Meet Tajé Prest | Founder & CEO, TAJÉ PRODUCTIONS | Producer, Actress & Creator of Thick & Uninterrupted

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

Hi Tajé, how do you think about risk?
Risk has played a defining role in almost every major decision I’ve made throughout my life and career. For me, risk isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being willing to move forward even when there are no guarantees.

One of the biggest risks I ever took was leaving the familiar behind and building a life and career between Lagos and Los Angeles. Like many creatives and entrepreneurs, there were moments when the safer option would have been to wait for permission, wait for funding, or wait for someone else to create an opportunity. Instead, I chose to bet on myself.

That mindset ultimately led me to launch TAJÉ PRODUCTIONS. I realized that many of the stories I wanted to see; stories centered on confident, complex women who take up space unapologetically, weren’t being told in the way I envisioned. Rather than waiting for someone else to tell them, I decided to create them myself.

Most recently, that meant taking a chance on vertical storytelling. For a long time, many people viewed vertical content as social media content rather than premium storytelling. I saw something different. I believed audiences were ready for emotionally layered, cinematic stories designed for the way people consume content today.

That belief led to the creation of Thick & Uninterrupted, a vertical drama series that was selected as an Official Selection for the inaugural 9:16 Microdrama Showcase at the 30th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), where I also had the opportunity to speak on a panel about the future of vertical storytelling.

Experiences like that have reinforced something I believe deeply: growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone. Every meaningful opportunity in my life has required some level of uncertainty, faith in Christ, and resilience. I’ve learned that risk isn’t the opposite of success; it’s often the path to it.

Looking back, the biggest risk wasn’t producing a series or starting a company. The biggest risk would have been convincing myself that I wasn’t ready and never trying at all.

What should our readers know about your business?
TAJÉ PRODUCTIONS was born from a simple realization: I was waiting for opportunities that I could create myself.

As an actress, producer, and storyteller, I often found myself searching for stories that centered curvy women as fully realized, complex, and unapologetic protagonists. While there has been progress in the industry, I still felt there was space for more stories that explored confidence, desire, ambition, vulnerability, and power through a different lens. Rather than waiting for those stories to be developed by someone else, I decided to build a company dedicated to creating them.

Today, TAJÉ PRODUCTIONS develops bold, character-driven stories across film, television, and digital platforms, with projects spanning Los Angeles, Lagos, and London. What sets us apart is our commitment to telling stories that allow women to take up space unapologetically while meeting audiences where they are. Whether it’s a traditional film or a vertical series designed for mobile viewing, the goal remains the same: create stories that resonate emotionally and leave an impact.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is Thick & Uninterrupted, a vertical drama series I created, produced, and starred in as the lead character, Maya. The series follows a confident woman navigating love, desire, power, and choice on her own terms. What began as an idea eventually became an Official Selection for the inaugural 9:16 Microdrama Showcase at the 30th Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), where I also had the opportunity to speak on a panel about the future of vertical storytelling.

The journey has not been easy. Building a company while simultaneously creating, producing, and acting in projects requires resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn constantly. Like many entrepreneurs and creatives, I’ve faced challenges related to funding, access, and navigating an ever-changing industry. However, every challenge has reinforced the importance of perseverance and the value of creating your own opportunities.

More than anything, I want people to understand that TAJÉ PRODUCTIONS is about possibility. It’s proof that you don’t have to wait for permission to pursue your vision. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career have come from taking risks, trusting God, and being willing to build the things I couldn’t find.

We’re still at the beginning of the journey, but I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the things I love most about Los Angeles is that there is truly something for every version of you. Some days the city feels fast-paced and ambitious, and other days it feels like the perfect place to slow down and recharge.

If a friend were visiting, I’d probably start with a picnic at the beach. There is something grounding about being near the ocean, and no matter how long I’ve lived in Los Angeles, the coastline never loses its magic. Pair that with one of LA’s gorgeous sunsets, and you have one of my favorite ways to spend an evening.

For anyone who loves beautiful spaces and a good place to think, I would absolutely recommend spending time at the Downtown Los Angeles Central Library and the Beverly Hills Public Library. They are two of my favorite places in the city to read, work, and simply be inspired.

When it comes to food, Los Angeles offers endless options. I would definitely take them to Avra for a beautiful meal and atmosphere, and I’d make a stop at Wolfgang Puck for the tuna tartare cones, which have become one of my favorite bites in the city. I’d probably also find time for tea or a casual meeting at Soho House, which has become one of my favorite places to catch up with friends and fellow creatives. And those salted chocolate chip cookies make my heart smile every time

Beyond the restaurants and landmarks, what I appreciate most about Los Angeles is the people. It’s one of the few cities where a casual conversation can turn into a collaboration, a friendship, or an opportunity you never saw coming. As a producer, actress, and entrepreneur, some of the most valuable moments of my career have come from unexpected conversations with fellow creatives, founders, and innovators throughout the city.

For me, the best version of Los Angeles is a mix of creativity, culture, good food, beautiful scenery, and the freedom to reinvent yourself. It’s a city that constantly reminds you that your next chapter can begin at any moment.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I would dedicate this shoutout to God. There have been many moments throughout my journey where the path forward wasn’t clear, and my faith has been the constant that kept me moving when circumstances suggested I should quit.

I would also like to recognize my mother. Throughout every chapter of my life, she has been a source of strength, encouragement, and unwavering belief. I’ve made many pivots over the years, personally and professionally, and while not everyone understood the vision, she never discouraged me from pursuing it. She taught me to trust myself, work hard, and continue moving forward even when the destination wasn’t fully visible.

Beyond that, I want to recognize the incredible people who have supported me throughout the years, often long before there were major milestones to celebrate. Building a career across Lagos, Los Angeles, and now London has required an extraordinary amount of resilience, and there have been mentors, collaborators, friends, family members, and supporters who believed in me when all I had was a vision.

I also want to acknowledge the cast and crew of Thick & Uninterrupted. Film and television are collaborative mediums, and while people often see one name attached to a project, the reality is that every accomplishment is the result of talented people coming together to create something larger than themselves. The series being selected for the inaugural 9:16 Microdrama Showcase at the American Black Film Festival is a win for all of us.

Finally, I want to thank every person who has supported my work over the years, whether by attending events, sharing content, watching projects, recommending opportunities, investing their time and funds into my vision, or simply encouraging me to keep going. Entrepreneurship and storytelling can be lonely journeys at times, and those reminders of support matter more than people realize.

None of us succeed entirely on our own. I’m grateful for everyone who has played a role in helping me become the woman, creator, and founder I am today.

Website: https://www.tajeproductions.com

Instagram: missvivacioust

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TAJEPRODUCTIONS