Shaqeem Akbar-Downey grew up with a ball in his hands and big goals in his mind. From an early age, sports shaped his life. He played basketball and football year-round. He joined multiple teams. He traveled to different cities and states to compete. Those long drives and tough games taught him discipline, teamwork, and focus.
He attended Sir Wilfred Laurier High School, where he balanced school with athletics. After graduation, he continued his education at St. Lawrence College. There, he studied culinary arts and business management. It may seem like an unexpected mix, but it helped shape how he thinks. He learned creativity, structure, and how to manage people and systems.
Shaqeem later built a career in marketing and advertising management. He now partners with major used car dealerships. His job is to design smart marketing campaigns that work. He focuses on reaching the right people. His efforts consistently bring in qualified leads and help close real deals. He values results, but he also values relationships and trust.
Outside of work, Shaqeem stays connected to his roots. He is deeply involved in youth basketball and football training programs. He volunteers his time to support kids from the same neighborhoods he grew up in. He understands their challenges because he lived them. Sports, for him, are more than games. They are tools for growth, confidence, and direction.
Today, Shaqeem’s story is about movement. From courts and fields to classrooms and boardrooms. From learning the game to teaching it. He continues to build, give back, and push forward with purpose.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts early. I like quiet mornings. I check messages from dealership partners first. That tells me what needs attention. I spend the first part of the day reviewing campaign performance. Leads, calls, appointments. Numbers don’t lie. Later in the day, I work on ideas for new ads or outreach strategies. In the evenings, I’m often at a gym or field helping with youth basketball or football training. Staying active keeps my energy up and my mind clear.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Most of my ideas come from watching people. At games, at dealerships, or in the neighborhoods I grew up in. I start small. One message. One audience. I test it. If it works, I build on it. If it doesn’t, I adjust fast. That approach comes from sports. You don’t change the whole game plan after one bad play.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited about local, community-focused marketing. People respond better when they feel seen. Ads tied to real neighborhoods and real stories perform better than flashy national campaigns.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I write things down. Every morning. Not long lists. Just the top three things that must get done.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t rush the process. When I was younger, I thought success had a deadline. Sports taught me later that growth happens in seasons.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe consistency beats talent almost every time. I’ve seen gifted athletes and smart marketers fail because they weren’t consistent.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I follow up. With people. With ideas. With plans. Most opportunities are missed because people don’t circle back.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go back to movement. A workout. A run. Coaching kids. Physical activity resets my thinking.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I focus on results, not promises. With car dealerships, I track leads closely and explain what’s working and what’s not. That honesty builds trust.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I ran a campaign that looked good but brought low-quality leads. I didn’t ask enough questions upfront. I learned to understand the customer before selling the solution.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Dealerships should partner with local youth sports programs. Sponsor teams. Show up at games. It builds real community trust.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Sheets. I track leads, calls, and outcomes daily. Simple but powerful.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I got a lot from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. It reinforced discipline and long-term thinking.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Friday Night Lights. It captures sports, pressure, and community in a real way.
Key learnings
- Consistency and follow-up often matter more than raw talent or big ideas.
- Tracking real results builds trust and leads to better long-term partnerships.
- Community involvement strengthens both personal growth and professional success.
- Physical movement and structure help maintain focus under pressure.