We recently connected with Jason Hurt and have shared our conversation below.

Jason, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of my favorite quotes is “No Test = No Testimony” from Les Brown.

Back in 2014, I was going through a transitional phase personally and was trying to figure out what my next steps were. At the time I had been bartending 3 nights a week, getting home around 4:30am. I was also working event gigs whenever an opportunity came around. I was grateful to earn some cash, but bartending was not something I was super passionate about. It was introduced as a gig that would help me stay afloat as I pursued my career as an artist, but the acting and modeling gigs were not consistent at all. I didn’t have much of a sense of direction, and I found myself in the midst of a crossroad while surfing the internet in a hotel lobby. I needed a change across the board, and can remember feeling pretty close to rock bottom during that time. With very little money to my name, bills stacking up and my living situation being closer to that of a nomad, I knew it was time to figure out how to get out of that hole and back on the path to success as I envisioned it in my mind. Embracing the dreadful “Starving Artist” experience, I believed that if I was going to make it in the entertainment industry as an actor, the only way to do so was to sacrifice everything so I would be available on the day when my big break came knocking at the door.

Growing up I had an affinity for sports, business, and entertainment. I was attracted to the drive and competitive nature of the athlete, the mentality and communication skills of the salesman and the free spirit of the entrepreneur. I saw my dad and many other men who I call “mentors”, “hustling” to earn a living and genuinely enjoyed engaging with people and seeing them beam with excitement after an interaction when they made a sale. I understood the benefits between both parties pretty early on.

While surfing the internet in that hotel lobby, I noticed a banner for a website development company flash across the screen. I began to think about all the people I met while working these gigs, and the managers who were working at the brands that we would later provide service for. I knew my amazing mother Sandra had an understanding of the hospitality business as she had worked her way up from the front desk to sales manager for a hotel group over 20+ years and also that my brother Jon- a recent college graduate and new attorney, would be able to help me protect myself as I became curious about the entrepreneurial journey. I thought “Wow if this company is able to pay me “X” amount per shift, I wonder what the margins are in this space.” There were not many men of color operating these types of businesses, or at least none in my orbit. So the idea that if I was able to start helping other actors and models earn a couple of bucks in between gigs, then we would be able to create an ecosystem for one another became prevalent. I knew my lack of a college degree would limit my earning potential in corporate America and I also understood that the real value is in one’s ability to execute and utilize their network, which I felt like I had solid enough relationships to get something off the ground. I just had no idea what steps would need to be taken in order to establish myself. I needed to take advantage of this newfound inspiration and knew I had to create valuable connections with industry professionals in order to expand the network which would potentially open doors to a future full of purpose as a creative entrepreneur. I needed to deliver positive results for my clients if we were to gain momentum and I knew that if I could connect the dots and it worked, I would be able to focus on acting while helping other artists out, and we could all gain invaluable experience along the way learning how to win together. So far it has been a rollercoaster and I’ve learned some pretty hard lessons along the way, but it feels like it’s working out. Prime Time is still in operation today almost 10 years later and we recently helped support the Tribeca Film Festival and Culture Con in NYC.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Jason Hurt, I was born on a military base in Germany while my dad Nathaniel was stationed there serving in the U.S. Army. I am the youngest of three boys, my eldest brother Nate recently retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander and our middle brother Jonathan is a Sr. Attorney here in NYC. We primarily grew up near the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. There I attended Mount Saint Michael Academy and then went on to Barry University in Miami Florida for a couple of semesters. I don’t like boxes. I see myself as a creative entrepreneur capable of being successful in many industries just like so many of the elders I looked up to growing up and still to this day. Guys like fellow MSM Mountaineer Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jay-Z, Jerry Weintraub, Russel Simmons, Nas, Ryan Anderson, Kevin McGovern, Michael Weinstein, Freddy Klein, Fernando Mateo, Demarco, Spike Lee, and Byron Allen all made a huge impact on me. Just knowing they exist gave me confidence and sparked a leap of faith that led me to embarking on the entrepreneurial journey. I am an actor, model, mentor, family man and the founder of Prime Time Event Staffing. Prime Time was founded back in 2014 and our first client happened to be D’usse Cognac- a leading spirit under the Bacardi brands umbrella which was also co-owned by Jay- Z. This opportunity came through a friend Kevin Madden who was managing the brand at the time and it was a full circle moment that created many great memories early on. Being from the Bronx, and seeing the evolution of commerce around the Hip Hop culture I grew up breathing was so attractive and motivating. The industry has many tentacles and is full of successful people that look like me, speak like me and who are manifesting big efforts while helping others to do the same. I love the entertainment industry, and although it’s not an easy place to exist, it feels like home. It’s an evolving space where one can take huge risks, swim with the sharks and use their God given talents to make dreams come true. The expansion and evolution of the culture fuels my drive to succeed in it and my curiosity for knowledge exists even more today. Taking the risk of starting my own company was the best decision I ever made and I haven’t looked back since. To date through Prime Time we have produced multiple Jazz and Hip Hop concerts, and also have assisted associates gain over a thousand placements on many brand activations for various organizations- playing a small but integral role in fulfilling their needs while producing experiential events in NYC, LA and Miami. The best thing is that for the most part I am able to work remotely which gives me the opportunity to audition and book acting work. I’m looking forward to the upcoming release of “Aurora”, a Rom Com/Suspense feature film that I am grateful to be involved in alongside a very talented ensemble cast. This is also the first film that I was able to be an associate producer on and so I will always have much gratitude for our director and executive producer Noel Calloway for believing in my talent and also extending the opportunity to gain experience behind the scenes during some of the post production processes. Aurora was recently acquired for distribution and will be coming to theaters and streaming platforms in 2023. This movie is super special as it was filmed during the height of the pandemic and Noel assembled a crew of talented actors and the production team of which the majority of crew members were local to Puerto Rico. It was another full circle moment as my family has deep roots in the Island with my mother being born in Florida and it’s also where my grandparents Flora and Victor Hernandez met back in the 1950’s.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Absolutely

Some of the titles that have made the biggest impact are “The 12 Week Year” by Bryan P. Moran, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, “The Laws Of Success”, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill and “The Artist Way” by Julia Cameron.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to be a successful businessman and creative entrepreneur. I have plans to produce many feature films, television, and music festival concepts. I also want to bring multiple food businesses and beverage products to life. In return this will fuel positive effects in the communities we serve and create opportunities as we continue to push forward. Goal chasing keeps me up at night and I have to figure out how to get it all done. I think about the sacrifices my mother, grandparents and other loved ones have made for my brothers and I to be here today, and that fuels me. I think about the neighborhood I was raised in, in the Bronx and the state of the world today and my hope is that one day I would be known as a man of good will who is far from perfect but always striving to grow and be full of integrity and grit. I hope my efforts make a positive impact and hopefully I can be an example for the youth coming up today. I want to show people that dreams do actually come true and that no matter what box anyone might try to put you in, or whatever invisible ceilings have been created, with the right amount of drive, faith, and hunger to succeed- so long as you are willing to learn and execute you can and will make it. I truly believe it is our duty to pursue our individual purpose while manifesting the greatest and most desirable life possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.jasonhurt.net
• Instagram: @jasonhurtofficial
• Linkedin: Jason Hurt
• Other: www.JasonHurt.net (art and entertainment) www.Ptestaffing.com (Event Staffing) Www.theadiadevelopmentgroup.com (development company on a mission to help create housing opportunities for low income families and Veterans)