We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ali Dola a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ali, appreciate you joining us today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it was definitely a journey to get there. After graduating from Holland College, I began working as a video editor, where I gained invaluable experience collaborating with over 25 agents at Century21 Colonial Realty on Prince Edward Island (PEI). After a 3 month Internship there, I am now currently working with Royal LePage in PEI, Canada.

Before that, I had built a strong foundation back home in Kuwait as a freelance photographer and automotive enthusiast. I spent a lot of time honing my skills in photography and Photoshop manipulation, which allowed me to develop a diverse portfolio.

That portfolio became my ticket to success—it played a crucial role in helping me land the job at Century21 and my current job. Building it took about a year of consistent effort, combining passion projects with freelance work.

Looking back, I realize there were steps I could have taken to accelerate my progress. For instance, having a professional website or landing page to showcase my work early on would have made a big difference. Additionally, proactively cold-calling businesses and offering my services upfront could have opened doors sooner.

The journey wasn’t easy or instant, but it taught me the importance of persistence, networking, and presenting your work professionally.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a dedicated photographer and videographer with a passion for creating impactful visuals, particularly in real estate and automotive industries. My journey into this field began during my time back home in Kuwait, where I worked as a freelance photographer and automotive enthusiast. I developed my skills through hands-on experience and experimentation, from capturing dynamic car shots to using Photoshop for creative manipulation.

After graduating from Holland College, I dove into video editing and had the opportunity to work with Century21 Colonial Realty & Royal LePage. Over time, I collaborated with more than 30 real estate agents, producing professional-grade photos and videos to help showcase their properties. My work in this space has been about more than just capturing images; I aim to tell compelling visual stories that highlight a property’s unique appeal.

Currently, I provide real estate photography and videography services, offering everything from polished listing photos to cinematic property walkthroughs. In addition, I’m expanding into creating cinematic automotive documentaries—marrying my love for cars with storytelling.

What sets me apart is my attention to detail and my ability to bring an artistic yet professional edge to every project. My clients appreciate that I not only meet technical standards but also elevate their marketing efforts by showcasing their listings or brands in the best possible light. I also offer editing services that incorporate advanced techniques like bracketed image editing, ensuring the final product is polished and high-quality. Took me 3 months of trial and error to get bracketed editing right compared to single shot edits I have seen for real estate.

I’m most proud of how far I’ve come and the trust I’ve earned from clients. Building a career rooted in my passions for cinema and photography has been incredibly fulfilling. For potential clients or followers, I want them to know that my work is about collaboration—I’m here to help tell their stories and solve their challenges, whether it’s boosting property sales or creating memorable automotive visuals.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the ability to transform ideas into tangible, impactful visuals that resonate with people. Whether it’s crafting a cinematic walkthrough for a stunning property or capturing the essence of a car’s design in an automotive shoot, the process of turning a vision into reality is incredibly fulfilling.

I love the way my work allows me to connect with others. Each project is an opportunity to collaborate with clients, understand their needs, and help them tell a story that aligns with their goals. Knowing that my work can contribute to someone’s success—whether it’s helping sell a home or sparking admiration for a brand—is deeply satisfying.

Additionally, the constant evolution of creativity keeps me motivated. Every new project presents unique challenges and learning opportunities, pushing me to innovate and refine my skills. It’s this blend of passion, connection, and growth that makes being a creative so rewarding for me.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Several resources have had a significant impact on my management and entrepreneurial thinking, shaping how I approach my work and business:

Books

“The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber
This book taught me the importance of building systems and processes in a business. It shifted my mindset from being solely a creative to also thinking like an entrepreneur, ensuring my work is scalable and sustainable.

“Start With Why” by Simon Sinek
This book reinforced the idea of purpose-driven work. It helped me focus on defining the “why” behind my services, which not only guides my decision-making but also resonates with clients and followers.

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear (Obviously)
While not strictly entrepreneurial, this book emphasizes the power of small, consistent improvements. It’s been invaluable in helping me structure my daily routines and gradually build toward bigger goals.

Videos and Talks

Simon Sinek’s TED Talk: “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”
This talk expanded on the principles in Start With Why and deepened my understanding of leadership and communication.

Casey Neistat’s YouTube Channel
Casey’s approach to storytelling and his entrepreneurial journey have inspired me to combine authenticity with creativity in my work, His passion for creating is so deep rooted in all of his videos it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like for myself when I have a great audience, especially as I branch into cinematic automotive documentaries.

Essays and Articles

Paul Graham’s Essays on Entrepreneurship
His writing on startups, innovation, and perseverance provided practical insights into building a business and staying resilient through challenges. The lingo is a little difficult for my taste but some really good nuggets in there.

Other Resources

Podcasts

The Tim Ferriss Show: Offers actionable advice on productivity and creativity from industry leaders.

How I Built This by Guy Raz: Features inspiring stories from entrepreneurs about building their businesses.

These resources collectively shaped my approach to managing my career, refining my creative process, and building a brand that aligns with my goals and values.

They’ve also taught me the importance of consistency, clarity, and systems in balancing the artistic and business sides of my work.

Knowing about creative blocks and ruts was important as I would treat them as a negative as compared to now where I realize I need to let off some steam and maybe look in different areas for inspiration.