We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Jackson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.

Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I hope to build a legacy where people remember me as a risk-taker who used my talents to carve out a successful career and provided a platform for other creatives to showcase their work and tell their stories. Since 2001, my journey across various creative fields has been marked by perseverance and adaptability, leading me to find my own version of success in each venture.

A significant part of my success has been due to the incredible mentors and opportunities I’ve had along the way. I want my legacy to reflect my gratitude for these experiences and my commitment to offering the same support and opportunities to others I encounter.

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?

For those who may not be familiar with me, I’m Daniel Jackson, the founder of Embassy: Interactive. My journey into the creative industry began in 2011 with the creation of Embassy: Interactive as solely an entertainment-based website aimed at showcasing music artists, film projects, and other culturally relevant content that I felt deserved more attention. By 2015, my work with Embassy: Interactive evolved into a more creative content space as artists began requesting my services for creating video content, including recaps, music videos, and short films. This eventually led to larger projects and national recognition.

Today, Embassy: Interactive is a trusted provider of photography and video production services, particularly for community-centered and business development organizations. Our work often highlights and supports the stories of these organizations’ efforts within the community. My passion for music and storytelling drives the unique approach we take in presenting our work.

What I’m most proud of is taking the leap from a comfortable management career to start my own business full-time, despite not having a traditional business education and launching it at age 36. This risk has paid off, and I want people to know that my goal is to present anything I support in its best light. This commitment to excellence is at the heart of everything we do at Embassy: Interactive.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a reputation in any market starts with taking pride in your work. Ensuring that your work speaks for itself is fundamental. Beyond that, it’s essential to recognize the interconnected nature of the creative industry. The saying “the world is small” holds true, especially within tight-knit creative communities. Treating everyone you meet with kindness should be a general rule of thumb in life, and that’s definitely particularly true in professional settings.

For instance, one of my longest-running and favorite roles is being the lead photographer for the BlackStar Film Festival. I was recommended for this role by two individuals from different industries (bartending and event production) who were involved with the festival. Their referrals came because of how I presented myself and the quality of my work.

Another pivotal moment was in 2014 when I was approached for content creation by Aisha Winfield, the manager of an artist named Khemist, whom I supported during his time at Hampton University. This opportunity led to my first national project and a lasting collaboration with my friend and mentor, Hezekiah. These connections and the quality of my work were instrumental in shaping my reputation and encouraging me to pursue this work full-time.

Ultimately, presenting yourself well and delivering high-quality work are key to building a strong reputation in any market.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

The resources I’ve discovered throughout my creative journey have often aligned with my entrepreneurial path. For instance, I’ve recently learned about the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, an organization that’s been around for over 20 years. Despite its long-standing presence, I was unaware of it due to my immediate network, and it could have been beneficial during my early artistic endeavors.

As a small business owner, I’ve also come across resources like Small Business Development Centers, which do also cater to creative career industries like mine and offer valuable insights and support that many people might not be aware of. While I believe that everything happens in its own time, I want to highlight these resources in case they can benefit anyone reading this today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://embassy-interactive.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embinteractive/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Embassy730
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/embassy-interactive-llc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EMBInteractive
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/730Embassy
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/embassy730

Image Credits

Brandon Ballard, Vashti Oliver, Monique Marcus, Dropbox, Daniel Jackson