Meet Law Bullock | Public Speaker, Photographer, Spoken Word Artist, Author, Event Host & Event Coordinator

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

Hi Law, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process stemmed from never wanting to work my entire life for someone else’s vision. Even as a child I had the focus to work towards making a dream into a reality so I could erase nine-to-five from my vocabulary. One I’m a night owl and being on a set schedule of when to wake up, when to arrive, when to go to lunch, when to take a break never appealed to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand how important it has been to helping me fund my dream but the end game has always been owning my own business. I’ve come a long way since entering the work force, experienced a lot. I know what it’s like to work for little to no money. I’ve been unemployed after college was over. I’ve worked almost a decade on a military base while traveling as an artist and public speaker.

I’m still working towards being independent of a full-time job, because in 2021 I took the next step to make a dream real when I filed my brand into an LLC. I have a goal before I reach my forties to at least only need a part time job to sustain my finances; but to focus mainly on my business.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
When it pertains to my business brand, I knew I wanted a name that not only embodied my art but also set me apart from other names which is what every business owner seeks. For a few years before I established my business, I had been using the mantra of M.U.G., which means “Magnify + Unify + Glorify.” When it came time to file the papers to officially establish my LLC, I chose that as my business name. In March of 2021, M.U.G., LLC aka MUGwithUs was born.

Registering my business was simple; of course, like any owner starting out the road to make your brand profitable is the difficult part. Keeping up a consistent schedule of work that brings funds into your brand that allows it to grow; that is where the road gets a bit rocky hence why I add different avenues to my brand. First, I started off as a spoken word artist, then I added photography as an official skill, then I added event host, followed by curating my own events. I’m a certified competent speaker thanks to Toastmasters International, I pay attention to the need of potential cliental. I’m not afraid to contact venues, event hosts about working with them. Even when I get turned down, it doesn’t keep me from continuing on.

Being persistent has been one of my greatest lessons. I’ve had plenty of months where I had no work as an artist, then I’d turn around and have plenty of work at my fingertips. Even though I still work a full-time job, I put a lot of effort and focus into my brand. I give my cliental my full attention to detail, my ability to adapt in the middle of getting the work done. The one major lesson I carry is to keep my peace of mind, never to let anyone or anything take my peace.

I may not be that different from other artistic brands, but I can say that I’m always me. I’m forever M.U.G. no matter what I’m doing.

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.
From jump we’re hitting up the arts scene. In Fayetteville it has been a constant battle hearing people claim there’s nothing to do here, truth is there’s plenty to do it’s just your interests that may not line up with what is here. We have a thriving poetry scene here, and we’re evolving every month as more artists return or move in. The Sweet Palette is another spot I would take them to. Archives, our new bar and lounge that is run by a friend who also runs an awesome place called Winterbloom Tea downtown.

Downtown has come a long way since I was a kid. I enjoy walking around, sitting in different places which we also use for our poetry nights. There are plenty of festivals, music nights, 4th Friday events that take place throughout the year. In Hope Mills we have Stop Button, our local arcade bar that never loses its charm. Cameo Theater downtown along with Cape Fear Regional, and Gilbert Theater. My friends would get a full dose of artistic culture here.

Add in several restaurants, cafes, parks, etc.; basically, you just have to look around. The most basic things wield so much that we often overlook. I grew up in Fayetteville, I’ve witnessed this place change for the best and the worse but thanks to friends that also live here I continue to appreciate my hometown.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my story I cannot go without thanking God first of all. I keep God in my life at all stages even when I’m in the valleys of my journey because faith has been an important force in my life. Next, I have to give thanks to my mother for always being my biggest supporter. When I had no clue of where I was going to go; she has encouraged me throughout. No shoutout can be complete without giving credit to my grandad for showing me how to be a man without limits on how I embrace others, convey my emotions, and how to be true even when the world around me fails to understand me.

To the artists that I consider my family, I thank you all for keeping me humble. For embracing me through my ups and downs, my triumphs and failures. This road is impossible without a tribe that has your back, thinks like you, loves like you and strives to elevate in our respective crafts.

There are plenty other people that I’ve had in my life that have had a hand in shaping who I am. They know who they are and they hold a special place in my heart, and as I continue climb, they will have their personal shoutouts.

Website: mugwithus.myportfolio.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-bullock-ii-b90a3174/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawmugphotography/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4gZvPZg6nqFOmxe5F5uUiQ

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lawbullockii https://www.facebook.com/law.bullock/ https://www.instagram.com/mugwithus/

Image Credits
Personal Pic: Brittany Williams aka Creative Visions Pictures 1-5: Myself