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

Hi Jalen, thanks for joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

This was definitely not built up in one night. God has shown me tough times, adversity and placed every kind of obstacle in my way in order to help me build a solid business. A major milestone that happened began with the Pandemic. This essentially shut down my professional career as a basketball player. Like many, I had no clue what I would do with my life. I was a 25 year old broke recent graduate. I had no clue if/when overseas basketball was going to come back so I had to mentally overcome that obstacle because up until this point basketball was essentially my life.

I made an insane decision and moved to Las Vegas for just over 6 months to pursue my media career. I won’t get into details but there were pivotal lessons learned; good and bad. After my time in Vegas I was essentially homeless. Instead of giving up this new found dream, during a pandemic, I moved to Los Angeles. I got connected with a small record label and was in charge of media production for 3 artists. I was sleeping on the couch grinding, learning and honing my craft. Now there were times where I wanted to fold, but the grind that I had instilled in me with basketball I transferred to my business and my craft. I took that door opening of being in Los Angeles and ran with it. I fostered and created relationships I still have to this day.

Fast forward to 2021, I accepted a job with a media agency in Los Angeles days before giving up, because your boy was tired of being homeless haha. I soaked that opportunity in for everything it had. Again I fostered and created relationships with those I worked with.

Now I am not the most skilled Director, editor, creative, or creator. That was never my goal. What I realized and noticed was that being a solid human being, doing things for others, and working hard were the keys to success. I dropped my ego, I kept being a student of my craft and I let others know how much I appreciate them. This took me further than any skillset ever has. After a year with that Agency I went full time with my own business and have been independently full-time for 2 years now. I have been able to travel the world, meet amazing humans. Listening and telling others stories is what keeps me invested in this craft. I don’t think there is a world where speeding up this process would have been beneficial. I truly needed to learn the ins and outs of basic relationships, my industry, and my craft in order to be where I am now and where I know I will be in the future.

Putting God in the drivers seat in all aspects of my life has changed my outlook on how I interpret challenges and successes in life and work. I am just truly blessed to be able to do what I do for a living, build and create amazing relationships, and tell their story. This camera is simply a tool for a bigger mission.

Jalen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have been in this creative field since 2016. I have been a professional in this field since 2019. I am a God fearing, retired basketball player who has always had a love for capturing a moment and telling a story. I now run my media production business full-time: Fambofilms LLC. We provide Media production services ranging from a simple photoshoot, to full campaigns, to high-end commercials. On the back end, we provide business strategy, graphic design, out-of-home assets, website design and commerce, and more. I have insanely talented people in my corner who have given me the responsibility to lead them. I am truly grateful that I get to have (what I think is) the most stressful yet rewarding job.

Any future clients out there, just hit me up, let’s talk. I want to hear about your business, I want to see if/how I can help you grow and elevate, and I want to tell your story. Working with me, you will have a unique experience, I truly am all about cultivating a safe space and our relationship so the process is as least transactional as possible. It also helps that I have some of the most talented folks on my team to help you reach your goals and beyond.

I want other creatives but especially young black kids to know that we are not limited to sports to be successful in life. I want to be an example for my peers and future generations that we are more than capable of making an impact and creating a life without binding stereotypes. Fambofilms represents family, comrades, and the essence of building relationships with others.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Listen ill keep this short and sweet. For true beginners, the best camera is the one you got. Don’t halt your own growth because you think you need the next best thing. You will never have enough gear, trust that haha. Tell a story, learn what that entails, and focus on the business side just as much as the creative if this is the industry you want to grow a career.

My camera was my side hustle along with 2-3 other jobs through college, and even after college. I was so determined to make this my breadwinner, I focused on booking shoots, applying to jobs that were within this field and enrolling to YouTube University. Slowly, I would buy a lens, a battery, a monitor to grow my gear list. In turn I was able to increase my prices and work with higher paying clientele.

Now today, I a have fallen into the inevitable pit of the endless need to buy more gear. To my defense, the larger the projects and campaigns the more higher-end gear is needed. But the staples have stayed the same: Computer, editing software, camera and lenses. Now my business funds itself and my never ending quest for bigger and better gear haha. If you see me on the street mind your business because I probably just bought an ARRI haha.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

BE A GOOD PERSON. Being talented helps, but BE A GOOD, DRIVEN, DETERMINED HUMAN! It seems so simple but you’d be surprised. This will get your clientele list growing more than any other area of your business. If you are beginning or looking to go full-time, reaching out to local small businesses, creating proposals and how your services will grow their business is the best way to increase clientele. If you close a couple of those, create happy clients then they will refer you to others. Challenge yourself in the beginning of your journey to take on clients you might not have originally thought of working with, you will learn a lot about yourself and what direction you want to go with your business.

Social Media is a cheat code, to this day I am reaching out to at lease a dozen or so, business, and those that work within them. When I first started it was well over 50 emails/messages to unique businesses/artists/brands a day. All you need is a couple to trust you and say yes. Milk social media for everything it is to grow your clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: fambofilms.biz
• Instagram: fambofilms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fambofilms
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalen-terry/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FAMBOFILMS