We recently connected with Rebecca Hormozi and have shared our conversation below.
Rebecca, appreciate you joining us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
People always ask me, “What does ‘Supreme Soul’ mean?” To be honest, it can have many meanings. If you’re looking for a more literary approach, it has various interpretations depending on the context, different belief systems, and philosophies. In some places, it refers to the concept of the highest consciousness and divinity. It can represent the connection between the universe/God and everything in existence. In my mind, the term “Supreme Soul” does and can signify those things. However, I always had a feeling that more meanings of this name would come to me, and I trusted that feeling.
When I first came up with the name for my company a couple of years ago, I just thought it sounded cool. “Supreme Soul Films.” I loved the alliteration and rhythmic effect it has. I had never heard it anywhere, didn’t know much about its meaning or how it even came to me. All I knew was that I loved it, and if I was going to move forward with this venture, I needed a name for it. As I started learning more and picking up more gigs, the meaning behind the word started constantly changing depending on the season of life.
In the beginning of my journey, it spoke to me as, “Doing what you love because that’s all that matters at the end of the day.” At that time, my soul was filled with excitement and curiosity. Then I started encountering obstacles, like many of us, especially artists, do. At that point, Supreme Soul became “Just keep pushing through, and eventually, you’ll make it!” Over time, I realized that you can’t always run straight through; sometimes you have to jump, climb, and fight. That’s just how life is. More recently, it has become more about “Being your true authentic self.” I thought, if you are being your authentic self, then you’re doing it right, aren’t you?
We are in an age of indulgence, an age where our opinions and realities are constantly being influenced. So, do we truly know our “authentic selves” if we’re constantly being swayed in different directions? Maybe you do. But personally, for me, I felt that once I knew and expressed my genuine self, I would succeed in this thing called life, no matter what happened. But the truth is, I was chasing an unattainable dream. I feel like many of us chase something, thinking it will solve everything and bring us eternal happiness. But then again, maybe being your authentic self is about being open to the constant transformation you experience, being open to your perception ~ reality. (The symbol “~” is used to indicate that one is approximately equal to another, which I feel is perfect for this scenario.)
Right now, for me, being a Supreme Soul is about acknowledging that it’s okay to not know. It’s okay to feel lost or found or whatever you want to feel. There are infinite feelings, experiences, and interpretations of everything, just like the words I chose for my brand.
Although I have been going on and on about these words having constantly changing definitions, it’s important to note that there is a deeper, more persistent interpretation of “Supreme Soul Films” that I have found within as well. Like many artists and brands I admire (AWGE, MF DOOM, and Banksy), I plan to conceal its true meaning and symbolism for now. Of course leaving hints here and there soon. All you need to know for now about Supreme Soul Films is that our goal and purpose is to bring a sense of elevated creativity, passion, and aspiration to every project. We are here to create soulful and impactful experiences through art.
Lastly, I want to say that everything is connected and everyone has a different Supreme Soul version of themselves that they are discovering within. Supreme Soul evolves with me and all of us. Take it as you feel it because we are constantly changing and learning more.
Lastly, I want to know, what Supreme Soul version of yourself are you finding right now?
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 know me, Hi! I’m Rebecca Hormozi, a 21-year-old multimedia artist and the CEO of SSF (Supreme Soul Films). My passion for my craft has been with me for as long as I can remember. Until the age of 8, I lived in Los Angeles, California, which really ignited my interest in art and production. I have vivid memories of being amazed by the behind-the-scenes ride during my visits to Universal Studios as a child. Even though I knew it was all planned and rehearsed, witnessing the film crews, sets, and special effects left a lasting impression on me. I can still remember the feeling of fire it gave me.
I continued exploring different disciplines within the field and playing with various ideas. Eventually, I started creating my own short films and music videos at home, armed with nothing but a crappy camera and iMovie. My fascination only grew from there. Then I moved to New Jersey. I kept shooting videos and also began photography. It was during my high school years that I decided to further my study in film and video production. There, I learned the fundamentals of set etiquette, camera operation, and post-production. It was also during this time that I truly fell in love with editing photos and videos. Then I graduated high school and my next stop was Full Sail University!
Shortly after starting my education at Full Sail, COVID-19 struck, and we were all stuck at home learning online for a while. It may sound surprising, but this was the time when I really pushed forward with SSF. While some may have deemed it the worst timing, as an entrepreneur, I saw an opportunity. I gathered all the content I had created over the years and established a solid website, portfolio, demo reel, and more. My initial clients were friends who were involved in the music programs. (Shoutout to J.Angel and Jon Riggs ) Over time, I expanded my network and had the privilege of working with numerous talented creatives and amazing clients. Learning more with each project that I do. And now, here we are!
Today, I am the proud owner and operator of Supreme Soul Films, a one-stop shop catering to the branding and visual needs of individuals and businesses. We offer a wide range of visual services, including cover art, photography, and videos, with a specialization in music videos and branded content. From concept to final product, our utmost priority is to prioritize our clients and bring their visions to life. If you are interested in collaborating with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out through our website or find us on Instagram @supremesoulfilms! We would be more than thrilled to be a part of your journey
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Although I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in film production and photography, I had reservations about whether it would be the best path for my future due to the opinions of those around me. For several years, I contemplated following in my father and sister’s footsteps by joining the military, and I also considered a career in medicine. While both of these paths were viable within the military, they didn’t align with my true aspirations. During my junior year of high school, I had the opportunity to participate in a two-week medicine program at the University of Maryland. The program attracted around 150 students from across the United States.
On the first day, we were divided into smaller groups and followed a specific daily schedule, delving into various aspects of the medical field. We visited famous hospitals, learned CPR techniques, and received training on emergency wound treatment. We even had the chance to stay in the campus dorms throughout our time there. It was an enjoyable experience, but deep down, I had a gut feeling that this industry wasn’t the right fit for me. Towards the end of the program, each group was tasked with creating a presentation about an individual who had made significant advancements in the medical field.
Given the open-ended nature of the prompt, I proposed the idea of creating a video to my group. Everyone embraced the idea with excitement, and we began planning. First, we created a freestyle about the historical figure over the theme song of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” I know it sounds random, but it worked! Then we developed a shot list and captured all the footage within 1-2 days. Finally, I edited everything together using iMovie on my MacBook (as I was only a junior in high school and didn’t yet have access to professional editing software). While the entire experience was highly entertaining, making that video with my group brought me the most joy throughout the whole program. It ignited something within me and made me believe that this was not only my purpose within the group but also my calling for the future.
The time came for our final presentation in front of fellow high school and college students, as well as medical professionals. Many of the other groups delivered interesting presentations, but when our video appeared on the screen, we could sense the incredible energy we had brought to the room. It was evident how engaged and impressed everyone was. We received a standing ovation and ultimately won first place.
The video we created wasn’t professional or visually stunning, but it was genuinely enjoyable to watch. At that moment, I realized that my purpose lay in creating art and content that provided meaningful experiences to others. In conclusion, this experience taught me the importance of following our intuition. We all have a purpose and a strong inclination towards something. It doesn’t matter what equipment we have or where we currently stand; what truly matters is that we follow our calling. And if you don’t yet know what your purpose is, that’s okay. Understanding what you don’t like is just as crucial as knowing what you do.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry presents its fair share of challenges, including gender bias, limited representation, discrimination, harassment, and various other obstacles. Similarly, being biracial adds another layer of complexity to these difficulties, not only in the workplace but also in other life experiences. Throughout my life, I have encountered numerous disrespectful individuals due to my appearance. However, one thing that has truly aided me in dealing with these hardships is Martial Arts.
I have been a martial artist since the age of eight, and today I hold the rank of 2nd dan black belt in Tang Soo Do/Taekwondo. One particular story comes to mind when I reflect on resilience in my life. A couple of years ago, my coach invited me to compete in a tournament in New Jersey. Despite not training extensively during that period because of university, my love for the sport motivated me to fly up from Florida to participate. Upon arrival, I met with my coach in the morning, stretched for a while, and then went out for a quick lunch with a group of friends from the event. Given that tournaments typically span the entire day, we asked a friend to inform us when it was time for my division to compete.
Although we were not away for long, upon returning to the tournament venue, we discovered that my division had already competed. Our “friend” had chosen not to inform us on purpose. This left me feeling quite emotional, as I had flown to New Jersey specifically for this tournament, and sparring held significant importance in my life. As I packed my belongings, my coach returned to me and said, “You have five minutes to prepare for your fight.” I was taken confused. He had decided to include me in the men’s division, as their matches were about to commence.
Despite training regularly with men, I felt extremely nervous about facing them in a competitive setting. I wasn’t preoccupied with what was going on around me; it felt as if I was already in the ring with no choice but to fight. I began accumulating points, one after another, executing axe kicks to the head (my favorite), jump spinning side kicks, and punch combinations. I was so focused on the fight that I didn’t hear or see anyone else; it was just me and my opponent. One by one, I emerged victorious, progressing to the next round. Finally, I reached the last fight, and the points were becoming neck and neck. At that moment, I began thinking of all the people who had hurt me, taken advantage of me, and disrespected me. I saw red. The next thing I knew, the middle judge was raising my arm in victory.
Winning a Black Belt championship in the Men’s sparring division as an 18-year-old woman held tremendous significance for me. This moment served as a testament to my ability to withstand any challenge that life may throw my way. No matter what gender you identify with, or where you come from, and despite the challenges and obstacles others may impose on you, you have the power to achieve anything you set your mind to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.supremesoulfilms.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supremesoulfilms/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccahormozi/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbne0SCCBuxWaSKQF4h9jWw
Image Credits
Stephanie Vanessa, Kristen Palermini, Heidy Paipilla