Next Step Talent
How TikTok’s Newest Talent Management Company Leads
With Experience and Inspiration
By Ken Tse
Current Next Step Talent Clientele/Photo Credit Kat Chian and respective photographers
In a year that has drastically changed the media landscape, TikTok shines through as a leader of the digital age. The app’s recent success brings on a whole new set of ideas, creators, and businesses. This includes Next Step Talent, a company that dedicates its work to helping “clients flourish in the entertainment world.” The effort is headed by SUNY Oneonta graduate Temima Shames, who is no stranger to the business.
Shames began her career as an actress and graduated with a Bachelors in Music Industry. Her work with influencers post-graduation rekindled her passion for the space and inspired her to start Next Step Talent earlier this year. The founder explains that the company has quickly become a lot more than just a mode of income. “Talent management is a mix between all my passions in entertainment,” she said. “[It] is more than just a business, it is about helping clients [make] their dreams come to life and being there for them…to reach further, try new things, and break out of their shell.”
Temima Shames
Growing up in the entertainment world, Shames understands the pressures of the growing media environment. “Starting this company, I knew what I liked and didn’t like about my manager from when I was younger,” she explained. “That has helped me to better manage my clients now.” Especially in these uncertain times, she acknowledges the problems that many young creators face. “Sometimes it is understanding that they just mentally can’t do it that day and that is OK...I always believe the key to success is treating others like you want to be treated and empowering others to push forward no matter how hard the bump may be.”
Less than one year into her company, it is clear that Shames is on the right track. Next Step Talent has quickly become a main player in the TikTok world, with their clientele ranging from just under 1 million to 9 million followers. This includes names like Hope Schwing, Zach Lugo, and Brooklynne Webb. The growing list also includes TikTokers Connor Tanner, Jared Jones, Matthew Nichols, Bailey Spinn, Brandon Mundine, Stoudamire Meninzor, and Skyla Lynne.
With infinite gratitude, the founder went on to share what she believes is the right way to go about her business. “Our core values are wrapped around treating each and every client the same whether they be at the beginning of their career or more established,” she said. “They each have goals that we cater to and help them bring to life.”
Next Step Talent’s client successes include collaborations with Netflix, Loreal, Walmart, LIDS, Curology, Lifefuels, Ivory Ella, Steve Madden, and spots in music videos, print work, and more. As for the future, Shames is optimistic that the best is yet to come and still believes in more of the same: “I truly love helping others and [will work] with them on their long term goals." Read our full Q&A with the rising entrepreneur below!
Hey Temima! Thank you so much for speaking with us. First, let's talk a little bit about your background— how did you get into the music and entertainment business?
Growing up my dad was a musician and I always loved being in front of a camera. I was a theatre, commercial, and TV actress for 5 years, but when it came down to college I wanted to take a more steady path. I always had a knack for marketing and a passion for music so I had decided to get my Bachelors in Music Industry. It all comes full circle as I am now back working with talent in the place I once was. I have always loved the entertainment space across the board so I feel as if founding Next Step Talent was perfect. It combined all my passions and background into one place. Now I am able to help not only musicians, but actors and content creators as well in growing their careers.
In just a matter of months, you’ve done incredibly well with Next Step Talent! With that said, how and why did this all come together?
Thank you! Next Step Talent came together after I interned in Marketing at Visionary Records. There I was running all the influencer campaigns and realized some ways that I could help grow their careers. I offered to manage one with who I had developed a relationship with and that one started to recommend their friends. One turned into five, which turned into ten, and now 15. The core behind my company is treating all my clients the same, and dedicating my time to each and every one of them. I pride myself on my client to manage relationships and making sure that no matter what bump comes along, we work through it together.
You’ve shared that your previous experiences as an actress have guided the way that you run your company. How so?
As an actress, I had a management that was super great at getting me auditions, but I never felt like they cared about me as a person and my personal goals. It felt like more of a money machine than anything else. Running my company, I take what I liked and didn’t like about my experiences and use them to help run guide my decisions. Whenever I onboard a new client, I always tell them my experiences because it creates a new understanding. They know that I get what it is like to be at a photo shoot, or a music video shoot, or a long day on set. Sometimes from an outside perspective being an actress, or a content creator is super easy but it can be more draining than it seems.
What has been the best part of this journey for you? What is one lesson that you’ve learned in this time?
The best part of this journey for me is being able to help others. Sometimes it is talking to a client at 2 AM about what’s bothering them and other times it is having them call you because they are so excited they got noticed by a big artist. It is hard to pick one lesson I have learned because there are so many. I am learning something new every day. I think one lesson I have learned is that it's ok to not know the answers, but don’t pretend as you do. I am always super up front with my clients on what I do know and what I don’t. I can try to land them this deal, but I don’t promise anything I can’t uphold.
If there was one thing you could tell your younger self, what would that be?
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be that it is never too early to try and there is never going to be a good time to take a step in the right direction. I always knew I wanted to have my own company, but I always thought I couldn’t do it until I was older. I would tell my younger self to be more patient as you learn because I was always so hard on myself for the mistakes I made. But at the end of the day, it is about learning from those mistakes.
Lastly, what’s next for you and the company?
I am building out a long term career strategy for each of my clients and helping them take the proper steps toward the long term goals. We may or may not be launching a content house in the near future focusing on creators who use their platform as a voice. The future is unknown, but I do know that we are working each and every day toward growing in the right direction and pivoting as times change.