Creative Coaching and Brand Photography with AdeDoyin

Zaakirah Muhammad

Welcome back to another episode of the see life different podcast. So today's special guest' s of the See Life different podcast is Adedoyin of the creative Doyenne. She has 10 plus years of marketing and design experience. And during the pandemic, she tapped into what I call her inner creativity and started picking up a camera and so we actually met in 2016. And we've just been connected online for so long and in 2017 to 18 She became my creative director for my creative marketing agency Phocused media group with a pH. So she is from Mississippi, resides in Dallas, Texas, and now we have been able to meet in person and we live in the same city and it's gonna be so much fun to continue to learn more about her and also allow her 10 years of agency experience and her passion for digital marketing and to help other small businesses and solopreneurs to make their digital footprint. She specializes in helping others to grow their brand and market themselves. And when she's not doing that she love crocheting and cuddling with her cat dog Roxy.

Hi, Ade!

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Hi.

Zaakirah Muhammad

How are you?

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Thank you

Zaakirah Muhammad

Thank you for saying yes.

It's like, wait a minute, it's a no brainer like we're finally connected in person. Right where you just felt like, you know, we're like old friends just picking up, you know, where we left off. So thank you for being here.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Yes, totally. For sure. I was really excited when you're like I'm thinking about coming to Dallas. And I'm like, Yes.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Basically, and you've been so amazing with helping me to basically settle in. I think it's funny because I mean for those who are listening to the podcast it's gonna come out. There's a whole detailed episode about it but Dallas was actually live before we connect it with like Dallas was like, you're going to go to Dallas soon you're going to go to Dallas and I saw the signs but I was like, okay, whatever. And here we are 2021 and it's happening. Yay.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

About Dallas. When I was a kid, I used to go to Houston all the time. And so one time my dad said we were going to Dallas I say Dallas with air quotes because we were really in Hurst which was a suburb of Fort Worth. I was like Dallas is super boring. I would never want to live there. And then again, I was in Mississippi and my sister had moved to Dallas. So I was like let me just apply to Southern Methodist University for grad school. And see how things go. and so I did. I came out here and I've been here ever since

Zaakirah Muhammad

For school for your master's program, right?

Adedoyin Adebiyi

yes, my masters in advertising.

How have you been able to use it? Now I mean, you do have a creative now or how have you been able to use it? Most people don't get to do that. They get, they get a degree. And they're just you know, still hunting for jobs, but how have you been able to utilize?

So my advertising program was actually split into two factions. So there was a brand management side. Typically people who do that end up being like account executives and things like that. And then there was a creative side and funny enough, my grad professor was like, why aren't you on the creative side? I was like, Well, I just didn't and that's I didn't have an answer, but I just didn't it. But I somehow got into the middle of that. So I my first job out of advertising was digital marketing. So I use a lot of like my brand management and brand strategy on one side and then a little bit in my creative as More and more my career. It keeps both like I still be think in a very strategic way. But I'm also very creative and I'm getting to do more creative things. So

Zaakirah Muhammad

I love that I love that you're like diving into your creativity. It's been fun, just you know our time of working on you know, the startup of Phocused Media Group it's been fun to kind of hop back in off creative idea. And I think most of the clients that come to us they love that about us but they haven't been able to tap into their creativity and so we're able to kind of bring out their vision together obviously with me my original photography background and your creative background. And now photography is a way to kind of add a different perspective when it comes to helping other small businesses.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Yes, so I recently just rebranded from digital Doyenne in which I was really into helping people have their best digital life and I still do but I brought it out to creative Doyenne to include the photography that I do. So really, my goal is to help creatives to have their best foot forward so everything from needing their photo shoot much like what you do to standing out for the pack and that you know, so many businesses nowadays are being replicated, replicated, same business ideas. So it helps to, you know, be able to stand out from the pack can be like I'm different in this very specific way.

Zaakirah Muhammad

AHaha, and I think that's what makes, I feel like that's what makes like,

Phocused media group kind of different because I guess with the photography, side of things, there are a lot of people now especially as I've observed in Dallas, they know how to use your camera, they are fashion influencers, the photography aspect is down, but then some of them either photo dump all the photos that you know are taken or don't know, you know where to put them other than like headshots, and so how do you feel that most people kind of or what have you observed, actually, they're both people kind of lack between that gap of good photos and good content and actually, you know, utilizing that for return on investment.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

So, we both have been bloggers at some point in life. And I know I was telling you the other day that like the difference between the bloggers, they have like the brand partnerships and the greater just greater reach are ones that have professional pictures that you know, they didn't just take like one photo shoot, and they're just spreading out through the year but like they're constantly giving, it's a higher quality photo that most people most bloggers starting out cannot afford. And so that was kind of why I wanted to get into that kind of photo space was to help people like that where yeah, you can still be strategic about it. You can book a photographer for an hour you got work really fast, but take three outfits, and, you know, have that recurring, like creative content.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Yeah, content is super important, especially now because, I think I don't remember who said it, but someone said that social media is where people can window shop for your services. You agree with that?

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Yeah. And actually, I guess this blogger I like I follow her because I like her makeup and she wore a dress one day and that's my first like to know it purchase in like, forever like this is within the last week I bought this so sometimes people say but sometimes people are also buying and people are always hearing what she's talking about a lot of people get discouraged because they don't feel like they're getting all of the likes and shares and all that but people are still seeing you and they're still thinking about what you said, even if you didn't get that. So that's my encouragement for the day.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Yeah, I love that and I'm glad you say that because there's so many people who have amazing stories and journeys to get to where they are but we don't know that because they share it, they didn't talk about it. Now Speaking of story. I feel like we just passed it over. But what is your side of the story of how we met?

Adedoyin Adebiyi

So I'm pretty sure we're in this bloggers group. And you're like, hey, we're looking for digital marketers or something like that. So we connected through you were supporting an artist or not an artist but a company that worked with artists, and so you needed my help. And so that's how we kind of got together. After some time, you're like, hey, I have an idea for an agency. I was like, Yeah, cool. Let's do it. So like she said, I am the creative director. Half of the time, it's me just be like, Okay, we need to do this, just like this. And then like, Zaakirah goes and does it how she likes. But you know, I think that's how we work. We're just both very creative people. We kind of flow together really easily so

Zaakirah Muhammad

that I think that was so amazing. The fact that we did together so well, so creatively. And um, I think that's what also allowed us to stay connected through all this time, I believe, actually we've been in support of each other blog in that blog group. And no, I don't think we probably like added each other on social media until after like, way after, like, after I would like Hey, I think you will be working with with the music startup. Agency, and then Facebook Messenger with my communication method now even my communicating right and until we move over to WhatsApp for the agency, but yeah, I love that. I love it. And so what is that? Let's have a little fun segment. I haven't done this. I feel like I do a guest judge. But what is your favorite thing about me? And I'll tell you my favorite thing about it.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

I liked it. You're willing to try things that you're willing to go places. I like I said I lived in Mississippi for like 22 years of my life that I've lived here and I'm happy to do you actually are willing to try more things and you know, you're more fluid in this life and trying things out as a business owner as a podcaster.

Zaakirah Muhammad

As a photographer, you're really cool in that way. Like yeah, and I feel like I'm

gonna say similar things. Like I like the fact that you have a very youthful spirit about you. And if not, um, and but you don't have an overbearing energy about you either. Right? Like, you're, you're like a big sister to me, but you're not like it but it doesn't feel like a whole like going, you know, can we have a moment like when we have a moment? I think we do have. I feel like we're able to maturely handle it, kind of like you do, but I think it's also because you do have a kind of system

Adedoyin Adebiyi

tied to you. I have four sisters and brothers.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Well, you again in that in that section,

Adedoyin Adebiyi

and say satisfaction, so I'm the knee baby as they would say.

Zaakirah Muhammad

I love that. I love that. Now, um, if if things open up a little bit more, where do you really see creative going? Going? Obviously Dallas is pretty open but like when things open up a little bit more Where do you really see fear of going going in the next year?

Adedoyin Adebiyi

And there are a few things I want to play with. So of course like I said, I do like to take photography. I'm interested in kind of curating events. I haven't gone too far in my head on that but I love all the businesses I've opened up to set up picnics and charcuterie boards and I think that'd be super fun. I also hit but a slew of Cricut items. So I need to like justify these costs and start making like that's the mud and stickers and all kinds of things just to justify that why I bought it so

Zaakirah Muhammad

so creative billion it definitely a perfect name that you kind of pivoted to basically

Adedoyin Adebiyi

yeah and the fun thing about I guess how I was raised my mom be like home at classes in Nigeria which is next level so she knew had that so she knew how to crochet embroider bake cakes. And so as her children, we're kind of Renaissance creatives as well. So I I do love to crochet. I do know how to like press hitch and embroider I actually know how to bake cakes but that's because I took the class is all about like just branching out and learning different things and like trying to master it. I think we both will say I think you call yourself a jade of all trades and I call myself a jillion of all trades. And I think it's a okay not to master I'd rather be good at 10 things to master one. I feel like that's how you pigeonhole yourself. And I like you know, having a wide variety of capabilities.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Now that's actually super important for those who are listening who are multi passionate. Like they maybe they have been with people who have told them that they should focus on one thing but then they're like, but how and I feel like I'm glad you said that because that's where the time where I mean most people thankfully know me photographer but then even after that talk more about those the media and the do's and don'ts that those media when I go live and even you know with my book, my podcast, I think they get it that it's all creative. Like I'm literally I feel like I started adding the word Jade of creative trades. So I mean sure, like I can, I can write, I can speak I can do with it, but everything really has to do with storytelling. And so I think all of those who are most passionate like us, I'm committed understand that you can still monetize and still enjoy what you do. And you don't have to be locked in to one thing Okay, is it good to kind of focus on one thing, mash to that and then you know, not like not neglect everything else, but I think I took important that you mentioned that.

Now, where

Okay, I want to say let's say someone wants to come to you

for branding,

where can they find you and what do you offer to them? Okay, so,

Adedoyin Adebiyi

right now my website is still digital dash stoian.com I re working out the website is most creative. So though I am my worst client, so constantly wanting you to taste things and thinking in circles, but that is the best place to start off having a conversation with the so. Yeah, so I work with a lot of companies are just starting out. So if you do have a pandemic company that you started, and you want to start with having a branded look, not only logo but up so you know social media templates just to have the same look and feel all through your brand. I'm a great person to work with. If you already have your logo already, and you're like well, I did this myself and I'm not updated, and I need somebody else to do this. Again. I am really good with that. I'm really good with helping with rebrands as well. And like I said is kind of like a full suite of creative services. So not only can I help you with your logo, your social media, I can help you offline with business cards. I can help you online with websites. It's just kind of figuring out where the best where you need to be for your business and then executing against that.

Zaakirah Muhammad

And I will second that. Yes she did at all thing design because if you look at any of my logos, or even any of my vision, like fire today that would you want to know why why my job looks so good. I want to know why things look to pursue PMG client attack. So yes, definitely book her directly if you want to. But of course the PMG side of things is well, those who come to me for that kind of diligent data thing and their social media marketing, then definitely also discover if you need to die and it's like, okay, that handed over that, is that that that's where we kind of pass the baton over in a way. So I love that and yeah, definitely be sure to check out now.

I think the fun question. And is

this is a question I asked everyone back again. So it kind of a deep question. So let me know if you need think about it. But what would you want your legacy to

be? Um, I am

Adedoyin Adebiyi

largely about people and helping people. And so I love my legacy as somebody who left people better than I met them.

Zaakirah Muhammad

You do that? Yes. As as well if if no one took anything away, if any other any creative, any mompreneurs anybody who's listening, nothing away from it.

What is the one thing Let them remember?

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Again, like I love to help so and so here to help. Just reach out to me and let's have a conversation. And I'm happy to I come from a place where I have the strategy of being like a strategic brand brain, but also creative and I put that together and has actually fairly rare Yeah, so

Zaakirah Muhammad

Laci actually was like, I'm just like you know me, my creative brain gets blown. So where did your business name come from?

Oh, yeah.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

So Diane is a woman who's like a respected figure on a certain topic. Also, my name is I go by going in for short. So doing is a Play Doh again. It's a lot better than my previous brand name, which was a new dimension, but it was two eyes and the Google Keep trying to like out of other correctly so it was something I came up with in my first job and I love it. And I'm sticking to it wherever

Zaakirah Muhammad

it Thank you. Well, thank you Ade for being a guest. On the See Life Different podcast.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Thank you. And if you do happen, can I promo my podcast as well?

Unknown Speaker

Of course.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

If you do happen to particularly if you are a black woman or just a woman of a certain age, I have a podcast called poor life decisions like for like the Drake it every week we talk about different life topics and how we can improve it. So some of our favorite topics have been asleep because we don't. Imposter syndrome, mental health topics and stuff like that. So if you are already a podcast listener, just tune this tune in to us on you know, iTunes and Spotify and anywhere else you have.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Yeah, so boy black woman podcast because we have done that.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

And it's good.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Fun. Good talk. I think that's what made podcast so fun, that they can hear the good talk, because actually your co host is a good friend, an actual friend of yours, right? Yes. So tell me more about that. Usually kind of like doing your own podcast and we're like, Well wait,

Adedoyin Adebiyi

while I'm here. So my co host is one of my sorority sisters from Mississippi. And so we had, you know, a few years ago, we're like, we should do a podcast and then we kind of did think about it. And then one day I text I was like, Hey, we should need the podcast for life decisions. And then a year later cubs, and then we finally have a plan and we do a podcast so we're actually going to be will be going on year three this year. So for a while and we've learned like we've grown and learned from that and even in that I do the marketing I do this social media. That is why she does what I do. Praise God because I don't know. It's it is a lot of giggling and you know some some drinking and just talking about life but it is really really good resources to work through like the key issues you haven't like.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Mm hmm. Yeah. And actually, congrats on for years. I didn't remember that you actually you did start it right before me but I didn't know about it cuz you weren't marketing it like that like that. For me, though, it's definitely been a learning curve, a learning journey along the way. So here's to EFI

Adedoyin Adebiyi

I'm excited.

Zaakirah Muhammad

Yay.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Well, thank you again, for having me.

Zaakirah Muhammad

I'm so glad we have it recorded live because we have so many like conversations behind, you know, behind the scenes so, I'm so glad that they got to see you know, the other side of Phocused Media Group and one that really keeps me sane.

Adedoyin Adebiyi

Accurate