Minds”
https://www.optiview360.com/meet-the-minds-behind-orlandos-hidden-gem/
Dishonest Promoters pushing a culture not in alignment our values.
Due to numerous setbacks involving a toxic landlord, landlord delaying permits, and licensing, our venue faced a 12-month hold-up. As a result, we had to rethink our approach to bringing people in—without the upfront digital advertising costs we previously relied on having to cut budgets.
In the past, I could spend $10K per month on advertising, but that was no longer an option. Instead, I had to shift to a back-end model, where costs were based on a percentage of sales and performance. This led to the decision to work with promoters, which, unfortunately, became my next major challenge as a hardworking creative.
At the time, I was unaware of the full extent of the drama surrounding a particular promoter. When I confronted them about their theft and embezzlement—having personally paid talent costs directly to them, the promoter retaliated by attempting to tarnish my name and character after being fired.
I was made a target, left vulnerable due to both my landlord and this promoter, who enabled people looking to take advantage of the situation or try to set me up.
Taboo
What was once normal behavior—taking photos at events, selfies with fans, showcasing my film, photography, and venue—became taboo for me after I fired this promoter.
The fundamentals of running an entertainment business in today’s social media-driven landscape were suddenly twisted into something negative, all as part of a malicious effort to slow my growth and hinder OptiView. This ultimately led to pay cuts and layoffs, but I refused to back down.
Despite the challenges, I remained committed to creating a content-driven space with social nights, continuing to capture and share the energy of our events. The result? Many great, welcoming vibes—aside from those who were only there to fabricate issues.
Hiding Behind Young DJ’s for Clout
This low life promoter hides behind young DJs, using them to spread false narratives about me and falsely claimed that our venue—located in an upscale area—was unsafe at the time. I won’t even repeat the vile things he said about me here. It’s an unfortunate loss for the area, but never underestimate jealousy—especially when combined with people who think with the wrong head and fuel their actions with heavy drug use. When their followers also participated in that toxic behavior, you have a major battle on your hands.
Some artists and DJs stood by this corrupt promoter for personal clout, choosing personal self-interest over doing what’s right—even after he stole from them, pocketing their DJ pay at my venue. That’s how biased and selfish they were for clout.
Their negative focus led them to fixate on me rather than improving their own craft, skills, and music. Instead of growing as artists, they wasted energy attacking me, ultimately bringing bad karma onto their own brands and stagnating their own progress leading to their own failures.
The irony? One of them even calls himself a healer who creates healing music while spreading vile words about others.
This promoter had a bad reputation for seven years, so he hid behind a younger crowd to avoid scrutiny. Unbeknownst to us, he had already embezzled money from his own artists and other venues before working with us that many in the community knew about.
On top of that, he struggled with serious drug problems and anger issues. His volatility was well known—he even had a history of throwing his own DJs off stage during his time at a nightclub near called Gilt near Baldwin Park Florida.
This promoter had built a cult-like following aimed at opposing OptiView, creating a hostile and invasive atmosphere during his nights at Gilt nightclub. He even went as far as paying people desperate from drugs to go against us, escalating tensions. Funny how many just would keep the money and not do anything. Fighting became rampant at his location but very far from us, especially for those who supported OptiView—the trouble found YOU if you were at his events.
What a wild ride it’s been. But in the end, we remain committed to our work as a company and will continue moving forward elsewhere in other states.
The promoter not only created chaos, stole from his own DJs by embezzling their pay. He pocketed door money, fabricated false expenses, and, when finally fired, stirred up drama to defend himself. He hid behind DJs who supported him, using their loyalty to secure more stage time at Gilt Nightclub—but in the end, his empty promises collapsed when he failed to deliver on his many promises for their help towards his negative campaign against OptiView.
Patience always brings the truth to light. I strongly advise against working with this individual, as he embodies the very accusations, he made against OptiView and its owner. Many in the community know the truth.
I have no ego, but I do take great care of my mind and body. It took 13 years of dedication to build what I have—not by chasing women or making reckless decisions like him and his followers do. When you’re doing exciting, innovative work, people gravitate toward you—not just for personal appeal, but because of the opportunities you create in technology, staging, and film.
If this toxic promoter and his minions had put as much effort into building something real as he did into spreading lies, he could have been successful. Instead, his hard drug use and dark behavior tore apart a community that is now healing without him in the scene.
The nonaffiliated Gilt nightclub became increasingly toxic on his nights, fueled by a now-cancelled promoter who, ironically, was turned on by his own fans in the end that cancelled him.
Thank God.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m incredibly proud that, despite the struggles placed upon me by jealousy, envy, competition, and negativity at times with a few bad apples. I continue to move mountains. The pressure has been immense, coming from all directions, yet I’ve still managed to unite art and artists from around the world in one place, accomplish many goals, and set my sights on even greater achievements.
After taking a year to heal from unnecessary ordeals, I’m now ready to move forward—stronger than ever. Through Reflections Show Ministries & OptiView, I aim to teach others so they can learn from my experiences and avoid the obstacles I faced.
The world moves forward when we support one another, not when we tear each other down. There is no room for jealousy, envy, or hate—that only hold us back. True change and innovation come from persistence and the power of the mind. When we rise together, we create something extraordinary.
Winning The Battles
In the end, I truly believe OptiView Entertainment won the battle. We moved past the fabricated drama, resumed operating successfully, and people ultimately learned the truth about this toxic fired group of promoters. We found new ones that are on our vibration.
However, what really cornered us was mainly our landlord’s sabotage, especially when it came to permits, certificates of occupancy (CO), and licenses, all while working with a few bad apples in Seminole County.
I rarely share pictures of myself as the owner of OptiView, but as you can see from past and present photos, I’ve always taken great care of myself. This promoter, on the other hand, let his jealousy and insecurities get the best of him. Instead of focusing on his own craft, he started thinking with the wrong head and took offense at how many in his community gravitated toward me—whether for tech discussions, opportunities, or even deeper connections.
As for the toxic individuals who choose to side with him—young or old—they share a common trait: they don’t take care of themselves. Many are caught up in hard drug habits, and I genuinely feel bad for the women who must put up with them.
If you want success, financial stability, and great opportunities, the formula is simple:
• Work hard
• Hit the gym
• Eat right
• Avoid hard drugs
The irony? Karma, many of these jealous promoters and their minions—once loyal to him—now look aged, unfit, and bitter. Everything they say about me or others is simply a reflection of their own reality and how vile they have become.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Focus on Your Craft
Sacrifice is key. Stay away from hard drugs, and surround yourself with good, positive people. Avoid jealous people, gaslighting, and narcissistic types—I’ve dealt with these types far too often, and now I can spot their BS from a mile away. That awareness keeps them away, and we no longer associate.
I want to teach others how to recognize these hidden red flags—how to spot dishonest friends or an untrustworthy business partner before they cause damage to you. Awareness is power, and by sharing my experiences, I hope to help others protect their energy, success, and peace of mind.
There are only so many hours in a day—so why waste them worrying about what someone else has? Instead, focus on yourself. One of the biggest issues many notice about Central Florida is the jealousy—people spending more time tearing others down than building themselves up.
Never underestimate the lengths people will go in their pursuit of negativity, just to stand in your way. But I learned long ago to use that as fuel. If you don’t have haters, you’re probably not doing anything worthwhile.
Haters are proof you’re on the right path. However, hopefully, one day this divisive mindset will be a thing of the past. It’s archaic—keeping communities divided, while the rich continue to take all the money and opportunities as people fight amongst themselves. It’s time to break free from that cycle.
As for me and OptiView Entertainment, we’ve left Florida for a recreational cannabis state—a place with better vibes, less drug use, and more people aligned with spiritual enlightenment.
Considering everything that happened—with both of my previous locations facing back-to-back challenges due to bad, malicious landlords—I believe we handled the situations the best we could.
When faced with so many obstacles at once—all stemming from the actions and inactions of landlords, unethical competition, corrupt promoters, and toxic individuals—how could anyone be expected to react, but I remained very positive.
There were some out there at times looking to prey on you when your deeply distracted with drama that shouldn’t be there, but this mindset is a way of the past.
At the end of the day, karma always catches up to those who harm others. You get back what you put into the universe—and those who operated through deception and negativity will eventually face the consequences of their actions with karma from the universe until they heal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.optiview360.com/lounge-photography-studio-art-gallery-exhibit-orlando/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optiview_360/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptiView360
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OptiView360Tours/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/optiview-online-marketing-and-entertainment-longwood-3
- Other: https://www.optiview360.com/
Image Credits
Joseph Andrew
OptiView Entertainment
