15 minute read
Do South
Different by Design
Words by Lauren Dei Photography by James Balston
Creative Director of interior design studio Do South speaks about what it takes to run his creative business, shares how his heritage informs his work, and lays out some key advice for the next generation of design-loving entrepreneurs.
“I’ve always felt inspired to shape the environments around me,” says Freddie Oke, Founder and Director of Do South Design in
Crystal Palace, South London. “The way I communicate my vision helps others to tap into their own. Then, next thing you know, we’re having a full brainstorming session. That’s how I like to work with my clients – I love helping them to make the changes they want to see, and they love the way I bring their ideas to life.” Do South sprung from an idea Freddie had back in 2009. Pulling together his resources, he researched the furniture and interior design world like crazy, claimed an unwanted, boarded-up newsagents and birthed his dream – a design studio, shop and showroom where walk-in customers and professional clients come to have their homes and workspaces transformed.
Now building a team across both the in-store and digital platforms, Freddie is moving his studio into a new space of growth and brand
identity, combining European design from over 40 brands with visual influences from his African heritage.
The son of a Nigerian father and Irish mother, Freddie represents his background in his work, more recently sourcing artefacts from West Africa that are visible in the store. “One of my most prized possessions is a Yoruba crown passed down to me by my father. And my mother says I always kept my room very tidy as a child and loved to present myself well. So I must have had an eye for style from a very young age!”
So what’s a typical day at the studio like?
“There’s no such thing. Every day is different. I meet with my studio manager Affy on Thursday mornings to discuss which brands to push, making sure our prices are in-line with our competitors. Then it’s a combination of phone calls to update clients on the progress of their home or workspace, site visits to see how the builders are getting on, speaking to suppliers about new stock, meeting with the web and graphic designers to make sure our digital image is evolving with the business, and putting out our social media and content updates.”
What does it take to do the job?
“A sense of adventure, willingness to explore new ideas. The ability to really listen to what a customer wants and deliver it within their budget, sticking to the timeline they have for the job to be completed, and in-line with our mission to create designs beyond the obvious. Having
“Finding people the right team who compliment your on-going process behind you is own abilities while – school, college very important. bringing skills to the and university are Finding people who compliment table that you don’t great for formal qualifications, so your own abilities have helps a business if there are design while bringing skills to the to grow.” courses you’re interested in, speak table that you don’t to your course advisors have helps a business to to help you find the best grow. All smart entrepreneurs one for you. However, so much recognise there is always more to of this work is intuitive and comes learn. You don’t know what you don’t from your own gut feeling about the know, so make it your job to find way you want to do, be and create those who do.” things. I am self-taught and learned from others in informal ways. Your And as a person in the know, Freddie own learning is something you can is passionate about investing in the add to all the time, so keep thinking next generation of designers and outside the box about how and creatives. “My advice, first of all, where you can increase your design would be to get to know yourself; knowledge. And have the courage to the things that make you who you stand out. The things that make you are, your likes and dislikes, your different are a part of your design – uniqueness – then practise the way embrace them and watch the magic you talk about those things. This unfold.” will help you to discover your own personal, signature style – something Visit do-south.com or follow that will develop over time, so @dosouth_designbeyondtheobvious keep checking in with yourself. on Instagram Also, stay open to learning as an
My name is Pariis Taylor and I am the founder of Post Book’d. For the last 10 years I have focused my career around supporting young care leavers to make a positive transition into adulthood as well as making a positive impact in their communities.
Unfortunately, due to Covid19 I lost my job. Through panic and confusion during these uncertain times, we are all unfortunately subject to a change in how we live our lives, but in a strange way it is also quite humbling for myself. During lockdown I have found comfort in my book collection thankfully I have a small group of friends who I can discuss my recent book adventures with. At this point I woke up to the reality that buying £50 worth of book each month and discussing with likeminded people is a huge privilege. My natural thought process was “What can I do?” From this, the idea of Post Book’d was created and self funded! For a reasonable monthly fee our exclusive members club will have access to ethically sourced books from new and up and coming grassroot writers from the Black and Ethnic Minority communities. As well as our most loved authors and we’ll deliver straight to your
door. With my background in Youth Work I knew there was still something needed I needed to do to please my passion for helping others, less fortunate to myself. For that reason, I made a pledge to donate 15% of each monthly subscription, which will go towards providing free books to selected organisations, charities, community groups, or individuals currently living from mental health, homelessness, care leavers, those currently serving in HMP or those financially excluded from accessing some of the best literature we all can take for granted.
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COME FOR THE ENERGY
Nashat simply means energy. We are an African Cultural Centre that invigorates the mind, body, spirit and soul with the aim to unify and enhance the dynamics of our partners and communities.
We offer a wide variety of retail products and services for all occasions and age groups including books, herbs, health, nutrition and wellbeing products for the hair, skin, internal and external body, clothing for men, women and children, jewellery, apparel and toys. We also deliver a variety of workshops and tutoring on various topics. We have a recording studio for creatives and a publishing service for authors. So why not come and explore? There is something here for everyone.
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Amey Finance Academy based at One Canada Square in the Canary Wharf Tower, London are a group of Wealth Creation Educators, helping you to achieve your financial goals. They specialise in helping you to create multiple sources of income and build generational wealth. You can choose from a range of income streams (Property, Forex Trading, e-Commerce and Entrepreneurship), explore methods to save money and utilise tools to help you build a business.
Amey Finance Academy founded in 2018 by Des Amey. Today, Des is a wealth creation expert, keynote speaker, finance broker and property expert who is now a multi 6 figure earner, two and a half years ago he was an Assistant Head Teacher struggling to make ends meet and living paycheque to paycheque. He needed another way and was fed up with the life he was living, he was introduced to the world of forex and within a year he was able to earn his 100k, after seeing how much it impacted his life he wanted to help others do the same. Des and his team coach are dedicated to empowering others. They mentor, offer support and training to ensure you grow, step out of your comfort zone, meet your personal and financial goals. Currently the Academy is over 2,000 members, lives are changing and whether you want an additional income, or you want to replace it altogether the possibilities are endless. Since February, the Academy has doubled in size, people are in need of something more! If there was ever a time to take control of your financial future, learn a skill that can pay you for a lifetime, it is now.
If you would like more information about the Academy and how you can get involved contact Thema Channer the Operations Manager at thema@ameyfinance.com.
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“Leading with authenticity and driven by diversity” Eagle London Agency
Eagle London is a black-owned creative and tech agency that offers bespoke video content production, web design and online application development services to forward-thinking businesses seeking to create a diverse positioning to attract an ethnically diverse audience.
Eagle was founded by Martin Anncou and Philip Osei-Hwere in 2004 following a conversation between a group of motivated young black Africans on why ethnic brands in the UK struggled to thrive amid a growing ethnic consumer.
Philip said they realised there was a lack of ethnically driven or black-owned PR and Communications agencies with expertise working with people from ethnic backgrounds. Eagle London’s vision is to bring a greater representation and to see black businesses not just survive but thrive.
“We lead with authenticity and are driven by diversity. We are tech enthusiasts but we’re also experienced innovators who delight in supporting brands from conception to execution”. Philip says.
Philip is a Ghanaian-born visionary and devout Christian keen on empowering young people. Through his leadership, the agency has earned an enviable position as a leading online visa and biometric passport application software developer delivering to African Missions in Europe, Africa, America and Asia, whilst offering services to clients such as Facebook Africa, dentsu X, Toyota Ghana, JN Money, MoneyGram, Hershey, and extending its services to partner agencies in Accra and New York.
In the black community, Philip leads Eagle’s partnership with Moving On Up Newham to empower and provide insights into the industry for young black men. He is also a professional
mentor at the University of East London, he also offers career support and personal development to young people in his local church.
To Philip, we are in exciting times where great strides are being made by black people in all sectors. He, however, cautioned that in our drive to thrive, we shouldn’t lose our values which will be our legacy. “We take a stand to uphold our values. Our passion for standing by our values then becomes what eventually gets us noticed.” n
Find out more about Eagle London Agency www.eagletheagency.com Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @eagletheagency
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“We had so many reposts, so many people putting us on their pages, so many people putting us on their stories, so many people sharing our ad with their followers. And this was ranging from just regular people to celebrities with big
follower numbers. It was overwhelming. That day we sold our biggest ever number of sauces. “Even though we have a lot of dedicated customers it’s been hard to turn that into traffic to our website. Black Pound Day did that for us which was incredible.” However, says Dinning, the impact must not stop there. “Swiss setting that up was amazing, his heart is so genuine and his focus is right” she says. “But I encourage people to not just stick to one day, we need to make sure that this message gets across because it’s needed. One day is great but we need to make sure we are supporting each other 365 days of the year. It’s not a diss on other cultures. Our family is mixed and we respect all cultures but there’s something special about supporting your own.
“Black Pound Day is not a diss on other communities, it’s about empowering ourselves. Everybody should really be fine with that.” For Swiss, this economic empowerment is a key part of what he wants Black Pound Day to achieve in the future. “The day can help our community shape an economic agenda. When we have control of our economic agenda we can move from a position of power, we can make decisions from a position of power and achieve effective outcomes. “Economic unity means we can effect change politically. This is really important. If we’re a community that’s not in a position of power we can’t effect change in a way that can have a positive outcome for us.” n
Reprinted from the Voice website: www.voice-online.co.uk
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