Hailey (Hails) Joseph shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Hailey (Hails), thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
This might sound like an odd one, but, video games. Specifically, Minecraft. I used to play it a lot as a kid, and if you’re familiar with gaming memes, you’ve probably heard of the infamous “two-week Minecraft phase.” For me though, those phases often turn into hyperfixations that give my brain a place to find some zen, to turn off for a while.
What I love about Minecraft is that there’s no real objective. You create your own destiny. There are goals, sure, but none that have to be completed within a certain time. So I’ll log in late in the evening, after all my work is done, and play for a few minutes… or sometimes until the early A.M. hours.
It’s a space where I get to be a creative again. I can build, explore, farm, or play hero. Sometimes I do absolutely nothing that makes sense, and that’s kind of the beauty of it. When I log off, I usually feel accomplished, whatever that means that day. Accomplishment can look like a lot of different things, but you know it when you feel it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Hailey Joseph, but most people know me as Hails. I’m a creative, filmmaker, and designer with a love for storytelling that bridges art, culture, and emotion. I’ve been in the creative world for over a decade now, working across film, photography, and design to help people bring their visions to life in ways that feel human and intentional.
I’m working to build my name even further with my work and I’m developing my own initiative called H.O.W.L (Hands of Winged Legends), a space dedicated to supporting overlooked or “in-between” creatives who are finding their way in an oversaturated digital world.
What makes my work special, I think, is the heart behind it. Whether I’m directing a film, designing visuals, or curating a story for someone else, I care deeply about the emotional truth of it all — the “why” behind what we create.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, I feel like every artist says this, but my teachers. They’ve always been the ones who saw something in me before I could see it myself.
Even back when I was struggling, during my most depressed or uncertain days, they reminded me of my potential.
A few of them used to tell me, “Call me when you make it,” and that kind of faith stuck with me. They looked out for me in ways I’ll always be grateful for.
And honestly, thier faith in me always made me want to prove them right.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I think I’d tell her to ask for more help. People actually do want to help you, you just have to let them. As a kid, I used to turn down help a lot, whether it was out of pride, fear, or just not wanting to feel like a burden. Honestly, that’s still something I’m learning today.
There’s strength in being self-reliant, but there’s also a cost. When you always count on yourself, you can miss out on connection, on softness, on being seen. I’ve learned that asking for help isn’t a weakness, it’s a form of trust. And sometimes, it’s the only way to grow past what you thought you could handle alone.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that what really matters to me is taking care of others. I’ve always been that person who checks in, who makes sure everyone feels seen and supported. I’m truly for the people, my friends, my collaborators, my community.
If all I ever get to do in this life is help others, I’ll know I’ve helped myself in the process. There’s something about pouring into others that reminds me of my own purpose. I find healing in connection, in being part of someone else’s journey, even in small ways. It’s how I measure success now, not by how far I’ve gotten, but by how many people I’ve brought with me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
One of my favorite song quotes is from the artist Russ. In his song “That Was Me,” he says, “Missed out on a lot, yeah, my 20s were a blur; my mind was always focused on the future, that’s for sure; but I’d sacrifice it again and again.” That line really hits home for me.
I know I’ll probably regret not having more “fun” in my 20s, the spontaneous moments, the carefree stuff. But at the same time, I know what I’m building is worth it. It’s not that my life isn’t fun now, it’s just that the fun looks different. It’s tied to purpose, to creating something bigger than myself.
The work I do takes intention and seriousness, but it also fills me up in a way that makes those sacrifices make sense. Maybe one day I’ll slow down and catch up on that lost fun, but right now, I’m okay with the trade-off.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hailsjsph.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailsjsph/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailsjsph/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hailsjsph
