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Turning personal setbacks into creative gold is the hallmark of true entrepreneurs, and Jay Davis exemplifies this transformation. After a divorce fifteen years ago, he began writing short stories about dating experiences, eventually filming them as sketches when "nobody was doing sketches on the internet back then." That initial spark ignited a creative empire spanning four feature films, multiple series, children's books, and the acclaimed show "The Creative Hustle" on Tubi.

Davis pulls back the curtain on his creative process and business acumen during this candid conversation. When COVID halted traditional production, he pivoted to animation and, drawing inspiration from Robert Townsend's "Partners in Crime," assembled talented comedians to create "The Creative Hustle" – a fresh blend of sketch comedy, improv, and stand-up complemented by a live band. The show tackles contemporary issues like cancel culture with intelligent humor while showcasing established comedians including Leon Rogers, Damon Williams, and Rodney Perry.

Beyond his own creative pursuits, Davis's commitment to community-building shines through his establishment of the Bernie Mac Lifetime Achievement Award and creation of IndieCon, a film festival designed to support genuine independent filmmakers without the gatekeeping common in the industry. He debunks the myth of mysterious investors funding creative projects, instead emphasizing self-reliance: "Everything comes out of pocket... whatever revenue we make from a project, we use it towards the next project." His parting advice to aspiring creators is refreshingly straightforward: "Do your research... stop being lazy. You got a fucking computer in your hand... do your research and grind." Follow Jay's journey on social media @jdavistp and catch "The Creative Hustle" on Tubi, with an expanded second season featuring 8 episodes, 16 comedians, and 25 sketches coming soon.

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