Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samuel Phanor. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samuel, appreciate you joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Honestly, if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change when I started my creative career—I think I started at the exact right time for me. I officially stepped into the creative world in 2016, after leaving my second tour in Iraq and navigating my way through careers in law enforcement and the military. Life-wise, I had already learned a lot about discipline, leadership, and service, and career-wise, I had gained the structure and resilience needed to take risks and adapt.

If I had started earlier, I don’t think I would have had the maturity, experiences, or clarity to channel my creativity into something meaningful. My years in the Army Reserves and as a police officer taught me how to connect with people, find solutions in tough situations, and adapt quickly. Those are skills that now shape how I run my businesses, lead my team, and approach challenges.

Starting later would have been equally tough. I would’ve had more life responsibilities and maybe missed out on this transformative stage of my life where I’ve been able to take big risks and fully commit to building something I believe in.

Looking back, I think starting at the time I did—after the military and in the midst of my law enforcement career—allowed me to bring a unique perspective to the table. It wasn’t perfect, and I definitely made mistakes, but those mistakes taught me lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything. My creative career feels like a natural evolution of everything I’ve been through, and it’s proof that timing isn’t about when society says you should start—it’s about when you’re ready to embrace the 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?

About Me
I’m Sam Phanor, a proud Haitian-American born in New York and raised in Coral Springs, Florida. My journey has been far from traditional, shaped by my time as a 20+ year Army Reservist (including two tours in Iraq) and my career as a police officer in South Florida. These experiences instilled in me a deep commitment to leadership, service, and community, which now drive my entrepreneurial pursuits.

How I Got Into My Industry
My path into the creative and business world was fueled by frustration and a desire for change. After being let down by a marketing agency while trying to launch a security company, I dove headfirst into learning everything about marketing, branding, and business development. That led me to create Belēv X, a boutique marketing agency dedicated to helping small businesses thrive, and later Savage Lyfe Brewing, a craft beer brand with a purpose.

I also serve as Chief Hops Officer (CHO) and Partner at Pompano Beach Brewing. This role combines my love for craft beer, leadership skills, and creative energy to elevate the brewery with bold new flavors, exciting collaborations, and community-driven programming.

What We Do
Belēv X: We specialize in “Local Growth Hacks,” helping small businesses dominate their local markets through tailored marketing strategies. Services include social media management, SEO, event marketing, and more, all designed to drive results and amplify brands.

Savage Lyfe Brewing: Savage Lyfe is about great beer with a bigger purpose. Through collaborations and events, we’ve raised over $21,000 to support survivors of human trafficking and a number of other causes.

Pompano Beach Brewing: At PBBC, I bring fresh ideas and energy to the craft beer scene, pushing boundaries with unique brews and creating meaningful community connections.

Problems We Solve
For businesses, we tackle the challenge of standing out in a crowded digital space. From boosting online visibility to planning standout events, we help clients achieve their goals. On the craft beer side, we combine passion for brewing with a mission to give back, using beer as a force for good.

What Sets Us Apart
Authenticity and impact. Whether it’s crafting a marketing campaign, brewing a unique beer, or creating a community-focused event, everything I do is rooted in passion and purpose. At PBBC, Belēv X, and Savage Lyfe, we focus on delivering meaningful results while staying true to our core values.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m proud of the transitions I’ve made in my life—each chapter has brought growth and purpose. From serving in the military to becoming a police officer, launching a marketing agency, and now stepping into a leadership role at Pompano Beach Brewing, every step has been about creating value and making an impact. Seeing our community come together, whether through craft beer or a successful campaign, is what drives me.

What I Want You to Know
I’m all in. My work isn’t just about making a living; it’s about making a difference. Whether you’re a small business looking for growth, a craft beer enthusiast, or someone who cares about meaningful causes, my mission is to bring passion, creativity, and impact to everything I do.

2025 is all about scaling what we’ve built, exploring new opportunities, and continuing to connect with people who share our vision for growth, creativity, and giving back. Let’s grow together!

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is deeply rooted in a mission to make an impact—not just in my life but in the lives of others. It’s driven by a simple, yet powerful goal: to use creativity as a tool for connection, empowerment, and change.

Through everything I do, whether it’s running Belēv X, brewing bold flavors at Pompano Beach Brewing, or working on projects like Savage Lyfe Beer Co., my aim is always to create something that resonates with people. I want to inspire others to dream big, think differently, and realize their full potential.

For me, creativity isn’t just about innovation—it’s about building community. I’m passionate about championing causes like supporting survivors of human trafficking, providing clean water to underserved communities, and creating spaces where people feel seen and valued. These missions fuel my work and remind me why I started in the first place.

Ultimately, my creative journey is about leaving a lasting legacy. It’s about making sure that every project, every collaboration, and every idea has the power to create a ripple effect of positive change. That’s what keeps me motivated and moving forward.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Looking back, there are definitely resources I wish I had known about earlier in my creative journey. For starters, access to mentorship programs and networking groups specifically tailored to entrepreneurs and creatives would have been a game-changer. Early on, I was navigating everything on my own, and having a community of like-minded people to learn from could have saved me a lot of trial and error.

I also wish I had discovered platforms like Skillshare and MasterClass sooner—tools that provide focused, high-quality training on topics like branding, content creation, and business strategy. Books like The E-Myth Revisited and Building a StoryBrand were transformative for me, but I didn’t come across them until later in my journey. Had I found them earlier, I think I could have fast-tracked a lot of the foundational work for my businesses.

Lastly, resources for personal development, like mental health tools and productivity frameworks, would have helped me balance the hustle with self-care. Being creative can be draining, and early on, I underestimated the importance of taking care of myself so I could sustain my vision long term.

Knowing about these resources earlier wouldn’t have just made my path easier; it would have allowed me to focus more energy on growing my ideas and making a greater impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://belevx.agency/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samphanor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuel.phanor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-phanor-62bb0140/

Image Credits

Belēv X – Digital Marketing Agency