We recently connected with Matteo Valente and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Matteo, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

On Oct. 4, 2021, I woke up early to complete some internship work that I decided to put off getting to sleep early the night prior. As I sat at my ex-boyfriends kitchen table completing said work, my phone started to go off. I look over to see it was my mom, Pauline Valente, calling me. I thought that it was odd seeing how it was 5 a.m. and she was usually still asleep at that time. My first thought went to my cat, Aly, who was sick during that period of time. I thought she had passed, but I was wrong. I answered the phone to my mom who could barely get the words out. It was something that I was not expecting, she had told me my cousin, Tyler D. Joyce, has supposedly passed away. My heart dropped from hearing this, but also in disbelief as I didn’t want to think this to be true. I then got a call from my other cousin, Lindsey Crowley, who told me that she saw someone who was a friend of Tylers post on Facebook that Tyler and one of his other friends passed away due to fentanyl. I closed my laptop and got up thinking of what to do. The only thing I felt I could do in that moment was walk around my boyfriend’s apartment crying while trying to keep quiet to not wake up his roommates.

I had many emotions for what felt like weeks. He was my cousin, but we grew up like brothers. And putting together a video slideshow of him for the family led to many nights sitting at my laptop weeping. Another emotion I felt besides sadness was annoyance. Annoyed that it seemed nothing could be done about the situation. There was really no way to catch who dealt him the drugs, or if there was, I’m not sure if the police would even waste their time and resources on it. Annoyed that it felt like it was just being swept under the rug. Annoyed that he was only a year older than me and he was already gone and not wanting him to just be forgotten. That’s when I decided to do something and create a nonprofit that raises awareness about addiction, anxiety, and depression. First called Addictions Final Boss, then transformed into the now Shooting Stars Project. The organization aims to educate the public by sharing informative content and personal stories from individuals who have confronted these challenges. By highlighting these real-life experiences, we hope to foster understanding, reduce stigma, and provide valuable insight and support for those affected. The goal of SSP is to create a more informed and compassionate community that can better address and support addiction recovery and mental health.

I woke up early every day for weeks and went from Lynn to Boston to go to the school I was attending at the time, Suffolk University, to sit there with my thoughts before classes started and start designing flyers, social media posts, and spreading the word around. Eventually the organization did our first walkathon the following year which we hope to continue in the near future. We also started up the Northshore Recovery High School Donation Fund. Northshore Recovery High School (NRHS) established in September 2006, stands as a vital resource for students whose lives have been affected by substance use. With the help of donations and shirt sales, which 100% of the sales goes toward the fund, we have been able to raise $1,455 of our $2,000 goal so far.

SSP is something I started to keep his [Tyler] name alive and raise awareness about these issues that affect so many people. Whether these topics relate to someone who deals with it firsthand, or family members and friends that know of somebody who does. SSP aims to remind everyone that we are all rare, beautiful, divine and that we are all on the right path.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Matteo Valente a nonprofit founder, graphic designer, photographer and lifestyle author based in Lynn, Massachusetts.

I earned an Associate of Science degree in graphic design from North Shore Community College in 2018, followed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Suffolk University in 2022. I’ve provided design and photography services to a number of organizations, including Girls Inc. of Lynn, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, and Cleaning by Celma. As I continue to perfect my craft, and gain insight from other professional photographers, I’ve been able to clients’ professional photos, engagement photos, and recently did photos of a bride and her mother get ready for her wedding. I continue to grow as a designer and photographer every day and hope to give products that make my clients happy and feel good.

In 2021, I found the Shooting Stars Project, a nonprofit organization committed to increasing public awareness of addiction, anxiety and depression. The initiative aims to foster understanding, reduce stigma, and offer meaningful insight and support to individuals impacted by these issues. Its overarching goal is to cultivate a more informed and empathetic community capable of supporting mental health and addiction recovery.

Since 2024, I have contributed articles to the Daily Item and Itemlive, profiling creatives across the North Shore, including photographers, muralists, fashion designers, musicians, nonprofits and influencers. I’m currently developing my magazine/blog, All That Flair, which seeks to expand this focus to a national audience.

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

When it comes to photography I feel as though the best strategy is word of mouth/people sharing your work. Although it is nice to have a website/Instagram to display your work, you have to get out there and find ways to make people aware of you. Something that I’ve been doing as of recent is posting photos of clients on my Instagram and doing a collaboration post with them. With that, not only do my followers get to see my work, but now their followers are also being exposed to it. Each time I do it I see an increase in followers, interactions, and most importantly new direct messages from people inquiring about getting their photos done and discussing rates, what they will be receiving etc. Something else that has helped me grow my clientele is being more involved in my community. Meeting new people and growing an organic connection with them in-person and mentioning what you do will help in the long run. If they need a professional head shot, photos for wedding, parties etc I feel as though they will go to someone they have already connected with and have some sense of comfortability with.

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

When speaking with other creatives, mainly fashion designers, one thing that they tell me is that they love, and feel accomplished, when they see someone out wearing their pieces. With that, I feel the same way. Whether it’s designing an advertisement and seeing said advertisement in a magazine or newspaper, or when it comes to my photography and seeing my work on their Instagram, website, or on their LinkedIn, or people sharing my posts from my nonprofit Instagram. I feel most rewarded knowing other people appreciate my work and showcase it. Something else that feels rewarding as a creative, besides just compliments or kind words, are people who come to me for feedback or advice. The fact that somebody views what I do, likes it, and reaches out for advice for themselves feels amazing. Another aspect that I find rewarding is being a creative that is able to highlight and put a spotlight on other local creatives. With my work at the Daily Item I’ve been able to showcase the works and talents other many different types of creatives and help show what a beautiful art scene the Lynn community has to offer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theshootingstarsproject.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matteojvalente/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-joseph-macdonald/

Image Credits

Personal photo is taken by Francois Visuals