Black Business Month: Mya Kai Creative

“What I found most rewarding about owning my own business is the ability to create opportunities for other minority creatives like myself. I feel like it’s my responsibility to open doors when they seem closed.” – Michael M. Jackson Founder & CEO of Mya Kai Creative 

As we continue to celebrate diversity this month, our second Black-Owned Business interview in this month-long series features Michael M. Jackson Founder & CEO of Mya Kai Creative. Mya Kai is a creative agency based in Phoenix, AZ “built for the culture”. The agency is best known for mapping out the cultural landscape to avoid pitfalls while identifying areas of opportunity and abundance. Mya Kai Creative has worked with brands such as Facebook, Hatclub, Item Nine Labs, NHL, Instagram, and JW Marriott. Read on to learn how Mya Kai Creative was formed and Michael’s lessons as a business owner. 

Hi Michael, give us a little background on how you started your business.

Mya Kai Creative was founded in 2014 in San Diego, CA. The following year we relocated to Phoenix, AZ. The agency was named after Malikai & Amaya (Mya•Kai) the son and daughter of the founders’. Michael M. Jackson is now the sole owner of the agency. I found that there was a major lack of diversity in the industry and I wanted to change that. Mya Kai Creative is the only award winning full-service black owned agency in the state of Arizona and New Mexico

What would you say Mya Kai Creative is best known for?

Our agency has a reputation for our work with brand strategy, video production, graphic design, digital marketing, and advertising. At Mya Kai we design experiences that connect brands to tomorrow’s culture. We combine design, technology, and business strategy into a unified discipline powerful enough to propel companies forward. 

What has been challenging owning your own business?

 The biggest challenge for us has been growth. Trying to find that sweet spot when it comes to quality over quantity. Of course we want to grow, but we don’t want to grow too fast. I’ve seen agencies blow up over night and the quality of their work just isn’t the same anymore. 

What have you found most rewarding about owning your own business?

What I found most rewarding about owning my own business is the ability to create opportunities for other minority creatives like myself. I feel like it’s my responsibility to open doors when they seem closed. 

What is something that you are passionate about in the community?

I just want to give back to my community and be a voice for the people. I want to be able to show and tell my story and inspire kids and adults that grew up how I did.