Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jenerro Wade. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jenerro , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I would say I am happier as a creative. Every day is different and you get to create and work with others that are sometimes unbelievably out of your reach. We are given the freedom to dream and create things that otherwise can seem impossible to the average person.

Yes, I do sometimes think what it would be like to have a regular job because life is…life. The consistency and stability of a normal 9-5 is always alluring. Such as, a consistent paycheck, health insurance, financial stability, etc., is not guaranteed as an entrepreneur.

The last time I really thought this through was when I was offered an opportunity to work with an organization in the sports industry that had a guaranteed salary earlier this year. It would have been a job that consumed my entire life in the sense that it would have required more working hours than a regular job. Yes, it would have given me the capital to sustain business operations for myself and Banjo Beaver Productions. However, I feel that it is essential for me to be at the forefront of things as I continue growing my business. Taking on a corporate role would mean sacrificing the production company I built from the ground up, and I wasn’t willing to give it up that easily. It took courage and grit, and it may be my proudest life moment.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I have always been a creative and an athlete at heart. I played football and ran track collegiately at William Penn University, where I unintentionally took many electives in the arts, from theater to painting to drawing. However, life had me pursue my first love of working in the sports industry, which led me to pursue a dual-degree program between London Metropolitan University and SUNY Cortland in New York to obtain a degree in International Sports Management. While transitioning to London, I stumbled across the London Blitz, part of the British American Football Association (BAFA). Having one last shot of living out my dream as an athlete was an opportunity I could not pass up. This ended up being one of the best decisions I made during my time there. We won a European Championship and two Brit Bowl titles in the three seasons I played with the team. While attending Grad school and fulfilling my passion as an athlete, the universe still presented opportunities for me to lean into my creative side, by having the opportunity to work at the Novello Theatre in London’s West End. I got to see first-hand the fortitude it took to be a professional creative. Seeing friends who were professional actors, musicians, dancers make the jump back and forth from stocking bars to starring in West End Productions inspired me to do the same.

After graduation and moving back to Houston, I was still in pursuit of my dream of playing in the National Football League (NFL) which was at the top of my vision board. Later on, I realized working in the NFL was the exact verbiage I used on my vision board. This dream, I did get to fulfill! I worked with the Houston Texans in their marketing department and then over to football operations. Once my time in the NFL ended, I was at a crossroads in my career, trying to figure out what my next steps in life would be. At this point is when I decided I wanted to try my hand at acting. This is something I dabbled in my early years, but never put all of my focus into out of the uncertainty in the industry. After starring in multiple shows on stage and film, I ended up falling in love with the process it takes to make a successful production. This led me to wonder what it was like behind the scenes and the process productions took to move from inception to completion and the intricacies that went into it. Upon learning what it took, I realized very quickly my time with the Texans gave me a tremendous amount of wisdom regarding the entertainment industry, and my live production and logistical experience was a natural fit for producing film and television content. These roles gave me the experience that has helped me start Banjo Beaver Productions and grow it into what it is today.

Banjo Beaver is a film and television production company I founded. Our mission is to create memorable cinematic experiences that make you feel, dare you to dream, and question how you perceive the world through a community of creatives. Outside of film, television, and commercial production, we capture candid moments at corporate and sporting events, highlighting companies’ stories through videography and photography services. We also use our platform to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of creatives by providing educational opportunities in the form of workshops, internships and camps.

What sets Banjo Beaver Productions apart is our commitment to community building, events, mentorship, connection, and inspiration for creators in film. We innovate beyond the limits of traditional media, going above and beyond to ensure continuous growth. We’re never satisfied. Building a community to get 1% better every day. Together. Our main focus is creating memorable content through a team of creatives. We believe you can’t do it alone. And because of that, we have a standard of excellence that leaves you with a quality product that you’re proud of.

What I am most proud of is the relationships and community that we have started to build and our ability to now help with the growth of the industry and artists in the Houston area. We want the community to know, we’ve got your back. We’re the ones who will be in the foxhole with you. Through the entire creative process, we instill confidence to get the job done.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to build an acting career and company that can help others pursue their dreams, bring their stories to life, grow their career while also giving back to the community. I’m using my own experience to drive this mission and model that there is no “right path” to success. You can have a passion for one thing, pursue it, and then start over if it is not the right fit. It is okay to chase your dream, but also be mindful of other possibilities that may arise, “good or bad”.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I won’t say a particular book, video, or essay has solely impacted my entrepreneurial thinking, I believe when I put my thoughts into action and started attending festivals, was when I really started to delve deeper into this industry. Learning, meeting, networking, and getting to know the ins and outs is what truly appealed to me. I feel like festivals, conferences, and events that are geared specifically to film, acting, etc., have really allowed me to connect and grow in a way that a printed resource would limit me to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.banjobeaverproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banjobeaverproductions/#
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/99560135/admin/dashboard/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@banjobeaverproductions

Image Credits

Tasha Gorel
Claire McAdams
Francisco Ramos