Shaz Sedighzadeh
Shaz Sedighzadeh
Digital Producer / Digital Talent Agent, TheSupply
Denver, CO & Los Angeles, CA
www.shazcreative.com
instagram @shaz_digital
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I help top digital talent find the best projects out there - while also workin on my own digital ideas”
After my digital producer days inside agencies, I went on to create a digital/creative talent consulting firm, helping connect awesome digital shops/brands with amazing talent. On the side I still make a bunch of things, some with my hands, some with code. I'm a hacky designer and hacky developer. But I love resting on my awesome network (via TheSupply) to make new fun tools/things here and there.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I started my career in digital recruiting helping advertising agencies find the best developers and designers. It was a great way for me to realize what the different roles in creative companies were, and their purposes. That got me interested in working at an actual ad agency to help make creative things. So I set out to Los Angeles and pretty much begged the folks at ToolofNA to give me a job. Tool is a small digital creative shop in Santa Monica that puts a huge focus on working with the best talent and directors out there. I was mainly producing there, but my initial step there was to first source top talent for the projects (another example of that talent agent/recruiting mentality coming back in to my world). I then headed to Boulder CO to work at CP+B as a digital producer. During all these advertising producer jobs, on the side I was continuously making digital tools, startup ideas, and customizing motorcycles. And still am! So while I've got a mixed up and erratic resume, my work definitely still revolves around digital talent, making digital products/ideas, and working in the garage on motos.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
I think everyone in the digital space gets too busy making things, and forgets how important it is to curate, organize and grow their network of ‘makers’ to reach out to. I suppose that is when they need to engage TheSupply for help finding the right talent. And I love seeing things like this ILoveCreative site come out, to help do the same. Curation is a very important skill, and very needed in the mess of things today.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Right now Im working on a curated fashion/style app, www.lookli.st - As well as keeping my digital talent consultancy running, www.thesupply.com
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
Minimal and clean. Yup, check out my startup www.lookli.st - Or check out my office aesthetic to get a feel.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
I work on custom motorcycles. I wish I could do this more as a career for sure. But it's a crowded space with ‘meh’ profit margins. See some of my bikes here http://shazcreative.com/motos
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Finding the time to do all the things I want to do. I have way too many ideas for apps, sites, startups, etc.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
A super skilled Coder/Designer combo person, for sure. Just help me crank out my ideas/prototypes fast and effective. See here for the last little project I whipped up on a whim http://curated.cool/
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I would have gotten deeper in code at a younger age. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to whip up a proof of concept for an idea, and needing to rely on other people.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would love to talk with folks that have successfully grown and perfected startup and small company success. How they do what they do?
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I just love meeting creative passionate people. I love connecting talented folk with other talented folks… For client projects, side projects, events, etc. Below is a shot of the tool I’m making to store all my “creative connections & makers” https://roldx.it/
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Helping a client take a creative/digital idea from idea to execution. Whether that is by myself, or assisting them to find the right resources to do what they want to do.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Depends on the project. Have worked with many different clients in many different ways.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Let me know what you are trying to get done. Email is best. shaz@thesupply.com.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
My Feedly of inspirational blogs is dialed beyond belief. And I try to hit as many creative/artsy events as I can! I keep a running list here http://events.thesupply.com/
This member profile was originally published in February 2018.