From Camera Gift to Creative Empire with Rhonda Nunn of Just Keep Smiling Productions

Hey, friends. Welcome, and welcome back to noseyAF conversations about art, activism, and social change.I'm your host and friend, Stephanie Graham, and today's guest is Rhonda Nunn. So, about Rhonda. Rhonda Nunn's dad bought her a camera in sixth grade, right?And she showed up to Chicago State as a computer science major and then decided that she'd rather be known on campus as the photographer. So Rhonda started taking pictures for free until people started paying her. And today she's the founder of Just Keep Smiling.Rhonda is a photographer, a videographer, a director, a dj, and the woman I just keep running into at every baby shower and wedding on the south side, especially if the wedding and baby shower happens to be my family.This is a project called 31 Days of Black Business, where all month long, I'm bringing you a black business owner that we get to meet and see what they're about and vibe with them. So welcome to Nosia. Yeah. We're going to play our theme song, and then I am so delighted to introduce you to Rhonda. Winner. Vision of a star with a mission in the cause. What you doing? How you doing?What you're doing and who you are. Flex yourself and press yourself Check yourself, don't work yourself if you know me then you know that I be knowing what's up. Hey, Stephanie.Graham is not nosy.Okay, so we are here with, I have to tell you guys, Rhonda.When I say the neighborhood family photographer, I literally mean that I've seen Rhonda at baby showers, weddings of my personal friends and family, and always sharing her information. So I am just so honored. Rhonda, welcome to Nosy af. I'm so happy to have you here. How are you?

Thank you for having me. Oh, I'm great. Oh, my goodness. Finally on hiatus, relaxing. Sometimes I don't know how to do that. So I am just got.I just got done with prom season, and, yeah, now I'm ready for, like, birthdays and weddings and stuff like that to come across my way and graduation parties and things.

How did you get into making images and videos for family for, you know, monumental occasions?

Well, I want to start off with my dad. My dad bought me a camera when I was, like, in sixth grade.And then I didn't realize until I got into college that that was going to be my passion of doing photography.So maybe like 2012, 2013, when I got accepted to Chicago, I was a computer science major at first, so I didn't really, really like getting into photography until I switched my major over to communication, media arts and theater, which we call AKA cmat.And I was able to like build my brand and take those sorts of classes where you get to, you know, give yourself a press release, what your company's about, things of that nature. And I was like, you know what? You know, I really like taking pictures.And I felt like I didn't need to take classes for pictures to learn how to take pictures. I felt like if I got hired to do my uncle's wedding and he loved them, that's the only validation I need and I'm getting paid for it.And that was in 20? Yeah, that was the. He was my first client, 2013. And so I just went on.And when I changed my major, my goal at Chicago State was to be known on campus as the photographer. And I did everything for free. Videography, photography. Like I wanted to learn everything with how they make commercials, films.Like I thought in my head, like, how can I just take people minds first? With photography, it started off with, I just want to capture the true essence of who you are. You know, under just Q, smiling, right?I see you through my lens.And then it went from that to like, ooh, I can make a movie and literally grasp and capture people's minds for like five to 10 minutes, you know, and get them away from the real world. On it started off so just keep. Smiling was the fashion brand first.Yes, fashion brand first. Because where I grew up at on the south side of Chicago, Roseland area. Yeah.I was like, man, God, I was in my room and I was like, man, what can I do to like, create a positive ripple effect in my community? And he gave me these three words which just keep smiling.And I was like, man, if I step on campus and I have a smile and the hoodie is showing, somebody else will see it and they will wanna smell it, they will wanna buy it and they will ask me. And it literally happened just that quick. And I was like, wow. Like, if this can happen with clothes, imagine pictures, imagine films.Imagine, you know, things of that nature, the real emotions of life. And it's not about just always smiling. It's about the things that you have been through that kept you to smile.You know, everybody have the same emotions and go through a lot of things and hurdles, but you gotta keep pushing, you gotta feel all those emotions. But you do have the support, you do have the love to keep smiling. And yeah, so that's, that's how that happened.

I love that. If you are listening Just the audio version. I love that, like, as Rhonda's telling us to just keep smiling.She's very passionate about it in the face and, like, not smiling, not smiling. But, you know, I sort of love that, though, because I know for a fact, just knowing you, you know, we worked on, you know, different.We're on film sets together and everything. And so I know that you definitely do live out this idea of just keep smiling.So I think that it's really cool to see you actually live your value in that way. So I just wanted to share that with you.

It's tough because I feel like when people see me or meet me or my spirit, they just automatically think that I haven't been through anything in life, and that's the complete opposite. And something you meet and just think that, oh, she's smiling all the time. She's always happy.And it's like, it's a choice, you know, it's a choice of doing daily choice. It's not like I just wake up and just. It's like, no, this is part of my lifestyle. It's not that I'm ignoring the negativity.I see it, and I just choose otherwise. You know, it's the case in point. And, you know, it's just. It's not just, you know, rolling under the.In some days, it's easy to just get out the bed and just be like, man, it's a great day. I choose that one. Even when it's a bad day, like, it's going to be something good out of this day.Like, something good, you know, so that's tough to swallow, too. But, you know, it's just. It is. You are who you are, you know, and it's what I just. I choose to be.

Yeah, it's sort of like that thought of, like, the whole Hollywood saying, like, the show must go on. It's like, well, like, this sucks, but I'm gonna keep. I'm gonna smile regardless.Even though you're going through something, you're going through something.

Cause then at the end of the day, you got other people that's there to hold your hand.

Yeah.

You know, sometimes we, as just people in general, we think we're alone until we look up and say, oh, look at all these people are here for me. Just have to wake up and just see that, like, you are the light at the end of the tunnel. The light is not there. It's you.

Yeah, absolutely. That's really, really nice.

Yeah. Yeah, thanks.

There was a thread or Instagram reel, something Where I saw a lady. She called herself a black girl president. You see that? She's like.Just because we're, like, laughing and having a good time, people don't assume that, like, we're going through stuff. It's like, I go through stuff all the time. I'm going through stuff now. Yeah.

Yes. It's just how we carry our load. And it's easy that way. You know, we still here, God, still giving us another day.And this is just a lesson to learn or something to, you know, imagine what we go through. And then we talk to somebody else, and then we say, you know what? I have the exact same feeling. So this is how I went through it.Now that you are going through it, let me tell. Let me tell you how I went through it to make it easier for you, you know?

Yeah.

So.

Yeah. Yeah. No, that's really wonderful. So was it. What. Was it your uncle's when he paid you to?Or maybe he didn't pay you, but when you did the wedding for your uncle, was that when you were like, I can turn this into a business because you said that you were photographing anything, and that just seemed like. Because you liked it. But when was it a time when you were like, you know what? I can actually send out invoices for this.

No. Yeah. My uncle, he actually paid me, like, $125. Wow.

Wow.

This is how, you know. And then we. I was still printing out pictures and making photo albums that way. That's how it didn't pay me.But when a. I think when I graduated college, that's when it became, like, real, real. Cause I feel like in college, everybody. I was like, oh, I'm ready to do any and everything for free. Like, you don't have to pay me.Although some professors actually took me out on gigs and actually paid to be on commercials and hire me for things like that because they knew I was hungry, like, they saw me. But after college is when they was like, oh, yeah, let's get Rhonda. She's like. She's that girl. She take good pictures. Headshots, graduation photos.Yeah. Yeah. Although if I look back and I'll be like, I could have did better, but that's my timeline. You know, everybody got that.That kind of feeling where they were like, oh, yeah, I could have did better. But now, you know. So all good people still trust me to this day to take their photos. I still get nervous. I don't care what type of client you are.I still get nervous when I, you know, sending that link that digital link, like, man, I really hope they like these photos that never changes. Cause you just never know. Like, Rhonda, these one good. And I'm like, ooh, we gonna have to redo something. Yeah, but that's.That never happen as much, so. Yeah. Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah.

What a dream. Cause I was gonna say, has that ever happened to you? And like, how would you. Like, how have you overcome something like that? One?

Well, let's see. One time, it was two. It was two times. One time was. And it be the clients that don't got no money. They be just like, asking, yeah, how?Why am I whispering? How. How am I able to. Like, I've. During the shoot, the client was just playing. They were very playful.So I'm taking the photos, and they're like, oh, I don't like the photo. I don't like the photo. I don't like the photo. And I'm like, okay, cool. We can do, like a reshoot or whatever.And then they, like, posted the pictures. Like, you said you ain't like them, but you. Yeah, and I just. Yeah, I just kind of canceled on them. And they. It just. We cool now. But.Yeah, it was just like a. Yeah, if. Yeah, that wasn't a me thing. It was.

I don't know, it was like a them thing. But they liked the photos. But then, like, maybe felt self conscious. So then.

Yeah, and I. We just didn't. I just didn't really go back into it because people just.Just in general, they could just literally, like, not care, not tip you for being late. And I'm not that type of person to be like, hey, man, you late. You need to take. You need to do this. It's like, dang.I think you would just think to do that, you know, when I had my own studio, like, oh, I forgot this. And go all the way, or 30 minute out, 30 minutes away and come back, that's a whole nother hour.And it's like, y' all love the photos, but, like, man, where's the respect? Where's my time? Where's the consideration?

Yeah.

So I was like, I'm done with. I fell out of love with photos for a while. Like, I just was like, nope. And then I started back doing it for free with, like, one of my good friends.Cause that's where I had the fun. The most fun. It's like, when I do things for free, sometimes I don't want to take photos. It's like a stress thing. Like, it's no fun.But when I'm doing it for free and nobody cares. And I'm just taking them like family events. I'm good. Like, you don't have to press me for no photos. I can just have fun.But yeah, those kind of things. It gets overwhelming and like, yeah, like I did a wedding and I dropped my, my hard drive on the floor and.

Oh no.

Yeah, the wedding that I had to send them back their money. Cause they get. They couldn't get their wedding photo album. That's what it was.And then she wanted me to re edit things and it's like, you didn't pay me enough. First off, I didn't want to do photography for your wedding. And then I did videography. Well, I had somebody else do videography.And then the fact that you asked me to do more than what was required of me is a lot. And he didn't pay me a lot. And I don't like that.

Yeah.

You know, so it's like, yeah, that.

Is really, really tricky. Just the like, expectations that people have and like the customer management of it all seems to be really overwhelming.I have since, since taking, since being on hiatus too from a show. I've like done like some second shooter jobs just for like friends who are like, hey, can you come out? And I'm like, sure.You know, and sometimes like seeing them navigate these clients, it's just like, what are you talking about? Somebody came up to a colleague of mine, the photographer I was helping, and asked him for a discount.Just like, yeah, I have an event, can you come photograph it? And he's like, oh, yeah, sure. Here's my card. She's like, okay, can I have a discount? It's like, for what?

Yeah,.

Yeah.And I couldn't tell if the woman was trying to see like how much her friend was paying for his services, you know, if she was just trying to like pocket watch or like what the deal was. Like, maybe she didn't think like, wow, you really are paying like this guy that, you know, three GS or whatever to be here.But it's like, yeah, like, I don't know. That was weird. People. I think the thing with these types of businesses that I'm learning is like, it's already.People are weird while we still have to love people. So it's just like so wild to me.

Yeah, it's like, don't tell your clients. Don't tell the clients shouldn't be telling other people what you pay.

Yeah.

Because the event's not the same sometimes, you know, it's just don't you're not supposed to do that. I had that happen to me one time and I was like, oh, yeah, it's this much. Yeah, this person. It's this much. Like, yeah, you know, like, no, no.Oh, my gosh.

Well, Rhonda, you wear so many different hats. You know, you're director, producer, writer, photographer, videographer, entrepreneur. How do you manage it all? How do you manage it all?

I don't. Everything is like, no, I do manage it, to be honest. I. I'm free. Like, I do take a second, right, to think about what I want to do next, right?And I say, what's the most important that I want to get out. It's like each project that I work on in the film industry, I try to feed myself a project for myself.Whether that's the beat tape ep, whether that's making beats or not, the photography kind of things, because that's still pointing out to other people. But for myself, it has to be a project that I can put out, that I've done, that I've written or created, and I can put out and feed.So that's kind of how I manage it. Sometimes it really is difficult when clients come in the picture and they're like, hey, I need you for my birthday.And it's like, hey, can you send me invoices? Like, ooh, can you give me a couple days? I'm working a 12 hour job. Give me one second. Yeah, give me one second. Ooh, I sent it. Did you get it? Great.Awesome. Like, you know what I mean? Trying to balance that communication level.Cause working in the office, you can literally be like, oh, yeah, I am available one to two to talk, yada, yada, yada. Then I talk to the client. Then I'm like, okay, yeah, give me two days to send you the invoice or the contract or whatever. Not.And then if you have any questions, feel free to just call me or text me and I'll get back to you right away. That kind of thing. That's how I balanced it out.Just, it just happened recently while I was talking to a client and it was just literally like back and forth, like, or missed calls or she's busy and then I'm busy and then wrapping up a show or, you know what I mean, things of that nature. But that's, that's fine. It'll get, it'll get handled.It's not like we're not communicating with each other, but when it comes to actually what I choose, the film, the film. I do have a Plan which is to shoot two short films and then a pilot. So the first short film is Daniel McKnight.So I got my stepping stools on how I want everything to go. Daniel McKnight is basically a short film about how I wanted to manifest how my husband would. One day.I'm not married or in a relationship, but this is just how my mind thinks because I'm a certified lover girl.

Hey.

And I was like, man, what, like what it would look like? What would it look like if my husband would talk about the first day he fell in love with me? And what do that look like?How do, like how would he say it? What would he say? How would he feed that? And I just started writing and we.We filmed it in November and then I entered into film festivals and things of that nature, but still waiting on the responses. And then if not selected, you know, just put it on YouTube.

Yeah, just put it out there.

Yeah, yeah. So I was able to work with the lead was Julian Williams. He worked on Shy, Shameless. And then Bria Jackson. She's a independent actor, actress.One of good friends of mine I know from Chicago State. Both great actors. And yeah, they was able to tell the story beautifully. And yeah, it was like real relatable.We did a. I did a private screening for it. It was at Chicago State and it was great, you know, well received.Everybody felt the love and that was the main mission, is for everybody to feel loved and to see the love and manifest the love and know that it is real and it's out there, you know?

Yeah, for sure. So it sounds like when you're doing all of your work, as long as you have a project to sort of balance out, like client personal.Client personal, that really like helps you to be able to like sort of manage the enterprise altogether.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, long as I feel like. Long as it's. I'm working on a main show. That's what. It's so crazy. The more busy I am.

When it rains, it pours.

Yes. It's like I need this. I need the main income to support everything else and. Sure, yeah. So, yeah.

So with all the things you do, what can, what can somebody hire you for? What's like your service offerings as of today?

A little bit of everything. Yeah, I'm like a one stop shop. I'm like a motivational speaker and I'm a dreamer, but I manifest the dream.So even when it comes to a person trying to figure out how to create a film and work a film and make a film or need photography or need videography or need a music video director or need someone like a creative director to help bring out their ideas. I'm like that go to person because I just do it. You know, one of my good friends, he called me a bully.

Well, how dare he.

He called me a bully.A good reason though, because he told me one thing you shouldn't tell me is the idea that you want to do because I'm going to hunt you down until you do it. I'm going to be like, hey, so I remember that project you was telling me about. How's it going? Oh, I haven't started yet. So why haven't you?Oh, because of this. I don't want to hear no excuses. So we need to pick out a date, a time to win, to do it. Okay, cool. Like artist hit me up.You know this independent artist named Harry, he like Rhonda. Man, I'm working on this song and I just don't know how to get it out. I said, so what are you thinking right now?Like what, what are you feeling like right now? Like what are you going through? I'm going through this. To this. To this. Okay, well this is how you would navigate your feelings with this.Or I wrote some lyrics down. You know, maybe this will help you push that. And yeah, yeah. So it's.

I'm.

I haven't came up with the right word yet.

Sounds like a creative coach.

Yeah. So you know, I'm just. Yeah, I'm just a. Yeah. I don't know how, I don't, I don't know how to title it.But if, if anyone is looking for somebody to push them in to be on their team and realism. Because I'm not a yes person. Yeah, I'm not a yes person. I still don't know how to still.That was a great question because I don't, I just don't know how to title it.

But yeah, like are you still doing that?

Uh huh. Go ahead.

No, sorry, go ahead, take it back.

Reliable, loyal and real trustworthy and honest, loving.

Yeah.

All this in a. I'm this big creative bowl.

Yeah, yeah, for sure. So then can we still call you for like our weddings or our baby showers? Yes, okay, absolutely.

Like that. See that's the thing. I'm open to everything.I still do videography, photography, weddings, music videos, short films, documentaries and yeah, just around about everything. Yeah, I love it.

I think what's cool about it is like there is this whole like generalist term. Like I think when I was getting started in photography they always wanted you to sort of, like, niche down, right.Like, you had your friends who are wedding photographers, the friends that are the headshot photographers. And, you know, I think that.That, yes, you can do that, but I also think that there is interest and variety when you can show up with the skill set to be able to manage just like, whatever it is that you need creatively or, you know, photography wise.Because even, like, you know, if people get married, then they might start having children then, you know, like, then their grandparents, just this whole thing. And so all this kind of thing needs to be documented. The kid might want to sing. All of a sudden they need a music video.So it's sort of nice that, like, you have the skill set to sort of take people, you know, all through life, you know, in all sorts of ways. If they have, like, they want to start their own business, you can make a promotional video.I think that that's sort of cool that you have the skill set to be able to handle all those. All those needs, you know.

Yeah.

Especially when it can fund your practice, you know, your own. Your own ambition of your own films and stuff.

Yeah. Also, what it has done for me, the reason why I'm able to be so open with just creating and just everything. Cause I'm never.I never put myself in a box. College has taught me. Being at Chicago State was. Is the reason why and who I am today because of. We had to wear multiple hats.We had friends where you was the actor and then you was the gaffer.

Yeah.

And the next thing, because you weren't in that team, you know, the next project, a film, you know, a friend might need you to be the dp, you know, And I was just so used to that. Also being on the dance team and then also, like, what else? Being a part of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated.So doing those things, I was just around about doing everything I wanted to do. And so I'm like, now that I'm in my own world and own life and adulting, I'm like, oh, this is an outlet.

Yeah, I love it.

You know, like, I could just produce some music for my own film and I don't have to go buy anybody else music because I'm tired of hearing the same music on somebody else's film that I use in my own. No, let me go ahead and make my own beats real quick.And then I started having fun with producing music and was just like, yeah, anybody else that wants to. You know, I was able to. One. One of my friends, his name is Bryce Ray, he's at Chicago State. I literally was like, yo, bro, I need you to be my dp.He like, yeah, anything you need. I'm like, you got a project? He like, yup. I'm like, what do you need? You know what? I could do behind the scenes photography and videography for you.And then I was like, okay, cool. Yes, training. Yes. Trading services. And then I was like, oh, do you need music? Send me a beat. Right. And I could make a type beat of it. And boom.He got photos, video, and a music date that he don't have to worry about. Sneak lights. I mean, copyright issues for anything like that. Boom. He helped me with dp. DP in my film. And like. Yeah. So it was just great.I'm like, anything to help each other, you know?

Yeah.

And I was gonna say, the only reason why I'm able to do all those things is because I was able to do it for myself.

Yeah. Yeah.

So I'm like, if I'm looking for music, then I don't have to worry about copywriting. You know, Everybody else will feel that way. Okay, cool. Yeah.If I started, like, you know, of course, because people have paid me to shoot their own short films and stuff, but I'm like, what about me? Let me do it for myself. Yeah, it's my turn. Okay, cool.This is how it feels to actually go ahead and if I could do it for them, I could do it for myself.

Yeah.

So a lot of it started with me when it comes to, like, music and film. Okay, dope.

Yeah.

I bought it. I was like, ooh, what's the best? So I'm like, I use it.I don't, you know, in other aspects, you know, of course it crosses some lines when it comes to. As creators, you know.

Yeah.

That people would, you know, gravitate towards, which. That's them.

Yeah.

You know what I mean? Like, I don't know. You know, you can either. You can. For me, I'm just. Some stuff don't make sense.

Yeah.

I got people be. Just. People just be creating these flyers. You tell the AI. But that's just a flyer, like, you know what I mean? I get it.As far as, you know, I'm glad that the unions are kind of like crossing the line with AI and, you know. Yeah. I'm glad it has some, you know, some boundaries that the unions have.

I love that you're using it to find the best pancake mix. That's genius.

I just.

I know.

Cause it's like, where's the best brands?

Yeah.You know, I had a similar use parsing for a listener. You know, we both. We both work in film. That's like, our main gig. And I do find that some folks have just.Even if they want to do that, they've stopped or don't even try to do it. They let the hours of the industry sort of get to them.So I think it's really, really impressive that you are pursuing not only your own practices, but client projects as well. So I think, like, bravo. Geez.

Thank you. I also host my charity basketball event, my Just Keep Givings Day. That's.

When is that?

November. So I have to spend together talking to the board at Dalton Park District. They allow me to have the place for free.And, you know, people come out, we have a great time. Kids play basketball, teenagers. And then I play and with the adults and things of that nature.And we, you know, the charity comes out, pick up the donations. And last year was the best. Best one for me because it just made me realize how much they told me, like, rhonda, you know what?This year, around this time in November, around Thanksgiving, they like, our closet is so, like, low on things. And I was like, really? Yes. And I was like, wow. You know, the things you just.You keep pushing to actually do and like, rhonda Day, like, how do you do this? How do you do this? Well, you just do it.I know I have 12 hours that I'm putting towards this job, but I have people in my circle and that I work with in the office. That's. My supervisors, that's like, okay, Rhonda. They're used to me, like, by now, like, okay, Rhonda, what are you working on? What are you doing?

Yeah, what are you working on?

Yeah, what are you doing? What do you have to do? Well, I have to go meet the board, so can I get off at this time, please?

Yeah. Right? You don't need me in here.

Yeah.

You.

Yeah. Can you just. Yeah. And then I have this prom. God, that. That they is. You know what? I thank God for my team because you eventually.They eventually start helping me. They're like, yeah, I'm trying to shoot this short film, and I don't know what to do. This is. And it. And yeah, so it. Yeah, it's good.

I love that you bring up your. The organization, because I did want to ask you that you. I know that you do describe yourself as a humanitarian. Right.And so I was curious, like, if you could talk a little bit about how service shows up in your work. So you have the Charity event. Like, what other ways of service do you do?

You really. That's really pretty much it. That's my biggest thing. Cause it's a yearly thing that's through.Because I don't do a lot of Zeta services through my sorority. That's my main thing throughout the year now.It might be like, you know, other things where I'm like, oh, let me just go back, pay for this person's food, or let me. You know, I get those kind of hunches and things of that nature. But other than that, that's my biggest thing throughout the years.Like, if you haven't given your 20%, this is when you. When you should.

Right.

You know, and then. I would hate to say this, but I would love to say it. Just doing things for free. Sometimes not charging people.Like, I just did three eighth grade graduations. They was my related. These are the nephews. But it was like, I didn't charge my siblings.

Yeah.

You know, sometimes. Sometimes it's just the gift.Sometimes services is just giving advice or talking to somebody that needs, you know, sound advice and things of that nature. So sometimes my services is in that kind of way. So. Yeah.

That's so nice. You're so generous. Why? Why are you so generous?

Because it's so easy. It's so.

Yeah.

People like, okay, so even we could talk about this. Okay. Being in the industry, right? Yeah. You see so many people being mean, man. And I've experienced that. You saw firsthand.

Yeah.

That first time, me being assistant to producer, you just wake up and it's just choosing, like, my circumstances. I didn't grow up in the best. Best circumstances. And it's easy to just be kind to people. Like, it takes a lot.It takes a toll on people to just be mean, and you just don't want to. And it takes a lot on me. Like, one time, like, if I'll be mean, my spirit would be like, girl, you know, you don't want to be mean to that person.Calm down. It's like, all right. But I had to. I had to. Do you know what I mean? Like, you don't want to be rude, but sometimes people cross the line.

Yeah.

But. Yeah, I don't know. It's just. It's easier. And I don't like it. I don't like the feeling of being mean. Now.If you be mean to somebody else, then I have to check a person.

Yeah.

But me, I'm just like. All I do is stare.

I love it around the stare. Like, really.

And then, like, you know, I got them times where I need to vent. You know what I mean?

Yeah.

You know, need to let it out. Cause somebody done just made me up, made me mad and pissed me off or whatever. I can say that or. No.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you can, but. Yeah,.

Yeah, but I still. At the end of the day, 85% of the time, 95% of the time, be kind. You just don't.How I wake up is sometimes you just never know how that person woke up. I know how. I know how I woke up. Yeah, right.

That's so true.

It was one time in the office. Go ahead.

No, I was just going to say it is funny when people do come back and they're like, they might blow up and they come back, like, another thing. It's like that took so much energy for you to, like, get yourself wound up, to, like, come back and yell some more.Now I think, like on Instagram and like reels, like the reels that like, have people just blowing up angry. That's why I think people just laugh at them so much because it's just like the energy that you're just expending on this is just ridiculous.Like, chill out.

Yeah. Calm down.

Yeah, yeah.

Is this paying your bills? Yeah. Right? A lot of things. Like sometimes that was like, bruh.

Yeah.

Stripes all up.

You have to stare and say, is this paying bills?

Yeah. So now I. I sometimes I get, like, upset and I'll, like, see when the last time I just was upset. Some people don't think I get upset.Some people don't even think I curse. It's crazy.

What kind of legacy are you hoping to build through? You know, just keep smiling production.

Yeah. Oh. What kind of legacy? Authentic one.

Okay.

Just life within itself. Only reason the legacy can hold up through jessq smiling is if you live life.And the things that I do is attached to the things that I feel in life, the people I connect with, far as clients, what their need of services are, what is something real or something that's like a film, anything of that nature, love, legacy of love, authenticity, caring, passionate. That kind of legacy, it don't have to necessarily be about make the best film, make the take the best photo.I think that within itself is going to grow with consistency. But I think if you're the only reason Jess keeps smiling is what it is today.And what it continued to be is me being real within myself and in my spirit with God and my growth within me. And that's how the legacy will continue.Because as I grow every day, everything else grows with me once I stop growing, then everything else is just stood of stagnant.

So.

I think that's, that's one of the. That's a great question. Cause I always thought about legacy as passing something down onto my kids that I don't have yet.Documents, kids that I don't have yet and this husband I don't have yet. But the main goal is to continue to live out what God has for me in my path.And if my kids one day don't want to take on this what it is, as long as they take that legacy of continuing to be real and truthful and honest human, decent human beings and me who I am being a better auntie, sister, daughter, you know, friend, sister, cousin, you know, that's why I feel like legacy would continue to be in build and yeah, that was a great question because I this just, you just made me think about, you know, the reason why I started everything.

Yeah. Take it to the Journal, you know. Yeah.

Yeah. And yeah, that's one of the things. Yep. Yeah. Cool.

Well, Rhonda, I so appreciate you being. On noseyAF and sharing about your projects, about your offerings. You are such a delight. I just adore you so much.That concludes another episode of nosy AF31 Days of Black Business. I'm your host and friend, Stephanie Graham. I hope you took something away from today's conversation and had a good time hanging with us.Be sure to check out the show notes to learn more about today's guest and consider supporting their work. You know how it goes, whether you're making a purchase, hiring them or simply spreading the word. Listen, who doesn't love a referral?It truly all makes the difference.Quick thank yous go out to Queen Lex and Freddie Bam Bam for the nosy AF theme music and Emma McGorick who hooked me up with the COVID art and branding. Shout out to the partners and supporters for this series. You could check them out in the show notes as well. Super grateful for a partner.

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That's the show Friends until tomorrow. Stay curious and take a take care. Bye.