We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nick Kayea a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nick, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I am blessed to say that I am at a place to where I am able to pay our bills through my business. I wouldn’t say that I’m making a full time living, but I can say that I’m doing a lot better now then when I started.

My gifts have surely made room for me. and it’s just getting started. The journey to getting where I am now, hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.

My entrepreneurial journey first started with me offering videography and editing services. Which can be a very profitable business if operated correctly. What I found out was that I did not have enough clientele to try to rely on this income, and I did not have the desire to be just a videographer and editor, and I wasn’t willing to do “whatever it takes”.

At that time I started driving lyft, but I began to have serious car troubles, and it was difficult for me to rely on lyft, and video money. That is when I started giving piano. and guitar lessons, and started back subbing at my first job (Brookhaven Innovation Academy).

Thank God for favor! I was blessed to have a good group of students, and parents, who were able to refer me to more families, which began to give me more stability and credibility.

Shortly after I started an after school program for the creative arts at BIA. Where we have been established for a year and a half and have already made a splash. I can see the growth in my kids and I am extremely proud.

Now my schedule consists of me providing a variety of services to those who need it. I am able to take the visual projects of my choosing, I help artist with their music projects, I am currently the assistant director in two productions a film, and a musical stage play, and I have around 30 children that I am teaching and mentoring.

Good things come to those who are patient and consistent. Treat people right and you will see the benefits of your work. Try your best to be the best version of yourself, and you will see the fruits of your labor.

One thing that I will say which is extremely important is you must be willing to bet on yourself. For some that’s easier said than done, but it teaches you and shows you that with a little bit of faith, and a lot of work you can move mountains. You can change the trajectory of your life, and your families life as well.

Stay encouraged. Bet on yourself. Trust God. Treat people right.

Nick, 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?

I grew up in Lawrenceville, GA, raised by two amazing parents, David and Pheletta Kayea. They taught me to do right and to be a man of God. Christ is my foundation. Though I am not a perfect individual, I am always striving to be a better version of myself and to help others do the same.

My life has been full of great teachers and mentors who have planted seeds in my life. “Some plant, some water…” At the age of 6, I began to learn how to play the guitar. I had a phenomenal teacher, Mitchell Parsons, who taught me not just how to play, but how to be a musician. He also helped me record my first song, “Seed Planted.” As I grew older, I joined my school band directed by Jennifer Carwile and Eddie Jennings. I studied the trumpet and played the guitar in the jazz band. Looking back, I really enjoyed my time under two great directors. Around that time, I joined my church praise team. That is where the development of my real musicianship began. Playing a mixture of African music and CCM, I began to learn how to flow between genres and play by ear. Learning melodies became second nature to me. I owe a lot of my melodic foundation to my early years in elementary and middle school.

Everything changed once I entered Mr. Johnson’s program. Through him, my artistry elevated. Being a part of his program taught me not just vocal development, but complex harmony, song structure, performance etiquette, and much more. As an overzealous student, I strived to learn all the harmony parts that were taught, and it was put to the test when we had our boy band group, “4th Degree.” Looking back at these times, I now realize that these moments were just preparing me for my future (More Seeds Planted).

I directed a few choirs, performed at open mics, and wrote, produced, and acted in two musicals. These experiences helped me learn so much. I was introduced to the world of film and video production halfway through my college career. I developed a love for storytelling and capturing moments. Special thanks to a few of my instructors who impacted me greatly: Deon Kay, Chris Renaud, and Amy Cuomo.

At the beginning of 2023, I started the Kreative Village. The Kreative Village is a program designed to foster a safe space for actors, singers, musicians, and other creatives to work on their talents. So far, we have completed a few projects, including live concerts and stage plays. My kids and I had the chance to perform at the Atlanta Hawks basketball game on April 5th, 2024, to an original song I wrote entitled “Color.” The achievement I am most proud of thus far is the movie we made, entitled “I Like To Sing.” This project was completed over the course of two and a half months. We had about an hour and a half to two hours after school to record different scenes, and we managed to get it done. It was a team effort, and I am thoroughly proud of our accomplishments. Big shout-outs to Jordan Alexa, Temell Deberry, Jennie Hutchins, Roz Hayward, and Marla Berry. We could not have done it without you.

Why is this important? Well, in my field of work, I provide creative services. Music, acting, and film/videography are a big part of me. I love what I do, and I take pride in my work. As an instructor, I am currently training up the next generation. Many children have gifts, but few have the right teachers to show them not just how to hone their skills and talents, but how to use them for good and not for evil or foolishness. I don’t believe in creating nonsense. As creatives, we have the responsibility to create wisely. People are impacted by what we create, and I strive to be someone who helps put positivity into the world.

As a freelance videographer, I have helped both businesses and individuals. I have helped my clients capture weddings, birthday parties, graduations, podcasts, commercials/ads, music videos, trailers, and more.

As a musician, I have scored films, created instrumentals/beats for projects, helped restructure songs, recorded songs, provided background vocals, and more. I can help my clients with a number of things depending on the request.

The main goal for me is to not just be a service provider but to be a world leader. That is my goal, and that is what I’m working towards. The thing I would like people to know about me and my brand is that my goal is simply to make people’s lives better. Whether that’s through art, mentorship, monetary gains, words of wisdom, etc., that’s all I want to do. My mission is to help heal and restore. I pray that as I grow, mature, and acquire more, I’m able to implement systems, thought processes, and mindsets that will help heal our world. I firmly believe that we have the ability to truly make our world better. But it starts with me and you. We need to do right by our children, show them what is right, be the example, and create a space for them to become better citizens. Love God and love people.

I would like to encourage all those who read this interview to never lose faith and never lose hope. In this life, you’ll have your set of tests and trials, but it is important to persevere through difficulties and always spread love and joy to others. You can do almost anything if you believe and take the necessary steps to obtain your goals. Always remember to put God first and allow Him to guide your steps and your path. With God, all things are possible. Peace and blessings.

Nick Kayea

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I feel as though I have a mandate to not just help create a safe space for creatives, but to impact the world through my work. In doing so I can help be a part of the healing process that needs to take place.

One thing that I have noticed in my short 28 years of living is that the world needs people to go against the grain and to be the change that we need to see. If we plant good seeds, we will see good fruit. Right now we are living in a society that has perfect examples of people and systems that either had good seeds planted in them, or bad seeds.

I want to be the one who helps make it better. Right now it is through the art that I create, and the lives that I am blessed to touch. Sooner or later I’ll be able to help more people. The goal is simple, help change the way that we think. If we can think better we’ll do better.

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” Proverbs 23:7

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist is seeing the work that I create bring hope. Right now I am in a place where the majority of the content that I am creating/created is from a deep place. I am not one to create shallow content. Shallow can only go so far. We as a people need substance. We need art that restores.

It blesses my soul to see what I create in it’s purpose. I’ve gone through a lot of mental battles and at times it feels as if I’m wasting my time and energy. Every time I release my work it reminds me that I’m in the right place.

So if you’re reading this pray for me to not grow weary, and to keep going! I truly appreciate it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kayeakreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayeakreative?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YipppieKayea/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwsCwI8xXgwj0MUSNqiiW6A
• Other: https://linktr.ee/KayeaKreative

Image Credits

Atlanta Hawks

Jordan Alexa

FX

Kayea Kreative

Whitney Bre Photography