Tyler Perry has remained committed in serving the world with inspiring and mind-blowing stories through his movies. Despite the challenges that come with breaking into the industry with a unique niche, Perry has proven that he can break free from his typical role and even branch out to other industries like business. In the beginning, the filmmaker and actor started writing stories that dealt with domestic abuse and hardships he suffered as a child from his family, specifically his father, Emmitt Perry Sr.

He changed his name from Emmitt Perry Jr. to Tyler Perry at 16 to distance himself from his dad. The story of Perry shows that legacy or destiny cannot be stopped by history. He was able to turn his pain into a successful career that turned him into a billionaire today.

As a kid, he watched an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show and was inspired to start movies that showcased the African-American culture, but with a humorous twist. His first move failed at the box office and was poorly received by critics and viewers alike. Instead of getting discouraged, he learned from his mistakes and struck again, this time with a mega-hit that garnered praised from around the world.

During the process, he learned a lot about his audience, what they wanted and what affected them. When he saw that his movies were pirated, he didn’t report the case but leverage on it to sell over a $100 million tickets. Perry developed movies that were piracy worthy and conversational to build a profitable brand.