Today we’d like to introduce you to Sulondia “Sue-Ham” Hammond.
Sulondia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
From the early age of five years old, I longed to entertain via acting, dancing, and humor. Growing up in a rural community, the opportunities were more or less nonexistent outside of the church, school, or family gatherings. I capitalized on every opportunity I could get. I remember my aunt would always buy romance novels from yard sales. After she had read them, she’d pass them onto me. I believe I was like ten or twelve years old at the time. From there, I started writing short romance stories. After a divorce in 2001, I wrote my first play, “A Woman’s Work.” I never produced it. The play was just a coping mechanism to get through the divorce.
I never viewed myself as a writer. My ambition in life was to act in major movies, tour the world, fill arenas, and stand on major stages entertaining the masses. I adored the emotional connection Michael Jackson always seem to have with his audience. I loved his perfection, his craft, and his passion and commitment to his gift. I wanted to be like Mike in those ways.
After leaving the Marine Corps in 2001, I moved home in 2003. I quickly realized that if I was going to obtain any resemblance to my childhood dream, I’d have to create the platform to make it happen in Williamsburg County. So that’s what I did. I wrote another stage play in 2008 and this time I produced it. Between 2008 and 2011, I wrote and produced three stage plays.
In 2015, I became serious and became consistent with learning and bettering my craft, as well as writing and producing new shows. For the last five years I have been blessed to appear on Steve Harvey TV Show twice as a guest panelist rendering advice, speak at Success Unlimited alongside Les Brown, interview Lisa Nichols, be cast in David E. Talbert’s movie Almost Christmas as a featured extra, speak at TedxAndrews, get accepted into South Carolina’s Wide Angle Film Lab, as well as provide a platform for actors to showcase their skills.
Recently, I opened Sue-Ham Entertainment Studio in Kingstree, SC. We’ve hosted several workshops which provide training from the best and the brightest in the business as it pertains to acting, film, music, business, and more. Recently, I signed the books to campaign for Councilwoman. Once elected, I know I can better serve my community in a bigger capacity.
The road to where I am now has been challenging. I would never have made it without God, my family, friends, business partners, ambition, faith, commitment, and consistency!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of my struggles include financial challenges and lack of human resources. I had to bounce back from ground zero. I filed Chapter 13 Bankruptcy a number years back after the real estate market collapsed. I had 16 income producing units at one time which fell flat. I wasn’t sure I could rebound after that fiasco in 2009, but somehow I did. The years following the bankruptcy were some of the worst in my life, yet still, I managed to create products, teach classes, and produce shows. Every penny I made, I sowed back into my business. Slowly, but surely, through donations and monies earned, I was able to maneuver through the mess and learn some valuable lessons in the process.
December 29, 2019, I was diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer. Fortunately for me, the cancer had not spread and the doctors were able to remove it on January 2, 2020. My intestines were cut, the bad parts removed, and the good parts put together again. To this day, I cannot stop thanking God for bringing me through this ordeal.
I know that I am a walking miracle and I lots of work to be done. My father died from the same disease in 2006 at the age of 56, only three months after learning he had it. I still struggle sometimes, knowing he’s not here, but I am. My peace comes from not wasting a second I have on this earth! Every dream I have, every goal I have, I am going to go to the ends of the earth to achieve. Every chance I can share a moment or a laugh with my family, I intend to do it. Every opportunity I get to help someone else get closer to their dream, I will make every attempt to help. Point blank, I intend to capitalize on my time on earth and leave a legacy that keeps on giving long after I am gone.
Please tell us about your work.
We are most known for some of the best professional stage plays around. Our patrons travel from neighboring states. We are also known for killer educational workshops which center around arts and business.
Excellence, Passion, and Commitment set us apart. While money is important, we focus more so on amazing customer experience. We are playing the long game. I am not here for the one and done – got your money – now you can go bye-bye game. I want loyal customers. I want our loyal customers to bring new customers, and the ONLY way to do that is to deliver quality shows that resonate with the audience consistently.
Our shows start on time. Our audio is audible, very clear. Our staff is courteous. Our stories make sense. Our stage sets and music are amazing. Our actors are believable and our audience is unmatched. We love them and they love us. We pride ourselves on always going to this next level, challenging ourselves. My business partner, Maurice Perkins, ensures I never rest on my laurels. We believe that greatness can always be better!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would change nothing. My life is the way it’s supposed to be.
Contact Info:
- Address: 107 W. Main St.,
Kingstree, SC, 29556 - Website: www.sueham.com
- Phone: 843-401-4172
- Email: info@sueham.com
- Instagram: suehambaby
- Facebook: suehambiz
- Twitter: suehambaby
- Other: instagram: suehambaby
Image Credit:
Michaele Duke and Mauricio Richardson
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