THE SIX SHOOTER Q&A

1. Where were you the moment you decided your business plan?

Our creative director, Candice Sanchez McFarlane and I were in a script meeting for "$FREE.99," a heist screenplay we co-wrote that won the 2008 Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.

2. What was the one thing you didn't know that you had to bluff your way through? 

In the early stages of raising money for our independent film ventures, and as we transitioned into larger marketing/branding campaigns with the birth of Double 7 Boutique, I occasionally let unfamiliar terminology fly by without question, making a mental note to look it up when I got home. After the first few times I realized that I always had the right context and became more comfortable stopping the flow of conversation for a brief moment just to confirm the acronym or whatever was being said. Ironically, this helped our creative team transition into the "No Question is Dumb" zone, and it's enabled us to be on the same page with our clients and their objectives.

3. What one life lesson did you learn that helped you build your business?

Do unto others. It's the simplest of principles that serves as the strongest foundation for any good relationship. We're helping to build companies, but companies are made up of people, and people deserve respect. Respect feeds creativity as well as output and performance.

4. Who is your role model or inspiration?

My role model and inspiration, at least from a media and entertainment perspective, is Will Smith. I've watched countless interviews online that have cemented my belief that talent and creativity are nothing without persistence and a well-tailored strategy. In one interview Mr. Smith cited how early in his career he researched the Top 10 Films of All Time, as far as box-office receipts, and found that the majority of them had aliens (ET, Star Wars, etc). With that knowledge, he then made a concerted effort to be in those types of films, as evidenced by Independence Day, Men in Black, iRobot, and the like, making him a household name. 

5. What do you wish you had more of: time or money?

Time. Money comes and goes but you can always get it back if you have good ideas, persistence, and offer something of value to someone other than yourself. You can't get back time, and there is more value and reward by spending your time wisely than you could ever receive by spending your money wisely. Sleeping four hours a night is a clear sign that I need more time to do this thing I love so much!

6. What is the one word your employees would use to describe you? 

Determined. In my opinion, no problem is too complex to be solved if I apply a continuous stream of creativity toward its resolution.

Want to know who's next? Check back every other week for more Young Guns...And if you know a young entrepreneur with an interesting story, e-mail us at youngguns@foxbusiness.com.