Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Aminah. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

At the start of 2023, I anticipated the continuation of my travel adventures from my ever-growing bucket list. Regrettably, as the year unfolded and settled into its rhythm, unforeseen circumstances took a turn: I was abruptly laid off from my role as a Creative Talent Manager at Meta. Despite the sadness of losing a job I held dear, especially during a challenging hiring climate, I was excited.

Throughout 75% of my career, I had been an entrepreneur and enjoyed the freedom of working for myself. However, the desire for stability led me to explore the corporate landscape, where I discovered a sense of fulfillment I never thought possible. As the news of my layoff hit home, a message appered in my mind: “DO IT.” While I knew I had to embark on the job search once again, I also recognized an opportunity to pursue endeavors that would have been difficult to achieve while bound by a 9-to-5 routine. And so, with faith in myself and God, I took the chance to manifest my vision by opening my first content studio in the city of Austin, TX.

Venturing into a capital-intensive project without a steady income is undeniably daunting. Yet, within a brief span of three months, I meticulously designed and brought to life a space that stands as a canvas for creators and brands in the Austin area—a place where ideas can transcend the realm of possibility. The joy and pride I currently feel as I announce the official opening of Ikoyi Studios, ready to embark on a transformative journey with its clients.

P.S. As I savor the fruits of my labor, I am also actively engaged in the pursuit of new job opportunities. 😏

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In 2013, the spark of my career ignited in the world of fashion, orchestrating fashion shows at Sam Houston University. Yet, as my journey unfolded, I craved a community of kindred spirits—models, makeup artists, hairstylists, photographers, and designers—who shared my passion for artistic expression. This team of visionaries was named Marque.

Over time, Marque evolved from fashion show producers to curators of extraordinary experiences. We wove together the threads of launch events, listening parties, grand galas, exhibits, and brand content, expanding into a well-rounded production company that filled my heart with pride. Among our most cherished endeavors was the inspiring “Eye of Africa Exhibit,” held at the illustrious Houston City Hall. We joined forces with ex-Rockets basketball player Luc Mbah a Moute and garnered the support of Mayor Sylvester Turner. While the experience was profoundly fulfilling, I desired stability.

In 2019, I took a leap of faith and moved from Houston to Austin, TX to seek creative opportunities in the corporate field. I found myself at Dosh, entrusted with leading their content and social media strategy, collaborating with a brilliant creative team. This opportunity led me to Meta’s internal agency, Creative X, where I assumed the role of Creative Talent Manager—a position that allowed me to recruit and collaborate with an array of talents within the agency.

Throughout my career, my dedication to the creative realm has served as a bridge, forging a connection between the pulsating heart of artistic expression and the realms of corporate opportunity. In doing so, I aim to shatter the confines of the “starving artist” narrative, showcasing the power of merging creativity with business. And now, I embark on my latest venture—Ikoyi Studios—a meticulously designed content studio open for limitless creative possibilities.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Lesson: A great leader is an even better follower

Backstory: This lesson came with a series of moments that I was able to look back on and identify where I went wrong. As the founder of Marque Productions, I felt like my viewpoint was always the most important. There was one particular idea our Media Lead had which was for us to create a book of all of our content. I completely shut it down because I didn’t see how it was in line with our mission.

Looking back I see how dope and on-point of an idea that was! It actually was the smartest idea any of us had, but I was too busy trying to lead when I should have done more of the following.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My consistency, passion, and transparency in my field are what helped with my reputation. I would actually say my consistency and dedication. When people see that you’ve been faithful to something it transcends time.    

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ikoyistudios.com
• Instagram: @ashleyaminah / @ikoyistudios.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyagbetola/

Image Credits
Photographer: Rell Rugely