A Teacher at Heart but a Boss In Mind, Body, and Spirit, Tressa “Azarel”Smallwood

I had the amazing opportunity to speak with Tressa “Azarel” Smallwood who is a woman whose faith is uncompromising when it comes to business. This was a conversation about God, love, and family and how it has guided her career in the entertainment business.

Jackson: Your middle name is “Azarel,” which means helped by God. How does your life reflect that in your own words?

Smallwood: Yes, listen. Everything that’s happened in my life is divine – . God’s plan.Going from a school teacher to an author, book publisher, and movie producer. This has all happened in a span of just five to six years. When I decided to write my first book, I used the pen name Azarel. I had no idea why I chose that name, and I had no idea what it meant.I know today that God gave me that name. I’m so clear about my purpose. I’m putting people in positions.

I love what I do. I love the movies I’ve made, but everything I touched and accomplished isn’t about me. It’s about helping others.

Jackson: You took a massive leap of faith leaving the school system, a position which you adored. How was that mentally? I know that was a little scary. So how was your
process?

Smallwood: I’m one of those people who needs a little fear to make things happen in life. Although some slight fear was there, I knew I would be successful as long as I put a plan together I loved teaching. I really loved the education field. After leaving, I started my book publishing company and brought some of the students with me. They began writing books. Now that I produce movies, I make sure they come to see them. Most people in our culture never get to experience just being on a movie set.

Jackson: MegaMind Media is family-oriented and represents actual family values. I see your sister plays a huge role in your business. Can you tell me a little about that generational wealth?

Smallwood: Yes, absolutely. We’re BIG on family. MegaMind Media was brought from the thought process of me saying to my family I want to produce a movie, and I need you all to invest in me. And they were like how much? When I shared the vision that I literally wanted to create a film catalog that would mimic my book catalog, they understood the assignment. My family watched me grow that business from 2001 to today. My brother runs the finances. I’m on the creative side. I make sure I’m out there finding African American talent. Everyone in my family, from my sister to my cousins, my nieces, and my daughters, possesses the skill set to be a part of this vision. I wasn’t just handing them a job. My niece is the art director. My cousin is a production designer.

Jackson: What books are you currently reading or have read?

Smallwood: My favorite book is called The Automatic Millionaire. The reason why I love that book so much is because it’s told from the perspective of a couple sharing how they were educators. They became millionaires. It talks about automatic investing. If we teach our children about generational wealth, saving, and investing. We could have more in our community. I really love that book!

Jackson: What is something that you believe gets better with age?

Smallwood: I would say my discernment. My discernment is so real, so keen. It’s very sharp. I can spot foolishness from a mile away. I feel like the Lord is blessing MegaMind as a whole. We are getting so many opportunities. In 2023, we have to produce twenty movies. This year we have a drama series “Wicked City” of an all-black supernatural team of women. The industry has seen nothing like it. This is something that’s going to be powerful! Remember my words; we’re winning an Emmy.

Jackson: How do you find the balance between being a mom, a wife and an
entrepreneur?

Smallwood: The great thing for me is that I work with my family. We travel together a lot. So balance for us is pretty easy. At the end of every project, we take a vacation.
We are a close-knit family,

ABOUT TRESSA AZAREL SMALLWOOD AND MEGAMIND MEDIA

Tressa “Azarel” Smallwood is an award-winning Producer, and Founder of MegaMind Media, a production company specializing in creating compelling original content for female audiences. A female filmmaker making strategic moves in the film & tv industry, Tressa’s self-funded movie projects have culminated into a multi-million-dollar catalog including Secrets, Holiday Heartbreak, Dear Best Friend, and The Available Wife to name a few.

After striking a production deal with BET NETWORKS, Tressa was able to combine her passion as an advocate for mental health and her career goals as a creative by operating as Supervising Producer on The Waiting Room and The Couch, a BETher series designed to highlight breast cancer and mental health awareness. The series has given unprecedented opportunities for noteworthy actors such as Vivica Fox, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Victoria Rowell, Mona Scott Young and Kim Fields to step behind the camera as directors, paving a path for the diversity that the world deserves. https://www.tressaazarel.com/