Today we’d like to introduce you to Shemaiah Reed.
Hi Shemaiah , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always been a builder at heart. My journey really started in 2011 when I launched Shemaiah Production Studio. Back then, I was learning by doing—producing music, experimenting with visuals, and figuring out how stories could move people. I have to think my mentors along the way, I wouldn’t be where I am without the help of those who took time to teach me. That curiosity eventually led me into media full-time, where I’ve spent the last 10 years working as a producer in my day job. That season taught me discipline, systems, and how to execute consistently, even when the work isn’t glamorous.
Alongside that, I created I Am Refocused Podcast in 2017 at a local barbershop (shout out to Rico Rodriguez, owner of Rockafellas Barbershop), turned Radio in 2019, which became the foundation of everything that followed. Rico, in 2017 allow us to launch our podcast show inside his shop, he was the first guest on the show, and to this day his is a huge supporter of I Am Refocused Radio. What started as conversations turned into a community. Refocused Magazine from 2012 evolved into Refocused TV, and today it lives as Refocused Network—a growing platform centered on real stories that inspire, challenge, and push people forward. The format has changed, but the mission hasn’t: create space for voices that matter and conversations that help people think more clearly about where they’re going. We grew from 2k subscribers last year to 30k subscribers in December of 2025 thanks to adding video production to our audio podcast.
Over time, my focus expanded. Shemaiah Production Studio is currently slowed as I build Dope Fresh Media, LLC, which has become my primary creative hub. Through Dope Fresh Media, I’m working in animation, music, and film, including a new docu-series on a former NBA player planned for release in 2026 on youtube.com/@DopeFreshMedia. Film and long-form storytelling are on my radar, but growth in the industry—step by step—is the priority.
Music has always remained part of my identity. I continue to release and build through SoundCloud and YouTube, and I’ve been fortunate to see that work recognized, including recent news coverage around my Wemby song. I was also recently approved as a YouTube Partner on my music channel at youtube.com/@ShemaiahAReed, which marked another meaningful milestone.
Today, I’m focused on several lanes at once: growing I Am Refocused, building alongside content creators through Refocused Network, pushing new music, producing content for YouTubers, and collaborating with business owners on brand growth strategies that I plan to expand over time. I believe deeply that you can work a day job and still build your vision on the side—if you’re willing to create systems, stay patient, and think long-term.
I’ve been fortunate to have mentors throughout this journey, and I still check in with them regularly. I have much more to do and learn, but I take one day at a time. I don’t see that as a weakness—I see it as how you keep sharpening your edge. As AI continues to reshape media and technology, I’m excited about what’s possible, but I’m equally committed to using it responsibly. For me, the future isn’t just about speed or tools alone—it’s about solving real problems without losing the human heart behind the work. 2026 looks bright, and I’m focused on continuing to grow, learn, and build with purpose. Expect to see more interviews for I Am Refocused, more music, and new film projects. I have much more coming in 2026, including a separate TV pilot project in the making through a collaboration with a filmmaker in Canada, so expect more details on that later in 2026. Both of my parents are from Michigan, so loving the Lions and living with grit is just part of who I am. I’ve learned early that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes community—people who can teach you, challenge you, and push you in the right direction when it matters most.
I was born in San Antonio, TX, grew up in Michigan, and came back to this city after college in 2010. San Antonio, TX has a bright feature, many talents live here, and yes, we are under construction. This city has something special. The more we see creatives collaborate, the more new opportunities will take shape here. San Antonio has great people, and like any city, it has its ups and downs—but I truly love it. There’s a real window right now for people here to step up and shine.
I’m grateful to be part of a growing city, and I’d encourage anyone reading this to recognize that it’s your turn. Get out there. Dream big. Build what you’re passionate about. Start the business. Apply for the job. Launch the YouTube channel. Keep your eyes forward and don’t wait for permission. It takes all of us working together to continue building this city into something special, and like anything meaningful, it takes time.
Links:
IAmRefocusedRadio.com
youtube.com/@RefocusedNetwork
youtube.com/@DopeFreshMedia
youtube.com/@ShemaiahAReed
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. When I finished college in 2010, I didn’t land a job right away. That period of uncertainty was real. What changed things was meeting a mentor who worked at a local TV news station. He helped me secure my first role, showed me how to think about launching my own business, and gave me perspective I didn’t yet have. Not long after, I found an opportunity in the corporate world and have spent the last 10 years working in media, while building my side hustle alongside it.
There’s no easy version of this path. Even now, I’m still building. There are moments when you question yourself and wonder if you should keep going. I’m grateful I didn’t quit during those seasons, because momentum comes after the foundation is laid, not before. One of the biggest struggles is comparison. When you constantly measure yourself against others, you forget to give yourself grace and you lose focus on discipline in the small details. There are no shortcuts or magic tricks—just spending time on what actually matters.
I remember looking at 400 subscribers and thinking, maybe this isn’t for me. But I kept going. Today I’m running three YouTube channels, all over 1,000 subscribers, with one now in the YouTube Partner Program. That didn’t happen overnight. It came from building my craft, surrounding myself with smart people, finding mentors, and continuing to work with what I had in front of me.
I also learned that burnout is real. Growth requires learning when to delegate, when to pause, and when to cut out what’s draining you. The struggle never fully goes away. Instead, you get better at managing your time, your energy, and your expectations. Experience sharpens you. Challenges show up alongside opportunities, and if you lose focus on what needs to be done right now, you risk missing what’s waiting for you later. To me, success isn’t something you take—it’s something you build.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work sits at the intersection of media, storytelling, and strategy. I’m a producer, host, and creative. I specialize in building platforms and content that help people see more clearly—whether that’s through conversations, music, visual storytelling, or brand development. I’m best known for I Am Refocused Radio and the growth of Refocused Network, where long-form conversations and creator-driven stories are the foundation. I also work behind the scenes producing for content creators on YouTube, collaborating with business owners on brand growth strategies, and developing animation, music, and film projects through Dope Fresh Media.
What sets me apart is how I think about growth. I don’t chase hype or shortcuts. I focus on systems, long-term vision, and human connection. I understand both the creative side and the operational side of media—how to tell a compelling story and how to build the structure that sustains it. I also approach AI as a tool, not a replacement, using it to enhance creativity and problem-solving without losing the human heart behind the work. At the core, everything I do is about building with intention, staying grounded, and creating work that lasts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t look at it as luck as much as preparation meeting opportunity. I’ve had doors open at the right time (tv pilot collaboration in Canada + a local SA docu-series project with former NBA player), but they only mattered because I was willing to show up, learn, and do the work. The setbacks taught me discipline and patience, and the wins came from staying consistent long enough for opportunities to find me. We become more “lucky” when we do the small things that matter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.iamrefocusedradio.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shemaiahreed/
- Twitter: https://x.com/shemaiahreed
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RefocusedNetwork
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shemaiah-on-the-beat
- Other: https://hyperfollow.com/ShemaiahReed
