Today we’d like to introduce you to Cleeton Gumbs.
Hi Cleeton, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Liberty City—an inner-city neighborhood in Miami known for its culture, but also its crime, drugs, and generational struggles. Growing up, I saw firsthand what happens when kids don’t have access to outlets that let them dream beyond their zip code. But I was fortunate—my parents kept me enrolled in magnet art programs all through elementary and middle school. That decision became a turning point in my life. It kept me on a creative path and helped me see that I didn’t have to be defined by the streets that raised me.
Eventually, I got accepted into Design and Architecture Senior High (DASH), one of the top art schools in the country. That experience changed me. Not just as an artist—but as a person. For the first time, I was in classrooms with students from all different cultures, backgrounds, and races. It was a whole new world compared to what I knew growing up. I had to learn how to move in rooms that felt nothing like Liberty City, and it gave me the kind of perspective and empathy I still carry today.
After high school, I went off to the University of Central Florida to major in Art. But midway through, I made a pivot. I realized I needed a path that gave me a better shot at building a sustainable career, so I switched my major to Marketing. It was a tough decision, but the right one. That pivot gave me the business lens I needed to turn my creativity into something that could actually support my life.
Now, I’m a storyteller and content creator who expresses myself both visually and in written form. Whether I’m working on a website, writing a novel, designing brand content, or creating family videos, I bring all of my story with me—from Liberty City to college lecture halls to client meetings and creative sets. My work is rooted in identity, faith, legacy, and transformation.
I create from the intersection of grit, grace, and imagination—because I’ve lived all three. My goal is to tell stories that reflect where I’m from, where I’m headed, and to inspire others to believe that their story matters too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. When I graduated from UCF in 2009, the country was in the middle of a major recession. Companies were downsizing, hiring freezes were everywhere, and nobody was checking for a fresh grad with a marketing degree and an art background. I had the passion, the creativity, and the drive—but no real opportunity to apply it in the field I had studied for.
It actually took me until 2013—four years after graduation—to land a job in my field. And while that gap was frustrating and humbling, it wasn’t wasted. During that time, I worked in customer service, retail, and sales environments that stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. I learned how to connect with people, how to listen, how to problem-solve, and how to sell without being pushy. I picked up consultative selling skills, sharpened my emotional intelligence, and learned how to build trust with clients and customers from all walks of life.
Looking back, those years taught me how to be resourceful. They taught me how to lead with empathy, how to build relationships, and how to think like a strategist. All of that has played a huge role in the creative work I do now—whether I’m writing, designing, pitching a story idea, or leading a brand project.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been purposeful. And every setback helped shape the storyteller and professional I’ve become today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a storyteller at heart—whether it’s through words, visuals, or experiences. I just released my debut novel, Echoes of the Dream Machine, on Amazon, which has been a full-circle moment for me. It’s not just a book—it’s the manifestation of years of ideas, pain, imagination, and faith coming together.
But the truth is, I’ve been creating like this for decades. Back in college, I launched a clothing line with a fully functional online store—before shopping online was even common. We ran three major fashion shows with over 500 people in attendance at each one, featured more than 40 models, and showcased dozens of original shirt designs. That experience sparked a creative entrepreneurial fire in me that never left. From branding to storytelling to production, I’ve always had a passion for building things that move people.
Today, I’m continuing that path as a content creator, writer, and soon to be filmmaker—building stories that are honest, culturally grounded, and purpose-driven. Whether it’s a novel, a brand video, or a short film, I bring both strategy and soul to everything I create.
What sets me apart? Honestly, it’s something I’m calling “healthy arrogance”—a phrase I borrowed from Will Packer. It means I move with the belief that the world needs what I carry, and I don’t waste time second-guessing that truth. I’m not waiting for permission or perfection. I’m showing up with my full self, creating with conviction, and trusting that my voice matters.
At the end of the day, I specialize in making people feel something—through visuals, words, and the stories I choose to tell. That’s what I’m most proud of. And that’s the lane I intend to stay in.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Honestly, I don’t really believe in luck. I believe in divine direction. For me, things don’t just randomly happen—they align. And while I don’t always understand the timing or the route, I’ve learned to trust the process. I’ve had doors close that I thought I needed, and I’ve had opportunities show up in ways I never could’ve planned. That’s not luck to me—that’s alignment.
I move with the mindset that I’m being led. I pay attention to peace, timing, and those inner nudges that don’t always make sense on paper but end up being exactly what I needed. That’s guided a lot of the biggest decisions in my life and business. It’s also helped me stay grounded when things don’t go as expected.
So no, I wouldn’t call it luck. I’d call it purpose in motion. And the more I stay connected to that, the more clarity I have—even when the path isn’t clear yet.
Pricing:
- Purchase my novel Echoes of the Dream Machine – https://a.co/d/2INdw2S
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cleetongumbs.com/storyteller/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleetongumbs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cleeton.gumbs
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CleettheGeek
- Other: https://cleetongumbs.com/echoes-of-the-dream-machine/
Image Credits
Not sure about the specific photographers to credit, but the two companies to credit is Legoland and Disney.
