By Staff
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
I am incredibly motivated by freedom and autonomy, and with that, I believe that there exists immense power in having a career that comprises both of those elements. Being an entrepreneur has allowed me the opportunity to be abundant in the most valuable resource in the world- time. And with that time, it is my aim to occupy myself with meaningful and purposeful work, so that ultimately, I can make an impact on both my immediate community and the world.
Tell us about your company and services.
Noir by Nolan started as a simple pleasure-inducing hobby when I first discovered my love for storytelling in 2016. My friends and I would record and edit music videos as an expression of art and an escape from our immediate reality. Today, Noir by Nolan provides services in photography, videography, graphic design, and social media management. This includes commercial productions, music videos, social media branding, professional headshots, logo design, and more. We have been blessed enough to be able to work with the NAACP, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Safe Place for Pets, and Morehouse College to name a few.
What makes your skills and services unique?
Noir is french for Black, and my content is intentionally designed to showcase positive narratives of the Black community. Too often we are portrayed as vile villains due to misconceptions and misnomers. I have sharpened my cinematography skills over the past 5 years to ensure that the narrative in which I portray our people is filled with power yet has an artistic subtly that reminds consumers of the humanity and culture that thrives within African Americans.
What has been the most difficult challenge you faced as an entrepreneur?
As I am learning both myself and the world of business, I have been met with the challenge of identifying and establishing my network as a 23-year-old entrepreneur. Despite this, I am encouraged by the process, and I am faith-filled in knowing that soon Noir by Nolan will become a household name.
What does success look like for you?
Success, as with anything, is incredibly subjective. For me, I will consider myself successful when I have the luxury of choice. I am manifesting the days in which I can choose whether to work, play, or travel at any moment in time. I never liked the idea of working for money. I would much rather occupy my time with connecting and fellowshipping with others all while leaving every space better than how it was before I arrived. That is true success to me.
Where do you see your business in the next five years?
In the next five years, Noir by Nolan will be much more product-focused with the development of a studio, apparel, and creative accessories. In addition, we would love to expand the organization to a team of photographers, videographers, and marketers so that we can scale our mission of highlighting positive narratives of Black people.
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About Cameron
Cameron Markell Nolan is a 2021 alumnus of Morehouse College from Jackson, Mississippi. Over his four-year journey at Morehouse College, he dedicated his time to various on-campus organizations including: The Maroon Tiger Tennis Team, New Student Orientation, AUC PUSH Project, and the Student Government Association. In the spring of 2020, Cameron Markell Nolan was elected as the 89th Student Government Association President.
In his personal endeavors, Nolan creates content for his own brand, Noir by Nolan. This brand idea spawned from his high school days when Nolan would vlog his daily life to immortalize his memories with his closest friends. Today, Noir by Nolan highlights the narratives of Black people through photography, cinematography, and graphic design.
As Nolan developed his cinematography skills, he grew to understand both the technical and artistic sides of content creation and media. While immersing himself in the business, Nolan mastered skills in social media marketing and branding. He has amassed a collective of over ten thousand followers on his social media platforms and personal YouTube Channel- Cameron Markell. While immersing himself in the art, he mastered video production with tools such as Final Cut Pro X. His diverse set of talents has allowed him to shoot commercials for companies such as Safe Place for Pets, host and emcee events, film and edit music videos for artists, and even do voiceovers after one of his viral videos got attention from Allstate.
Most recently, Nolan has worked on the set of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and plans to leave an indelible legacy in the film and entertainment industries through his storytelling, his voice, and his vision.
