Changing the Culture Creatively: Interview with Quincy Shelton
It's no surprise to understand that there is a purpose behind everything and there is a story to be told from everyone.
In the world today, it's easy to follow and keep up with someones life through social media, upon one face to face interaction. The challenge is extending yourself to grab hold of a connection and to understand them and their purpose, but the reward is so much greater when you do. For me that is exactly what happened when I met Quincy Shelton.
I met Quincy through a brother of mine, and since then it has been consistent support both ways. Quincy has invited me to all of his events, not only for his benefit but for mine as well, which has showed me how selfless and humble he is and how dedicated he is to changing and uplifting the culture creatively. There is a lot that I have learned being around him as a creative and influencer. Yet, there is still a lot that was not revealed to me until having this interview.
Checkout our interview for all the gems.
Quincy, start by introducing yourself, and letting the readers know all that you do.
My name is Quincy and I'm a creative + influencer in today's culture. During the day I consult and work with creative brands on how to expand their brand and align them with popular and respectable brands of today and tomorrow. Finding start ups and making them relevant into something that will eventually lead these brands into becoming powerhouses in the next coming years. During the evening, I'm a curator in the nightlife world. I align with creatives on special projects from all walks of life, in all types of industries.
When I first met you, you took us to a L'asso, a very dope pizza/pasta place and our first conversation was very informative. I know you’ve done some traveling for some very impressive reasons. Can you explain where you lived, where you moved to and why? And lastly why did you want to come back to the big apple?
I actually lived in Europe for a while, traveled for a bit before realizing that the city life could wait. I was going through a really really rough time of self discovery. I had lost my Dad and a best friend almost back to back, a failed relationship and my job at the time was in limbo. Being young at the time and having all of that occur was a bit much for myself, which prompted me to relocate and stay off the grid for a while. After schooling, I traveled to Berlin, Poland, and Prague only to come back to Berlin and rediscover my creative side to life. It was the best thing I've ever done and shaped me into who I am at this present moment. I was off the grid for a couple of years, meditating and rediscovering self awareness again. My decision to come back home was to really be a testimony for others who are going through or facing a roadblock in their lives. I felt the timing was right for me to expand my skill set and see what this new journey had to offer me.
I just want to touch more on you moving for individual growth. Spiritually, mentally and physically. Why do you think it is so important?
Spirituality is everything, it shapes and molds you and plays a centrical part in your life story. Had I not of left the city and traveled. I AM CERTAIN I wouldn't be conducting this interview with you right now. I went through a dark phase and had it not been for my belief and me being introduced to meditation, there is no way I would be here in the present day. We live in a different world now, where money seems to be everything but from experience and once being a part of the younger generation, without guidance you have nothing. It wasn't until I watched a clip from Eric Thomas "Secrets to Success" that my whole life began to change. Once considered lost, my faith started to grow and I realized that there was a way out of his dark hole I had created for myself.
That's great! Seeing that a lot of people especially our younger generations don't fulfill themselves spiritually enough. So when you came back to New York, where did you start? And how many years have you been back, grinding?
Upon coming back to New York, I was really searching. I basically came back with nothing. Not a dime to make the next move. I borrowed a few dollars from a few friends and just couch surfed for a few months. Living out of this long green duffle bag. Some of the toughest most strangest times of my life. I was lucky to find an agency that placed me in a temp job that lead to me saving up to get my own place in Brooklyn at the time. I was not in "grind mode" it was more like "survival mode." I guess that's where the humility comes from, being at the bottom and making it out to share your story. After a while, I landed a gig at Rosebar, a legendary place in the nightlife world and it was there I figured out how to get back on my feet again. Now I am one of the more important pieces to that brand, but that came through hard work, blessings and overall being a genuine person, caring about others and helping out in any way that I could.
You’re big on networking and building relationships, just as a lot of us are. Are there any awkward places you’ve met key people (bathrooms, the street, passing in a car) that are to this day very vital to your network. Because some people feel like the only time to network is at events, but in today’s society things can pop off anywhere.
Networking builds careers! Socializing is a skill set that can take you and your family to the next level. I'll tell you how vital it is to network.
When I first started working at Rosebar...I met an individual where our first encounter was not that pleasant and it left a bad impression with me, months later I stopped at a local book/magazine place in the city and picked up an issue of Details Magazine. Inside that issue was that same individual who had a 3-4 page feature on his fashion brand and his story on how the brand came to be. I was in disbelief that this was the same person I had just had a strange first encounter with and curious as to how he got into such a popular publication. Months later that same guy returned and I said to him that I enjoyed the feature. I took it upon myself to initiate a move that to this day has been the reason these blessings continue. I did my history on the brand that he owned for a few months, I studied the brand inside and out and when he returned, I gave him a rundown on how I can be an asset to the brand. He then gave me an opportunity to be a part of his brand, that position lasted for over two years.
All it takes is one conversation or one moment to change your life, that story and situation is why I was able to have built so many key relationships with so many people. I used a platform (effectively) that was given to me.
What would you say your ultimate goal in the fashion/creative industry is? Do you feel like you have found the bridge to connect all the missing links in the creative industries?
Ultimate goal for myself is to own, as a black male and a face of these brands, I feel that ownership is important. We don't own much in today's world. I'd like to see more programs for the youth. More leadership programs and more faces like myself teaching these programs. Teach our generation about manners, etiquette and how to just be a better person overall. We need more leaders in the industry. More people out of the office and into these streets and communities. You have to know whats going on. You can't know about culture just by sitting in your office and being online.
I feel that there will always be a bridge but you have to be smart about using your resources to build that bridge. Anyone can have a platform, but how many will share that same platform with others is the real question. It was never just about me, I had a second chance to do something right and I will continue to provide opportunities as long as my story continues.
I’ve personally come to some events that you host for hungry creatives? Can you explain the purpose of the “Creatives after Dark”, and how much it has grown for you? Do you have testimonials on that event?
Creatives After Dark is a series that brings together today's top brands, influencers, tastemakers, and creatives together in one room, from all industries such as fashion, media, fitness, tech and music, to discuss how to move culture forward. An incubator of some sort. An activation that is becoming more of a social movement as well. It was an idea that took some fine tuning but we figured it out and recently we currently wrapped up the third activation which showcased top brands such as; Fox, ABC, Genius, Givenchy, Rag & Bone, Public School and Equinox. Our fourth activation will be in May.
We've had great success stories from bringing these people together. From television features, editorial features, and podcast startups with particular brands. CAD is a growing series that continues to shape lives.
With all that you do, did you ever find yourself spreading to thin? If so, has that lead you to put down or professionally walk away from jobs you may have had. Or have you walked away simply because of Growth.
There are times where I'm telling myself to slow down, I'm constantly going day to day, meeting to meeting that I often forget about my well being. I've had quite a few jobs come my way that I had to turn down, everything for me must make sense. I felt those positions didn't cater to any of the skill sets I possess. Even had to walk away from jobs. It got to a point where I figured it out, so growth and me moving on was inevitable. Thankful for the offer, never settle just to settle. Keep enhancing your creative language and skill set.
How was that transition? Too often we get comfortable and forget that our jobs are a business, and we have to do what is best for us. Did you have any problems, or hardships leaving Public School?
For me this new transition was a weird one in the beginning. I was still a little confused on my next direction as my departure from a brand I worked so hard of, had come to an end. Although it was extremely strange how it all ended. Super grateful for everything the team taught me. It all made sense overall. Will forever remember someone giving me a chance and me taking that chance to create my own.
Now this Summer I will be launching my own creative brand, a collaborative project series.
Yes! Congrats! Can't wait to hear more. We had discussed how the big honchos in these corporations are blind to what’s going on in the streets. What’s really trending, what’s hot, what has changed, what is needed etc. and I think millennials and emerging creatives are definitely making it harder for big corps. What would your advice be to one them?
My advice to the millennials and emerging creatives is to align align align! Make moves and look at culture as a 24 hour job that never stops, stay out of the office and tap into the streets. Be on the go always, engage into social events, shake hands, and most importantly out of all of this is to be NICE! Stay humble, realize that this is the beginning of something great for you and don't forget the journey! Never forget what got you to this moment. It will open up so many doors for you in the long run.
Being a black male in the fashion industry, has it been hard (er) for you? If so how do you fight it?
Honestly, if you would of told me four years ago I would be a black male in the creative world, I would have laughed. My experience working with such a big brand was a weird one but still positive, I wouldn't consider it harder for me as I'm the same person I was before I stepped into the doors of the brand I'm still aligned with now. One thing that stood out to me was a former colleague said to me.. "You know what I liked about you the most, was that when you came in every day you said hello to everyone here in the office." My humility has kept me grounded. I've seen the dark side to the industry as well but I tend to not focus on that aspect and I stay clear from that kind of energy.
What are your 3-5 biggest tips to give to someone trying to emerge in this industry?
1. Know your brands - Information is free! Study your targets and it will make your introductory meetings much much easier.
2. Utilize your time wisely! - Take informative meetings, people love to talk about themselves which is not a bad thing, take advantage of that. We all get an hour lunch daily. Use your time to set up something that can benefit you greatly.
3. Take an internship of your choosing! - Nothing like being in an atmosphere where you can get one on one experience you will need in this field. While some internships don't pay, it's the valuable connections/information you get that pays off in the long run. Be smart and select something you feel like you can be a part of right away. Always be an asset never a liability. Having that attitude will take you very far.
Are you going to be involved in any events, that our followers can come and support and greet and meet or even intern for you?
Yes I do have a few events coming up in the next few weeks. Im always willing to sit down with the next emerging creative and give advice on building your brand. As I said earlier in this interview, I was blessed with an opportunity and now I have built a platform to give back and help others. One final thing to remember is this...Treat people with respect, you just never know how or who that person will turn out to be. Important relationships can be beneficial on your journey.
Quincy I truly appreciate your transparency in this interview. It is one of the toughest things to do, but I am sure the readers will take so much from this! Please follow him on Instagram, and stay tuned, as you see, he's on to some great things.
Instagram: Hollywdq
