For an immigrant coming to the US, often times it’s a hard battle to seek and actually find success. Roadblocks, misconceptions, preconceived notions and general fear of the unknown compound society’s roadblocks that stand in the way of you and the greatness one yearns for themselves. As a black man and Caribbean native, the struggles of proving yourself and breaking established ideals about your capacity talent. Stefan Bowes, CEO of Hi Esteem Designs has had to face these obstacles and more, being a black man in a society and field that tries to tell him he doesn’t belong.
Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, Stefan is no stranger to an adversarial mind-set telling him can’t or door closing on what should have been promising opportunities to grow. But it’s the lessons and disappointments of early life which have steeled Stefan and made him into the person he is today. Stefan is no stranger to growth; having seen an evolution and growth from his early musical alter ego Eva Hype, characterised by raw, brash and often times uninhibited expressions brought to life through pen and mic, to simply Amali; Swahili for ‘hope’ and the mark of a more mature, experienced and nuanced artistic variant. It’s quite easy to see how his growth and change has allows him to be seen as the consummate example of ongoing metamorphosis.
Honestly, this isn’t even his final form. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design (S.C.A.D) in Georgia, he steps out into a new, uncharted territory for him and the team that has put their faith and creative trust in him, undertaking the role of C.E.O of Hi Esteem Designs Agency, which has the distinction of being the 1st Caribbean design agency in Miami. That in and of itself poses its own set of challenges and responsibilities, but Carib Voxx was able to get a greater understanding of Stefan and his plans to go forward.
CARIB VOXX: What does it mean to be the first Caribbean Design Agency in Miami? Are you ready for the responsibility such a statement will inevitably hold?
STEFAN AMALI: I would imagine that starting a company is similar to becoming a parent. You hope for the best but you never really know if you’re ready. It is a fantastic feeling to be able to use my education and passion in a positive manner to push Caribbean culture forward.
CARIB VOXX: What would you say are the core principles for Hi Esteem in how it enters the creative design and marketing.
STEFAN AMALI: With the topic of mental health being such a prevalent one , Hi Esteem was created to try and combat some of the stigma around these issues. I believe that art and design can be used as an agent of change to help demystify issues like low self esteem, depression and anxiety.
CARIB VOXX: What are the core areas of business for Hi Esteem? What separates you from every other design agency?
STEFAN AMALI: Hi Esteem is a multi-platform design agency. The three platforms include business development, artiste development and talent management. Most agencies divide their operations by the type of design being undertaken but I chose to use a structure where multiple facets of design could support each platform.
CARIB VOXX: You’ve managed to navigate yourself in several spheres; music, modelling, to now being CEO of your own company. What was the drive that kept you going through each of those phases?
STEFAN AMALI: My drive mostly comes from my niece. She is four years old now and she will need to have access to every resource that can make her journey easier. Until I have my daughter which may hopefully be soon; she is my most sustainable and meaningful influence for everything I do.
CARIB VOXX: As someone who is a well-travelled and as well read as you have been, what impact has exposure to different cultures and ideologies had on you as an entrepreneur and creative?
STEFAN AMALI: I have a few more continents to go before I could claim being well travelled but I would definitely claim being cultured. The Hi Esteem team is definitely multicultural. “The Change” is an artiste we work with under our artiste development platform who is from the Dominican Republic. This is an artist who has accumulated 700k streams from her first two songs on Spotify. If I didn’t understand Latin culture I wouldn’t know how to navigate working with an artiste like that. She’s extremely independent and methodical about the way she creates her art and she is going to have tremendous success in the Latin American market.
CARIB VOXX: What are your thoughts on the direction of the creative industry in you native Jamaica? How do you see Hi Esteem Design Agency making an impact in that space, if any at all?
STEFAN AMALI: Plans are already in place to start operations in Jamaica. When the business moves to Jamaica, the emphasis will be on the business development platform but with a specific emphasis in architecture and interior design. We aspire to show corporate entities the importance of having a physical space that is aesthetically congruent with the core ideologies of their business.
CARIB VOXX: One of the problems millennials face in the work place is antiquated and often times decrepit leadership styles. Styles that do not encourage employee growth or a desire to perform. How would you describe yourself as a leader for your team?
STEFAN AMALI: My democratic leadership style reflects a welcomed departure from micromanagement. I trust everyone I work with is passionate enough and talented enough to execute creatively. I’m literally just trying to make money with my friends! Shaq, Natalie , Sarah and Joanna are all people who I would grab a drink and par with so it’s not hard working with them.
CARIB VOXX: How do you intend, if any at all to integrate your Jamaican identity into how you run your business?
SB: As Jamaicans I believe we have incredible taste in everything, especially in art! I love minimalism in designs and taste is integral in executing those types of designs but I wouldn’t be as assured in my taste level if I wasn’t Jamaican. Jamaicans also have an entrepreneurial spirit which has had an indelible impact on my life. From the pan chicken man to the local farmer, Jamaicans have endearing and spirited will to work towards their aspirations. That sprit is embedded in my soul and by extension in Hi Esteem.
CARIB VOXX: Can you tell us about a specific accomplishment that helped to shape who you are today?
STEFAN AMALI: Graduating from SCAD is a big one for me. I’m a way more rounded creative now because of SCAD and I wouldn’t have had a chance at owning an agency if I was never trained in art at such an intense level like the way I was at Savannah.
CARIB VOXX: As a business man and industry player, what do you value most about your brand identity and company culture?
STEFAN AMALI: I value my team to the highest regard because they are all rounded creatives. Both Sarah Mahfood and Joanna Frauca are creative strategists but they also do interior design and architecture respectively. Shaquille Buchanan is our Lead A&R and Head of Talent Management but he is also a sales guru! Natalie Rapken is our Junior Art Director but she’s also a model. To have such a rounded team with diverse skill sets is a relief to any team leader because I can seek clients with confidence knowing we have the talent and resource pool to produce great work.
CARIB VOXX: Finally, What do you say to the next black Caribbean immigrant who may be looking to you to inspiration as someone who has been tasked to make the best of the hand he’s been dealt?
STEFAN AMALI: Never Let The Dream Die.
It’s not often you get to see your friend go through this kind of change. It’s even rarer that you get to chronicle this change is a real way and present it for the world to see. Hi Esteem Designs and it’s capable team recognise a foothold in a space that kids from the Caribbean have no place being, but here we are.
