We recently connected with Jamari Warren-Hayes and have shared our conversation below.

Jamari, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I’ve always been drawn to the arts. Growing up, my mom kept me involved in all kinds of activities—sports, piano lessons, karate, school plays. I even played Moses in a kindergarten production. Looking back, I think all those things planted the seed early on for how much I love expressing myself creatively. Fashion was a big part of it too—it all just naturally stuck with me as I got older.

Photography started out as something personal. It was my way of documenting life—capturing moments, people, and memories that meant something to me. I used to love grabbing disposable cameras from CVS or shooting with Polaroids. There was something magical about not knowing exactly what you were going to get back when the film developed—it made the moment feel even more special.

Eventually, I realized that creating wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was something I wanted to do with my life. But of course, reality doesn’t always make that easy. I still had to work jobs and hustle to bring that dream to life. So, I started to think: how can I take something I already love and turn it into a business that allows me to stay creative?

That’s where photography and videography came in. Funny enough, I didn’t realize how much money there was in it until graduation season hit on campus. People started asking me to take their photos, and I had this old Canon T2i my dad passed down to me after he upgraded to a T6i. I used that thing until it literally wouldn’t turn on anymore.

When that camera died, so did one of my main sources of income. But thankfully, I was still young and had a bit of a safety net—I could crash at my parents’ place and regroup. Then life threw another curveball: my parents got called to move across the world. I had a choice to make—go with them or stay and figure things out on my own. I decided to stay, and since then, it’s been a real journey—learning how to be an adult, run a business, and keep my creative spirit alive in the middle of things like inflation, recession talks, and even a pandemic.

It hasn’t been easy, but I truly believe in God’s plan for me. I know this path was placed on my heart for a reason, and every challenge is shaping me into the person I’m meant to become. I just want to make sure that the future version of me is proud of what I’m doing right now.

Jamari, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who don’t know me, my name is Jamari — but everyone calls me “MARI” (like “MAR-E,” not “Mary” — let’s clear that up real quick haha).

How did I get into this industry? Honestly, I’d call it purpose — and I don’t use that word lightly. I come from a creative household. My mom’s an actress, singer, songwriter, and director. My dad’s a filmmaker, marketing genius, CEO — the list goes on. They built a whole world of creativity and entrepreneurship, and growing up under that roof gave me the blueprint to blend art and business.

I’ve watched my mom walk away from the 9-5 life because of what she and my dad built from 5 to 9. There were nights I’d be on set with them in my pajamas, falling asleep in the car, then waking up and going straight to school the next day. One moment that sticks out: my dad was so drained after a shoot, I had to drive us home with just a learner’s permit. The fact that he trusted me with that — it gave me a confidence I didn’t even realize I needed.

Along the way, I was lucky enough to cross paths with some legends in the creative world — Cam Kirk, Keenan, Chilly-O, Cook It Up Cam, AMD Visuals, Gunnasellwhite — all major figures in the photography and videography space. Watching how they turned dreams into careers taught me that with preparation, hustle, and the right opportunity, anything is possible. I’m grateful not just to know them, but to have been part of their journeys in some small way.

For me, photography and videography — and now multimedia and marketing — is all about bridging the gap between art and business. I see so many incredibly talented artists who create powerful work, but don’t know how to turn that into income or sustainable careers. That’s something I’m passionate about fixing. I’m not saying I have all the answers (I still work a 9-6 myself), but one of my goals is to build resources and systems that help creatives turn their passions into revenue.

That’s where GFT GEN Multimedia & Marketing comes in. We help personal brands and businesses bring their vision to life through visuals, audio, and storytelling that creates emotional impact. Whether it’s a brand campaign, a recap video, or a photoshoot, we aim to create content that lasts beyond a scroll — something that makes people feel.

What I want people to know is that this journey isn’t glamorous all the time. Most days, you’re the only one showing up. You’re pulling all-nighters editing, juggling deadlines, and managing life in between. Sometimes the money you make goes straight to bills or back into the business. You’ll have friends and family who question your prices — but won’t blink at spending hundreds on fine dining or luxury fits. That can mess with your head, make you question your value.

What keeps me grounded is my faith in God and the discipline to keep going even on the days I don’t feel like it. That consistency — and that heart — is what sets me apart. Visually, my work is rooted in a deep love for film. I aim to freeze moments in photos and create videos that feel like mini-movies. I put intention into every frame, every sound design choice — because I believe art should feel like something. And while social media is full of quick, microwavable content, I’m committed to telling stories that stick with people.

What I’m most proud of right now is the man I’m becoming — not just as a creative, but as a business owner. And I can’t wait to see how far I can take this — not just for myself, but for the community I’m building around it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the lessons I had to unlearn is that failure isn’t permanent; it’s merely your initial attempt at learning. Once I understood this, I began to approach everything in life with this mindset.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Absolutely — I’m in the middle of a pivot right now.

If you would’ve asked me five years ago where I’d be today, I would’ve told you I’d be traveling the world doing what I love — music. That was the dream. But life didn’t unfold like that. I had to learn quickly that passion alone doesn’t always pay the bills. So I started building real skills — skills I could take into the workforce. Skills that would make hiring managers look at me and say, “Yeah, we want him.”

That shift wasn’t easy. Adulting hit hard. My finances were all over the place — barely enough to cover my needs, let alone my wants. There were days I didn’t eat. I had to make peace with sacrifice. But through that struggle came wisdom. I started understanding how to play this game called life — how to move smart, how to think long-term, how to build a foundation.

Honestly, I’ve always had hustle in me. My first business? Washing cars — $5 inside, $5 outside. I was out there early, figuring out how to turn my time into money. When I was in high school, I joined a work-based learning program so I could leave school early to go to work. I was never afraid of the grind. But even back then, I knew I didn’t want to work for someone else forever.

One of my biggest goals is to become a multimillionaire — not for status, but to change the financial dynamic for my family, and for the generations that come after me. That goal has never changed. But the route to get there? That’s what I’ve been figuring out. And this pivot — learning new skills, adapting, taking a temporary detour from music to build stability — that’s part of the bigger picture.

I still believe my passions and purpose will align. But right now, this phase is about setting the groundwork. About building a life that makes room for both creativity and legacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Marifiles.com
• Instagram: Marifiles.media
• Facebook: Marifiles
• Youtube: Marifiles
• Soundcloud: Maritrustme