Bustr builds Trinidad and Tobago’s creative economy

At just 24 years old, Seth Nurse, an entrepreneur from Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago, is spearheading the development of a ‘creative economy’ in his homeland, with aspirations to expand across the Caribbean. As the CEO and founder of Bustr Media Enterprise Ltd, Nurse has channeled his frustration with the local creative industry’s lack of structure into a thriving business that supports creators, entrepreneurs, and intellectual property (IP) owners. Bustr Media focuses on content development, creative management, media infrastructure, and cultural engagement, aiming to streamline the creative pipeline for films, games, and books. Nurse’s vision is to provide the resources and structure needed to elevate local talent to global prominence. Bustr offers two primary services: extended services, which include development, marketing, legal guidance, and distribution, and commission-based services, where the company acts as a producer for IP projects. One of Bustr’s early successes was collaborating with author Ciara Attong to adapt her novel *Dark and Cold* into a short film titled *One of Iron*. The company also partnered with Accent Game Studios to develop *Riddim Rabbit*, a steelpan-based video game set for release in 2026. Beyond these projects, Bustr is building a robust creative network through initiatives like *WI of the Future*, an online magazine showcasing Caribbean creatives, and *Bustrmrkt*, a touring platform that highlights creators’ work at various venues. Nurse’s journey into the creative industry began at age 14, with stints in drawing, acting, and music. His passion for storytelling led him to film, and he later earned an associate degree in film and video production. The challenges he observed during his studies, coupled with the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired him to create Bustr as a collaborative and supportive business model. Today, Bustr is not only fostering local talent but also laying the groundwork for a sustainable creative economy that could serve as a model for the Caribbean and beyond.