HBB Star – Neville Simpson

We love catching up with the movers and shakers in our Huntsville community and today we had the opportunity to connect with Neville Simpson. Check out our conversation below:

Hi Neville, tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from, what’s your upbringing?

I was born in Guyana and moved to Brooklyn, NY at the age 12. I went to Tuskegee University and graduated with a Computer Science and Math degree. I took a job as a Software Engineer with NASA here in Huntsville, AL, in 2000 then transitioned to full-time photographer in 2020.

What inspired you to start your own business?

I love God, people and photography… I have a desire to use my God-given talent to honor God and serve others.

What is unique about your business? Tell us a bit more.

Headshot HSV is Huntsville’s premier headshot studio. We specialize in individual headshots, company headshots, high-volume event headshots, branding photography, product photography, and corporate event photography. Our mission is to empower businesses and professionals to make their best visual impression through exceptional service and award-winning imagery.

Neville Simpson Photography specializes in wedding, family and high school senior photography.

HSV AND BEYOND ART GALLERY features and sells fine art photography prints and canvases.

What have been your biggest challenges, and how have you overcome them?

Fear – That I won’t be able to quit my so called secure government job and provide for my family

How I Overcame:

Faith – Faith to trust God and know that where He leads, He provides.
A plan – a great business coach.

If you could speak to your younger self, just starting out, what advice would you give him/her?

God’s got you bro. Dream big, seek Him always, and don’t be afraid to step out on faith.

What’s your dream/the end game?

The only thing that I am more passionate about than photography is helping others. I wouldn’t say its an end game because my mission is to help as many people as I can for as long as God give me breath in my body.

I have a few goals, not dreams because I have a plan to achieve them and I am working on it and by the grace of God will accomplish them. Pay off my mom’s house, be debt free-ish meaning free to be able to offer more scholarships, support more ministries and be a greater blessing to my family, church and community.

My goal is to have scholarships and to help fund empowering efforts of the financial and spiritual needs of my community, my Alma Marta, Tuskegee University, and my birth country, Guyana.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

• Our network and net-knowledge truly does affect your network, so meet as many people as you can, have a plan to follow up, seek to help them and stay connected. It will pay dividends.
• Never stop learning and working on your craft and don’t be afraid of investing in your self and business.
• If it’s important to your success and it’s outside of your expertise, hire a pro. It will cost you now but it’s an investment that will pay in the long run. Just because you know how to do it, doesn’t mean you should. Value your time and constantly make sure you are majoring in the things that is most profitable for you to do and you love doing the most. Bill gates doesn’t program software, just read, E-Myth.
• Find yourself a mentor who is where you want to be and pay them to teach you the game. It will save you time, avoid mistakes and ultimately save you lots of money.
• Find a great bookkeeper and accountant and learn and use the Profit-First method. Invest your profits and your money and investments can earn you more money faster than you can.
• From the beginning start thinking of how you can scale and duplicate you. You’re not a business owner if the business is dependent on you, you’re an employee.

Wow Neville! So many nuggets. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!

Watch The Interview

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