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Rhyjell Ellis is the type of person who wants to explore all his talents, gifts and abilities while he is young and physically able to do so. At just 28 years old, this Attorney-at-Law, once co-owned a real estate company, completed studies in architecture and real estate sales and recently opened his own media company. Here’s what motivates him to ‘swing big’:

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As a child, I did not always know what my career path would be and, in some ways, I feel that I still don’t. In my early teenage years, I wanted to be a chef but by the time I entered Form Six, I was convinced that I wanted to be an engineer. By age 17, after working in legal chambers during the long school vacation, I was certain that I wanted to become an Attorney. The “big task” then was finding a way to study for the science and math exams, knowing fully well that I was no longer interested in pursuing an engineering career.

That hurdle, however, was nothing compared to the domestic and personal challenges that I experienced as a child. At age five, my parents divorced and we moved around quite a lot: from Tacarigua to Fyzabad to San Fernando then to Arima. Moving around, especially as a child, wasn’t easy as it meant having to adjust to many ‘new’s’ – new environments, new surroundings and new friends.

While my father was accessible after the divorce and ensured that our needs were met, it was financially challenging for my mother, who most times, had just enough to make ends meet for my two sisters and me. Although my parents divorced over twenty years ago, they are united when it comes to the support that they continue to provide to me. This is something I have always appreciated especially since I know of other situations, which are not as cordial and pleasant.

After completing secondary school at Queen’s Royal College and St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph, I went on to The UWI, St Augustine campus and Cave Hill campus to pursue my law degree. Studying law as a former science student wasn’t seamless at all. You see, science subjects have always been practical and hands-on so there was never a lot of reading involved. Moving from a former Bill Nye to an aspiring attorney, therefore posed a learning curve. I succeeded though and after leaving The UWI with degree in hand, I went to the Sir Hugh Wooding Law School for the mandatory Legal Education certification. I was called to the bar in 2015.

I have been a practising attorney for a short while but I have realized that the field is over saturated. Notwithstanding that, I am fortunate to been mentored by a number of experienced attorneys who took the time to provide me with the necessary guidance and encouragement. Esteemed colleagues like David Francis, Christophe Rodriguez, Larry Williams and Mario Merritt, who first planted the attorney seed in me, are some of my professional mentors.

While it is important to have mentors, I also believe that it is equally important to have role models and people whose qualities can inspire you to pursue greatness. Growing up, my cousin, Yoachim Haynes was my biggest inspiration and as I grew older, I became inspired by aspects of the journeys of Kobe Bryant and Kanye West. These two personalities provided me with two of the most useful pieces of advice, which have guided my professional and entrepreneurial pursuits.

These short but effective sentences are what fanned the flame in me and encouraged me to start my media company, Millennial Studios Limited. Many people tried to discourage me, many thought my dreams were ludicrous and  deep down, I myself was afraid to take the chance but I launched forward because I wanted to change this personal goal from being a ‘pipe dream’ into something real.

While there have been many closed doors along the way, I have realized that it is important to carve your own path, keep at it, pay your dues and the doors would open sooner rather than later.

I firmly believe that we are all born with gifts, talents and abilities: some more obvious than others. While we may be focused on one career, that doesn’t mean that we should limit our dreams and desires around that alone. We can use our other skills and abilities to pursue other passions and dreams. This will allow us to experience all the possibilities and live a life that is purposed-filled and full.

To the young man with dreams and aspirations, I would tell him to figure yourself out first. Understand who you are and to some extent why you are here. Determine how you can contribute to the world in a meaningful way and once you have answered those questions – Go for it and swing big!

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Millennial Studios Limited focuses on videography, photography, graphics designs, social media management and creative direction.