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

Alright, Sebastian thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

In this dream called @StudioSM2, the stories never stop; every day brings something new, haha. Once I took some photographs and the client asked for a refund because they didn’t like how they turned out (who said photographers work miracles? Haha). There was a month where I didn’t have a single photoshoot, or the time a client told me they were approached for a podcast because of a video they posted on TikTok, and it turned out that I had access to their social media and they were found because of a video I shot and posted for them (haha, it’s funny now). Ultimately, the most amusing part has been the clients.

Someone once told me, “business is business,” and from that day on, my mindset started to change. Unfortunately, we often have to experience many things to learn and understand that’s not the right path. Now, my biggest advice is, if you’re going to start a business, we have to understand that we’re going to sacrifice a lot, but we have to be realistic and honest with ourselves. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many people, and I like to take the best from each one, but when I feel like I’ve fulfilled my mission or I don’t feel valued, I prefer to leave with my head held high.

What does that have to do with clients? Well, dear readers, a few months ago I had a client, let’s call them “Lulo.” I was working with Lulo on content creation and social media. As the months went by, new clients started coming my way, and for any entrepreneur, these opportunities are valuable, so I started accepting jobs. I must admit, I was happy to accept because I saw a great opportunity ahead of me.

One day, client “Lulo” called me to discuss a situation within the company, and ultimately, they wanted me to sign a confidentiality and exclusivity agreement. When they sent me the document, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. On top of increasing my responsibilities, it demanded my exclusivity, but the payment remained the same. Additionally, the agreement restricted me from having other clients in the same sector and from offering any of my other services to those other people. The argument was that I was the creative head of the company, and my ideas could only be used there. After thinking it over carefully, I spoke with “Lulo” again to negotiate, and this time, they only agreed to allow me to take photographs of those clients. I was thoughtful for a long time, and in the end, I decided not to sign the document. It was an exhausting and overwhelming situation; I couldn’t handle the workload, and I couldn’t continue like that; I was blocked. Ideas weren’t flowing, and the last time I said I couldn’t sign the agreement, they said, “If you’re not with me, you’re against me,” and that’s when I realized it was best to let go and move on. I appreciate the opportunity to work with them, but I also know that everything is temporary.

Today, I’m working hard at Studio SM2, proving to myself that I can and will succeed because I know I have the talent and the desire to move forward. Additionally, I have a team of talented people, and I know that soon, we’ll turn the tables, as we say in Colombia.

By the way, it’s good for business owners to consider both sides; you can’t say one thing and then do the opposite; there’s no coherence. I’m not saying that because of “Lulo”; I’m saying it because of another story that I’ll tell someday, haha.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m J. Sebastian Martinez, but everyone calls me “Sebas.” I’m from Sincelejo, Colombia. I have a passion for art, culture, photography, social media, and anything that requires creativity. I’ve always been drawn to the field of digital marketing and have been studying related topics. Three years ago, I arrived in the USA. After experimenting with various jobs, I decided to take the leap and dive into the world of photography, content creation, and fully focus on digital marketing.

At @StudioSM2, we’re building a comprehensive space—a place where we can create, share, teach, and support the entrepreneurial community in Fayetteville, NC. We offer a range of services including photography, content creation, videography, social media management, website creation, paid advertising (FB/IG ADS), etc. We also provide consulting for startups, businesses, and personal brands. Our goal is to create a community offering photography, content creation, and social media management classes both in-person and online. At @StudioSM2, we prioritize the real needs of people; we’re interested in selling like any business, but we want people to feel like they’re learning and gaining valuable insights with us.

I’ve always believed that the difference lies in the small details, charisma, and how we make people feel, and that’s what we do at @StudioSM2. We focus on the tiniest details, ensuring each experience is meaningful, and we speak both English and Spanish.

I’m proud to create @StudioSM2. I know I’m just getting started, and like everyone else, there are good days and not-so-good days, but this is a challenge. All entrepreneurs experience constant emotions and moments, and that’s part of chasing your dreams.

I’m confident that @StudioSM2 will be a unique space in the city, and the experience we offer will be UNFORGETTABLE.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The hardest part will always be letting go, you know? But there are things you need to let go of in order to grow and prove to yourself all that you’re capable of achieving. I never imagined myself living in the USA, I must be honest. I did imagine living outside of Colombia, yes, but I had no idea which country it could be. I remember that before learning English, I used to study Portuguese (haha, it’s true). I wasn’t the best in my English classes, but I tried.

The day the opportunity to come to the USA arose, I didn’t think twice, I simply accepted it and decided to take the big step. I left many things behind—my mom and sister, many dreams that I know I’ll achieve at some point, friendships and people I care about deeply. I left behind the wonderful team at INSPIRA and all the beautiful community and social work we were doing.

At first, it hurts, but without a doubt, it was necessary, because I know that if it weren’t for this decision, I wouldn’t have the wonderful family I have now, a child on the way, and a lovely wife. I wouldn’t have @StudioSM2 and the people who surround me today, but most importantly, I wouldn’t have overcome as much as I have until today.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Undoubtedly, James Clear’s book “Atomic Habits” has had a significant impact on my life and my business. Being aware of who we are and what we can achieve brings us closer to where we want to be. It’s not about making big changes immediately; it’s about taking small actions or making small changes that bring us closer to everything we want to achieve.

I used to be one of those people who thought I had to do everything right away, that results had to be immediate, but I’ve come to understand that’s not the case. Businesses require commitment, consistency, patience, and sacrifices. At this point in my life, I’ve reflected on all the ventures I pursued in Colombia, and honestly, I feel like I pushed myself too hard and demanded too much. My three pieces of advice for all entrepreneurs:

– Recognize the value of your work.
– Remember the purpose of your business.
– You’re on the right track, just breathe and don’t give up.

Reading this a couple of years ago would probably have helped me avoid certain situations, but I had to experience everything to be here today, writing this for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studiosmtwo.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/studiosm2
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/studiosmtwo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_TIfGp4gAaYxZ8Lovj9i_g
• Other: www.tiktok.com/studiosm2

Image Credits
@StudioSM2