We recently connected with Roderick Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Roderick, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
The definition of success is the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. So success is like beauty, it’s in the eye of the beholder. By saying that I mean it’s subjective, although what it takes to become successful is almost universal. Characteristics of a successful person are dedication, passion, persistence and self-discipline. Discipline is most important in success, even more than motivation. Motivation, creativity and inspiration are commonly thought to be the most important traits of a successful person. Although these qualities are very much important, determination and integrity trumps them all. Success is a long road, I’ve heard it takes 10 years to become an overnight sensation. Realizing your success or feeling successful isn’t a moment, it’s a series of moments you look back on and say “I did it!” In conclusion I believe success is sometimes mistaken for a destination but it is indeed an everlasting journey.
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?
I’m Roderick Jackson, more commonly known as Shots by Rod but most recently known as Rugs by Rod. I’ve been in the creative/creators industry for about 15 years now by way of my Photography Business. My career with photography is what introduced me to my Rug manufacturing Business. The story goes, in the final quarter of 2020 I needed a rug for my Photo Studio, Cleveland Sky Studios. For about 3 months from Nov-Jan I shopped around for a good quality custom rug at a decent price. The research led me to learn that for about as much as a custom rug cost I could buy all the equipment needed and practice to make the rug myself. So that’s what I did, although it’s funny. Since I started in Jan of 2021 I’ve made a good 150 rugs but still not the original rug I learned the trade for. Since the day I started making rugs, orders have been coming in. Initially I wanted to approach my Rug making business like my picture taking business, slow. Although the business had other plans, a faster pace plan. I still maintain my studio and photo/video services butty rug business takes up a great percentage of my time. Most of my clientele are business owners that want their logo made into a rug, other types of rugs I make include wall art, bathroom rugs and large areas rugs. Brand rugs are most definitely my bread winner, in addition to manufacturing rugs I also clean, restore and hang rugs as a provided service. Since when I started the industry has grown and a few local creatives have become my competitors, I believe what sets me apart from them are a few things, the sizes I provide, my turnaround time in addition to my cost. Throughout this journey my most successful moment is when I registered as a business officially, I showed myself how dedicated and determined I was to succeed with this business. To my potential clients I’d like to say there’s no limits to what I can make and what type of floor art we can create. Rugs by Rod can be found online by searching just that Rugs by Rod.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Funding my business initially wasn’t as difficult as previous business I’ve started. Mainly because I had those businesses’ bringing me income to start and support Rugs by Rod. The price it costs to make the rug is usually about a quarter the price I charge for the rug, in addition deposits are required. This way funds will always be readily available whenever it’s time to produce a rug. When it comes to marketing and inventory funding I outsource from my business account for Rugs by Rod. A percentage of my earnings are always saved for future investments.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Although I work alone, I have a multitude of experiences where I’ve guided a team to success. Maintaining a high morale is one of the most important aspects of managing a team. My biggest advice would be to keep the team motivated and inspired. Although discipline trumps inspiration in success stories, it’s not to be lacked especially when dealing with a team. I believe the best way to do this is to develop incentives to meet goals and work together to accomplish them. Small wins always lead to a championship.
Contact Info:
- Website: shotsbyrod.co/rugs
- Instagram: @rugsbyrod
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/rugsbyrod
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shotsbyrod/
- Twitter: twitter.com/shotsbyrod
Image Credits
RODERICK JACKSON