In conversation with Henrie Kwushue, founder of HTK Productions
I’m Henrie Kwushue, DJ, presenter, writer and the founder of my own production company, HTK Productions.
As a young, dynamic and creative female entrepreneur with an incredible track record for championing the mental health flag, inspiring creatives in the Black community, whilst paving your own route to success. What would you say is the one thing that anchors your overall mission?
Oh my gosh, those are really nice things to say. I’ve literally never been described in such a way, honestly, God bless you. What anchors me? My faith very much anchors me, and the need to do good and make people smile. Also not just to do good, but to be good. Naturally, it’s not easy because not everyone is good one hundred percent of the time, but where I can, I love to be and do something cute.
Tell me about your current partnership with the The Open University and MTV Generation Change – Ones to Watch series, and what you’ve learnt about the value of distance learning for the upcoming generation?
I was fortunate enough to host the series, where I was able to meet three inspirational OU students who are making real impact in their communities. All three changemakers have upskilled through The Open University and it was remarkable to see how they have transferred these skills to help drive purpose and support those who need it the most.
From helping to fight period poverty to advocating for disability rights, the series shows how the OU can support in helping students to unlock their potential and achieve their ambitions.
It’s amazing how the OU offers flexibility to help open up higher education to those who may not be in a position or choose to study at a red brick university on a full time basis. Additionally, the OU provides excellent tutor support throughout the course of the degree, and they provide fantastic guidance to help upskill the students in their chosen field of study.
Do you remember the moment you decided that presenting was your path?
When I graduated university I wanted to do a radio show at Reprezent Radio - I literally begged them to let me do one. Eventually they allowed me to do a cover show, which I did and it was terrible. I was so bad, like the worst. You know when you’re being absolutely delusional and you walk away thinking that was amazing, but everybody else was like…it was bad…! It was bad! We all knew that it was terrible, and that was the catalyst. The moment I made up my mind that this is what I want to do…hahaha! It was so bad.
Tell me about HTK Productions. What sparkled the launch?
I created HTK productions because I didn’t think that enough collaborative opportunities were happening in the space.
Although at the start I was quite naive, I didn’t understand what it was to take my concept to another production company without having them twist it into something that didn’t represent my original idea. I didn’t do my research. Plus, I just didn’t want anyone to say no to me, because I hate hearing the word no. On top of not loving the word no, I was concerned. What if they changed it, what if it’s not what they’re looking for, what if, what if, what if…
All of those ‘what if’s’ resulted in me just putting things out on my own.
Obviously, now that I’m older, a bit wiser and I’ve done all of my Google’s, I now know that genuine collaborative projects do exist which I am very much open to.
How would you say your mindset around running a business has changed, compared to when you first started? What do you do now that you didn't do then?
That’s a really good question. The things that I do now that I didn’t do then is to really and truly think about how other creatives can get involved with what I’m doing. Whereas before I wasn’t thinking that far ahead. Now, whenever I’m working on a project I’m always asking myself who do I want on board and what kind of people should I collaborate with in terms of production.
I began asking more in depth questions to figure out who these people would be, what the reasons were behind working with them, what value they’d bring to the table and how our collaboration would also benefit them. Although I’m still a budding production company, there are still people out there who are looking for opportunities, so I’m always thinking about who could benefit from the ideas that I’m bringing to life.
Tell me about the first project that you worked on through HTK Productions and why it was important to you?
The first project I did was called ‘Is Your Area Changing’, which was a three part docu-series that I put out on YouTube. It was really important to me because it was the most random thing that I’ve ever done in my life. I don’t know. I had the idea, but I didn’t really think too much about it, I just wanted to go out and do it!
Put it out there and see what happened.
Not that I was ever expecting anything from it, but I think God had different plans and it just shows that it doesn’t matter what content I was creating in the first place. That’s why it was really important to me. I learnt that there isn’t one mould that fits everybody in terms of whatever you want to do. Whatever you think is cool and whatever you think is important to you is cool and important to someone else in the world.
You don't have to do what everybody else is doing. If your idea is a bit different, still pursue it.
What keeps you fueled up?
The fact that I’m able to see a new day everyday. Literally - oh my days! Thank God I’m still here!
I feel that everyday we’re here is a blessing. I don’t want to sound too morbid because that’s not what I mean at all. But, literally, everyday that you’re still alive is another day to fulfill something - your purpose to do more, to push forward, to change.…to get better, you know what I mean? One hundred percent that is definitely it, that’s what fuels me, because sometimes when I look around, I’m like bro, what is all of this?
The fact that I can wake up and see a new day, to fix what I was like towards a situation yesterday, for instance if I was procrastinating, God still allowed me to see a new day, whilst giving me a kick up the bum.
If you could choose three entrepreneurs to have brunch with on a yacht off the shore of Santorini who would they be and why?
On a yacht…in Santorini!! Hmmm, I’d brunch with Amelia Dimoldenberg - she’s great, she would be fun. I think Amelia would provide a lot of the entertainment without knowing she’s doing it. I would also have Rihanna, because it’s Rihanna. Maybe we can do each other's eyeliner on the Yacht.
With her newborn?
Yes, with her newborn obviously, obviously!
And of course Nella Rose - she came up with the yacht concept! Before Nella there were no yachts. She currently has her collaboration with Pretty Little Thing, which was just announced, and it kind of just shows you again that there isn’t just one avenue. Whatever you like and whatever you think is cool other people are gonna enjoy it as well.
What advice would you give to fellow creatives getting ready to hit publish on their first piece of work?
Don't even think twice about it. The minute you start to think is literally the minute Satan comes in and starts to tell you not to. You start questioning yourself, like what if people don’t like it, what if it doesn’t have reach, what if, what if, what if…
But really and truly, one person liking it means that you’ve actually done your job. One person engaging with it means that you’ve actually done your job. You have to put it out there, hopefully not to always create a vibe or a moment, but to bring in something that is impactful. Even if it’s something that’s funny, the fact that you’ve reached five people, ten people, twenty people, is still impactful and engaging content. That and to never worry about numbers.
You're currently hosting the Who We Be Talks podcast, No Signal Radio as well as MTV and The Open University: Ones to Watch series. If you can share, what else do you have coming up in the pipeline?
I’m currently about to launch a series with Instagram called ‘Free Game with Henrie’, where I have Tiffany Calver, Unknown T and Poet. They will all be giving free game and advice to people who are budding in the industry, whilst sharing their own experiences. Hopefully it should be able to inform everybody else who wants to get involved in the industry. I’m DJing quite a bit, so I’m gonna be DJing in France and Portugal, hopefully doing some more work abroad too. I’ve committed myself to a few more big projects, so we’ll see what the end of the second quarter and third quarter brings, but otherwise this is what I’m working on at the moment.
Watch Henrie Kwushue as she meets The Open University students who are changing their futures and the world on MTV and find out how you can access supported distant learning with The Open University.
