Founder and CEO: Carlos Benjamin

By: Nia Bowers

The Unsung Heroes of Entertainment: Carlos Benjamin of High Profile Lifestyle Highlights the Duality of Freelancing

With nearly 75 million freelancers in the US in 2024 and with year-over-year growth by at least two million since 2017, it’s clear that self-employment is on the rise. Expert estimates suggest freelancing will continue its progressive trajectory and, by 2028, make up more than 50% of the population (over 90 million US freelancers). Arts & design contribute to the largest share of self-employment (77%), and, demographic-wise, Gen Zers are certainly taking the lead. These trends are echoed globally.

Operating in the creative and entertainment arena is High Profile Lifestyle, an event management, talent staffing, and brand development agency dedicated to curating bespoke events that cater to discerning tastes. Founded in 2020 by Carlos Benjamin, the company partners with experiential experts, including makeup artists, fashion stylists, luxury transportation firms, caterers, and others, to provide event venues with extraordinary talent.

Throughout this rewarding journey, Benjamin realized that beyond the glory of self-employment lies a less romanticized side that few speak of. “Entrepreneurship’s appeal is undeniable,” he adds. “Being your boss, choosing your hours, and doing something you truly love, not for anyone else but yourself. But this freedom comes with responsibility.”

Drawing from his 15 years of experience in the field, Benjamin emphasizes that for many freelancers, work doesn’t feel like work. However, despite this passion, many of them spend even their holidays working. “Freelancers are invited to different brand trips or get a behind-the-scenes pass because they are essential in the event’s success,” he says. “They often get so lost in the buzz and excitement of brand activation or product launches that they forget to take a step back, relax, and take in everything that they have achieved so far.”

As a personality-based job, experiential freelancers make their work about celebration. With smiles on their faces and optimistic attitudes toward everyone they pass, their focus lies on ensuring that others are having the time of their life. From stylists and makeup artists preparing performers to enter the stage to the workers manning booths and food trucks, every event worker’s mission is simple: to show up authentically and ignite joy.

To empower freelancers and help them simply enjoy the moment, HPL will host its first Freelancers Unplugged concert later this year. There, the roles will be reversed, providing exceptionally talented individuals with the opportunity to celebrate each other without lifting a finger. According to Benjamin, the attendees will be from all walks of life, all tethered by the values that helped them succeed.

Integrity, transparency, streamlined communication, and delivering the work that was promised are what it takes to make waves in the industry, as HPL’s founder believes. A collective of talented and innovative individuals, the company was built on these same principles. “If you stick to your core values, no project, no matter how challenging, will be impossible to complete,” he adds. “With a team aligned morally, showing up as your authentic self comes naturally.”

Complementing Benjamin’s recipe for freelance success is fearlessness. Despite the inherent risks of venturing out on your own, success is always within reach—it just has to be unlocked. By sticking to their purpose no matter the obstacles that life throws, entrepreneurs can carve their path to fulfillment. “It’s all about realizing that there’s no going back and chasing your dreams,” Benjamin assures. “There will be failures along the way, that’s inevitable. But if you’re driven by the impact you want to leave in the world, they won’t break you; instead, they will make you stronger.”

With no rules and without guidelines, staying committed despite setbacks is often the biggest challenge freelancers face. To alleviate their worries, Benjamin recommends self-development, both professional and personal. Through constant improvement, entrepreneurs will be better equipped to face the landscape’s innate complexities with confidence, consequently helping them build resilience and nurture innovation.

As freelancing continues to dominate the workforce, Carlos Benjamin’s work serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining balance. “Figuring out your purpose is never easy. Therefore, it’s no surprise that those who do find it tend to focus their whole lives on work,” he reflects. “An important step is identifying your true passion and using every day as an opportunity for growth. But even if your work is your passion, everyone deserves to step out of the backstage and into the audience. That’s what pursuing and creating a dream life is all about—it’s a harmony between work, passion, and celebration.”