Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hess Wesley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Hess with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic comes from my parents, Missoule and Hervé. Two of the hardest-working people I’ve ever known. I was born in Haiti, and from as early as I can remember, hustle was life. My father worked two jobs back home just to make it possible for our family to move to the United States. And when we finally arrived, he took a minimum-wage job building elevator parts and railings for malls. The kind of work that leaves your hands calloused but your spirit unbroken.
My mother was the same way. Before she owned her restaurant, she used to wake up before sunrise to cook large pots of Haitian food. Diri ak djon djon, griyo, banan peze and pack them into her old minivan. Then she’d drive across town, selling plates of food to mechanics and workers one by one. Watching her do that every day and my dad never stopping taught me that greatness doesn’t come from talent alone. It comes from consistency, from showing up even when nobody’s watching.
Their example made me who I am. That grind, that pride in honest work, it’s in my DNA.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Professionally, I wear a few hats. I’m a director, cinematographer, and storyteller. What drives me most is using film and television to spark conversation and create impact. My latest project, 60 Day Hustle, is streaming now on Amazon Prime. It’s a powerful mix of Shark Tank meets Big Brother, a docuseries that follows real entrepreneurs chasing their dreams under pressure. The show just won a Telly Award, which was a huge honor, and Season Two is set to release later this year.
Beyond that, my heart has always been in stories that matter, stories that reflect the human condition and amplify unheard voices. I’ve directed short films tackling major issues like the Haitian immigration crisis, that tells a moment in the life of 1 out of hundreds of thousands who is losing Temporary Protected Status, and another exploring the struggles within the U.S. healthcare system. These projects are deeply personal to me. They remind me why I do what I do, to tell stories that can open eyes, build empathy, and hopefully inspire change.
As I move forward, I’m excited to keep pushing that mission, to create more films and series that blend artistry with purpose. Whether it’s through a lens of social justice, culture, or resilience, my focus will always be on storytelling that moves people.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been curiosity, discernment, and learning self-worth.
First, never stop learning. I started teaching myself how to edit and color-grade long before I realized those skills would soon land me work that would blossom into other greater opportunities. You never know which skill will become your superpower. Especially now, with the rise of artificial intelligence, the landscape is changing fast but if you stay curious and keep sharpening your craft, you’ll always have a place in the future.
Second, learn to say no. When opportunities are scarce, it’s tempting to say yes to everything. But growth requires focus. I had to learn to prioritize projects that aligned with my vision, not just my calendar.
Lastly, and most recently is to start building a personal brand. In today’s world, you are the product. People don’t just invest in your work, they invest in your story, your values, your consistency. So it’s important for me to own that. You are more important than ever.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had one big challenge, I’m really good at a lot of things. Cooking, acting, directing, dog training, songwriting, sports, you name it. I was recruited to play division 1 football, I’ve written music with Diane Warren, I’ve won awards for directing and even created a gym bag that became one of the top-selling bags in Kickstarter history. If I had put all my energy into just one of those paths, I probably could’ve been one of the best to ever do it.
But here’s the truth… I wanted to do everything. And my advice? Don’t do that. lol
Reading “The One Thing” by Gary Keller was a turning point for me. That book made me realize the power of focus. It forced me to ask myself one question: Who is the person I’d like to be? And once I knew that, the next question became, How would the person I’d like to be, do the things I’m about to do?
The answer was simple, that version of me was focused. That book taught me that clarity is power.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wesleyvision.com
- Instagram: @hesswesley
Image Credits
Screenshot from an NJM ad I did, wife took the photo, screenshot from a Best Buy ad I did, screenshot from an Apple ad I did, wife took a photo of me on set of 60 Day Hustle, wife took the photo on set of an ad I directed, wife took a photo of me at the Burbank Film Festival, selfie
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
