Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk

The Entrepreneur Mindset for Consistency, Focus & Business GrowthIn 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 communityLearning from other entrepreneurs Profitability and business growth Building an investable businessBrand identityPersonal developmentConsistency over perfectionEliminating distractionsThe importance of launchingThere Is Always Another LevelOne 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.From Photographer to Producer and Problem SolverJackson 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.Profitability, Investment and Building a BusinessJackson 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 customersStronger relationshipsGreater visibilityFuture partnershipsNew contentAudience growthBusiness opportunitiesRevenue keeps the business moving. Profit gives the business room to grow.Focus, Consistency and Doing the WorkJackson 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.

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?

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.1. The Problem With Overnight SuccessMany 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. 2. The "Microwave Business" MentalityThe 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. 3. AI Is a Tool—Not Your BusinessAI changes the speed at which entrepreneurs can research, brainstorm and produce.But AI doesn't eliminate the need for:strategyjudgmenttastecreativityeditingexperiencerelationshipsexecutionSteve argues that entrepreneurs should work with AI rather than simply handing over the creative process to it. 4. Don't Accept the First ResultOne 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 writingmarketing ideasflyersimagessocial media contentbusiness conceptsbrainstormingAI can accelerate iteration, but the human still needs to make the decision.5. Take Time AwayEntrepreneurs 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. 6. Build the Right TeamLong-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. 7. Compete With YourselfOne 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.8. Your Time Is ComingThe 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. 

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.

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.

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.Because being ambitious doesn't make you less human. I Just Want to Be Human: The Cost of Being an EntrepreneurWhat 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.

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 historyCleveland Black historyCleveland hip-hop historyHip-hop cultureAfrican American cultural heritageCommunity celebrationMusic historyCultural preservationEvent photographyVisual storytellingCreative entrepreneurshipThe 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.

Building a Legacy Through Podcasting. Can I Create 10,000 Podcast Episodes? My Ambitious Lifetime Goal.What would it take to collectively produce, host, and record 10,000 podcast episodes?In this solo episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Steve Jackson—also known as Photographer Jackson—shares one of his most ambitious long-term goals: collectively producing, hosting, recording, and documenting 10,000 podcast episodes throughout his lifetime.For many podcasters, the goal might be 100 episodes, 500 episodes, or even 1,000 episodes.Steve is thinking much bigger.The 10,000 podcast episode goal isn't simply about creating a huge number of episodes. It's about building a lifetime body of work, documenting ideas, conversations, lessons, entrepreneurs, creatives, businesses, industries, experiences, and stories.As a creative entrepreneur, photographer, media producer, podcast host, and business owner, Steve discusses why consistency, documentation, intellectual property, storytelling, and long-term thinking matter when building a media brand.This episode explores the bigger question:What happens when you stop thinking about content as something you create temporarily and start thinking about it as a body of work that can compound for decades?Steve also reflects on the role of podcasting as a form of documentation and how every episode can become another piece of intellectual property, searchable content, educational material, and part of a larger media archive.The goal is ambitious—but that's intentional.Rather than limiting the vision based on what seems easy or conventional, this episode is about setting a massive long-term goal and then working backward to determine what is possible.Whether you're a podcaster, entrepreneur, content creator, photographer, filmmaker, business owner, creative entrepreneur, or aspiring media personality, this episode challenges you to think beyond short-term content creation and consider what you could build over an entire lifetime.10,000 episodes is the goal.The bigger goal is the legacy.Can you imagine producing 10,000 podcast episodes?In this solo episode of Alien Eyez Photos Industry Talk, Steve Jackson shares his ambitious lifetime goal of collectively producing, hosting, recording, and documenting 10,000 podcast episodes.This isn't simply about numbers. It's about consistency, storytelling, documentation, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, and building a lasting media legacy.Steve discusses why podcasters and creative entrepreneurs should think beyond individual episodes and start thinking about their entire body of work.If you're interested in podcasting, entrepreneurship, content creation, personal branding, media production, creative entrepreneurship, and building a long-term legacy, this episode is for you.10,000 episodes. One lifetime. One body of work.