We were lucky to catch up with Kodjo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kodjo, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I started freelancing while I was still in high school. Even then, I knew that one day I wanted to be a full-time business owner. I didn’t know when it would happen, but I trusted the process. I continued freelancing throughout college, building my skills and experience.

After I graduated, reality set in. I wasn’t making enough from freelancing to cover my bills, student loans, and other expenses. So I had to put my dream on pause and take a full-time job at a warehouse that paid $10 an hour. I was living paycheck to paycheck, but I never gave up on freelancing. I kept working on the side, putting in long hours and doing everything I could to grow.

After about a year at the warehouse, I decided to take a leap of faith and fully pursue my business. It was scary and nerve-wracking, but my faith gave me the courage to go for it. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

It was a risk, but it paid off. My business has grown significantly, and today I have a team that I consider family. If I hadn’t taken that chance, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Kodjo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Born in Togo, Kodjo Somana immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was seven years old. Although his parents had moved in search of new opportunities, they still struggled in the years that followed. There were many challenges that he had to overcome, and one experience that stuck with him was a church visit when he was nine: the pastor prayed for him, encouraging him to continue to follow his heart and trust in God.

At a young age, Kodjo discovered a passion for storytelling, spending hours upon hours practicing his skills painting and drawing. By the time he was in middle school, he had gone “professional,” taking artwork commissions and stretching himself creatively. He was growing every day, pushing his ability to express himself – and discovering yet another passion, this one for entrepreneurship. It was a few years later that he resolved to become a filmmaker.

Attending Columbus College of Arts & Design, Kodjo studied Filmmaking and earned his BFA in 2016. He then went on to launch his videography business, putting together a high-energy, positive team. As a filmmaker, videographer, and business owner, he has made it his mission to go above and beyond all his clients’ expectations, putting service at the center of everything that he does. Trusting in God all those years ago, Kodjo could not have known where his life was headed. Because of his faith, though, he knew that it would all work out in the end. He was always confident that by pursuing his dreams, he could impact others, putting smiles on their faces. It had been a long journey from West Africa to the present, but it was all for the best – all the challenges, all the struggles, everything.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I was in college, I majored in filmmaking and originally planned to pursue a career making movies in Hollywood. My goal was to work in a big studio and direct films. But as I continued developing my craft, I discovered a passion for filming weddings and decided to pursue a career as a wedding videographer.

With my background in filmmaking and directing, I bring a unique approach to how I capture weddings, focusing on storytelling and cinematic moments. Over time, I expanded my work beyond weddings and began producing music videos, commercial projects, and other creative video productions that allow me to keep pushing my creativity.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Simply working with other professionals, being a team player, staying open to new ideas, and continuing to network.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kodjoarts.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kodjoarts
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kodjoarts
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kodjoartsvideography