Dearest reader,
It has been 5 months of Consistently writing to you. Week in week out. And now, it’s the end of the year! Tomorrow paves the way into a brand new year. Phew!
Whether as a business owner, a freelancer, or even just an individual, there must have been reviews of the previous year. Some goals were met, and some were not met, and this influenced the new year goals. This is a reminder that it is totally possible to set new records apart from those of last year. If it wasn’t so well last year, you have an opportunity to start again and go harder. And if you had an amazing year, here’s an opportunity to have an even better one.
If you need help achieving your business goals this new year, the positioning, tech support, content creation, and brand strategy, or you require a virtual assistant to take the running off your hands, Brand Patron’s here for you! We are open and committed to helping you achieve these goals.
This brings me to the crux of this piece, an insight into the workings of the team at Brand Patron. A team consisting of amazing women with diverse skills. This shows the relationship between them, and what it’s been like in a virtual workspace. Sit back and enjoy!
I was the interviewer of course. Interviewing three other people- Alexis, the founder of BranPatron and The Creatives Advisory, Dumebi, the Digital Strategist, Olayinka.T.Hannah, the Content strategist.
Let’s dive right in!
Team Interview at Brand Patron
Halimah: Olayinka, how do you always have the strength to check on everyone? It is really commendable, to be honest.
Olayinka: confused and surprised Check on everyone on the team?
Sorry to ask oo
Do I do that?
Because I honestly don’t know
Halimah: shocked at the realization that it is not even intentional You don’t even realize you do. Interesting 😂
Interlude: Dumebi is running late so I put a call through to her
Olayinka: Honestly. So here’s the thing. When I have a community of people with whom I feel comfortable sharing stuff. Not just work. Gist, laugh, and all. I naturally gravitate towards them so I check up when I can. And I love this team.
Working at Brand Patron definitely ticks the pleasant box
Back to the questions…
Halimah: nods in awe
I see now. So for you, it just comes naturally.
Olayinka: Exactly
Halimah:
Dumebi is supposed to be up next but looks like she’s held up soooo Alexis. (enters the hype your boss mode😂)
Alexissss, the sweetest boss. Nobody badder! Tell me, how has it been managing the brigade?
Interview continuing…
Alexis:
It’s been great so far but tiring since school resumed.
Halimah: sad emoji because I know I have been part of the stressors
😓
Adjusting has definitely not been easy I admit.
crickets
Moves back to Olayinka
Olayinka our baddest LinkedIn influencer, how is it like being the content strategist at Brand Patron and a LinkedIn personality?
Olayinka: enters badass mode
I actually don’t struggle with it. Creating content, writing, and Carousel is something I love and enjoy doing.
Halimah: Purrrr!
recalls a conversation with Alexis
I remember Alexis mentioned how important it is to do what you love during a conversation we had. We even have a post on that. How everything becomes easier once you fall in love with what you do.
Back to Alexis:
What’s your favorite part of working with a team, Alexis?
Olayinka: chips in
She’s always open to teaching you what she knows. Like there’s no holding back which is rare to find. Everyone is keeping Secrets these days.
Halimah: I agree. It’s like a tap that never stops giving. Every conversation is an opportunity to learn something new.
Back to the question.
Okay, Alexis? What’s your favourite thing about managing this team?
crickets
Alexis: My favourite part of working with a team is working with people that are eager to learn, apply and adapt at a fast pace.
Halimah: nods in realisation
I have been seeing it a lot recently. How desirable being teachable as a quality is to leaders. Seeing you mention it means it is really something after all.
I am curious though. Alexis, Do you just let go? With the multiple channels we have for content, how did you learn to trust the team leads to handle things? How did you get there? Or are you even there?
Alexis: First, it’s a journey. I quickly realized that as a startup, building a team is a journey and this process can not be automated. The process starts with an internship. I seek out people who are multi-talented in the creative space. The focus of my internship is self-development as anyone who can’t help themselves can not help me.
Halimah: jotting things down
Takeaway: You have to first, be useful to yourself before you can be useful to others.
Alexis: 3 months of internship is enough time to access those I can trust with my brand.
Halimah: wondering why it is so quiet
Olayinka are you sleeping👀?
Checks to Confirm Everyone is still on Alert…
Alexis: in reaction to my jottings
True
Olayinka: answering my question
I’m not. My mood is just off tonight.
Halimah:
Did something trigger the mood?
Olayinka:
Nah. Nothing I can’t handle. Thanks for asking
Halimah:
Any parting words for our viewers? Sorry readers lol
Alexis to Olayinka: (being the ever-caring boss)
Oh dear, pls share
Olayinka T Hannah:
Afi viewers 🤣. I’m the baddest LinkedIn tutor. (opoooo)
Peace ✌️
Alexis: in vehement agreement
Where is the lie????
Olayinka: still in boss mode
I no see am
Halimah Olayiwola: feeding off the high energy
Enajiiii🤩🤩. None seen.
Our boss, any parting words?
crickets
Explanation of Team Selection at Brand Patron
Alexis: From the process of choosing my team, something I have realized is being a freelancer is not for everyone, not everyone can weather the storm.
The keyword is freelancer, not creative.
Halimah: jotting things down
So it is important for you to KNOW and BE SURE you have what it takes to survive the storm.
Thank you for the words of wisdom ma.
Thank you for making yourselves available Alexis and Olayinka.
It was fun, or what do you think?
Alexis:
Yes, we should do more of it
Dumebi finally enters
Chukwudumebi:
😓
Halimah:
Drum rolllssssss. Here she comesss!
Dumebi pele
Alexis: empathizing with Dumebi
Life’s been hard on my girl since school resumed.
Warm virtual hugs for you Dumebi.
Halimah: reacting to Alexis’ comment to Dumebi
Co hugging you Dumebi🥺
Do you want to take your questions now Dumebi?
Chukwudumebi: eager to take her questions
Yes.
Alexis:
I am here for moral support
Halimah:
Dumebi, the most silent team member lol. What’s your favourite thing about being on the team?
Chukwudumebi:
My favorite thing about being on this team is the quality of value and commitment I’ve been exposed to from everyone.
I am not a fan of teams because most of the time I end up being the one doing the most so I like that everyone is doing the most in their own way.
Halimah:
I figured you were not. A fan of teams that is.
This brings me to my next question.
See eehn, I have always wondered how you deal with the interns working with you. How does it feel coming out of your shell to lead these people?
Chukwudumebi:
😓 It has been war with myself and the Interns.
I had to teach myself to be more accommodating of mistakes and other people’s approaches to a problem.
I did not like it but since it is necessary, I ignored my personal feelings and did what I had to do…still doing what I have to do.
Halimah:
You’re taking Alexis’ saying to heart. It is business, nothing personal.
I think it’s actually really commendable that you actually are able to put your feelings aside and deal with them heads on.
In a few words, how has it been with the school’s resumption?
Do you think there’s a way to balance?
Is balance attainment anywhere near the horizon?
Chukwudumebi:
It has been OK. The only struggle I have is that my laptop spoiled before I left for school and most of my work really needs a laptop. Working on a phone or even the thought of working with a phone is very demotivating but I’ve been pulling through and being around finalists who have laptops that I can borrow help.
Yes, there is a way to balance school and work. It requires a high level of discipline that I don’t think I have gotten to yet. 😓
Having to-do lists, time slots, reminders, etc help a lot. The only thing is you have to keep to them religiously because if you fail to keep to a one-time slot limit or one item on your to-do list it will definitely lead to you wasting away your time and not doing the things that need to be done.
Halimah: in reaction to Dumebi’s comment on discipline
I can relate to this.
Especially being a student, discipline becomes really important.
I really hope that your laptop gets fixed soon too
It’s been a long day. Thank you for showing up still.
Any parting words?
Chukwudumebi:
😁It has been great working with the team. I have learned a lot. Thank you Alexis for throwing me into situations that I would never choose to be in if I had a choice. For example the presentations we had at the start of the internship. Thank you again.
Halimah:
Alexis is everybody’s OG. Thank you for being the most amazing and sweetest boss everrrr😘😘
Goodnighttttt everybody and have a beautiful week ahead.
Alexis:
Good night fam
Remember, I, Halimah, am rooting for you! And Brand Patron is too.
Have a beautiful year.
Bye for now,
Halimah.