Shawn Lee, photographic artist and entrepreneur, based in Detroit, Michigan, graciously engaged in a conversation with B&H about how he has managed to keep a thriving business and creative community afloat during a tough time in the Detroit economy.
Lee is starting a Visual Media Institute called "THE HUB." It will be a world-class imaging studio that is a 100% business and 100% training facility for Detroit's student population. Lee’s goal is the success of Detroit’s youth, as well as providing a beneficial service to the local small business community.
How has he managed his success in the tough economy of a bankrupt city?
1. Identify your community. Lee considers himself “a Community Guy who is passionate about people and life!” You can sense his enthusiasm for his city. “My Detroit community as a whole is RESILIENT, PASSIONATE, DRIVEN, and full of RESOLVE. We don't quit, we don't die, we transcend, we diversify well, and we are OVERCOMERS. It is in our nature. This is the same for my community of artists, photographers, and business owners.
2. Adapt to challenges. “My biggest obstacle thus far has been navigating my photography business and trying to keep it successful in Detroit, at a time when we as a city were going through bankruptcy.” Lee lists the sustainment of his business as a top accomplishment and he adds to that dialog, “Being highly involved with people, community, youth, politics, and game-changing initiatives in Detroit that have helped change the negative narrative of the city I love. Giving back a great deal.”
3. Stay creative. “Always stay learning and involve yourself in creative communities. Also, surround yourself with people who are at the top of their game. It challenges you to stretch yourself.”
4. Evolve. Lee says, “You can put a new set of clothes on the same body!” He adds, “Consider new campaigns, themes, photography offerings that are fresh and new and also relevant to the community you do business in. Find special days or events that everyone loves already that you can piggyback on. Then create a custom offering that creates a WIN-WIN for not only you, but also your client. This type of out-of-the-box thinking is how I exploded my business in Detroit during our time of bankruptcy. It can also make you very relevant and effective in your own community.
5. Keep it simple. “I always teach from a very simple business concept: People don't do business with you because you're good at what you do, people do business with you because they like you, they trust you, or they can relate to you in some way, shape, or form. The point is, present who you are in your imagery, websites, video content, everything. If you're the "Happy Person" or the "Passionate Person" or the "Cool Person," make sure it is translated in all of the content you share. Your biggest clients will be those who relate to you or want to be affiliated with your persona.”
6. Promote yourself. Lee says that he likes “most viral marketing, where customers speak highly of you.” That includes mainstream social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Another key, “Develop creative campaigns, and announce key relationships with entities that matter to people,” he says.
7. Allow your community to inspire you. Lee draws energy from “our young adults who overcome and transcend less than favorable conditions every day to become great. These kids inspire me to never make excuses.”
