Today we’d like to introduce you to Stéphen Banks.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Stéphen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Ok, let’s jump right in.
I moved here from Texas about five years ago after receiving a prestigious scholarship from the historical Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio and was eager to further establish my professional dance career. Well, two years into it, I felt myself getting distracted with so many new art forms that I’d never tried. I sampled them ALL—acting, stunt work, voice-over, music, nothing was safe. The more time I invested, the more interests developed, and before long, I had no idea what I should be pursuing.
I feel like a ton of people can relate—fast-forwarding.
I only knew dance before, so it was easy to devote everything to it; little did I know that I had a knack for a bunch of other cool stuff. Now after dropping everything, leaving my family behind to move here, and spending a whole lot of money that I didn’t have—the question was, “What is your passion?”
The more I got involved in different creative forms, I began to see that the game was the same. Everyone was trying to “make it” in their respective industries. In LA you never run out of classes, workshops, seminars, and coachings, teaching you how to get better at your craft—like I said, I paid for a lot of them. Do you know what there was a scarcity of? Programs focusing on mental health as an industry professional. How about resources on creating healthy networking relationships, or selling yourself, organizing, and communicating your work—these were nearly extinct when I arrived.
As an educated businessman, I decided to cash in on my knowledge of these many industries, my network, and development experience to focus on the lack of attention by creating an education and development initiative for artists in Los Angeles. As a born creative, I finally found my passion—creating true extensions of myself within my work, which just happens to be the creatives and artists who I’m teaching to do the same.
Great, 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?
Funny, I was just talking to a client about this. From my perspective, the only obstacle I ever run into is convincing others of their potential and their responsibility to invest in themselves. I’m not about motivating people—you can get plenty of that from Gary V, ET the Preacher, and Tim Ferris. Respectively, that’s not my purpose; my goal is to team up with you and get results when you’re ready to clock in.
Moms forcing the veggie train into their child’s mouths—I get it. I often have the task of pushing artists to do the hard stuff until they begin to see the benefits. Confronting doubt and fear, questioning their need to do what everyone else is doing, prioritizing their craft, even investing in it (yes, I’m talking about money). This is my blessing and burden. Choo-Choo.
Please tell us about 8020creative.
“Working daily to educate and motivate, putting power back into the hands of the creators—not our clients or employers”.
I do my part to provide value and give back to my community in two ways:
the8020creative Blog:
A blog for Creators, by Creators. Money, health, mental stability, love—all important components needed to succeed no matter who you are or what you do.
Whether written, filmed, or recorded I re-work my favorite podcasts, videos, and other content to educate and uplift my friends and family in the creative industry.
8020creative Development Program:
8020creative is an Artist and Product Development training program focused on properly presenting the authentic YOU. Primarily designed for music artists, the program has now evolved to provide specific training for actors, dancers, writers, and aspiring influencers and personalities. We welcome all—art is art, period.
We target four pillars crucial to success in any creative industry:
Performance Coaching:
We perfect the organization and presentation of your art, wherever you decide to show it off.
Creative Direction:
We help translate ideas and references into tangible, actionable visions by understanding the area of art, culture, and design you want to explore.
Media/Press Training:
From major press events and music releases to IG takeovers, the goal is to ensure that you are presenting to the most genuine version of yourself on camera while being prepared for whatever comes your way.
Social (Media) Currency:
It’s an extension of your “brand experience.” We are going to leverage opportunities and resources by building buying power from your social channels—all you have to do is be 100% you, 100% of the time
We aim to mold the creative mind into the creative mastermind and support the conversion of your craft into a career. Whether you need help on better polishing your art, creating opportunities for others to see and invest in it, or if you’re ready to finally generate wealth for yourself and your team, let’s plan, refine, and execute.
As a company, I’m most proud of the way we cater to and focus on our clients—our friends. I’ll never say that I have perfected anything but we do have a winning philosophy. Successfully identifying and nurturing serious artists and focusing on development and coaching the right way–with the artist as the priority. We are intuitive, unapologetically experimental, and open to innovation; this is what sets us apart.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My mother used to let me run around the house as a power ranger and save her from imaginary putties (they’re the bad guys). Her support of me achieving the impossible is what nourished my mindset today. It’s crazy how being a Power Ranger at eight seemed so far fetched and now living in Hollywood, it’s as easy as putting on the suit. Life is funny like that.
PS: I’d still risk it all to be the Red Ranger—loyalty over everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: Blog: https://www.
the820creative.com Development Program: http://www. the8020creative.com/ development-program - Phone: 818-325-9430
- Email: info@8020creative.co
- Instagram: instagram.com/the8020creative
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the8020creative/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/the8020creative
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