Stephanie K. Nihon is a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. She is the dynamic force behind LFD Productions and the creative genius responsible for the critically acclaimed Live-Action Children’s TV Series called ‘Goombay Kids.’ From gracing fashion runways to assuming the role of CEO at Goombay Kids Corp., Stephanie’s journey from modeling to leading the entertainment industry in the Caribbean is nothing short of extraordinary. Notably, she etched her name in history as the first Bahamian model to sign with Elite Model Management and feature in the prestigious Italian Vogue then known as Stephanie Smollett.
Stephanie’s true passion lies in mentoring and nurturing talent, with a particular focus on the underrepresented. She is committed to helping individuals from her homeland break barriers in the entertainment industry. Stephanie has played a pivotal role in the careers of numerous models and actors across The Bahamas and has become a beacon of inspiration for many. Despite the glamour associated with the fashion world, Stephanie remains dedicated to her mission of supporting and empowering emerging talent.
Her most cherished accomplishment to date is the creation of the #1 rated Caribbean children’s show, “Goombay Kids,” which recently secured a historic streaming deal in the United States for the region. Additionally, as the Founder of The Cays Conference, Stephanie has pioneered a groundbreaking red-carpet modeling and acting scouting event, attracting top model and talent agencies worldwide, all while serving a marginalized and underserved market.
As we delve into the fascinating world of Stephanie K. Nihon, we have the privilege to gain insights into her journey, vision, and the profound impact she continues to make in the realm of entertainment.
- Your journey from being the first Bahamian model signed with Elite Model Management to the creator of the award-winning children’s show ‘Goombay Kids’ is truly remarkable. Can you share the pivotal moments that inspired this transition and fueled your passion for mentoring underrepresented talent, particularly from The Bahamas?
Thank you for the kind words. Once I returned back to The Bahamas I jumped into the creative side of entertainment working in design, photography, production design, producing various local projects and working with a local talent agency in development and scouting. I unknowingly found myself on the journey of talent development which was motivated by our amazing Bahamian talent and wanted to further utilize the connections I had made abroad. I was able to help assist thirty models and actors from The Bahamas to get placed with well-known agencies abroad and help develop their talent to the point where they could audition on a global level. I loved it and I was driven by not only providing opportunities for Bahamian and Caribbean talent, but also mentorship, which fueled my determination to do that on a larger scale within my community and beyond.
2. “Goombay Kids” recently secured a historic streaming deal in the United States for the Caribbean region. What challenges did you encounter in bringing a Caribbean children’s show to the international stage, and how do you envision the impact of this breakthrough on the representation of Caribbean culture in global media?
It was very challenging in a country with no real TV industry to get this show going. A mammoth task. We have had to be a training ground for much of the crew and cast throughout the process which comes with its own challenges but if you have the drive and passion you can get it done and that is what we did. The Caribbean is vastly underrepresented in TV but comes with incredible stories, talent and locations. There are over 8 million people that recognize themselves in North America as being of Caribbean descent and we are proud to have representation for them through this TV series. A big tone In the series is why embracing your cultures and traditions is important and I think that is something as communities around the world want their kids to embrace. We are excited to show the world our culture and it can be enjoyed by anyone from anywhere. I think everyone loves a good island adventure story too.
3. As the CEO of Goombay Kids Corp., you have played a significant role in shaping the careers of models and actors in The Bahamas. Can you elaborate on your approach to mentorship and talent development, and how do you identify and cultivate potential in individuals from diverse backgrounds?
It all starts with passion. A model or actor has to have the drive to truly dedicate and invest in themselves to see success and be competitive on a global scale. No experience is needed to start that dream. If I see that passion I know I can help give them the tools and training to get that talent to where they need to be to excel. It was exciting to see that our developed talent started to book jobs such as supporting roles in Netflix series, VOGUE spreads, designer and commercial brands regularly as well as getting thirty Bahamian models and actors placed with well-known agencies abroad. It was very validating and It was the catalyst for creating Goombay Kids. The original point of Goombay Kids was to act as a springboard that would help jumpstart careers in talent and production and build resumes and then it went on to exceed all expectations which has been incredible to watch.
4. The Cays Conference, which you founded, is a unique red-carpet modeling and acting scouting event. What inspired you to create this platform, and how has it contributed to bridging the gap between talent in the Caribbean and international modeling and acting agencies?
It was becoming difficult to present models and actors one by one to agents abroad especially without them being able to view them in person most of the time. I felt if we could just bring all the top agents down everyone could get a shot in front of the agents at one time as well as learn about the industry from the experts themselves. The event also welcomed aspiring models and actors from around the world for the opportunity to be discovered in paradise. The idea was to provide growth opportunities, discover new talent for Goombay Kids, and give talent representation opportunities and it did just that. The agents were blown away by the talent they saw and had over 400 callbacks with talent already signing contracts from it which we will announce soon.
5. Being a multifaceted entrepreneur in the entertainment industry, what challenges have you faced, and how have these challenges shaped your leadership style and decision-making process at Goombay Kids Corp. and LFD Productions?
There is a long list.… There have been many tears, moments of feeling defeated, having to do the job of 20 men since no one else had the know-how or where with all to complete the task, trying to balance being a mother of three little kids but I will say that the wins outshine the hardships and truly if you believe in yourself and your product it will come together. Hard work pays off. I have learnt so much. I make sure I do everything with good intentions and for the greater good of what we are trying to achieve. I have learned the art of delegating and making measured decisions.
6. Your commitment to serving a marginalized and underserved market is evident in your various initiatives. How do you balance the business aspects of the entertainment industry with your mission to create opportunities for those often overlooked in the mainstream, and what advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs with a social impact focus?
I have learnt that the entertainment industry is for the most part not concerned about social impact. It cares about what is trending and money-driven. If the social impact is trendy then only then do they care so you have to stick to your values and be very driven to get your message out there and why it is important and get a following behind you ideally. You are essentially an activist if this is the type of entertainment you care to create and grow.
7. “Goombay Kids” has achieved remarkable success as the #1 rated Caribbean children’s show. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the show, and how do you see it evolving to continue making a positive impact on the lives of children in the Caribbean and beyond?
Three years and four seasons in, and as a mother of three little girls, my mission with Goombay Kids is to continue to create a show that highlights the significance of embracing one’s culture, understanding why that matters and addressing critical subjects that are important for the next generation to understand including climate consciousness and solutions, inclusion, youth empowerment, disability inclusion, and educational and cultural advocacy. I hope that Goombay Kids can become a global vehicle for change and an educational movement like Sesame Street was.
As a mother, I recognized that something was missing from kids’ content which is primarily animated content and in primary age children’s TV we see less educational content than for preschool age. We fill that void by having a human and an educational element in our show.
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