We were lucky to catch up with Shawntay Gray recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawntay , thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

During a trip to Panama City Beach, I happened upon a selfie museum; I can’t recall the name. I know what a selfie is, I know

what a museum is but what is it when they are combined? When I walked in, it was a great space filled with over the top

props and backgrounds! All of which I could use at my own leisure to take selfies! There was an indoor swing, gold painted

piano and so much more! I truly had a great time. After my experience, I quickly thought how cool and innovative for

Montgomery to have a place like this! A selfie museum would solve the problem of offering not enough “things to do.”

Shawntay , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a native of Canton, Ohio, but Montgomery Alabama is definitely my home! I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s

Degree in Elementary Education from Alabama State University. The name of my business is Do It Yourselfie MGM! offering

interactive scenes and backdrops that are perfect for content creation, professional photography and so much more.

I got started when I pitched my idea to the Builders and Backers Program and was awarded 5,000! I did a pop-up selfie

museum in August of 2023 and have been building ever since. I can supply a portable photo booth and props for special

events, The thing I am most proud of is my tenacity! I say that because starting a business with just a hope and a prayer can

be scary. I want potential clients to know that I offer a great service. I see clients as builders of the city for new and upcoming

ideas.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was playing it safe is always the safest. I learned that lesson when I found myself

practically homeless and jobless. I had two degrees! I thought choosing a safe career as an educator would provide

me with security that I needed. That’s when I learned to take the risk and bet on myself. My first business venture was

providing costumed characters for children’s birthday parties. I took my last $99 to purchase a Hello Kitty costume. That’s

when I had the audacity of hope in being an entrepreneur.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Researching various avenues that cater to minority business owners, The Small Business Development Center at Alabama

State University and of course my own money.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Do It Yourselfie MGM!
• Facebook: Do It Yourselfie (Do It Yourselfie Montgomery)