If you’re a Creative Entrepreneur, this post is for you. The professional social platform creates and manage visual designs for our client’s businesses and this includes websites, branding, marketing materials, design strategy, interactive design, print and production amongst others. We talked to Pholar Studios founder Fola Folagbade, about his work, his personal shortcuts, and his journey on entrepreneurship and creativity.
One of the main goals at Simmyideas Tech Hub is to allow bloggers and online marketers to connect with each other and learn from other people’s success stories. Every week, we share the shortcuts, workspaces, and productivity tips of our favorite experts. This week, we’re going behind the scenes at Pholar Studios, a digital agency, and publishing firm located in Lagos, Nigeria. And “we” is “I,” current editor of this series. I’m Fola Folagbade, and this is how I work.
Location: Lagos
Current Gig: Creative Entrepreneur
Current mobile device: Apple iPhone 7
Current computer: MacBook Pro
One word that best describes how you work: Peaceful
First of all, tell us a little about your background and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Akure, Ondo State where I spent most of my childhood but I determined to make something good out of life.
I did all sort of jobs while in the university from being a security man at banks to following trucks from Lagos to different parts of Nigeria while working with a logistics company. Though a lot of people don’t know this part of my story. I usually shuffle between my job as security and class. The bank is located at Balogun Market (Trade Fair), so I usually resume for the night. After work, I get ready for school and I was blessed to have colleagues that understood and assisted by allowing me to stay on night duty during sessions until we have breaks in school.
After working there for about two years, we were all sacked! The bank stopped the contract of the security company I was working with and so we resumed on Monday only to meet a new set of security men at the gate. It was a crazy day, we never saw it coming.
After a few months of job hunting, I got another job. I stayed on this job for 5 years! First, it looked like something to be proud of. I had never been proud of my previous work place but for the first time, I was going to be working in a place where I will be using a desktop, dressing well and staying in the AC.
This was like an achievement to me and it’s funny that I didn’t even consider the pay and the effect it was going to have on my schooling. The pay was 2,000 Naira higher than what I was earning as a security man so I still felt so good. Working there affected my time for school activities and my CGP but I still struggled to finish school.
I worked at a different capacity. I mastered the use of computer there, it was really a learning ground for me even though now I feel I spent too many years there. At a point, my responsibility was to be traveling with truck drivers, most times, I ended up sleeping with the drivers and the boys in the same truck. The allowance given couldn’t pay for a hotel room plus I needed to save up to do other things.
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I invested a lot in books, whenever I got the opportunity. I created time to attend training. I remember using 1/3 of my salary to pay for a one-day training, the desire to move to the next level kept pushing me.
What’s your workspace setup like?
It’s funny but anywhere can be my work station as long as I have my modem, laptop and mobile phone around.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without and why?
Obviously my modem LOL. There is absolutely nothing else I cant live without.
What do you listen to while you work? Got a favorite playlist? Maybe talk radio? Or do you prefer silence?
Music, though I don’t really have any favorite playlist as it changes within a short period of time. Most times, I prefer new songs.
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? What’s your secret?
I don’t joke with personal development, I do this daily. Read, listen to podcasts, make research and practice.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
You owe nobody anything, not even your parents.
What’s your sleep routine like? Are you a night owl or early-riser?
I used to be a night owl but not anymore, I work more in the day than night now.
How can readers of the blog get in touch with you?
For anyone that is ready to publish with us at Pholar Studios between January and February 2019, we will be giving a free website for the book including free book trailer, free book, and interior design.
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram: @FolaFolagbade
YouTube: @CherishedPholar
Thanks a lot for the wonderful answers. I am sure the readers of Simmyideas Tech Hub would have gained a lot of value from this!
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I hope you gained a lot of things from this interview. If you have any questions for Fola, please leave a comment below. And I will make sure Fola answers them ?
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