Early life rooted in sport and discipline
Shaqeem Akbar-Downey grew up on the court and on the field. Basketball and football weren’t hobbies. They were a daily routine. From a young age, he played for multiple teams and traveled across cities and states to compete. These experiences shaped his attitude towards effort, teamwork and focus.
“Sports taught me to perform every day,” Akbar-Downey says. “You don’t improve by talking. You improve by doing the work, even when no one is watching.”
Traveling to games also opened his eyes to bigger possibilities. Competition outside his neighborhood made him think seriously about education and long-term goals. The discipline required to balance training, school and travel became the foundation of his future career.
Education that combines creativity and business
After attending Sir Wilfred Laurier High School, Akbar-Downey continued his education at St. Lawrence College. In addition to business administration, he also studied culinary arts. At first glance the combination may seem unusual. It made sense to him.
“Through cooking I learned precision and timing,” he explains. “Business management taught me structure. You need both if you want to achieve results.”
Working in kitchens helped him understand systems, efficiency and pressure. Business courses gave him the tools to manage people, processes and results. Together, they shaped his approach to marketing today – with creativity guided by structure.
Building a career in marketing and advertising management
Akbar-Downey is now in marketing and advertising management and works closely with major used car dealers. His role focuses on building campaigns that deliver real results, not just attention.
“I don’t believe in flashy ideas that can’t be implemented,” he says. “If it’s not bringing in qualified leads, it’s not doing its job.”
His work focuses on understanding local markets, customer intent and timing. By tailoring messaging to actual buyer behavior, it helps merchants continually generate leads and close multiple deals. The approach is practical and practice-oriented.
Instead of relying on one-size-fits-all strategies, he tailors campaigns to each retailer’s inventory and audience. This flexibility has become a crucial part of its reputation.
Leadership through consistency and trust
Akbar-Downey doesn’t describe himself as a traditional manager. His leadership style is characterized by sport and practical experience. He believes that trust comes from consistency.
“In both sports and business, people are focused on results,” he says. “You gain respect when you are reliable.”
Dealer partners value clear communication and predictable performance. Akbar-Downey focuses on setting expectations early and measuring results honestly. If something doesn’t work, he adapts quickly.
This attitude reflects his sporting background. Watch the game tape. Fix errors. Move forward.
Stay connected with youth and the community
Outside of work, Akbar-Downey remains close to the sport. He is actively involved in youth basketball and soccer training programs. His goal is to help young athletes develop skills while learning discipline and confidence.
“I see myself in these children,” he says. “They just need guidance and someone to believe in them.”
He volunteers to support young people from the neighborhoods where he grew up. For him, giving back is not about recognition. It’s about access. He wants young athletes to see paths that extend beyond their immediate surroundings.
He believes that sport is a tool. Not everyone becomes a professional. But everyone can learn structure, teamwork and responsibility.
A long-term business mentality
Shaqeem Akbar Downey
approaches both business and personal life with a long-term mindset. He understands that success is built gradually. Campaigns improve through testing. Skills are sharpened through repetition.
“Nothing worthwhile happens overnight,” he says. “You build momentum by staying consistent.”
This philosophy keeps him focused as he continues to grow in the marketing and advertising field. He cares less about titles and more about the impact. Helping partners succeed. We help young athletes to develop further. Improve systems step by step.
Focused on the future
As his career evolves, Akbar-Downey remains grounded in the lessons that shaped him early on. Discipline from sport. Creativity through culinary training. Structure from business education.
These elements now come together in his work every day.
“Ultimately it’s about coming prepared,” he says. “Whether it’s a game, a campaign or caring for a child, the mindset remains the same.”
For Shaqeem Akbar-Downey, leadership is not vocal. It’s stable. And it’s being built little by little.
