Akeem S. Roberts (aka AkeemTeam)
Tell us a little bit about you.
My name is Akeem S. Roberts! I tend to go by the nickname AkeemTeam. When I'm not illustrating, animating, or designing I'm usually watching my favorite tv shows or exploring what this city has to offer with my girlfriend and two cats.
Tell us a little bit about your hustle and your happiness journey.
I guess my journey really began my sophomore year of college. I was always known for being an artist in my family but for some reason when I started college I decided that I wanted to be and engineer.
It wasn’t until two sober years later did I really wake up and start chasing my dreams. Regardless of how much money society says you can make from illustration. It was from that moment when, I believe, my hustle and happiness really started.
What do you do to de-stress after or during a long, stressful day?
After a long stressful day I like to wine down by sketching, watching anime, and cuddling with my girlfriend and two cats.
Where do you go for inspiration?
If I ever need to get inspired I tend to just unplug from technology on the way to and from work. New York is filled with inspiration. Not from the constant Ads that are on the subways and billboards but mainly just from people watching on the subway. Another way to get inspired is to learn something new. It allows your brain to constantly think about something you never would have thought of if left to your on devices.
What are you currently reading or listening to (podcast, books, blogs, etc.)?
Mainly I usually listen to art podcast such as “Make it then tell everybody” or “Artist Decoded” but I also like listen to shows such as “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” or “Invisbilia”. The same thing applies with my reading I like to make sure I read different kinds of subject matter. I’m currently reading “The Writer’s Diet” and “The Watchmaker of Filigree Street”.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone just starting their happy hustle journey?
Never stop drawing and to never stop learning.
What are some of your favorite quotes or words to live by?
“Finished Not Perfect”
In one word, sum up your life as a Happy Hustler.
Rewarding
What are the three core values of your hustle and how do those values relate to your happiness?
Humor, I tend to look at the world and think.. “wouldn’t be funny if…” I feel like that relates to most of my work.
Risk. No risk, no reward. Simple as that.
Timing, I use to always try and finish every project in one day when I was younger. It wasn’t until i realized that art takes time did my hustle really excel.
Akeem S. Roberts