Roderick Jackson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Roderick, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
During the first 90 minutes of my day, I focus on grounding myself and setting the tone. I start by reading the Word, praying, and having a smoothie. I’ll also check my emails to get a sense of what’s ahead. On weekdays, I usually head to the gym once that time is up. If my schedule is packed, I’ll jump right into work and fit in a workout later in the day. This balance helps me stay consistent, productive, and energized.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Here’s a polished response that captures everything you want to highlight, keeps it professional but approachable, and ties your story together in a way that shows growth and vision:
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Response:
“Hi, my name is Roderick, and I’m a photographer, artist, and entrepreneur based in Cleveland. I run three creative businesses: Shotsbyrod.co, where I specialize in real estate, editorial, and commercial photography; Rugs by Rod, a brand born out of my passion for custom rug tufting; and Cleveland Sky Studio, my art studio and creative hub.
From 2011 to 2019, I lived in New York City and worked in various roles across the photography industry, gaining invaluable experience and learning how creativity and business intersect in one of the world’s most competitive markets. When I returned to Cleveland, I was determined to build something meaningful within the city’s growing art scene. In 2020, I opened Cleveland Sky Studio, which has since become the foundation for all of my creative ventures.
Today, I balance my time between these three businesses, each feeding into my broader vision of expanding the creative community here in Cleveland. My goal is to open multiple studios across the city and eventually in neighboring areas, where I’ll host all my services under one roof. I see my work not just as creating art, but as building spaces that inspire others to create as well.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
“Earlier in life, I had what felt like outrageous chores—everything from pulling weeds and gardening with my dad to redecorating the house with my mom, on top of the usual dishes and laundry. As a child, I thought it was excessive, but looking back, I realize those moments taught me the value of responsibility and hard work. My parents also worked tirelessly, and through their example, I learned that achieving your goals requires consistency and dedication. They instilled in me an early understanding that if you don’t work, you don’t eat—both physically and spiritually. That lesson has shaped the way I approach everything I do today.”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering teaches lessons that success often cannot. While success can be affirming, it rarely pushes you to develop the same depth of resilience or character. Through suffering, I’ve gained a certain endurance for life—an ability to withstand challenges and keep moving forward—that I might never have built if everything had come easily. I like to think of it in terms of a bow and arrow: when life gets hard, it’s like being pulled back as far as possible. That tension and struggle may feel overwhelming in the moment, but it’s what gives you the strength and momentum to launch forward and truly reach your target. Success shows you the reward, but suffering shows you the strength it takes to get there.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
People sometimes perceive the public version of me as a socialite or heavy partier, but that’s not really the case. While I do attend events here and there, it’s usually tied to a project I’m working on or a gig I’m involved with, not just to party. In reality, I spend most of my time at the gym or at home editing. So the ‘public me’ people see is only a small slice of who I actually am.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
After laying down name, role, and possessions my passions, relations with my family and most importantly my relationship with God will remain. Before the love for photography, all my accolades, all my equipment etc there was only God my family and my general love for Art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Shotsbyrod.co
- Instagram: shotsbyrod / rugsbyrod /. Clevelandskystudios
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shotsbyrod
Image Credits
@ickyal1
@93rdnative
@aaronblakemartin
@@taeinmotion
