We were lucky to catch up with Amya Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amya, thanks for joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
Parents or any adult figure in your life sets the tone for your success at a young age. I was such an active and creative kid that my mom and step dad kept me into new things to keep me on a good track. I played just about every instrument, swimming, karate, drawing etc, and anything i showed interest in wanted to pursue my parents were on it. I became multitalented with all these skills and was able to pursue anything i wanted just based off natural and taught talents & I’ve hit the ground running ever since. I also have to personally thank my father Stephen, he keeps me grounded in my adult years and makes sure I’m staying focused on any dream i have. He’s my biggest supporter & parents tend to think after 18, kids just don’t need them anymore. As we grow into this real and harsh world we need our parents more than ever actually. So to all parents…always show up and support your kids physically, mentally, and emotionally on their dreams & life in general that goes a long way into their character development.
Amya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have told this story on how i got here already, so I will continue on by stating what’s keeping me here in this field. NaxVisuals was created based on community, capturing my community and bringing light to what’s going on around me. In my growing age, I have changed direction in my career field many times because i want to be able to serve my purpose while also fulfilling my self. When i do return to photography as a career im hoping to take it in a whole different direction but as of now im currently just using my skills to push the talents of those who aren’t in the spotlight and want to share their stories. What sets me apart is I want to be able showcase my city in a positive light and help others through what I’ve already went through in this field. Everybody is so money hungry and trying to be what blows the fastest, but not really in it for the essence of being a creative influence like myself. I am proud of everything i have accomplished along the way, proud of myself, proud of my peers….we are changing the game one day at a time y’all!
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
In todays time, entrepreneurship seems like the easiest route to go. I thought the same thing too before starting one but TRUST me nobody is talking about their failures before the come ups. I started running this business with no experience or advice at 15, it was nothing but me just doing it and it was that simple at first. As your skill set grows, so does your demand and supply & demand can really make or break you. It was a time where I had multiple shoots lined up back to back but I had no team or help with all these projects that ended up just all crashing down on me at once. I was mentally & physically exhausted, i barely slept and ate most days because I wanted that grind so bad. This is not healthy! It took a toll on my body until I had no choice but to stop. I say all that to say, if you have the help please use it and take breaks..things will not happen over night so trust the process & nothing about running a business is easy but it’s not impossible.
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
Photography & Musical Studies was a hobby that turned into a foundation for the career I would like to pursue. I am now pursuing music & mental health advocacy with the help of my peers, shoutout “Mamas Garage”. I’ve always been one for community and bringing us closer as one through art or any other talent. I also know life is real, life gets hard, and we need that community of love and support to fall back on when times aren’t the best. Through photography I have been able to influence the artistic strength in others and that will forever be the most rewarding thing I’ve gotten. Now, through this new path im on I am hoping to give people the platform and safe space to express themselves through visuals, music, writing etc. I just want to create something greater than myself, transitioning from the student to the teacher…thats what the mission has always been about so just…Stay Tuned!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://naxvisuals.square.site/
- Instagram: @naxmantra
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/LxYoLF98OMI
Image Credits
@naxthevision