We were lucky to catch up with Stermon Rolle recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Stermon thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I’m definitely happy as a creative. I get so excited when I see my work/art displayed in public spaces. For example, it’s exhilarating when I can see my graphic work displayed on billboards here in the Bahamas for the company I work for or the work I do for my clients. The other part that leaves me overjoyed is when I hear my music playing on the radio as well. It’s such a fulfilling feeling, and it fuels me to keep going because this is honestly what I love to do.
In the past, I used to think about what it would be like pursuing what would be considered a normal job, and honestly, I’ve come to realize I would be miserable if I worked a normal job. So now, I’m at a place in life where I prefer to work on my craft and my art and be happy in what I do rather than doing what is traditional and what won’t bring me joy in the long run. There’s nothing better than being able to work your passion and make money from it at the same time.
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?
Hello, I’m Stermon Rolle (pronounced Stir•mawn), and I’m driven by a boundless passion for creative problem-solving. I firmly believe that the work you do should be more than just a job—it should be an unwavering passion. Helping people realize their goals by strategising the “how” is at the core of what I do. My journey is underpinned by a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a major in Management, earned at the University of the Bahamas. This academic foundation instilled in me a deep love for solving complex problems, and the thrill of finding innovative solutions never fails to excite me.
At heart, I’m a dreamer, and that means when I envision something, I wholeheartedly commit to making it a reality, with or without assistance. To me, determination and unwavering perseverance are the qualities that set the average apart from the exceptional, the leaders from the followers. My analytical and observant nature is what I consider my superpower. It enables me to keenly assess the world around me and make strategic decisions, a valuable skill that guides me on my journey.
In addition to my roles as a problem solver and entrepreneur, I’m a singer/songwriter who embarked on a new chapter in 2020 when I became an artist. Music has become not just a career but a profound expression of my soul. I find immense joy in creating uplifting songs that transcend boundaries. Whether my listeners are Christian, like myself, or not, there’s something in my music that everyone can be encouraged by. My aim is to create soundtracks for people’s lives, connecting with them on a deep and meaningful level.
Music is more than a profession; it’s literally my life. One day, it is my dream to tour the world, sharing my gift with people from all walks of life. I’m fueled by the knowledge that there are people out there waiting for the music I create, and I’m excited for what the future holds.
From high school, I’ve had a heart for youth work. I’ve consistently found myself in spaces where I was required to serve, such as Key Club, and for the last 3 to 4 years, I’ve been a leader and mentor in the Enue Youth Organization. It has been a profoundly rewarding experience. When challenges arise, I’m reminded that paying it forward and investing in the lives of the future of our nation is more important than how I feel, and I push through to serve even more. This journey has taught me the profound lesson that he who wants to lead must first become the least of these. In this, you learn how to lead because you understand the essence of service.
Passion drives me, particularly when it comes to seeing those around me reach their full potential. I firmly believe that success should not be the exclusive domain of a select few; it should be accessible to all. This passion extends to my involvement in church and my commitment to serving the wider community through evangelistic thrusts and philanthropic work. I’ve always found myself drawn to these efforts because my desire is to help those in need, whether it’s by sharing knowledge or providing funding as I’m able to.
My business goal is to scale all of my enterprises to the point where I can employ individuals on a full-time basis. I believe in building the Bahamian economy and recognize that empowerment is the path to economic growth. By providing opportunities for others, we create a stronger, more vibrant community. The essence of my work is not just about personal success; it’s about empowering and uplifting the entire community.
What clients can expect from me, as a creative director, is a commitment to innovation and creative solutions. I aim always to be at the forefront, doing something that’s new and cutting-edge. I believe in pushing boundaries and finding unique answers to challenges, ensuring that the work I deliver is not only effective but also stands out in its creativity.
As an artist, my fans can expect to hear my heart in the music that I put out. I always aim to put myself into what I’m doing and not just release something I don’t connect with. My commitment is to deliver music that resonates on a personal level and creates an authentic connection with those who listen.
I believe that determination, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of dreams are the keys to success. With a combination of creative vision, business acumen, and unwavering commitment, I’m dedicated to shaping a future where the sky’s the limit for all who dare to dream and work toward a brighter tomorrow.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building a social media presence can be a daunting task, especially when faced with the overwhelming numbers and the temptation to compare oneself to other businesses and creatives. One crucial lesson I’ve learned is that getting caught up in comparing your journey to others hinders your ability to focus on your unique story and brand. Instead of fixating on external factors, I concentrated on consistently presenting my authentic self and brand through social media.
For both my business and artistic endeavors, the key to building a substantial social media following has been consistent and meaningful engagement. I made a deliberate effort to post regularly, interacting with my audience and responding to their comments. This not only creates a sense of community but also encourages those who engage with my content to share it with others. The beauty of this approach lies in the snowball effect it generates – the more you engage, the more likely it is for your content to be shared and your audience to grow organically.
Admittedly, staying consistent can be challenging, but I’ve found that adapting my content to resonate with my audience has been a game-changer. Understanding what my audience likes and what engages them has been pivotal. It’s not just about posting for the sake of it but crafting content that genuinely connects with your audience.
Moreover, my advice for those venturing into building their social media presence is to post with intention. Focus on creating content that speaks directly to your ideal audience rather than trying to impress a broad and undefined audience. By consistently delivering content that resonates with your target demographic, you not only attract your ideal audience but also ensure a seamless and authentic connection.
In essence, building a social media presence is about authenticity, consistency, and a genuine connection with your audience. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, share your story, and engage meaningfully. As you focus on your unique journey, the right audience will find you, and the growth will follow naturally.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One instance that I would reference would be my journey of being in university. When I was in high school, I was on the path to becoming a doctor, and all of my electives in high school were sciences. So, as a no-brainer when it came time to choose a major for university, I chose Biochemistry as my major, as this would be the precursor degree before I applied to medical school. I did that for roughly two years, and I struggled with chemistry specifically; it just kicked my hip, no matter how hard I tried, it had me beat. I eventually had to make a decision because I was on a scholarship, and because I was struggling with chemistry, it was affecting my grades, and I was now being put on academic probation. So my parents told me I needed to decide what I was gonna do. I decided to change my major to a computer science major, but that didn’t last long because I was bored out of my mind, and I’m like, nah, this is not for me at all. So because I did not know what I wanted to do really, I decided to go right back to biochemistry, and then I ended up back in the same position, failing. Then I was faced with my warning from the Ministry of Education, the scholarship division; they gave me a warning for a final probation, and it knocked the wind out of me. I also felt defeated because at this point, it felt like I was wasting time going back and forth with indecision on what I wanted to do with my life, and all the while, my friends were moving on in life and nearing the end of their degree programs, and I’m stuck. I eventually ended up deciding to become a business administration major with a focus on management. I felt settled here, but the sad part was most of my major classes that I did as a biochem major, none of it applied to my new major, so it was as if I was starting university all over again. In the end, what should’ve been a 4-year degree program turned into 7 years, and the irony is this is what it would’ve taken me to complete a program to become a doctor. But this was one time in my life where I felt most resilient; regardless of what seemed like failure to me, I kept trying and working until I found my fit, and I then graduated with my bachelor’s degree in 2022. So it all worked out, and I’m now doing what I want.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/stermon
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stermonr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stermonr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stermon-rolle-bba-561a06107/?originalSubdomain=bs
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@StermonR?si=bIXoIx5YnjnTOK_H
- Other: The Lancaster Brand – https://www.thelancasterbrand.com/ Creative Studio Media – https://www.creativestudiomedia.net/
Image Credits
Photos with Black and purble tiles in the background the photographer was Roderick Wells