Meet Mateen Khan | Content creator, Founder & CEO of M.A.K Studios., Inc.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mateen Khan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mateen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

I am lucky to be born into a family where arts and design was appreciated.

My inspiration behind stepping into fashion, and photography came from my grandfather. He was a garment factory owner, and a photography enthusiast. My sister who is a born artist and also owner of a graphic design and animation business, is my biggest inspiration and influencer in over-all choice of being in a creative business.

My idea to be in business is to take my grandfather’s legacy forward. He was a very wise businessman. Although I lost him when I was very young. But his business ideologies and strategies still inspire me to this day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I was born and grew up in Saudi Arabia. In 1994 after the Gulf war my dad lost his job of 20 years, and we had to move back to Pakistan. I was 14 at that time but the fact struck me very hard that being employed is not the way to success. That was the time when I realized and understood the importance of owning a business versus having employment. When I turned 18 I made up my mind that I want to have a business while I’m in college. I had a very simple start of my fashion business with some help from my uncle and aunt. I’m not a born artist like my sister but I had to learn the mechanics of creating arts using different mediums. I went to school for a bachelor’s degree in fashion marketing and merchandising management in 2000. In 2001 alongside I went to a graphic design school for certification in advertising graphics. Basic photography I learned at the fashion school but I was later mentored into advanced digital photography in 2009.

Currently I am focused on fashion photography and using my graphic design skills to create digital content. For the last 3 years I started publishing my photography in different model and fashion editorial magazines. Very fortunate to be featured in some of the top magazines such as Selin, Style Cruze New York special edition, Marika, Vigour, Fienfh, Artells, and in multiple issues of Modelz View.

Art is the most beautiful form of expression. Photography is an art to capture the art. As a fashion photographer I work with artists, models, designers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and creative directors. My life revolves around talented career driven creative people and it’s an amazing feeling because it never lets me slow down.

What sets me apart is my personality which consists of my life experiences, knowledge, education, skills, and unlimited amount of wisdom I am very fortunate to receive from people I meet in life everyday.

Life is never easy, life is full of unexpected turns, life is full of surprises and that’s what makes life the most mysterious challenge.

The reason I am able to say this today is because I had to walk through those unexpected turns. The two things that kept me going is #1 faith and #2 my career. This is my own experience of life that even the most powerful bondings can be broken and people will leave you hoping you will be stranded without them. Some people left me intentionally, some unintentionally. I thank God every single day for the things he has given me, for the things he didn’t give me and the things he gave me and took it away. Because only he knows what’s best for me at what point of time.

Despite all the challenges I had to face unexpectedly. Having a career reminded me that regardless of what people do, I need to live and succeed. I put aside all my excuses, I changed my thought process, I changed my everyday habits. I made changes to my lifestyle. I stayed consistent and persistent. I set my goal that I want the best of everything with morals and values.

My brand M.A.K Studios., Inc is my identity. It’s a collection of all my artistic capabilities, fashion, music, digital art, photography, videography, creative direction, marketing, branding, and model management.

This brand is fully funded and operated by myself. Never accepted any outside funds. I never found people who share the same passion and importances of having a business that is not just to earn money but to be able to express yourself and feel great in making people happy, and satisfied with the product & services.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Miami is the city of my dreams. Just the warm welcoming vibes makes you feel that you have been living in Miami for all your life. My favorite restaurant is Ristorante Fratelli Milano in Downtown Miami. The manager of the restaurant David always makes sure everything is going as requested. Bayside Market is an ideal spot to take a walk and enjoy the nice evening breeze after that nice Italian dining. The Wynwood area has so many choices starting with Miami Design District, The Shops At Midtown Miami, and a nice place to enjoy great music and drinks is Lagniappe, which is my favorite. Like to Shout Out to two of the most amazing Miami based iconic artists and the greatest people I have met, Gons @gons__ and Rabbits 305 @rabbits305 .

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Unfortunately I lost both of my parents. But they are the reason I can stand in this part of life, relationships, and career. They gave me the best life with the best of everything in it. Starting with a healthy environment, a peaceful household with morals, values, a balanced life between religion and the social life, along with appropriate level of discipline. My dad was an engineer for the Saudi government and my mom was an intellect with a masters degree. They allow me to express myself. The most amazing thing they provided me and encouraged me towards is gaining knowledge. Seeking knowledge has become my biggest passion. For that I was encouraged to read books about science, arts, history, literature, different religions & beliefs, meeting new people, and learning different languages. My mother used to say “Little knowledge is a very dangerous thing”.

The most interesting thing is that my parents let me talk to people regardless of their social or financial status. They taught me no one is too big or too small. They taught me to always look down and not look up. This idea of life brought me to this point in life and learning about people’s life became my ultimate passion. How one survived up till that point of life. What did they do to succeed and overcome challenges? All the knowledge people shared with me, and the passion to seek knowledge helped me to survive and overcome my own challenges.

Also like to Shoutout to my amazing South Florida next door neighbors who never let me feel alone. These beautiful people shared their life experiences and wisdom with me and gave me so much courage, faith, and guidance that I will never forget.

Website: https://makstudiosinc.com

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