We had the good fortune of connecting with Cedric “CeddyJDusk” Collier and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Cedric “CeddyJDusk”, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my overall brand After Dusk Media due to inspiration back in high school. I wrote down a goal sophomore year that I was going to write for a magazine and or start my own. I studied print journalism in high school and eventually switched to broadcast in college. This started Life After Dusk Live, which acted as a gateway to me starting Human Canvas Magazine, and finally Laser Focus Photos.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The key to any brand is consistency and how you treat people. If you put out good energy, you will receive it back. That mantra has helped me through the yps and downs. As far as with Life After Dusk Live, the lesson you can learn is when you interview people talk to them like they are your friend you are catching up with. It comes off smoother. As far as with Human Canvas Magazine, you learn that letting people have freedom of expression goes a long way and will extend your longevity. Finally Laser Focus Photos, I learn no matter what I shoot sometimes I have take a chance and try new things.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to Xquisite Sports Bar to drink and hang out, Hard Eight BBQ or Smokeoholics to let people know Texas knows how to barbecue, and of course check out my Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my family for always supporting me, my college professor Molly Floyd, my best friends Ralphiel Buckley and Michael Taylor, Photographer Rick Williams, and many more great people who me pushed to start this brand.
Website: Laserfocusphotos.com
Instagram: CeddyJDusk
Twitter: CeddyJDusk
Facebook: CeddyJDusk
Other: Hcmag.duskspot.com Duskspot.com/duskspotradio