Today we’d like to introduce you to Olayemi Olamiju.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Olayemi Olamiju Emmanuel, fondly referred to as the prince of marketing and communications. I am the last of four boys. I spent most of my childhood on the streets of Agege where I developed an interest in understanding people and their reactions to situations. This interest pushed me to apply for Psychology at the University of Lagos where I had my Bachelor’s Degree. My choice of discipline laid a foundation for my career in marketing and communications. My debut in marketing and communications was as a creative director at a renowned advertising agency. Despite being the youngest on the team, I was the lead. Many years later, I am proud to say that I am a seasoned marketing and communications expert with many brands’ success stories in my portfolio.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
The first sets of challenges I ever faced were financial. My mom was a single parent so I didn’t grow up within a complete family structure. At some point, she couldn’t afford the rent so the landlord kicked us out of the house. My brothers and I had to stay with different church members while she lived in the church. The instability associated with spending most of my childhood in the homes of other people was also one of the challenges that I faced early in life. As a result of the financial state of my family, I had to take on odd jobs throughout university. To be able to fund my education, pay fees, buy textbooks and also sustain me, I took on jobs as a waiter and attendant at different events every weekend. All these I did with joy because I strongly believed in the future and where I was headed. I’m thankful for these experiences because the different encounters I had with people, the multiple situations I faced, shaped me into the man that I am today. I’m not there yet and I know it keeps getting better. – I believe in self-accountability so I’d admit that when I started out on this path, it was difficult to stay disciplined. Discipline was one of the challenges I faced internally. Persevering and making sacrifices towards your greater cause isn’t an easy journey but as soon as I was able to hack that, it was easier to face
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
– I am a trained marketing and communications expert with years of practical experience building brands. My goal is to ensure that African consumers access the right products and services that not only suits their needs but also makes their life better. If I were to define what I do in two words, I’d say, “Delivering Value”. Africans are relentless people with the potentials and the capacity to do anything regardless of any situation. Even though we add value to the world, we do not get enough products and services specifically made to solve our problems or help us thrive. My goal is to identify and promote products that help alleviate problems. I help brands identify the opportunities that exist in the mind of an African Consumers and how they can leverage it to give Africans the quality products they desire. From my years of experience studying African consumers, the pattern remains the same; They just want to live a much easier life. When brands identify these everyday problems and provided a solution to them, they will not only win the consumers’ pockets but their hearts as well. What I do differently is bridge the gap between the African audience and products that make their lives easier, ultimately helping brands deliver value while achieving their marketing goals. The impact I have made so far and am still making with brands and African consumers is why I have been referred to by many as the prince of marketing and communications.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Keep adding value. Keep moving, keep learning, keep evolving, and keep growing. At every level or phase of your life, the ability to adapt will stand you out. Evolving means you are becoming a key player, learning how to add value, and tapping into opportunities. Every day, different opportunities that can be leveraged arise in every industry. Like tech, for example, the new oil, when you keep evolving, you’re able to diversify and maintain your relevance, beyond sectors, beyond industries. When you keep evolving, you’re never left behind, and in a constantly evolving world, never ever be comfortable being an onlooker. Participate actively and positively, at all times.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
First, what’s next for me is to keep inspiring people. Doing the little things that I can for others from my little corner of the world, without expecting anything in return. We do not preach this enough but love is the most important thing. Helping people grow is my motto and that will always be the number one agenda on my list. In delivering quality through marketing and communications, I also intend to diversify my services and work with more local and international brands in the coming months, solving the problems of the everyday African one at a time.
What’s next for you?
First, what’s next for me is to keep inspiring people. Doing the little things that I can for others from my little corner of the world, without expecting anything in return. We do not preach this enough but love is the most important thing. Helping people grow is my motto and that will always be the number one agenda on my list. In delivering quality through marketing and communications, I also intend to diversify my services and work with more local and international brands in the coming months, solving the problems of the everyday African one at a time.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
I’m active on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. On all my social media platforms, I am Olayemi Olamiju or @olayemiolamiju and always open to collaborations and mutually beneficial connections.