We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Isaiah Mcswain. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Isaiah below.

Alright, Isaiah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

At the age of 17, I decided to move out and finish my last year of high school. The turmoil in my home had finally boiled over that Summer. My mother at that time was in a serve & abusive marriage that began to shape the way I lived my life. Growing up in an already improvised home left me scrambling daily to keep up with college application fees, school supplies, and other school-associated fees. I was in choir & track at the time, in which both I owed my assumed dues.

The Summer before my Jr/Senior year ( I graduated high school in three years) I had taken a trip to Atlanta with a classmate of mine & her gracious family. While on the trip, I couldn’t help but notice the peace & love they showed each other. The daily interactions with them had begun to challenge the idea of a healthy family in my mind. I recall calling home one evening to see if my mother had made the journey to Walmart to get the $40 my dad’s sister had sent me prior to me leaving for Atlanta. Granted Walmart was only 10 miles from our home, but her husband made the simplest of distances a journey. She had told me that she would make her way and to enjoy my trip. So I did, for what it was worth being a broke 17-year-old out of state was pretty relaxing.

However, I couldn’t rest internally any longer! I was furious inside that the idea of family, love, and support I had known was faux. So the day came that I was to return home. Her husband had this major meltdown about her coming to pick me up from my location just 5 miles down the road, even though the $40 I had received while away was used for gas. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

After being picked up by one of our neighbors, I went home and packed all the clothes I could fit in three large 13-gallon trash bags. I sat on my bed and told myself that I would never fail myself. I hitched a ride to my grandmother’s home 30 miles North of my mom’s home. That’s when the risk truly showed the silver lining.

After a Summer spent between my grandmother’s and my then best friend’s home, my aunt moved to Mississippi from Minnesota to help me graduate amongst other priorities.

Just like that I graduated 36/202 students with high honors. After two years of paying for community college I had earned a few flowers. I then graduated with honors & got a full ride to my next college. Though the journey was long, these colleges opened me up to the most generous of people. I was able to fail fast and soar high! I started my business after my first two years of undergrad.

Isaiah, 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?

When I was younger, I could never pinpoint where I was from. Now granted, my family moved across the country frequently. The continuous journey instilled in me a sense of adventure. I started to daydream about places I wanted to visit and live; simply allowing my inner creative to be born. I didn’t grow up with extravagant toys & experiences. I learned to use my imagination envisioning entertainment I found suitable.

More so in my youth, I learned from those around me. I was the first to graduate from high school & college. My robust imagination served me a purpose. I wanted to grow into the person I envisioned that could inspire me in my upbringing. I was raised in a set of unique environments that required retraining of my mindset, and grit to overcome unforeseen obstacles.

All in the same breath, I learned personal branding. My key message is “maximum growth is critical for maximum success.” You have to live in your “fullness”, the essence of your being is vital to your success. I changed my mind to see what unmentioned was my need and lack in youth. I couldn’t think of solutions if I was adamant about dwelling on the problems.

I spent most of my time in the past seven years in school in Mississippi. While in my senior/jr year of high school, I shifted my mindset. I was no longer the victim and I began taking ownership of my direction in life. I was officially rebranding my life. I attended college for business administration & marketing. I learned the importance of relationships through simple battering deals I witnessed in my youth and spoke of in the classroom.

Now in the corporate setting, competing in DECA and accepting small projects, I was able to use my trifecta of sense. My father taught me that we have common sense, “street sense”, and book sense. Many of us refer to street sense as a hustler’s mentality. It allowed me to understand business and marketing with applied psychology. I also involved myself in groups with a higher purpose in school, which I still indulge in today.

College was not free for me starting out so I had to put my business mind to the test. I started strategizing for my own means to thrive. I began holding space on fronts I didn’t have the confidence to do. I worked on two large marketing contracts back to back, advancing my career in marketing. My first paying jobs were more technical, and while working those jobs I went homeless during the beginning of Covid-19. So something had to change, and my passion took hold.

Though the year 2020 was rough, I started my marketing agency! Zayam Designs was bumping! I was so excited after getting my first ten clients. I was barely charging my worth, now I lead marketing teams and consult firms. I worked on my first international marketing contract in 2022 for StudySmarter. I also completed my largest marketing research for Trustmark National Bank back in 2021. Since 2020, I have worked with over 70 businesses conducting a marketing function for their firm big & small.

Growth marketing is my area of expertise in the digital and physical space. I help my clients strategize on an annual or quarterly basis with some contracts for a retainer. I have also begun teaching marketing teams new practices to streamline their work experience and increase convertible external communication. I find that I am able to understand the client and provide tailored solutions based on their budget, goals, and business model.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Every DTC marketer knows that the holiday season is nostalgic and hectic. In the year 2021, I had three Black Friday campaigns ongoing for clients; two retail and one ecommerce. During this maddness I had to complete a marketing analysis for a non-profit client I had in Dallas. It’s a brisk Thanksgiving morning. The winds didn’t even get a chance to chill me before I read my client’s email. One of the DTC retail clients had a major logistics issue. The main product we were running placements for was now unavailable! I personally wanted to spend time with my friends & enjoy the day, well that didn’t happen. I had to go into gorilla marketing mode! I quickly called a marketing friend to pick up the marketing analysis under white labeling. I then halted all of our placements to edit the creative. After these edits were made, I took to their social channels to convey the shipment failure.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The best strategy is people first and assumptions last. When you think about entering client acquisition, think about what you bring to the table. You take and give from the client, and ensure with proper tool usage, strategy, and effective communication you will give more than you take. Ask the client about their needs and build a persona of those that fit for a potential sales call.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zayamdesigns.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaiah-mcswain-zd
• Twitter: zayamisaiah

Image Credits
Mississippi State University media team
Oladipupo Olafuyi