Written By: Mark Pollard

Ink Paper Scissors is BET’s newest fall lineup, about the come up of Atlanta’s one-stop beauty shop whose eclectic staff and salon drama will surely keep you entertained wanting more. Who’s the brains behind such a dope concept do you ask? His story is literally every college student or broadcast journalists dream creating your own concepts and producing great shows. John Carter is a young entrepreneur/producer who is taking television by storm. His resume is just as long as his goals and his style is definitely identifiable. Get the rundown on how this young mogul in the making got his start and where he plans on taking it in the future.

“I got my start, in 2006 I received my degree in broadcast journalism and went on to intern for BET where I worked everywhere from Spring Bling to Black Girls Rock.”

“So that’s really where my career took off there, BET.”

From 2007 to now Carter has been a part of an array of well-known television productions from MTV’s 16 & Pregnant, America’s Got Talent, and was even a part of a pilot for NBC which later went on to becoming the hit show The Biggest Loser. Throughout his journey through network television is what propelled him to go on and produce his own original content. Where in 2010 making a career move to the Black Hollywood of the south, Atlanta, and just a simple trip to the barber shop gave him the kick starter to a whole new reality format.

“So when I first moved to Atlanta in 2010, a friend of mine was getting her hair done and at the time I was looking for a barber and you know just by word of mouth a stylist by the name of Sonja Marie referred me to her celebrity barber friend Hollywood who was at the time cutting hair at Salon Ramsey. So he goes on to introduce me to the owner, and the owner was actually looking for someone to do a promo for the shop, you know something real fly to put out and get publicity, and in doing that I shot the promo and made it look like a reality show and then from there on I took it to my people over at BET, connected with the right people and now it’s on TV, Ink Paper Scissors.”

So what was it about Salon Ramsey that made for good TV? Carter goes on to explain what was so different about the Atlanta salon, and why it made for a great reality concept.

“So I did this project like 4 years ago and for me, I’ve never seen anything like Salon Ramsey in my life. Coming from Denver, then off to school in Texas and then moving to Atlanta I have never seen so many black people in a city let alone a salon where it’s like a free market of hair. You can go into Salon Ramsey and get anything from a haircut to getting your nails done, tattoos, alcohol, you can even get your teeth whitened.”

“I have never been to a place like that. It was so hood, yet cool at the same time.”

Speaking of style and hair, Carter is no stranger when it comes to the word expression or unique. From head to toe Carter can be well identified as a trendsetting maven, with his unconventional blue hair, drawing a brief reference to a more modern and innovative David Ruffin with the cut and style, to his clothing of choice, rocking just about whatever the hell he feels like wearing whether its labels or not but with a swag and attitude that’s so contagious you have to give the man credit for great style.

“My style is whatever I feel like today.”

“Moving to Atlanta being on set and doing what I do it’s like my image must match either my personality or my occupation so I attribute my fashion sense all the way to the blue hair, the clothes, piercings, and tattoos. Being able to just express creativity through my style and on top of being my own boss, and having no one to answer too, I can be as free as I want now.”

Motivation and drive run deep when it comes to Carter’s drive for success.

“In all honesty I feel like God has put me here for a reason, he didn’t make me this tall (6’4) to not be seen, he didn’t make me this loud to not be heard, and he didn’t give me this loud outspoken personality to just sit in a corner and be quiet.”

“I honestly feel like my drive comes from nothing but the man above.”

With all of that being said Carter is no stranger when it comes to business, and Carter is well ahead of the game when it comes to the negotiations and commercial aspect of production as well.

“I love what I do, and I love creating and producing these shows from the crazy concepts I have in my head.”

“However, one thing you always have to make sure is, that your business is legit, because the game is just that, a game, and they will play you any chance they can get. Any advice I would give to any upcoming producer or entrepreneur just trying to expand or turn their hobby or passion into a career is to make sure your very knowledgeable in what you’re trying to accomplish and that you can set your business up as a business and not just a hustle.”

Carter Continues,

“I don’t want to be known as just a TV Producer, I have several things I want to accomplish. I want to have my own clothes my own hair color line, restaurants etc.”

“I want to be a mogul like Diddy, but in my own right.”

So what’s next on John Carters long lists of business endeavors, everything! And we mean just that, from a barber board coming out where you’ll be able to choose your own signature John Carter hair style to of course his many up and coming productions that are soon to be hitting our TV screens in the near future.

“I don’t want to give away too much but I can say there are projects in the work, and you should definitely be on the lookout for John Carter Productions.”

“Just Know I’m coming!”

Carter, who credits a big part of his come up to the BET Network wanted to conclude with this statement:

“I just Want to thank BET for just opening the door for young black producers and entrepreneurs”

You can catch Ink Paper Scissors, Tuesday nights at 10pm on BET. You can also follow John Carter on Instagram @its_johncarter your dope for reading!