Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulina Sjoberg.
Paulina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was 16, I decided that I wanted to do not just one thing with my life, I wanted to do more. I loved photography and had found my style of shooting, I had started gaining my own unique sound in music I wrote, and I was always told I should be a runway model due to my height. So, I became an entrepreneur, and it never stopped there.
My family bought me my first Nikon when I was 16, and after doing my first paid photography job, I decided photography was something I wanted to do. I started becoming known for my photojournalistic style of shooting festivals, events, and people and became highly referred to the Desi community to cover cultural events. I worked for individuals and one of the biggest Desi event companies in Houston, Masala Radio. I am continuing to work my way into becoming nationally recognized for my conceptual and fine art photography, as well as photojournalism, which is where my creativity flies high.
During my youth, I had sung constantly and played piano by ear. At 16, after 2 attempts at starting a band and duo, I decided that if I truly wanted to execute my music the way I wanted and convey the message I wanted to spread in my lyrics, I had to do it myself. I became a solo artist, a singer-songwriter and my genre is Indie-folk. I learned how to produce my own music in my own studio, I operate under my record label, Carmi Records and have released multiple successful music videos. I learned how to play guitar by ear as well as ukulele, bongos, and electric. I became a Readers Choice Nominee, and have been covered by local and nationally known blogs and newspapers in print and online such as the Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, Lemonade Magazine and more. I’ve had rotation on internet and satellite radio and have been hired to perform at big festivals and events both private and public.
After being told I should model for so many years, at 16 years old I decided to start off doing print and work my way up to the runway. I was a natural at walking and posing and was taught by my mother, a former runway model. My first time doing runway was a fashion show held by a New York Fashion Week designer and I got to get a real glimpse of the modeling world. Since then, I’ve done TV presentations for local fashion designers, walked in many runway shows for nationally known designers such as Lucas Escalada, trunk shows for Reco Chappel of House of Chappel, and worked with celebrity stylists such as Joshua Johnson.
As I grew, I learned, observed and met people who were already seasoned in my industries. My family has always been my greatest and biggest supporters, and truthfully I wouldn’t be able to do half of what I do without them. My mother and younger brother have helped me, guided me, and been there when times were tough. My mom taught me most of the values I hold today, that I feel have paved my way into being an entrepreneur. Outside of my families support system, I had the pleasure to meet many along the way. I was mentored and encouraged by American Idol Finalists, Grammy award-winning artists, world-renowned photographers, and successful runway and print models. Not just people in my own industries, but other entrepreneurs, business owners of big and small corporations and brands, professionals, public figures, and influencers. I had made the decision to never attend college and I stayed true to my decision despite the lack of support from some people. My schooling is people, learning from their mistakes and gains, and being influenced by people with integrity.
Besides the main ventures that make up my entrepreneurship, I’ve gotten involved in different industries. I do private branding and marketing consulting, personal development and assist in start-ups. I’ve mentored, I’ve started to become known for my abstract art, I co-own a small heat pressing business “The Heat Press Room”, I’m a micro influencer, brand ambassador, and trendsetter. I do a series of other things like graphic design, poetry, spoken word, writing, contemporary dance, and more. I will soon be branching out into filmmaking under my own small film company, Carmi Films, and I plan on publishing non-fiction novels in the far future, as well as pursuing stand up comedy.
Growing up and even to this day, I was told I couldn’t be equally active in 3 different industries, or even do more than I became involved in; but I was dedicated to proving to people that it can be done. And so far, I’ve been blessed with the ability to do so.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a child, I was diagnosed with severe dyslexia and would have had to have taken many years to learn how to read and write. When I was 7 years old, I came to my mom with tears in my eyes and expressed that I was sad I couldn’t be like normal kids, I felt dumb and unable. She told me, “Do you believe God can heal you?” I replied “Yes” and she said, “Pray”, and so I did. That night, I prayed to God and told him that if he gives me the ability to read and write I would write music for him for the rest of my life. That morning, I woke up and started writing. I wrote a whole page and read a whole book from my Leap Pad. It was a miracle and blessing that has been continuous in my life, even till today. If I would have never been able to read and write, I wouldn’t be able to have done most of the things I have set out to do. Of course, I’ve had other struggles and bumps in the road. I’ve been bullied, had my life threatened, been told I’ll never succeed, backstabbed and hurt. I’ve run into tricky, shady people. Others have tried to take advantage of me either due to my age or because I’m a girl. I’ve been put down, let down, and brought down. I’ve been through financial heartache, taken care of my mom when her health wasn’t 100% and dealt with emotional stress. But, I learned that I was made to withstand negativity and hardships. That the greatest inspiration can come from storms.
Please tell us about your businesses and careers.
My business, P.S. Art & Photography, specializes in event photography and photo shoots. I give custom quotes based on what the client needs because I believe having control over what you do and don’t need is very important.
As for my independent work in conceptual, fine art and photojournalism, I do it under my name, Paulina Sjoberg.
I co-own a small heat pressing business, The Heat Press Room. We press commercial grade vinyl and transfers on an array of products, including t-shirts, totes, hoodies, duffel bags, hats, and more. Our prices are competitive and our turnaround is always on time! We’ve worked with several individuals and businesses and also provide graphic designing if needed.
I am a Readers Choice Nominated Singer-Songwriter and I produce and perform all original music. I also work under my label, Carmi Records.
I am a freelance runway and editorial model and work independently. I am currently not signed to an agency.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory is this game my mom and I used to play; we used to eat a ton of junk food to see who would get a stomach ache first!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://about.me/paulinasjoberg
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulinacsjoberg/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/paulinacsjoberg
Image Credit:
Barry Dolton, Salomon Marin
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