In the words of one of hip hops biggest rappers, Shawn Carter, Jakeem Smith isn’t just a businessman, he’s a business, man! If you aren’t familiar with his work, you’re definitely familiar with the clients that he’s worked with. He made his mark, starting out as a celebrity photographer, shooting for the likes of Nene Leakes, Terrance Howard, Jermaine Dupree and so many more! It’s opportunities like those that has now led him to owning full-service PR and marketing firm, ‘Jay Productions Agency’, as well as his own photography and videography company, ‘Lifestyle Images ATL’. We caught up with the savvy entrepreneur who chatted with us about his time in the industry, and what keeps him going especially during these unprecedented times.
What has your expertise over the years in the entertainment and media industry helped you to realize about yourself as an entrepreneur & man of God?
Over the course of time it helped me to realize that I was here to uplift and change the narrative of people’s outcomes on how they viewed themselves and business. I realized that my gifts have made room for me to be able to be a one stop shop to be able to help them with their various needs from media relations, photography, video, event planning and so much more.
What drives you daily to get up and keep going especially since the pandemic affected many in business?
What drives me every day to keep going is the people that aspire to be better, do better and want more out of life. It tells me that if I give up, they don’t have someone that can help push their story or their outcome that they want for themselves.
What motto do you live by daily?
Always do right by people and that this is my season to explore the different levels of Jakeem.
Where did you get your start in the field and who do you have to thank for that?
My aunt Renee, my mother’s sister. She is an author whom you may have heard of. One of the books she wrote was “Self Esteem for Dummies,” the yellow and black book. When I was 7 years old, she started showing me the ropes, and the rest is history!
How important is it for you to give back to the community?
It’s very important. For that reason, I started my own non-profit, which is a 501c3 called Food in the city. We feed the homeless. I founded the organization to connect the people of greatest need in our community with service-minded and purpose driven individuals who desire to help and uplift them. We use our hearts, minds, and resources to provide necessities like food and toiletries. Our passion, along with our purpose is to help the less fortunate and strengthen our community. Here is my organization’s motto:
1 belief.
1 intention.
1 goal.
1 world.
1 love.
Same purpose.
You have appeared on reality shows and more, what keeps you humble with all your accomplishments?
What keeps me humble is the fact that I have been at a low point and have had to find myself and my true calling. So, it is important to me to now be able to show others that you can make your dreams come true. Through all the various shows from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Bridezillla, Fatal Attraction, R&B Divas Atlanta, Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta, Hot Bench, and more, I have been able to show that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and stay true to your brand.
If you could relive any moment from an event or opportunity you were part of, what would it be and why?
I wouldn’t relive any moment. In life now I just want to keep going and making more memorable moments. I want to help more people to fulfill their dreams just how I was able to. All of my experiences in life have molded me and prepared me to be even greater. Just being able to live and be able to share my gift is a blessing.
How important is mental health for you and in what ways do you keep positive in stressful times?
Mental health is very important, because that’s the only way I can stay at peace and be peace. I preach to my people each and every day about the importance of meditation, finding peace and not allowing anyone to enter your space that doesn’t serve you well.
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