Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaiden Miles.
Hi Jaiden, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started out young, growing up in a very rough neighborhood, living from home to home with my mother. Watching her have to drive an hour from our house every day just to make a way for us made me never want to see my mother have to work that hard and be in pain again. It also taught me how strong you have to be to get where you want to be.
As I grew up and got into high school, I started taking photography even more seriously and continued learning my craft while also running track. One day, our house burned down with everything in it, and I lost everything. I had to start from square one, but that didn’t stop me. I kept going.
I started my freshman year in 2023 at Denmark Technical College, and that’s where Shotya Incorporated and its branch, Shotya Inc Films, were created. Shotya Incorporated is a corporation built around many creative ventures, but at the time it mainly focused on filmmaking and photography. While there, I ran track for a semester and also became the sports photographer for my track team.
After a year, I transferred to my first four-year university in 2024, Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida, where everything finally began to come together. That was where I truly found myself and continued growing creatively. I founded JSI MODELING, an organization that is about more than modeling. We believe in giving back to the community while creating opportunities for models, creators, and people who want to make a positive impact. Today, JSI MODELING has expanded across six different colleges and continues to grow.
Today, I attend South Carolina State University, where I continue pursuing my education while expanding my work as a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and community leader giving back to the homeless and giving gifts to the unprivileged children, Every experience along my journey has helped shape the man and creative I am becoming.
Above all, I am focused on growing as a film director because storytelling is my true passion. My passion for filmmaking became even stronger after realizing how powerful stories can be in helping people, just as I always wanted to help my mother. I want to create films that mean something, make people laugh, inspire hope, and remind others that there is always a brighter side to life. Looking ahead, my goal is to build a legacy that reaches far beyond myself. I want to direct films that leave a lasting impact, create opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers and creatives, and continue expanding the organizations and businesses I have built. Most importantly, I want to prove that no matter where you come from or what obstacles you face, with faith, hard work, and dedication, you can turn your vision into reality.
My motto is, “A vision with your eyes closed is just a dream. Open them and bring them to reality.” That is what I am here to do—not only bring my own vision to life, but also help others bring their visions to reality.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Along the way, I experienced losing my home in a house fire, growing up in a rough neighborhood, and moving from home to home with family members. Those challenges taught me resilience, strengthened my determination, and motivated me to build a better future through filmmaking. They also gave me a passion for helping change lives by telling meaningful stories, inspiring others, and creating opportunities for people who come from backgrounds like mine.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
am a filmmaker, director, entrepreneur, and founder dedicated to using storytelling to inspire and connect with people. I am the founder of Shotya Incorporated and Shotya Inc Films, where I develop creative projects in filmmaking, photography, and media production. I also founded JSI MODELING, an organization focused on creating opportunities for models and creators while giving back to the community. Since its launch, JSI MODELING has expanded to six college campuses and continues to grow.
I currently attend South Carolina State University, where I continue to develop my skills as a filmmaker while balancing my education with my creative work. My long-term goal is to become a respected film director, creating stories that entertain, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. Every project I take on is an opportunity to grow, collaborate with others, and bring meaningful ideas to life through film.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is being able to help people and create something that leaves a lasting impact. Whether it’s through filmmaking, photography, or JSI MODELING, I love bringing people’s ideas to life and creating opportunities for others. Seeing someone smile, gain confidence, or be inspired because of something I created is a feeling that can’t be replaced. My biggest motivation has always been my mother. Watching everything she went through to provide for our family taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice, and never giving up. That’s why I work so hard every day. My goal is to build a life where I can take care of the people who believed in me and create films that inspire others to chase their dreams, no matter where they come from. At the end of the day, success isn’t just about what I accomplish. It’s about the lives I can touch along the way. That’s what truly makes me happy!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18056066/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jay_shot.ya?igsh=bHNyb2t0ZWU0djZ4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1EaqDgon5H/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jmthedirector?si=mKwczlPbU4dFiNYQ
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/worldof.jay?igsh=N3Q4MWs4ZnowZmtm&utm_source=qr
