We recently connected with Jonah Reid and have shared our conversation below.

Jonah , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I would have started my creative career sooner. I began writing around age seven and started taking music seriously at sixteen, but at the time I did not fully understand the business side of entertainment or the value of consistently documenting my work. As I grew older, I expanded into hosting, content creation, photography, videography, marketing, and event production through J.Reid Productions. Looking back, starting sooner would have given me more time to build relationships, develop my skills, and create multiple streams of income within the creative industry. However, I also recognize that my journey happened at the right time because my experiences in college, leadership roles, and entrepreneurship helped shape my perspective and professionalism. If I had started later, I likely would have missed opportunities that helped me grow into the artist, host, and business owner I am today. Overall, I wish I had started sooner, but I appreciate the lessons and experiences that came from the path I took.

Jonah , 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?

My name is J.Reid, and I am an entertainer, host, recording artist, content creator, and founder of J.Reid Productions, LLC, a creative media company based in the Carolinas. I have always been passionate about storytelling and entertainment. I started writing music around the age of seven and began recording and performing as a teenager. Over time, that passion expanded beyond music into hosting events, producing content, photography, videography, marketing, and event curation.

Today, J.Reid Productions helps artists, entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations bring their visions to life through creative media and live experiences. Our services include event hosting, content creation, photography, videography, social media marketing, branding support, and event production. Whether it is helping a small business increase visibility, creating content that drives engagement, or producing memorable events, our goal is to connect people through creativity and culture.

What sets me apart is my versatility. I understand the creative process from multiple perspectives because I have lived it as an artist, entrepreneur, marketer, and host. This allows me to communicate effectively with clients while also understanding what audiences want to see and experience. Rather than focusing solely on content creation, I focus on helping people build relationships with their audiences and create opportunities for growth.

One of my proudest accomplishments has been building a recognizable personal and professional brand while earning recognition as one of the top HBCU hosts in the nation. Through my work with Fayetteville State University, community organizations, festivals, concerts, and independent businesses, I have developed a reputation for bringing energy, professionalism, and authenticity to every project.

The main thing I want potential clients, followers, and supporters to know is that my work is rooted in service, creativity, and community. I believe great content and great experiences can inspire people, create opportunities, and bring communities together. My mission is to continue elevating creative culture throughout the Carolinas while helping others turn their ideas into reality.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that illustrates my resilience is my journey of building J.Reid Productions while balancing college, leadership roles, creative projects, and entrepreneurship. There were many times when opportunities did not immediately lead to income, recognition, or long term partnerships. Like many creatives, I faced challenges such as limited resources, self doubt, and the pressure of trying to establish myself in a competitive industry.

Instead of giving up, I continued creating. While attending Fayetteville State University, I took on leadership positions, worked in campus media, hosted events, produced content, and continued developing my business. I learned how to adapt, network, and create opportunities rather than waiting for them to come to me. Every event I hosted, every video I produced, and every project I completed helped me gain experience and build credibility.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that success rarely happens overnight. There were moments when progress felt slow, but consistency allowed me to keep moving forward. Today, I am proud to have built a growing brand, earn recognition as one of the top HBCU hosts in the nation, and create opportunities for myself and others through entertainment and media.

That experience taught me that resilience is not about avoiding obstacles. It is about continuing to move forward, learn, and grow even when the outcome is uncertain.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One resource I wish I had known about earlier in my creative journey is the value of business development programs, mentorship opportunities, and funding resources specifically designed for creatives and entrepreneurs. When I first started creating music and content, I focused heavily on the creative side but did not fully understand contracts, branding, networking, pricing, business structure, or how to access funding opportunities.

As I gained experience, I discovered the importance of mentorship, professional development workshops, business incubators, grant programs, and networking events. These resources helped me think beyond being just a creator and begin operating like a business owner. I also learned the value of building relationships with other creatives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who could provide guidance and open doors to new opportunities.

I wish I had understood earlier that talent alone is not enough. Success in the creative industry often comes from combining creativity with strategy, business knowledge, and strong relationships. If I had access to these resources sooner, I likely would have avoided some mistakes, grown my brand faster, and created more sustainable revenue streams earlier in my career. That said, discovering these resources when I did helped shape the entrepreneur and creative professional I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/iamj.reid
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamj.reid/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonah.reid.1800
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonah-reid-b72284234/?skipRedirect=true
• Twitter: https://x.com/jreidproduction
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@J.reidproductions
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jreidproductions