Meet Jaron Marquis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jaron Marquis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jaron below.

Hi Jaron, so happy to have you on the platform with us today and excited to chat about your lessons and insights. Our ability to make good decisions can massively impact our lives, careers and relationships and so it would be very helpful to hear about how you built your decision-making skills.

As a producer and director, decisions are 75% of my job. I need to be able to make decisions and, oftentimes, very quickly. I had to get to a place in my life where I became ok with making mistakes and failing. I used to be crippled by it, afraid that making a wrong decision would lead to not deciding out of fear of making the wrong decision–which consequently gave me the same result (ironically). So…to remove the fear I would often ask myself, “What’s the worst-case scenario?” or “What’s the worst that could happen?”. Whatever that would be–if I was okay with that happening, I would easily decide to move forward. Fear is a limiter…once we remove the power of fear—we remove the chains that keep us back from achieving everything we ever wanted.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a producer, director, and entrepreneur focused on creating powerful, entertaining, and inspiring content across film, television, and digital platforms. My journey in the entertainment industry has been shaped by over 25 years of experience running small businesses, producing independent films and TV shows, directing music videos, and developing digital content.

At the core of my work is storytelling that resonates with audiences—especially within the African American community—while also creating content with the potential to cross over into broader markets. I believe in blending entertainment with meaning, ensuring that every project I produce not only captivates but also inspires.

What excites me most about my work is the ability to create works that are impactful and lasting—whether that’s developing original IP, giving emerging talent a platform, or producing films that leave a lasting impact. Right now, I’m particularly focused on scaling our company and expanding into larger-budget productions while staying true to my vision and authentic to the culture.

Most recently, I Co-Executive Produced the highly acclaimed series of Hoarders on Discovery A&E and I Executive Produced a feature film thriller that released internationally last year on December 6, 2024, while working as an Executive Producer of another thriller set to debut in 2025. These projects mark an exciting step in my career as I push toward bigger opportunities in Hollywood and beyond.

In addition, I’m developing another stand-up comedy series featuring talented comedians, as well as the upcoming Flo-Jo biopic. I am also writing and directing a feature film, *Are We Doing This?*, a dramatic comedy that explores the hidden truths and complexities behind success in Hollywood.

Beyond my own projects, I’m also passionate about supporting my family’s creative ventures. My wife is a comedian, writer, and filmmaker working toward multiple ambitious goals, including a stand-up special, book, and new film scripts. Meanwhile, my daughter is an aspiring visual development artist working toward building a sustainable career in the arts.

Ultimately, my goal is to establish a media empire that produces and distributes high-quality films, television, and digital content that entertains, challenges, and inspires. I welcome collaborations, partnerships, and opportunities to connect with like-minded creatives who share the vision of building something great.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three key qualities have had the most impact on my journey: humility and a strong work ethic, business acumen, and the ability to strategically plan and execute.

1. Humility & Willingness to Work in Any Position
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that no job is too small. Early in my career, I took on any role I could—whether that was running errands, holding a boom mic, or assisting in post-production. That hands-on experience gave me a deep understanding of how every part of a production comes together. It also built relationships and trust, which opened doors for bigger opportunities. For those just starting out, my advice is to be willing to do the work, stay humble, and prove your value through action, not just words. When people see that you’re reliable and hardworking, they’ll want you on their team.

2. Business Acumen & Financial Understanding
A lot of creatives focus only on the art, but at the end of the day, this is a business. Understanding contracts, budgets, marketing, and revenue streams has allowed me to sustain and grow my career. These skills are industry-agnostic—whether you’re making films, selling products, or running a company, knowing how to manage money and structure deals is essential. My advice? Study business, read books, take courses, and always ask yourself: *How does this make money, and how do I make sure I don’t lose money?*

3. Strategic Planning & Execution
In Hollywood, there’s a lot of talk. Meetings, ideas, big visions—but very few people can actually execute. I’ve built a reputation as someone who gets things done, and that’s what sets you apart from 90% of people in this industry. Anyone can come up with a great idea, but the ones who succeed are those who can break it down into actionable steps, assemble the right team, and see it through to completion. If you want to improve in this area, start by making small commitments and following through. Build the muscle of execution, and soon, you’ll be the person people trust to bring visions to life.

At the end of the day, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about attitude, knowledge, and action. If you can stay humble, master business, and become an executor, you’ll always be in demand.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been in management—management of myself, my time, and my resources.

As an entrepreneur, producer, and director, I’ve always had big ideas and the drive to execute them. But as I’ve taken on larger projects and expanded my responsibilities, I’ve realized that success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working ‘smart”. That means being intentional with my time, delegating effectively, and ensuring that every dollar and resource is used strategically.

Managing Myself: I’ve become more disciplined about setting clear priorities and staying focused on what truly moves the needle. It’s easy to get caught up in distractions, but I’ve learned to be more structured with my daily habits, decision-making, and overall mindset.

Managing My Time: Time is the most valuable resource, and in the past year, I’ve gotten much better at protecting it. I’ve learned to say no to things that don’t align with my bigger vision, structure my days more efficiently, and create systems that allow me to be productive without burning out.

Managing My Resources: Whether it’s money, connections, or creative assets, I’ve become more strategic about leveraging what I have. I now approach every project with a long-term vision, making sure resources are used wisely to maximize results.

This shift in management has been a game-changer. It’s helped me move faster, execute at a higher level, and make smarter business decisions. For anyone looking to grow, I’d say: Mastering self-management is the foundation of everything else. Once you control your time, focus, and resources, you become unstoppable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.urbngenius.com
• Instagram: @jaronMarquis
• Linkedin: Jaron Marquis
• Twitter: Jaron Marquis