We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Neill Bailey, Sr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher Neill, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
While I was in college, I was very active in the theater department at the University of Louisville. I attended an audition for a upcoming show for the next season. The Casting Director, after I finished my audition gave me feedback that was rude, belittling, dismissive, and filled with racist overtones and negative stereotypes. I left out of that audition hurt, angry, and extremely devastated. However, harboring those feelings would prove non-productive, but taking action would be. So, in January 2000, B-Creative Entertainment LLC., which later became B-Creative Enterprises LLC., was born. I prayed hard about launching this production company. I was so scared to start, but I knew I never wanted to experience those feelings that casting director made me feel ever again or allow anyone else to. My heart is to create stories that inspire us to better, by showing us triumph over every circumstance or situation we face. I wanted to cast my own actors, hire my own crew, and treat them with dignity & respect, and pay them what they’re worth. B-Creative Enterprises LLC., was and is a place built to help people live out their dreams.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I really love screenwriting and producing films. They are my primary focus. I also like shooting promotional/commercial videos, as well as music videos. I take personal interest in every project I am given as if it where my very own. My name/brand will be connected to that project for life therefore, I must provide a great customer experience a client will never forget. It is my goal to ensure that the level of excellence provided in service and delivery exceeds both mine and the client’s expectation.

What were (3) defining moments that I will never forget.
In 2020 I was able to work with two National Gospel recording artist to produce their music videos, one of which won the 2021 Pop Smash Music Video of The Year Award. That same music video was also nominated for Music Video of the Year at the 2022 Stellar Awards. That was an amazing, unexplainable feeling. I will never forget that moment. However, one of the greatest accomplishments of my life, was when I graduated from Full Sail University with my BA and a 3.67 GPA. This accomplishment meant so much to me because in 2002 I dropped out of college. I made a promise to my mother and myself that I would go back and finish. What made this moment so special was my mom, son and daughter were able to witness that moment with me.

How did you get to where you are today professionally?

The journey to get to where I am today spans back over 27 years. From doing stage plays both in college and at church under the direction of my mother to writing, directing, acting in, and producing my own stage plays. For me, acting/performing was a hobby, just something fun to do. It was an opportunity for me to escape the daily routines and challenges of life. When I moved to North Carolina, the goal was to come here and establish myself and begin the process of building my production company. I immediately found a church home and got involved in the local theatre community, (Justice Theatre Project, Raleigh Little Theatre, North Carolina Theatre “NCT”, and Li V Mahob Productions). All these companies played a significant role in my success and growth. I tried to connect and network with as many people as I could who knew more than I did. I became a human sponge, just absorbing as much information I could to help ensure my success. The move to North Carolina was no accident. This move was supposed to be life changing. To have something different I had to do something different. There couldn’t have been anything more different than launching a company in a new state where you knew absolutely “NO ONE”! Fear is an understatement. I was horrified! But I just believed in God and moved forward with the re-launch in 2002. Has it been a very difficult and challenging journey to get here? “YES”! But I wouldn’t change it for the world. All credit and Glory to Most High God for where I am today.

Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

No, it was not easy at all! In fact, there were so many days that I wanted to throw up my hands and say, “I quit!” Following your dream, pursuing your passion is not easy. If it were everyone would in the world would be doing it and succeeding at it. When you decide to pursue your dreams, you must develop a fortitude, a pure stubbornness like determination to not want to give up no matter how hard it gets. When I started out, I did a show that sold “88 TICKETS ONLY” at the Memorial Auditorium, in Louisville, KY. Only 88 people showed up for this show. This theater seated 1888 seats. “WE ONLY SOLD 88 tickets!” That’s 1800 EMPTY SEATS! I made just enough to pay for the theater. My profit? $4.00. I was sick, plus, I still had to pay actors and technical crew. That night I almost gave up everything. My car was on the verge of getting repossessed plus my rent was late. I went home and just sat on my couch and cried! As I packed things away, I saw the program that the actors and crew members signed for me. Some said that the show was a blessing to them in so many ways and they were glad to have been a part. What that said to me was that the gift I was purposed to carry is bigger than me. So, you ask how do I overcome my challenges? My answer is simple, my Faith in God and my desire to fulfill my purpose!

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

– Make mistakes and fail as often and as fast as you can.
– Take the time to learn. Evaluate your mistakes and failures. Learn from them.
– Pray, mediate, and read your word. Gain clarity on what you are called to do.
– Discover your “WHY”. Why do you want to do this? Your why must be bigger than you trying to be famous and get the bag.
– Find Mentors. Learn from people who are smarter than you. (Never be the smartest person in your group.)
– Ask for help.
– Build a team that understands your vision and your heart for the work.
– Have a plan.
– EXECUTE THAT PLAN! Do it even when you are scared.

“If you say, you can, you will. If you say you can’t, you won’t.” In both instances you will be absolutely correct.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

B-Creative Enterprises LLC., is more than just a production company. It’s a movement. We live in the world of creativity on a humongous scale. People are creating content, creating ideas, creating new designs, technology, and fashion. B-Creative represents the idea that no one can ever testify to the fact that they do not have creativity. We were created to be creative. Whether you’re creating in the boardroom or the classroom, in the kitchen or the dressing rooms, on stage or in arenas, creativity is the essential element that makes each and every one of us unique to do what we do.

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, hangout etc.
For starters we would have to go visit Biltmore Estates. This place is amazing! We would go on the tour and participate in the wine tasting experience. Next, visit the museums and Downtown Raleigh. Enjoy some amazing eateries to both downtown and in North Hills. In the evening go and enjoy great music live bands, and drinks downtown. We would visit the Videri Chocolate Factory, especially if they have a sweet tooth for chocolate like me. Attend a Broadway Production at the Memorial Auditorium.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are honestly too many to name. I don’t want to make the mistake of leaving someone out. Just off the top of my head, to name a few, Moses T. Alexander Greene of “Li V Mahob Productions”, Troy McNair of “Taste By Troy Catering”, Forrest McFeeters of “Dat Muzic Dynamic”, and Terri Spicer of the “SiSi Foundation”.

Website: https://bcellc7.wixsite.com/christopherbailey

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcreative_ent/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-n-bailey-sr-49702617/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BCreativeEntLLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.n.bailey.5/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBZ5BjJaSQUsgdrRlseadpQ

Image Credits
Yhon Murphy, Danielle Johnson, and Donte Wooten

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutNorthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.