Robert Headen was born in Washington, D.C. but has lived in Montgomery County since the age of 9 or 10. He is currently a Forest Glen resident. 

How Urban Smart Studios Got Started

I was born in Washington, D.C., and moved to Montgomery County, Maryland, as a preteen. Despite my parents’ efforts to make me a good student, I struggled in public, private, and Catholic schools. I also attended a military boarding school for a year, but it didn’t make much difference. Finally, I graduated from Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C.

After high school, I started working and didn’t perform any better on the job than in school. One day, my father gave me a video camera, and that’s where my entrepreneurial journey began. During the day, I worked and, in my free time, performed at open mic venues under my stage name, Bob Smoke. I started recording the performances and sold them back to the performers the following week.

Under my performance name, Bob Smoke, the open mic rap group I was with appeared in the “Unsigned Hype” column of Source Magazine. Sony Records distributed my work, and I became a published writer. I also received writer and performance credits for the Epic recording artist Ruff Endz’s “Someone To Love You” album, which sold over 300,000 copies worldwide.

By this time, I was directing and editing music videos and comedy skits and purchasing professional equipment with my paycheck. However, my passion for video production, graphic design, and photography interfered with my job. Eventually, my employer laid me off. However, it was then that I realized my poor performance in school wasn’t due to being “slow” or a misfit but rather because my way of thinking was “different.” 

While my friends paid thousands for a semester of college courses, I spent my money on equipment. I would tell the salesman, “I’m not buying it unless you show me how to operate it.” As a result, I acquired applied knowledge as a video engineer, four years of clients, and my own equipment - all debt-free - over the years my friends spent in college. When they came out, they had to find jobs to pay off their thousands of dollars in debt. They had only a theoretical understanding of motion pictures. In contrast, I was ready to roll.

Yet, I found myself suddenly unemployed. I took on a suggestion from my mother that I start my own TV show. I took my unemployment check and purchased thirty minutes of weekly airtime from Comcast Leased Access. I became Executive Producer and Director of the self-titled television series Bob Smoke TV. The variety television show featured celebrity interviews, musical guests, and the nation’s hottest entrepreneurs. I produced one show a week for two years without fail, which turned me into an editing expert. Bob Smoke TV became the most-watched show on the channel. Comcast eventually started rebroadcasting the show daily, which allowed me to sell more advertising time with direct access to 390,000 viewing households throughout Prince Georges’s County, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.

During this time, I started the multimedia production company that today specializes in video production, social networks, graphic design, and still photography. 

I have enjoyed working with several International and National broadcast stations, including Fox, NBC, CBS, CNN, and Headline News. Additionally, I have worked on feature-length motion pictures and several on-air segments for networks such as BET’s Black Carpet and Rap City. I was also the Director of Video Production for the retail company DTLR.

What We Do at Urban Smart Studios

At Urban Smart Studios, we offer a range of core creative services, including videography, photography, graphic design, and live-streaming solutions. We also provide monetizing solutions for OTT/On Demand platforms, file management, and Audio Visual equipment rental solutions for events. In addition, we collaborate with partners to offer creative services for branding, marketing, advertising, and communications. We aim to provide clients with a one-stop shop for all their creative needs.

I have twenty years of experience in the industry and work side by side with a diverse team of creatives skilled in cutting-edge technology. We collaborate to deliver exceptional creative solutions that help our clients stand out in today’s competitive marketplace. 

Who We Serve and How We Serve

Our client base includes businesses and corporations of all sizes and across different sectors, from startups to established corporations. We work with non-profits, government agencies, educational institutions, entertainment and media companies, as well as individual clients such as authors, artists, influencers, and public figures.

As a creative agency, we take pride in serving diverse clients, each with unique needs and requirements. Besides our core offerings, we can provide all clients with creative branding, marketing, advertising, and communications services. But our work for different sectors tends to fall into the following categories. 

We work with non-profit organizations to create compelling visual and written content that communicates their mission and engages their supporters. Government agencies hire us for creative services supporting public awareness campaigns and other public education initiatives. With educational institutions, we partner to develop visual assets, design educational materials, and create multimedia content. Entertainment and media companies usually engage us for video production, graphic design, and marketing campaigns. Finally, we assist individual clients such as authors, artists, influencers, and public figures to establish personal brands and reach their audiences effectively.

What’s New Urban Smart Studios?

As part of our newest projects at Urban Smart Studios, in 2022, we were thrilled to launch a worker development program for returning citizens interested in pursuing careers in the audiovisual (AV) industry. To date, we have successfully assisted in transitioning two cohorts from the Washington, D.C. Government’s Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency workforce development program. 

We recognize the unique challenges faced by individuals who have been incarcerated, and we provide job opportunities that support their successful reintegration into society. By tapping into a previously overlooked talent pool, we aim to help meet the industry’s demand for skilled workers while at the same time promoting social equity and inclusion.

We leveraged our team’s diverse expertise, cutting-edge technology, and collaborative approach to working with our participants to provide the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the AV industry.

What We Need in Our Business Right Now 

It’s not easy to remain successful as a small creative agency. 

The significant challenges we face include limited resources: financial, human, and technological resources. These challenges impact our competitiveness, marketing efforts, and access to specialized expertise. And we face stiff competition from larger companies and other small businesses in the industry, which makes it challenging to stand out and gain market share. We must compete with larger firms for skilled talent but can’t compete in compensation and benefits.

We are constantly seeking creative solutions, leveraging our strengths, and trying to be proactive in managing these challenges. That’s the business of business, right?

Who We Would Like to Meet

As a creative agency owner, in addition to clients, I am always looking to meet new people. Strong relationships and effective communication are crucial for the success of my agency. I constantly connect with contractors and freelancers in the AV industry. It’s also essential to grow my network of partners and collaborators, professional advisors, community and government representatives, and potential investors/funding sources, so I look for industry events and networking opportunities.

County Resources We Have Used in Building Our Business

1. Montgomery County, Maryland Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP): This certification has allowed us to participate in the Local Small Business Reserve Program in Montgomery County, Maryland, which sets aside a percentage of county contracts for certified small businesses. This has enabled us to compete for county contracts and local business opportunities, which has supported our growth and presence in the county.
2. We utilize our membership with The Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce for networking, advocacy, promotion, education, community engagement, and finding business support services.
3. Our membership with The Montgomery County Black Business Database (MoCo BBD) provides minority businesses like ours a platform for visibility, promotion, and networking.

Overall, these certifications and memberships have been instrumental in helping us gain access to government contracting opportunities, enhancing our credibility, and providing access to resources for business development and networking.

Advice For Someone Starting a Business in MoCo

As someone who has experienced starting a small business, my best advice is to take advantage of local resources and support. These include business development centers, mentoring programs, and funding opportunities. These resources can provide vital knowledge, guidance, and connections to help you get started and grow your business.

You should also build a strong network through local business events, industry associations, and connecting with other entrepreneurs. Networking can lead to valuable insights, partnerships, and potential customers.

Finally, stay persistent, adaptable, and continuously learn from failures. Starting and running a business can be challenging. Still, you can achieve long-term success with a resilient mindset and a willingness to adapt.

Robert’s Favorite MoCo Resource for Fun and Games

As a person who likes to stay informed about where I can have a good time, my favorite would be the small business owners of downtown Silver Spring. Specifically, by patronizing businesses on Georgia Avenue, the Ellsworth Place area, and Fenton Street, you can stay informed about upcoming events and network with other professionals who are attracted to the area. Additionally, you can savor some of the best cuisines that Maryland has to offer!

Although some local businesses were hit hard by the pandemic and had to close, the nightlife they helped create has enabled many others to weather the storm. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to document this experience and share it with others in my video titled “Silver Spring, Maryland Nightlife” on YouTube.