Today we’d like to introduce you to Guilherme Barbosa.
Guilherme, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My birthday is on the 4th of July. When I was 12 years old I used to go to the fair that was in town for the holiday. I was always fascinated with the way it all came together, piece by piece, until like magic a whole new city is on display for all to enjoy. Families would come to create everlasting memories and traditions, regardless of the hefty cost of an afternoon trip to the legendary Brockton Fair.
Being around more and more to watch I would offer assistance to any who I saw was in need of some service maybe I could provide, like ice water from the show commissary. Then I started taking lunch orders and delivering them to allow men to work thru the day (which I came to learn was what they preferred).
I so impressed one of the concession owners that by 15 years old my parents granted them guardianship over me, thru the summers, so I could travel with them and learn carnival (“carnie”) life.
Now, I may have had my fair share of young, wild and crazy things in those summers of travel, one thing that always stood out to me was the fact that everything that I do while working there was a valuable lesson in running /owning a business. I knew from those days that I was destined to be a business owner. Being called an entrepreneur I take as an honor from those who I may inspire. Any and all accomplishments I make are my way of saying thank you and honor my mentors and those who inspire me.
Carnival life was never called event planning. Those who don’t know that it is also entertainment haven’t seen me inside a water gun carnival game, giving away 2 prizes at once to a mob of anxious teddy bear connoisseurs. My niche was to humor them enough to make light of the fact that I wasn’t getting paid by the hour.
When I decided start my own business, I reached out to all my carnie colleagues for advice and tutelage. I learned to take simple ideas that I learned in my travels and apply them to average everyday situations and people. Also, having such an extensive network, you are made privy to some information that may put you ahead of the game, as they say, and if you’re able to capitalize, you can take a small idea and turn it into a big one!
Now operate multiple business both in house and on the field. I love offering professional setting event jobs to all my local aspiring entertainers, I work with local charities and non-profit companies to further awareness on trends that effect our communities, our environments and our children. All of which only benefits all of which it effects.
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?
I learned early on that nothing in life worth having comes easy. Before I understand much about life I made choices with the least amount of resistance. Never being satisfied with “just good enough” accomplishments, small as they might be. I was sought out people older than my fellow age group for assistance on success in life.
College wasn’t exactly out of reach. But I never had the patience to wait and learn. That impatience has cost me time, money, and sleepless nights. Tolerance, persistence and drive are things I did possess in abundance which never let a loss stay a loss or a waste. Every failed, storefront, or event, or marketing campaign that didn’t quite make the headlines (or deadline for that matter), was a lesson, a blessing in disguise. A scar to serve as a painful reminder of what “NOT” to do ever again.
Please tell us about Criolo Presents: FotoBoyz Boston.
I had a stint with a few carnie friends who owned a custom photo stand back in the late 90’s. I was impressed by some of their work so I decided to take a job offer with them the summer before my senior year of high school. Being that I was the least versed cast member I was appointed all the odd tasks if you will. For example: its summer and someone orders a picture of their twin babies put onto a shirt that they can wear for the day and keep as a souvenir. The process in making one was to stand in front of a 400 degree press for 30 second intervals for an abnormally large stipend for completing a 10 day event.
Fast forward, I own a printing business with a focus on printing on garments. Recently, however with the trend of photo booth rentals popping up in wedding markets across the globe, I decided to take my water gun game act off the shelf and try my hand at entertaining at private events. Granted the photo booth is the ice breaker per se, but if remember correctly, the pictures that were sold for the highest tickets at the fair were the ones that captured the patrons at their happiest moments. If you couldn’t get the baby to smile, a sale could be lost, and many have been. But if you can capture the infamous money shot at a family reunion your good deeds will never go unpunished!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Sitting at the grandstand all the way up at the top on Sunday night waiting till daylight for the first truck to roll into the fairgrounds so I can see my new friends and take off for another unbelievable summer!!
Contact Info:
- Address: 67 Central Sq
- Website: www.fotoboyzboston.com
- Phone: 5086850583
- Email: will@thefotoboyz.com
Image Credit:
FotoBoyz Events
Criolo Cultural Clothing
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