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

Monjoa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

I believe that if you want people to take your business seriously, you have to build something serious first. I don’t expect my friends and family to support me just because I have a dream—I present my business to them the same way I would to an investor or stakeholder. I want them to not only see the vision but also understand the proof behind why it will work and why it matters.

Now that I’m entering my second year in business, I’ve noticed a shift. My friends and family are starting to approach me about my work—asking questions, seeking advice, or even inquiring about pricing for photography or marketing services. I think it’s natural for the people who care about you to want to support you once they see you’re truly committed.

But I also think it’s important to consider what I’m asking of them. I don’t believe in asking for money or referrals unless I have a solid business plan and can clearly show the value of working with me. That said, my friends and family have provided infinite support in other ways—being there when I stumble and lifting me up when doubt creeps in. That kind of emotional support has been invaluable, and when you’re just starting out, sometimes that’s the most important thing you can ask for.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Monjoa, a photographer and marketer based in Detroit, Michigan.

My marketing journey has been anything but linear, but it all makes sense in hindsight. I’ve always been a writer, spending my childhood lost in stories. In college, I pursued film with dreams of screenwriting but added media sales to learn how to sell my art. That decision led to six years in advertising sales, where I honed my skills but felt creatively unfulfilled.

Photography reignited my passion for storytelling, and I saw how I could merge my sales, writing, and creative skills into marketing—helping businesses grow through compelling visuals and strategy. Now, through high-quality photography, social media, and content marketing, I help brands craft narratives that engage, inspire, and drive revenue.

People buy emotionally and justify rationally—so we create marketing that doesn’t just sell but moves people. Whether documenting an event, shaping a brand’s online presence, or building strategic campaigns, storytelling remains at the core of everything we do.

By working with dreamers, doers, and changemakers, we empower businesses to make a lasting impact—because the best marketing doesn’t just tell a story, it resonates.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The idea of paying myself last was a lesson I had to unlearn. As a business owner, it’s common to be the last one paid, and it’s normal to put in countless hours without a direct return.

However, after getting seriously sick at one point, I realized how essential I am to my business. It literally stops running if I’m not well.

Eventually, I want to scale to a point where I don’t need to be involved in the day-to-day operations. But I also came to understand that if I’m not covering myself, I can’t provide the best service to my clients for the long term.

By paying myself first, I secure my financial stability and empower myself to focus on higher-level thinking. This also ensures my business has the necessary room to grow, because capital is crucial. To scale effectively, you often have to invest in your growth. When building my packages, I prioritize paying myself, allocating funds for the business, and then covering the costs required to complete each project.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Mastery is my goal. I’m determined to understand every nuance of photography, storytelling, and marketing. I want to know why some stories and advertisements captivate, while others fall flat, and be able to use that information to skillfully create.

They say it takes 10,000 hours to master something, and I’m committed to putting in that work. My dedication is all about refining my craft so I can deliver the best possible results for my clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fakomedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monjoa_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FakoMedia

Image Credits
All images were shot by me – including my headshot!