Meet Carlos Benjamin of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Benjamin.

Hi Carlos, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story really begins in 2012 in New York City, where I got my start in the film industry as a production assistant. From there I moved into experiental marketing, tour management, and eventually became a global event producer, work that took me behind the scenes of some of the biggest live experiences brands were creating around the world.

Somewhere along the way, an unlikely source planted a seed: the Demi Moore film The Joneses. The idea of curating a space where people get introduced to the best products and have the time of their lives stuck with me for years. I knew I wanted to build something that brought that energy to life, not as a fantasy, but as a real venue where creatives, production teams, and the community could gather and create.

The turning point came while I was producing a Don Julio brand takeover in partnership with another experiential agency at a mansion in Miami. Standing on that property, watching a brand vision come alive in such an intimate, stunning setting, I remember thinking: I want to build my version of this. A private estate where brands, creators, and event tastemakers could walk in with their wildest ideas and walk out having brought them to life, with full creative range, beautiful aesthetics, and the room to dream big.

Before The Activation House, and still running alongside it today, I founded and lead High Profile Lifestyle, an experiential event staffing and project management agency that supplies brands and organizations with hospitality teams, executes multi market marketing campaigns, and curates signature events. Through that work I’ve had the honor of building front of house teams for legacy brands, emerging disruptors, and mission driven organizations including Oprah Winfrey, Disney, the NBA, Athletes Unlimited, Pepsi, the African American Policy Forum, and The New Republic.

Taking the leap into The Activation House felt enormous, and I credit the Momentum Workshop in NYC with giving me the push to go all in. Six months later, we’ve executed over nine successful events across the estate’s 1.5 private acres.
What lights me up is that The Activation House is part of a much bigger vision, an expansion plan designed to support the film industry, event professionals, and business and economic development by bringing community, culture, change, and conversation together under one roof. To own a place that doesn’t just inspire guests but empowers them to reach their full potential, connect with new clients and resources, or even adopt a healthier way of living, that brings magic to my heart. Hearing a client share an idea and getting to bring it to life in ways they couldn’t have imagined? That’s the work I love.

I’m also deeply grateful for the team of independent professionals I get to lead across fashion, beauty, tech, finance, sports, and experiential marketing. They’ve made it possible to take on some of the most iconic projects and brand activations out there, and I’m always excited to see what we can build next.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. After investing so much into the development and construction of The Activation House, every single call from the underwriters would automatically ruin my breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It was the most tedious process I’ve ever experienced. With that much money on the line, there were real moments where it started to feel like a gamble, and doubt would creep in.

I prayed my way through it. I came out on the successful side, but I won’t pretend it didn’t cost me. I lost a lot of the joy in the building and buying process itself, and I was deeply exhausted on the other side of it. What carried me through was faith and an incredible support system that refused to let me quit.

Access to capital has been another real challenge. As a property owner of color, finding aligned capital partners is harder than people realize. Typically my core company, High Profile Lifestyle, finances my business needs, but The Activation House is a beast of its own. Launching it during what’s traditionally a slow season for my core company meant all hands on deck through the winter and into Q1 and Q2. Everyone stretched.

The personal sacrifices have been at an all time high. Long hours, missed moments, and the emotional toll of climbing uphill every single day to stabilize a growing estate that’s truly one of a kind. That part doesn’t get easier, you just get stronger.

But we’re now being recognized by event professionals, brands, and clients who genuinely value an ultra modern, intentionally stunning private estate, and that’s the reward. Every difficult day has been worth it to build something that didn’t exist before.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I lead two businesses that work hand in hand. The Activation House Atlanta is a private 1.5 acre estate in Fayetteville with 14 flex spaces, designed for brands, creators, and event tastemakers who want a stunning, modern setting to bring their wildest ideas to life. Powering it behind the scenes is High Profile Lifestyle, my experiential event staffing and project management agency that supplies brands with elite, culturally aligned hospitality teams and curates signature events. Together, they let me deliver something most venues and agencies can’t: a stunning private estate plus the talent and production muscle to make whatever happens inside it unforgettable.

Across both, I’ve had the honor of working with Oprah Winfrey, Disney, the NBA, Pepsi, the African American Policy Forum, and The New Republic, on everything from the Yeezy x Balenciaga campaign to Essence Festival, Coachella, and AAPF’s HBCU Banned Books Tour.

What I’m most proud of is the freelance advocacy work I’m building through The Assembly Global, an ecosystem designed to bring stability, access, and real infrastructure to the independent workforce that powers this entire industry. The Assembly Unplugged, our flagship festival celebrating the artists and freelancers who make magical brand moments happen, lives inside that ecosystem.

What sets me apart is my ability to hand pick the teams, vendors, and clients that come together to create magic. Clients tell me they value my attention to detail, my calm under pressure, and the bold energy I bring when it’s time to tackle a challenge. That instinct comes from over a decade of producing global projects, you learn how to read a room and stay grounded when everyone else is spinning.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest advice is to invest in personal and professional development. It’s one of the most powerful ways to clear your mind of self imposed barriers and equip yourself with the mindset, the approach, and often the resources you need to reach the next level in your journey. It helped me get over fear, sharpen my public speaking, and find clarity when I needed it most.
To break into any industry, you need a plan. If you don’t know where to start, hire an executive coach. Having someone in your corner who can help you map out your steps forward is one of the smartest investments you can make in yourself.
You already have what it takes. Development just helps you see it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.highprofilelifestyle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theactivationhouse_atlanta/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceobenjamin/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IusJ9rfupk