Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamoya Bailey.
Shamoya, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always been an entrepreneur at heart and have known that I have never wanted to have a “regular job”. I used to be that kid who sold candy at school, so I could make an extra buck to save up for what I wanted.
Ever since the age of 16, I was trying my hand at making YouTube videos, photography, and anything that had to do with a camera. I was and still am obsessed with film and photography and that love has guided me to where I am at today. My career really began when I decided to discipline myself and commit to my career and it took off when I was able to start giving back through my YouTube videos and as an acting coach.
Being an entrepreneur, business owner, and working actor hasn’t been easy. I’ve struggled and fought for everything that I have created and even though it has pushed me past what I thought were my breaking points, I wouldn’t change anything because my experiences have taught me more than anything or anyone could ever try to teach me. Now, successfully, I am a working actor, a business owner and YouTuber, producer as well as an acting coach with a studio dedicated to photography and self-tapes.
It’s absolutely beautiful to see how far I’ve come at 23 because of my dedication to my craft, my community, my peers, and most of all the belief in myself to never give up and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been smooth. I’ve struggled and cried and been through so much shit that has pushed me and pulled me. The path to success isn’t easy and it isn’t linear. It is such a roller coaster and the best advice I can give anyone who is starting their journey is to strap on with an extra thick seatbelt because believe me, you are quite literally on the ride of your life. The way you strap in is by having faith in yourself and knowing what you want to achieve. As long as you continue to do that and be consistent, you will succeed. It will be rough and you will break, your seatbelt may break but please, continue to hold on until you can figure out how to build your seatbelt again.
Obviously, I love metaphors but seriously don’t let anything or anyone deter you or make you feel like you’re going in the wrong direction (p.s. sometimes, that anyone can be yourself). You are going to fail, you are going to make mistakes, you are going to mess up, but that is okay because all of those mess ups are learning experiences. If you got everything right every time, you would be lucky and weak. Mess ups are the best ways you can succeed because not only will you be stronger and more resilient but you will also be smarter and more disciplined. Those are the four qualities of any successful person in addition to having a positive mindset.
Also, please know that I am still on my own journey. My roller coaster has had every loopty-loop and twist and turn but by no means is the ride over. I’ve had to hold on with every last piece of myself and rebuild and strengthen my seatbelt. Know that everything you need is within you and if not, google and YouTube university got you!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Shamoya Kelly – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am an actor as well as a producer and YouTuber. I am obsessed with anything that has to do with a camera. I am most known for being those three things as well as my coaching and working with other actors. I’ve produced an original series, Imagine That and am extremely proud of that body of work. I am most proud of my acting and my YouTube. As an actor, I get to bring other people’s stories to life and that is the best thing but on my YouTube channel and as a producer, I get to tell my story.
What sets me apart from others? Well, I love to give back. I am not someone who hoards knowledge because knowledge is a form of wealth. I share everything that I know in hopes to either impart knowledge and help someone reach a new level in their career or at the very least to inspire someone to take a step. It’s important to me that we uplift and support each other in any way that we can. I live by the saying ‘what’s for me, is for me’. Meaning that anything in life, any opportunity that is meant for me will come, it will not be hindered by anyone or anything else, so share, uplift, and support because we are all great.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Start and don’t give a f**k about what anyone has to say. Believing in yourself is the most important thing, if you don’t, you still need to jump in and try new things and the more you commit and work on yourself, the belief will come and so will the accomplishments. Also, don’t compare yourself or be envious towards anyone else. Know that no one (for the most part) has had it easy and what we see on the outside looking in is the finished product all packaged up. With consistency, all will come. You are a woman, you are strong and you are multifaceted and able to be everything and more all at once. Don’t forget that.
Contact Info:
- Email: shopshamoyakelly@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/theshamoyakelly
- Twitter: twitter.com/shamoyakelly
- Other: youtube.com/shamoyakelly
Image Credit:
Imagine World Studios; 48 Hour FF; Imagine That Series; Shamoya Kelly Productions
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