Meet Roderick Jackson | Photographer / Studio Owner / Textile Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roderick Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roderick, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My initial thought process started at the end of 2020 when I wanted a custom rug of my Photo Studio’s logo. While shopping around I thought, for about how much it would cost me to make it, I could buy the tool used to make it and do it myself, which is what I did. Taking the time to learn and research what it takes to develop this business really helped me seamlessly roll out this new business. Already being a business owner and a freelance photographer made it easy to do all the things and fill all the hats needed to fulfill the small goals which lead to developing the bugger picture.

What should our readers know about your business?
One of my businesses Rugs by Rod, the youngest one, has really set the tone and put fire under me I must say. Starting in 2021 my clientele and engagement with other has grown rapidly. I believed I picked up this talent/venture at the perfect time. At a time when it was new, fresh and somewhat easy to learn. Even though the way to produce this product is fairly new a lot of people picked up on it pretty quickly, this made it a bit difficult to obtain and hold a good clientele. Although I did manage to succeed. By having reasonable pricing and quality work made it easy for clients to come to me for business. It was like we grew together. Them realizing how much a rug would look great in their space and me realizing how important this product can be for someone’s creative, business or living area. I’ve learned countless lessons on this journey, the main one being to be patient and take your time. Nothing rushed ever ends well. The primary thing I’d ;like people to know about Rugs by Rod is we are here to turn your ideas into reality, when it comes to textile design,

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here’s the itinerary for a week long trip including my best friend coming into town. Right off the plane we’ll definitely get a bite to eat because that’s the best thing Cleveland has to offer. The first 2 days we’d hit up a few museum, some live shows and a few parks or some outside activities, even if its cold. The final days we’d utilize the night life maybe catch a sports event and just do a lot of small/medium town things. My main goal would be to show Cleveland’s hospitality. In particular Id take them out to eat and drink preferably in Ohio City. Maybe Pinecrest. Hangout in the flats maybe Coventry area. For me the most fun place to hang out would be my studio, Cleveland Sky Studios.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a shoutout to a very close colleague of mines Vince Manzano aka DJ ESO. Not is he a well known DJ in Ohio, but he also has a cut an sew business, Esodidit, as well as a home goods designer, Originally starting off as Streetwear Boutique Owner, and gradually becoming a designer and garment curator. I have to admit and give him credit because his endeavors and goals went hand in hand with mines so our success helped each other but never set us back.

Website: shotsbyrod.com/rugs

Instagram: @rugsbyrod

Facebook: @rugsbyrod

Image Credits
Roderick Jackson | Montell Fowler