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

Sid , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?

If I were to start over, my top priority would be nurturing my mental health and practicing self-love. My creative journey began during my time at Florida A&M University, where I faced numerous hardships while balancing the demands of being a college student. These challenges included the loss of family members and recurring financial struggles that almost prevented me from completing my education on multiple occasions.

During this tumultuous period, I found solace in my creative work. It became a distraction, helping me cope with the internal battles I was fighting. While this coping mechanism didn’t hinder my productivity, it did deepen my experiences with depression. As a result, my struggle with perfectionism as a creative became increasingly severe because I could never genuinely be satisfied with my contributions to the spaces I inhabited.

In hindsight, I realize that if I had prioritized working on myself from within and focusing on what truly mattered, I could have derived greater fulfillment from my art and creative endeavors. Taking the time to address my mental well-being and recognizing what was genuinely important would have allowed me to extract more meaning and value from my artistic pursuits.

Reflecting on this, I see the importance of approaching my creative journey holistically, ensuring that my mental health and self-care are central to my process. By doing so, I believe I could have unlocked even greater potential and achieved more meaningful outcomes with my art.

Looking ahead, I am committed to embracing this newfound understanding and prioritizing my mental well-being as an integral part of my creative practice.

Sid , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Being born and raised in Dallas, Texas, I always knew that there was greatness awaiting me beyond what was immediately visible. While the majority of my family found success in sports, my true passions lay in music, dancing, and acting. At the age of 17, driven by the desire to rebrand myself and pursue music and acting full-time, I made the decision to embark on a journey to Florida for college. It was there that I fell in love with the world of set production, cameras, scripts, and the creative process.

During my time in Florida, I established my own media group, dedicated to supporting and promoting other creatives, artists, and musicians. Through interviews and our own show, we provided a platform for talent to shine and gain more visibility. Although I didn’t personally pursue my own musical aspirations, I found a way to contribute to the industry I was passionate about. Our media group experienced significant success, but unfortunately, the pandemic dealt a severe blow, forcing us to halt our operations.

Undeterred, I returned to Dallas, recognizing that 2020 was a pivotal year for me as a graduate. I needed to regroup and find a way to turn my dreams into reality. Thus, I took on the role of an independent Creative Director and writer, collaborating with local agencies, brands, models, and photographers. Drawing out their ideas and transforming them into tangible realities became my mission.

Currently, I am focused on my directorial debut in the world of film, which will feature an original soundtrack. My tenacity and aversion to complacency have set me apart from my competitors and others in general. I take great pride in my ability to constantly evolve and adapt to any situation. Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges on set, I have consistently delivered and exceeded expectations.

Looking forward, I am excited to continue pushing boundaries and exploring new horizons within the creative realm. My journey has been one of resilience, growth, and unwavering determination, and I am eager to see what the future holds as I embrace the opportunities that come my way.

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

I left my Corporate job in August of 2022 to pursue creative direction full time and that transition has had it’s ups and downs but it has made me extremely grateful for making that decision because of the success I’ve seen and gained from it. With me almost being a full year in I have learned so much and only want to expand on that knowledge each and every day that I can.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I truly began to show my personality more. People love authenticity, and I like to believe that I’m an interesting person so why not share my thoughts and expertise online with others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sidfleeks_

Image Credits
Tre Chappell