We had the good fortune of connecting with Jermaine “Scottycuss” Watson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jermaine “Scottycuss”, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’v always known that the world of “employment” wasn’t for me from quite possibly the moment I learned to walk. I’v also been cultured with an independent type mind that doesn’t function well with the kind of efficiencies that come with traditional employment. No shade to the 9 – 5 world because trust me sometimes you look on to the stability, benefits, peace of mind of structure and kick some rocks from time to time, but I just know that I couldn’t survive in an environment where I’m accountable to someone or a group of persons whose vision don’t necessarily align with mine. For example I would be the kind of worker that ensure that my customers are fully taken care of and satisfied but a manager or supervisor’s role in an organization IS to maximize profits at all costs. Kudos to those who know where their next meal is coming from at all times, it’s wild over on this side of the grass, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe what has always set me apart is that my parents made sure to raise me in a WELL rounded way. Academic wise I have a masters in computer science, but iv always done speech and drama from Prep/Primary School (Not sure what its called in the international market), along with for example being valedictorian at the end of prep school, then salsa dancing and volleyball in high school. So that’s what? – Tech, Speech & Drama, Conversationalist, Dancer, Sports – All in one package. To this day I have no idea how my parents managed to raise someone who has touched on so many opposing points on the scale. Those experiences has allowed me to be able to exist in many rooms at any given time. So there’s someone who understand technology on a deep level, but also knows how to communicate that on all levels – which paired with the communication skills I believe makes me able to relate to vast array of persons.

Im most proud of the social media work that Iv been blessed to share with the world. The main concept is called “WAT A Grand Can Do”. A “Grand” or “Gran” is $1000 in our local currency (about 6/7 USD) and the show features highlighting different local restaurants through the lens of only having $1000 to spend on food there. I love it because it highlights the fact that amidst the rising prices that persons don’t have to totally despair as there are still places where they can get a bang fr their buck. People really resonate with it because we are all in a struggle to save as much as we can and spend as little money as possible to survive from day to day. Iv been approached by countless persons thanking me for the restaurant recommendations and its also a way to shine a light on small establishments that possibly don’t have a marketing budget or are struggling to keep the doors open (Kind of like the Keith Lee Effect)

It was not easy as the path I am on now wasn’t an overnight thing, this is 10 years of doing videography and assisting YouTubers to grow and build their brands in the background and its essentially a “Its my time now” kind of situation. Years of juggling school or the working world with fine-tuning skills, late night passion projects, hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket on equipment, tools, resources, projects that only serve as proof of concepts and hoping and praying the right people see your work and reach out. It’s not an easy road, but as I say, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Iv learned that having a good team, and that’s family & friends, and having a good product, “can tek you FAR” (that’s one of my catch phrases). My father always told me about a thing called “stick-to-itivity”, once you believe in something, you KNOW its good, stick to it!

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?
Okay on a week long trip here’s how Ild pan out the week for maximum VIBES!

Monday – We go to this JaMexican restaurant called Chillitoes for MARGARITA MONDAYS BABY!
Tuesday – Bob Marley beach in the day to soak up some sun and some black sand. Then we go Salsa dancing in the night
Wednesday – Ild take them to Bob Marley Museum if they really want some culture, if not then were going to Ocho Rios for a road trip and random fruit and food stops along the way, I drive the scenic route.
Thursday – We cook a Jamaican breakfast, we go to one my fav restaurants called “Flames” for wings for lunch then we go Holy Smokes for Karaoke in the night
Friday – We relax at home and recoup from the week then we go to whatever party is happening that Friday. There’s a place called Di Bar or Jangas that always has something happening.
Saturday – We find a river somewhere and chill for the day with some drinks and a cooler. Nightime is PARTY TIME!
Sunday – We head to Meadowbrook United Church in the day, then brunch up in Blue Mountain at a place called Hollywell that has a restaurant called Blue View Bistro.

That’s my perfect one week itinerary!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ild love to shoutout my family because BWOY!! without the lessons they have taught me and also the safety net that allowed me the mental freedom to be able to try to achieve my dreams, this life I live wouldn’t be possible. When I say safety net I don’t want to get it twisted, I’m talking about something as simple as me knowing that I can quit my 9-5 and “kotch” at my parents house while I navigate the world of self employment, content creation and production, social media, videography & photography the works. Its a beautiful feeling to know that there are people out there in the world whose mere existence shields you from the full brunt of the pressure of life that the world has created and thrusted onto each an every one of us. Ild also shout out to my partner Kymma who drove me to create and post the first “viral” video called “WAT A Grand Can Do” which literally is the reason why my business was able to grow in the social media space the way it did. I can’t understate my appreciation for the people who helped me reach where I am today. RESPECT!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottycuss/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jermainesbwatson

Twitter: Twitter.com/scottycuss

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TeamAwesomeJA

Other: Linktr.ee/scottycuss

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