Keep the Creative Spark. Build the Business.

A creative entrepreneur is someone who builds a business around creative talent, artistic skill, ideas or intellectual property. Steve also gets personal about losing books and creative work in a computer crash, becoming more business-focused, pursuing his first six-figure year, rebuilding personal creativity, attracting clients instead of constantly chasing, and why artists should value professional bookings.

Who can be a creative entrepreneur?

Creative entrepreneurs can include photographers, podcasters, YouTubers, videographers, filmmakers, writers, authors, copywriters, graphic designers, illustrators, fashion designers, interior decorators, musicians, dancers, actors, painters, digital artists, craftspeople, makers and other professionals who use creativity to produce value.

How do creative entrepreneurs make money?

They make money by packaging creative ability into services, products, performances, intellectual property, media, consulting, production, licensing, education or other commercial offers. The strongest models connect the creative work to a clear customer problem or desired outcome.

hould artists work for free?

The episode argues that when a creator is being booked professionally, compensation should be part of the conversation. A creator may still choose an unpaid opportunity strategically, but free work should be intentional rather than treated as the default value of creative labor.

Are you more of an artist, an entrepreneur, or a creative entrepreneur right now? And when was the last time you created something that was not for a client? Drop your answer below.

#CreativeEntrepreneur #CreativeEntrepreneurship #CreativeBusiness #CreatorEconomy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #CreativePodcast #CreativeIndustry #CreativeProfessionals #CreativeMindset #CreativeBusinessOwner #ArtistEntrepreneur #ArtistsInBusiness #MonetizeYourCreativity #MakeMoneyCreating #CreativeCareer #CreativeLife #CreativeStrategy #BusinessMindset #EntrepreneurMindset #PersonalBranding #BrandVisibility #ContentCreator #ContentCreation #Podcasting #Podcaster #PodcastBusiness #PhotographyBusiness #Photographer #Videographer #Filmmaker #GraphicDesigner #Writer #Author #Poet #Musician #Artist #DigitalCreator #MediaBusiness #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #SixFigureBusiness #GetPaidForYourWork #KnowYourValue #CreativeFreedom #ClientWork #ClevelandCreatives #ClevelandBusiness #ClevelandPhotographer #AlienEyezPhotos

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Tremain Lasenby From Photography to Purpose, $1M Goals, AI, Coaching & Building a Legacy

What happens when you love your craft but begin questioning whether it is still the path you want to build your entire life around?

In this powerful conversation on Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Photographer Jackson sits down with Tremain Lasenby, also known as Tremain X, for a wide-ranging discussion about creativity, entrepreneurship, photography, videography, business growth, burnout, purpose, spirituality, artificial intelligence, mentorship, financial freedom, and legacy.

The conversation begins with Tremain explaining the meaning behind the “X” in Tremain X and his philosophy of “X marks the unknown” while exploring identity, history, creativity, and personal discovery.

From there, the conversation becomes a candid examination of what it means to build a creative business while asking a much bigger question:

What if the next level of your life requires you to think beyond the thing you're already good at?

The conversation explores:

• Photography business growth
• Video production
• Pre-production and post-production
• Building a larger team
• Hiring employees and contractors
• Delegating responsibilities
• Managing deadlines
• Client relationships
• Business systems
• Passive income
• Scalability
• Burnout prevention
• Creating income beyond hourly or project-based services

Although the $1 million goal is discussed throughout the conversation, the episode ultimately moves beyond money.

The two creators discuss what they actually want their lives to look like.

Family, relationships, helping people, creating opportunities, personal freedom, and leaving a legacy become more important parts of the conversation.

The central question becomes:

What is the purpose behind the financial goal?

Money can provide options, but the conversation argues that financial achievement alone does not automatically answer questions about purpose, identity, fulfillment, or legacy.

Tremain discusses the importance of having uninterrupted time to define what you actually want.

The conversation references a prompt from Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice that encourages setting aside an hour in a peaceful environment to clarify what you want to be, do, and create.

Sometimes clarity requires stopping long enough to think.

Artificial intelligence becomes another major topic. Jackson explains how he has been using AI to organize thoughts, structure business ideas, develop standard operating procedures, clarify missions and goals, and reduce the mental clutter that can prevent him from focusing on creation. For creative entrepreneurs, the opportunity is to use technology to reduce repetitive work so more time can be spent on thinking, creating, leading, and executing meaningful ideas.

Tremain also discusses Pound De-Rooted, describing it as a lifestyle, movement, podcast, clothing brand, and creative space connected with Lasenby Illustrations.

The concept centers on bringing like-minded people together around subjects including financial literacy, history, self-knowledge, spirituality, consciousness, culture, and personal development.

This portion of the conversation demonstrates how a creative project can evolve into something broader than a single product or service.

By the end of the conversation, the $1 million goal has been placed into a much larger context.

The goal isn't simply to accumulate money.

It's about determining what kind of life, business, community, and legacy you want to create.

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In this solo episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Photographer Jackson breaks down what recent work behind the scenes at conferences, festivals, and creative events taught him about entrepreneurship: there is always another level to reach.

From helping produce Nicole D. Miller’s virtual faith conference to supporting the South Euclid Wine and Dine Festival with Nakia Hudson of 2 You Wines, Jackson shares lessons on business growth, event production, teamwork, profitability, branding, consistency, and staying focused as an entrepreneur.

The bigger message is simple: launch, improve, repeat.

Jackson reflects on several recent experiences that challenged him to think beyond his traditional role as a photographer.

He discusses:

• Event production and being a jack of all trades
• The power of teamwork and community
• Learning from other entrepreneurs
• Profitability and business growth
• Building an investable business
• Brand identity
• Personal development
• Consistency over perfection
• Eliminating distractions
• The importance of launching

One of the central themes of the episode is continuous improvement.

Jackson compares entrepreneurship to investing: when you invest in something, you want it to grow. The same principle applies to your mindset, business, skills, relationships, and personal development.

That growth doesn't always happen through one major breakthrough. Sometimes it comes from reading a few pages, attending a workshop, meeting someone new, improving an event, creating better content, or simply showing up consistently.

The goal is progression.

Jackson also explains how working behind the scenes has expanded his perspective.

At the South Euclid Wine and Dine Festival, he wasn't simply focused on taking photographs. He helped wherever he was needed — assisting with interviews, video, event logistics, guest flow, and other production responsibilities.

That experience reinforced an important entrepreneurial lesson:

Your value isn't always limited to your job title.

Understanding how an event or business actually operates gives you a better perspective on how to improve your own company.

Jackson also challenges the idea that an event or business must generate a large immediate profit to be considered successful.

Breaking even can still create significant value if the experience produces:

• New customers
• Stronger relationships
• Greater visibility
• Future partnerships
• New content
• Audience growth
• Business opportunities

Revenue keeps the business moving. Profit gives the business room to grow.

Jackson talks about setting goals, reading consistently, reducing distractions, taking social media breaks, and being intentional about where his attention goes.

His message to entrepreneurs is direct:

Set the goal. Do the work. Stay focused. Improve. Repeat.

You don't have to execute perfectly every day. You do have to keep moving.

Whether you're building a photography business, podcast, creative agency, personal brand, or another entrepreneurial venture, progress requires consistent action.

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How to Trust Your Creativity and Turn It Into Influence?

What happens when you stop asking whether your creativity is “good enough” and start trusting what makes your creative voice uniquely yours?

In this episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, host Steve Jackson sits down with Shakara Ben, aka the Creative Leo, for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, graphic design, commercial printing, creative consulting, set design, networking, artificial intelligence, personal growth and legacy.

Shakara describes herself as a creative who refuses to limit creativity to one discipline. Her work includes graphic design, commercial printing and creative consultancy, while her creative interests also extend into event planning, decor and set design. Her central belief is simple: creativity is in everyone's DNA, and creativity deserves to be seen and heard.

But the conversation goes deeper than simply talking about being creative.

Shakara discusses how she grew up being told she was artistic and creative, yet it took years before she truly believed in her own creativity. That transition—from hearing other people recognize your creativity to actually trusting it yourself—is one of the most important themes of the episode.

The conversation also explores how creativity can become a business.

Shakara shares the story of a professor asking her what her legacy would be as a designer. That question ultimately became a catalyst: she started her business about a month later. Her first client came through that same educational relationship, and she eventually began taking graphic design more seriously and building her brand.

Steve and Shakara also discuss networking and the importance of being visible in creative industries. Shakara shares her desire to work on major movie sets and explains how joining the Greater Cleveland Film Commission helped her move toward that goal. Steve shares his own experience working as a production assistant on Superman and emphasizes the role relationships and networking can play in getting opportunities.

Another major discussion centers around artificial intelligence and technology. Rather than treating technological evolution as something separate from creativity, Shakara argues that creativity itself drives technological advancement. The conversation examines how convenience changes society while asking an important question for creatives: how do we use new tools without abandoning our own creative thinking?

Then comes one of the most memorable portions of the episode: Shakara describes her creative process as a weather forecast.

There are sunny skies, quiet storms, heavy rain and cloudy periods. Sometimes ideas pour in. Sometimes she hits a creative block and needs to step away, listen to music, breathe, pause and return with a clearer perspective. She explains that hearing her clients describe their vision helps activate her own creative process because she considers herself an audiovisual learner.

The conversation ultimately expands from creativity into creative influence and legacy.

Shakara encourages creatives to recognize that their work may influence people even when they cannot immediately see the impact. She believes creatives should use their influence to create positive change and asks listeners to consider what their creativity will leave behind.

Her final message is direct:

Your creativity deserves to be seen and heard. Use your creativity to influence. Ask yourself what your creative legacy will be.

If you're a graphic designer, photographer, entrepreneur, artist, filmmaker, event professional, writer, musician, consultant or simply someone trying to reconnect with your creative identity, this conversation offers plenty to think about.

Listen, take notes and ask yourself:

What are you going to do with the creativity you were given?

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Why entrepreneurs need patience, consistency, real-world skills, and smart AI use instead of expecting overnight business success.

This solo episode explores one of the biggest problems facing modern entrepreneurs: the expectation of instant results.

Social media makes success appear immediate. AI can produce content in seconds. Online businesses advertise rapid transformations. But behind virtually every sustainable business is a much less glamorous process: learning, testing, failing, improving, repeating and waiting for consistency to compound.

Steve Jackson uses the metaphor of microwave cooking to describe the mentality of entrepreneurs who expect immediate results.

But business isn't microwave food.

It's a process.

Many people want overnight success, overnight solutions and overnight results.

But some things simply require time.

Steve uses relationships and championship competition as examples. Healing after a relationship takes time, just as becoming a champion requires moving through multiple stages of development. 

The modern entrepreneur can easily fall into the expectation:

Input → wait → money.

But building a company doesn't work that way.

Skills have to develop.

Reputation has to develop.

Relationships have to develop.

Systems have to develop.

Customers have to trust you.

Your brand has to become recognizable.

Your execution has to improve.

That takes time. 

AI changes the speed at which entrepreneurs can research, brainstorm and produce.

But AI doesn't eliminate the need for:

• strategy
• judgment
• taste
• creativity
• editing
• experience
• relationships
• execution

Steve argues that entrepreneurs should work with AI rather than simply handing over the creative process to it. 

One practical AI lesson from the episode:

Ask for another version.

Instead of accepting the first output, ask for two or three alternatives and evaluate them.

This is particularly relevant to:

• AI writing
• marketing ideas
• flyers
• images
• social media content
• business concepts
• brainstorming

AI can accelerate iteration, but the human still needs to make the decision.

Entrepreneurs can become so focused on building that they forget to stop.

Steve recommends deliberately scheduling time away—even a half day or full day—to reflect, meditate, journal or simply think. 

Long-term freedom requires infrastructure.

The episode discusses surrounding yourself with competent people—including consultants, accountants, lawyers and other professionals—and developing people you can trust. 

One of the strongest entrepreneurial lessons:

You are your own competition.

The objective isn't necessarily to outperform everybody else.

It's to become better than yesterday.

The episode closes with an encouraging message: business and life move through peaks and valleys.

A setback doesn't mean the opportunity is permanently gone.

Your next breakthrough may simply require more development, patience and work. 

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Repurposed episode from The Pull Up Experience Podcast episode 321, How Photography Became More Than a Career, The Entrepreneurial Journey of Steve Jackson.

What happens when photography becomes more than taking pictures?

For Steve Jackson, photography has become a gateway into entrepreneurship, media production, creative direction, storytelling and community building.

In this repurposed episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Steve revisits his appearance on The Pull Up Experience Podcast, Episode 321, where he was interviewed about his work as a photographer, producer and creative director within The Pull Up Experience, an entrepreneur elevation group in Cleveland, Ohio.

Steve Jackson is a creative entrepreneur whose work sits at the intersection of photography, media, business, storytelling and community.

Through his work, photography has opened doors to additional opportunities in production, videography, podcasting and creative direction. His experience demonstrates how one creative skill can become the foundation for a much larger entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The episode also provides insight into the importance of surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs, creatives and people who are committed to growth.

The Pull Up Experience represents that type of environment—bringing entrepreneurs together and creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, learning and elevation.

For Steve, being involved isn't simply about having another title or participating in another organization. It's about creating value, contributing ideas, documenting experiences and helping build something that can positively impact the community.

This conversation is particularly relevant for photographers, creatives, entrepreneurs, artists, media professionals and aspiring business owners who are trying to turn their skills into sustainable opportunities.

If you're interested in creative entrepreneurship, photography business, media production, community building, entrepreneurship in Cleveland or turning creative skills into a broader business, this episode offers a look inside Steve Jackson's journey.

Steve Jackson is a photographer, producer and creative director based in Cleveland, Ohio whose work spans photography, media production, creative entrepreneurship and community.

Steve Jackson works across photography, production and creative direction while building entrepreneurial and media projects.

The Pull Up Experience is an entrepreneur elevation group in Cleveland, Ohio focused on bringing entrepreneurs together through community, connection and opportunities for growth.

Photography can create opportunities to develop relationships, document events, work in media production and expand into related areas such as videography, creative direction and content production.

Community can provide entrepreneurs with relationships, collaboration opportunities, shared knowledge and exposure to people pursuing similar goals.

Learn about Photographer Jackson and Alien Eyez Photos Media and Industry Talk. Music was only the beginning.

Checkout the full video episode: https://youtu.be/TQU1wXhysLU?si=bICCkGDMCqH_8vo7

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What happens when you’re ambitious, creative, responsible for a family, building a business, working a job, managing multiple projects—and you’re simply tired?

In this solo episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Steven Jackson reflects on the reality of trying to build a meaningful life while carrying multiple responsibilities.

As entrepreneurs and creatives, we often convince ourselves that we have to constantly produce, make decisions, chase opportunities, build the brand and keep moving.

But sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest.

Steven talks about experiencing decision fatigue and the pressure that comes from being a father, entrepreneur, photographer, videographer, podcast producer and business owner while still working a traditional job.

He also explains why his 9-to-5 is currently part of the strategy—not necessarily the destination. Instead of viewing employment only as something to escape, he sees it as a source of stability that can help him continue building his businesses and creating opportunities for his family.

The conversation expands into entrepreneurship, choosing the right environments, being intentional about opportunities, avoiding the temptation to say yes to everything, and understanding how photography opened doors into videography, film production and podcasting.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder:

You don't always have to be Superman or Superwoman.

You are allowed to rest.

You are allowed to reflect.

You are allowed to change direction.

You are allowed to protect your energy.

And you can still have enormous dreams.

Steven also discusses his six-figure aspirations, his commitment to creating positive impact, his approach to partnerships and opportunities, emotional balance, gratitude, personal wellness and his upcoming social media sabbatical project.

This episode is essentially a verbal journal—a snapshot of one entrepreneur's thoughts while navigating business, creativity, family, responsibility and the pursuit of a better life.

If you're a creative entrepreneur, photographer, filmmaker, business owner, artist or ambitious professional trying to build something while maintaining your sanity, this episode is for you.

Your business needs you, but it does not need every minute of your life.

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How spoken-word poetry can transform emotion, experience, and creativity into meaningful expression and impact. "You don't have to fit inside one creative box."

Spoken word poet Jewel Justice discusses creativity, vulnerability, personal branding, advocacy, relationships and finding your voice as a multifaceted artist.

What happens when poetry becomes more than words on a page?

In this episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, photographer and host Jackson Steve Jackson sits down with spoken-word poet and creative supporter Jewel Justice for a wide-ranging conversation about poetry, creativity, personal branding, vulnerability, relationships, artistic identity and the power of using your voice.

Jewel Justice describes herself as a poet and creative supporter—someone who uses words to communicate messages, invoke emotions and encourage critical thinking while supporting the arts in whatever form they take.

The conversation explores what it means to be a multifaceted artist in a world that often wants creatives to choose one lane.

Jewel discusses her evolution as a poet, her participation in a 30 for 30 poetry challenge, writing a new poem every day, and the process of turning written work into visual content for social media.

She also explains how creativity can come from unexpected places—including relationships, community experiences, emotions and personal reflection. Some poems emerge from experiences that have ended but continue to influence the artist long afterward.

One of the most compelling conversations centers around poetry as advocacy and education. The episode examines how artists can use their creative work to communicate ideas, preserve experiences, provoke thought and create meaningful impact.

Jewel also opens up about her relationship with performance and personal branding. Her signature sunglasses originally helped her manage the vulnerability of being on stage as an introvert. Over time, she became more confident performing—but the sunglasses became part of her recognizable artistic identity.

The conversation also moves into the business side of creativity.

How do you market yourself when you're a multifaceted artist?

How do you build a recognizable identity without sacrificing the different parts of who you are?

How can technology support creativity?

And how can artists use their existing skills across different mediums?

Jewel explains how she uses tools such as Canva to create visual presentations for her poetry and other creative work, combining writing, graphic design, photography, video and social media into one larger creative ecosystem.

The discussion ultimately becomes bigger than poetry.

It becomes a conversation about identity, expression, relationships, vulnerability, creativity and impact.

Jewel's closing poetry performance brings the conversation full circle, describing writing as a way to process life, encourage others, transform pain and preserve stories for the future.

If you're a poet, artist, creative entrepreneur, photographer, filmmaker, musician, writer or anyone trying to build something meaningful from your creativity, this episode offers plenty to think about.

Your creative disciplines do nott have to compete for attention. With the right positioning, they can reinforce one another.

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We just want to live life. We just want to be human beings. You can have big dreams, build businesses, take risks, and still need rest. Being ambitious does not mean you stop being human. We want to be with our loved ones. We want to create. We want to build businesses. We want to make money. We want to chase ambitious dreams.

But sometimes we don't want to be Superman.

And for the women listening, you don't always have to be Superwoman either.

Sometimes you just need to rest.

What happens when you have big dreams, multiple businesses, family responsibilities, a job, creative projects and countless decisions to make?

Eventually, you get tired.

In this solo episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Steven Jackson reflects on the less-discussed side of entrepreneurship: the desire to simply live life and be human.

Entrepreneurs are often celebrated for working harder, taking risks and constantly pursuing the next goal. But ambition comes with a cost when you never give yourself permission to slow down.

Steven talks about decision fatigue, rest, balancing entrepreneurship with a job, being a father, building Alien Eyez Photos Media, photography and videography, podcasting, choosing the right opportunities and being intentional about the environments and people surrounding you.

He also discusses his goal of reaching his first six figures, why his nine-to-five currently provides an important layer of financial security, and why going all-in on a business isn't always the right decision at every stage.

The bigger message is simple:

You can have enormous dreams and still need rest.

You can be ambitious without trying to be Superman every day.

You can build something meaningful while still making room for family, reflection, relationships, health, creativity and simply experiencing life.

This episode is a verbal journal, but it is also an encouragement to entrepreneurs, creatives, parents and anyone carrying more responsibilities than people realize.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is stop.

Rest.

Reflect.

Reset.

Then get back to the work.

Rest isn't abandoning the mission. Rest helps you return to the mission with a clearer mind. You don't have to stop dreaming to give yourself permission to rest.

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Celebrating MC Chill’s 40-Year Legacy, Cleveland Hip-Hop Pioneers, Black History, Community Support & Business Lessons. What happens when Cleveland hip-hop history, Black cultural heritage, entrepreneurship, community, and personal legacy come together in one event?

The 2026 African American Heritage & Cultural Celebration brought together history, culture, community, music, and storytelling at the Cleveland History Center, with a special celebration honoring legendary Cleveland hip-hop artist MC Chill.

In this special solo episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Steve Jackson, also known as Photographer Jackson, recaps the experience and reflects on the importance of documenting Black history, Cleveland culture, hip-hop history, and the people who helped shape the city's creative legacy.

MC Chill's recognition provides an opportunity to look beyond the celebration itself and think about what it means to honor cultural pioneers while they are still here to receive their flowers.

As a photographer, media producer, podcaster, and creative entrepreneur based in Cleveland, Steve shares his perspective on attending and documenting cultural events and why visual storytelling matters when preserving history.

This episode explores the intersection of:

• African American history
• Cleveland Black history
• Cleveland hip-hop history
• Hip-hop culture
• African American cultural heritage
• Community celebration
• Music history
• Cultural preservation
• Event photography
• Visual storytelling
• Creative entrepreneurship

The celebration also represents something larger for Steve: the responsibility of creatives to document the people, events, accomplishments, and stories happening within their communities.

Photographs, videos, podcasts, interviews, and other forms of media can become historical records. What is captured today can become part of the story future generations use to understand where they came from.

This is why documenting Cleveland's creative community matters.

This is why honoring cultural pioneers matters.

And this is why MC Chill's legacy matters.

Join Steve Jackson for this special recap of the 2026 African American Heritage & Cultural Celebration honoring MC Chill at the Cleveland History Center.

This episode connects with Photographer Jackson's ambitious goal of collectively producing, hosting, and recording 10,000 podcast episodes.

Steve's biggest takeaway from the celebration is that success isn't only about what you build—it's also about who you support, who supports you, and whether you continue showing up over time.

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