We recently had the chance to connect with Jeff LaPread and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jeff, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I would say my confidence. I have a lot of God given gifts that I put to use, but I’m always worried about how someone else work looks compared to mine. I’m learning not to worry and just do what I love. Now i just get to work and have fun while doing so.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Jeff LaPread, and I’m from Newark, NJ. I have my own company named entrepreNewark, with multiple businesses under it such as Barbering, Funnel Cakes, Photography/Videography, 360 Video booth and Film Making. I’ve been cutting hair going on 14 years, making funnel cakes for 3 years, photography/videography for 5 and film making for one year.
I shot my first short film in 2024 and with that short film I’ve won two awards. One for winning the film festival and fan favorite and almost a year later, winning best horror short film in Italy! I’m currently working on a script that I plan on filming this coming year.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The answer to that would clearly be God. I didn’t see myself the way I do now when I was a kid, because I didn’t have any dreams or goals. So it was hard for anybody to see who I was. I spent a lot of my life doing what others thought I should be doing, so I didn’t have a clear identity. When I started doing what I love and attended therapy, I became what God saw me as with the gifts he gave me. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I will be soon enough!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
December 12, 2018. The day I tried committing suicide. I had just gotten medically discharged from the Army. The day I came home from the Army, my Grandmother passed away. I couldn’t find a job and my sons were born very early. That was a lot for me to deal with at the time, so in that moment i gave up. It was a selfish move, but thats where my mental was at that time.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They will say my sons, my work and my peace. All things I hold close to me and would give them up or change for anything.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in two ways. With my sons and when I’m on a beach.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fl4shphotography?igsh=MTU1dGQ3c2VrdnIxYg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@fl4shphotography?si=IR8Y0igc0XgWmOU6
