Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Harper.
Hi Matt, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Well, to start, I want people to know that I didn’t initially get accepted into Morehouse College. I was denied admittance in fact, lol. But, in most cases, a ‘no’ can serve as delayed gratification for a big YES! I stuck out of their admissions office for about two weeks, pleaded my case that I was “a black man trying to make something of myself, was this not the institution built on that premise?’ Fast forward, I graduated with Honors as a Philosophy major with a Double Minor in Business Administration & Sports Journalism.
I started Esquire Branding Agency because there was a void in targeted Event Programming for young professionals — especially within the Black community. I wanted to create spaces where creatives, individuals with post-secondary education, impactors could enjoy experiences and activations with a like-minded group. I did that so well that my services expanded from Event Production to Branding – where I have the ability to promote a person, place, product through the use of Email Marketing, Social Media Strategy and SMS Blast; In addition, I offer Creative Services like Photography, Videography, Cinematography via art of Brand Story Telling.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Yes, Entrepreneurship can be an extremely hard road, filled with bumps, bruises and adversity. But I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world — and people need to be cognizant of what this grind looks like. You eat what you kill, there isn’t a set salary/check to receive every two weeks. You pay for your own insurance, and it can be a 24/7 job when traditional corporate environments are 9a-5p, Monday to Friday.
But society and social media has kind’ve made the occupation ‘trendy’ and ‘sexy,’ almost as if the role has to be mutually exclusive – which doesn’t have to be the case. I encourage family and friends if they have corporate jobs, to keep ’em, use the salary as capital to invest back into your business — and then quit when entrepreneurship can comfortably pay your bills and quality of living.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Esquire Branding Agency?
Esquire Branding Agency is a 360 Marketing Agency that specializes in Event Production, Branding & Creative Services.
We activate top-tier event programming with Slow Jams, an R&B speakeasy movement every Wednesday at The James Room; Esquire Thursday x The Mix, a high-energy, two-level dining and dancing experience at Rock Steady every Thursday. The Dinner Club, an elevated dinner party experience at Tribeca Buckhead every Friday and The Brunch With Friends, a deluxe brunch every Sunday at Parkside Kitchen & Cocktails.
I’m blessed to have Brand Partnerships with LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), Dr. Fahamu Pecou, ONE Music Fest and so many more. Google those brands, I’m most proud of that — and to have built a brand that is known to deliver results.
Being in the business of people, it’s important to let folks, clients know you care. I have a big rule, and it’s to always make sure things are mutually beneficial. That everyone wins and exerts respect and integrity within business. Working in entertainment, these philosophies can get lost in translation, but I’m going to keep my heart and intentions pure and God will keep blessing me and my agency.
Please follow @esquiremane and @esquirebranding
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in reaching for the stars and narrating your own destiny. I’m self-made, no handouts in this business. And wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.esquirebrandingagency.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esquiremane/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matt.harper.94043
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Esquiremane_
Image Credits
Steve West Brandon Wiggins
