We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Mays and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting 5th Quarter Digital wasn’t a single decision. It was the culmination of a lifelong entrepreneurial drive. I’ve always had that spirit. It wasn’t a gradual realization. It just hit me one day. I had to build something.

The foundation was laid early. When I graduated from college in 2014, I knew my path was in social media marketing. Throughout my undergrad years, I was already freelancing, designing websites and t-shirts, and eventually launching my own clothing brand. That early hustle taught me the core of brand building and the discipline of the creative grind.

The 5th Quarter Digital launch began in 2018. I had just shot some footage of Curren$y in Los Angeles during All-Star Weekend, and that energy was the spark. I was ready to go all-in. However, life had other plans, and I got swept into the world of political organizing and high-stakes brand activations. That detour wasn’t a setback. It was a masterclass in strategic execution, high-pressure communication, and building movements from the ground up.

Fast forward to 2025. The recent advancement of A.I. felt like the missing piece of the puzzle. It was the technology that finally allowed me to scale the high-impact, strategic work I was doing manually. A.I. is the ultimate force multiplier, enabling us to deliver world-class strategy and execution to small businesses. Now, with the tools to truly dominate, it’s full steam ahead.

5th Quarter Digital is the result of that entire journey. The creative hustle, the strategic detours, and the final piece of technology that allows us to win the game after the clock runs out. That’s the 5th Quarter.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career path is definitely what sets me apart, and it’s the story of how I built the foundation for 5th Quarter Digital. It wasn’t a straight line. It was a strategic series of pivots that equipped me with a unique and powerful skill set.

After graduating from college, I dove headfirst into the world of Brand Ambassador work. This wasn’t just handing out flyers. This was high-level, hands-on brand activation. I had the privilege of working and training with global brands such as Amazon, Sony, State Farm, and Dyson at some incredible events. That experience was my masterclass in professional brand representation, logistics, and creating effective consumer interactions. I learned how to translate a premium brand vision into a real-world, human experience.

From there, I made a major pivot into political organizing. This is where I learned systems, scale, and people management. I’ve worked in over 20 markets, helped register tens of thousands of citizens, and laid the groundwork for pivotal elections for Presidents, Governors, and Mayors. This taught me how to build movements, manage complex logistics, and motivate teams under extreme pressure.

How did I get to where I am today? By combining those two worlds. The analytical insight I gained from managing political campaigns and the creative acceleration I’ve always had… now amplified through technology… is what I call my ‘dangerous weapon.’ It allows me to approach marketing not just as a creative exercise, but as a strategic, systemic operation designed to win.

What am I most proud of? I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve never settled for the traditional path. I took the lessons from the biggest brands and the most complex political systems and distilled them into a repeatable, high-impact strategy for small businesses.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. The challenges were constant… from the grueling travel of political work to the initial struggle of launching a business. I overcame them by embracing the 5th Quarter mindset. When the clock runs out on the traditional game, that’s when the real work begins. I learned that discipline, systems, and a relentless focus on the end goal are the only ways to win.

What do I want the world to know about 5th Quarter Digital? I want the world to know that we are here to help ambitious businesses stop playing small. We are the agency that brings Fortune 500 strategy and political campaign rigor to your brand. We do the unseen work that creates empires.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week-long trip showing my best friend the best of Kentucky would be an absolute masterclass in culture, hustle, and high-quality experiences. We would kick things off immediately by hitting the Bourbon Trail, dedicating a full day to exploring both the grand, historic distilleries and the smaller, craft operations to get a true taste of Kentucky’s signature spirit. Depending on the season, a day would be spent at either Keeneland or Churchill Downs to catch the horse races; I’m not a big gambler, but I’ll put a dollar or two on a pony just for the thrill of the tradition. As for the must-have dining experiences, we would definitely hit up Malone’s for a classic, high-end steak dinner. For a more casual, essential start to the day, we’d grab Breakfast at The First Watch to get a Morning Meditation juice and strategize for the day ahead. For culture, we’d head downtown to 21c Museum Hotel to check out the free art exhibits. When it comes to nightlife, I’m not big on club scenes, so we’d kick back at The Burl, a chill bar with old-school pinball and arcade machines, or follow the local DJs for a more curated music experience. And no week is complete without the essential late-night ritual: we’re either hitting up Waffle House or White Castle to cap off the night. This itinerary is the perfect blend of high-end dining, local culture, and authentic Kentucky fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
That’s a great question, and the answer is easy. I want to dedicate my shoutout to my cousin, Kevin Johnson, also known as KVR.

Kevin is a creative and an artist himself, and watching his growth and success has been a constant source of motivation for me. He’s someone who truly understands the creative grind and the hustle it takes to build something from nothing. More than that, he consistently pours life into me, offering the encouragement and perspective I need to keep pushing forward, especially when things get tough.

He deserves a ton of credit and recognition for the energy and inspiration he provides. He’s a true partner in the journey.

Website: https://5thquarterdigital.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/uhmaysin

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamestmays/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uhMAYSin

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@5thQuarterDigital

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.