We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Emy Josephs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Emy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I started Scriptstorenaija in a bid to help young writers build their portfolio as that was one of the biggest challenge I experienced when I started in 2018. At the beginning of your writing career, clients will constantly ask “what have you done” and because you are just starting, you won’t have anything to share. Not because you are not a good writer, but because nobody was willing to take a chance on you. Thus, in a way of bridging that gap and meeting up to the demand from producers who always ask me for stories, I started the store to help young writers . Now, because my clients trust me for delivering, they trust the store and by extension, they trust the writer.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am passionate about telling stories. Storytelling is everything to me. It means so much to me to the point that I quit my teaching job in Port Harcourt and moved to Lagos in 2021. The goal for me was to tell stories. Nothing more. I had no expectations, I had fallbacks, nothing. I mean, I anticipated that it won’t be easy but I resolved to work it out. Going back home wasn’t an option. So when one of my witing samples got me into a writer’s room after months of not hearing back from producers, it was all the validation I needed. I knew, in that moment that this is where I am supposed to be – because I doubted myself a lot of times, a whole lot of times but, almost 4 years down the line and I am grateful I stuck it out. Today, I have worked as HeadWriter, Story Editor, Story Creator and it keeps getting better and better.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
For someone who moved to Lagos in 2021 I would say that how far I have come is a testament of my resilience. When I moved to Lagos, I was living with a relative and at the time, she was paying off loans and couldn’t afford to renew the rent. I hadn’t gotten much writing gigs at the time so it was hard for me even support her. The options were, go back home to Port Harcourt or sleep under Yaba bridge 🤣
I remember my relative packing her bags, but not me. I said to myself, until they throw my things out of this house, I’m not going anywhere. Thankfully, I sold two scripts within that period and renewed our rent.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Honestly, I would say it’s building solid friendships. Seeing your clients as people first and not just as a source of income. Sometimes, it’s not about the money it’s more about going the extra mile. I’ve written things and not been paid for a period of time. I’ve even done some for free. I’ve genuinely cared about my clients, calling to know how they are and sending heartwarming gifts when I hear they’re down in health. I think when people know that they are not just a source of income to us, they are more willing to refer us and are even return for more jobs.
Contact Info:
- Website: Nil
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emyjosephs?igsh=MWtzbXl0emV3OXF3&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/bKcYXi1zS1ie6ajC/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: My Scriptstore Instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/scriptstorenaija?igsh=MTB3c2J3a2VsaXM5Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Photogirlnaija