A fantastic interactive session it is. We are bringing this to you from the foremost projected logo maker in Nigeria. Enjoy
Brief Profile Of Dayo Abiola.
* I regard myself as one from a blood line of specialist craftsmen. This adds zest to my passion to be a specialist logo maker. I am a graduate of political science from the University of Ibadan, padded with a number of professional trainings, of which is a brief course on the power of branding from the University of East Anglia. I have about 8 years of professional experience in corporate services, communications and identity design. And a little over 1 year in marketing and sales. I have several achievements and have acquired multiple work place and client testimonials for excellent service and professionalism. I am a husband, father, lover of cakes, avid reader, rap music enthusiast, excited about arts, creativity, psychology, philosophy and I'm a talkative.
His Business name
* Dayo Abiola - a logo making company. Job Description * Chief Design Officer. Q; You have chosen a path for yourself in this field, how has it been? It is one of my best decisions ever from the stand point of fulfillment. It has been exciting, however, truth be told, it wasn't an easy decision. I had to experience a recession in my personal life, failed partnership, aloneness and a host of other circumstances upon which resorting to books - one of which was Good To Great by Jim Collins and discovering the man of Mr. Miles Newlyn, helped me realize my God given new found position as a foremost logo maker. So again, it has been fun.
Q; What has kept you all these years? Please share with us.
Firstly, I would say the seed of entrepreneurship sown in me early in life. From like age ten to my late teenage, I was earning money working for my Dad on his projects. I didn't have pocket money. I earned money. So whenever I was broke as far back then, I knew how to solicit for work. Many times, my father even handed down some petty client work to me, so I'd rather earn the naira, since he wouldn't have charged for it anyway. Secondly, my experiences after my father's demise - with me having to stand on my own, armed with all I had learned, which made me daring towards entrepreneurship. Thirdly, the kind of people who became my boss. Great guys. From each of them, I saw a desire to do great things and to become relevant. I emulated this idea. Lastly having chosen to be a logo maker, I have been sustained by a philosophy too strong for me to give up on or turn down. Hence the habits of resilience, faith, trial and error, knowledge of what it is to fail and to succeed, to win and to loose - having been in sports, have kept me and my passion going.
Q; How has technology affected your brand?
My business is technologically driven. Without it, I'd be operating in the old letraset days. If anyone has an idea of it. Even that was technology too, lol. The effect of technology on my brand is note worthy, it's what I use to bring to graphic life our product - a logo. Technology - ICT precisely, facilitates speedy research. It keeps us easily in touch with our clients and through it, of course upon the strength of social media, we've secured clients and gotten promises from prospectives. The effect has been favorable. Q; In a situation where a lot of challenges face an entrepreneur, what should you do? Keep pressing on. Be dynamic. I don't mean do something else. But do the same thing you're doing differently. Become inventive; reach out to people when you need help. Advisory is critical, if you can't afford a professional, ask open minded professional friends. Find new markets in new demographics or environments. Just be in motion. Because tough times don't last, tough people do.
Q; What is the significance of a logo to any venture? Please educate us.
I can't exhaust the answer to this question within the space. However I'd try to hammer on salient points. A logo is a company's most vital visual asset. It is a company's quickest form of advertising. It is not only significant because of its ability to differentiate company A from B but it is now the sum total of all branding, marketing and sales efforts to reach and appeal to the customer. In the sense that, the logo becomes what the client has to recognize or identify to complete the decision to buy. A logo is the first visual proof of a company's existence. It is the only asset that interacts with the value of a venture or brand. This is why a logo must be done very well. And care must be taken by any venture to ensure it is one that's made last.
Q; How do you see Public Relations impact on any business? Be it small or big corporations.
I call PR - perception reality. And only public relations can drive it. PR simply seeks to distribute and manage the favorable perception of a company. While at the same time doing reality checks of the reflections of the same drive. This makes PR have positive impact on any businesses. Not one company can do without PR. Whether you use a PR agency or not. That people perceive the CEO of a small or big business in a certain way itself is PR for the company. I'd say it's better put in the hands of professionals. The impact of PR on today's business big or small has never been more faster in human history as is today. New media has created a wave called "going viral".
Q; You are an Expert, what advice do you have for all budding Entrepreneurs, especially those in your field?
Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle. It's not just work. So you have to build a character. If you are not a nice person, you'd better start getting nice. If you're not a smart person, you'd better start getting smart. If you're an arrogant person, then don't be an entrepreneur, that's for employed people - lol. Just kidding. The title of entrepreneur is demanding. This is why you should hatch a niche and proper lifestyle early. For those in my field, I'd say what I always say, 1. Aim to do the right thing. 2. Study beyond the tools, make yourself vast with knowledge and how to communicate - the tools are irrelevant. 3. Ask me about functional design intelligence. I really hope someone does. 4. Get into the idea of finding your niche. 5. Seek to collaborate. 6. Respect and protect the works of other designers. 7. Understand your client, treat them as king, but never do a creative work for free. It will never improve your creativity.
Q; Which is your most valuable gadgets?
My mouse. Without it, I can't work. I use one laptop. But have four mouses in different key locations. So I'm never without one.
Q; Android or Apple?
Tough for me. For product Apple. To get things done pronto Android.
