We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephen Abdul and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Well, honestly, when the pandemic was in full swing back in late 2020, I was quarantined and on medical leave from work. I did have COVID-19 at the time so it wasn’t much that I could do in terms of getting out even working. While I was just sitting around at home, I thought about the creative experience I had with art, photo, and digital design in the past and figured, “Why not start up photography as a hobby?” I have always wanted to start my own business but never had the right niche around me to propel the ideas. Living in Dallas and being surrounded by tons of other young Black entrepreneurs, really made me feel confident enough to take a leap of faith and take photography seriously. I have always had a mentality that I want to work for myself and build a future that I TOTALLY control, while still enjoying life and the opportunities within.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel that my positive approach to ALL scenarios puts me in a different bracket than others. Having that partnered with my professionalism stemming from working in a corporate environment for so long also aids me in handling business in a clean and concise manner that makes my clients happy and keeps business neat and steady.

Getting to where I am professionally wasn’t the easiest but I know the struggle to get here was worth it. I had to really dig deep into my mind and heart to find the confidence to market myself and really step out on faith to take hold of the chance of a lifetime. Coming for Chicago where I grew up, it was very hard to start a business because once you get something going for yourself, it was always being targeted by someone so they can take it from you and have it for themselves. So fear of failure on my part as well as fear of having my dream snatched from me where two factors that made me somewhat apprehensive at first. But having faith in God and trusting the process fully, made the difference.

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.
Well considering my best friend is a real life goof ball like myself, I know we would have fun going to Cafe214 on Thursday for TrapKaraoke. Nothing but laughs and people watching for sure. We are both foodies so I would have to take her to the TruckYard in Frisco to check out the vendors and get some cheesesteaks and KoolAid pickles.

At night, we party. So, BitterEnd in Deep Ellum would make the list for sure and then we may head around the corner to Harlowe…especially if its a Friday.

She is a girly girl and everybody knows all girls love XOXO…so that would be next. I’m sure all the photos she would make me take there would have me ready to fly away.

I would definitely have to take her to Rokwood on Sundays to kick it my people from TheLegionGroup. Partying and brunching with them is top tier for sure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt I would have to dedicate this shoutout to my long time friend and sister Kami. She was a very pivotal person in my professional career and entrepreneurial development. We have been best friends for about 7 years and although she is hundreds of miles away, the support and love she showed me when I started my business and journey made it seem like she was right next to me the whole through. She is an entrepreneur as well and she basically taught me a lot about the game and how to protect myself and value my craft as well. I can for sure say that I wouldn’t be where I am without her support and constructive criticism .

Website: https://stephtheshootervisuals.godaddysites.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephtheshooter_/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/stephenquincyabdul

Image Credits
StephTheShooter

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