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

Hi Olaolu, thanks for joining us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

My parents raised six children, and against the odds, all six of us graduated from college. A few of us even pursued graduate degrees, and all of us have launched meaningful, impactful careers. How did my parents do it? They embedded timeless values through everyday lessons and built our character one small moment at a time. For example, my mother was famous for saying, “Don’t just step over that trash. Pick it up!” That simple lesson taught me that character isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about who you are when no one is watching, and how you treat the little things is indicative of how you’d treat bigger responsibilities. My parents also reminded us to “learn something new every day,” which turned our home into a place of curiosity and constant growth. Correspondingly, each of us has built an impactful business alongside our careers, proving you can do whatever you put your mind to and pursue purposeful endeavors. Those lessons and values carried me from Louisiana to the Marine Corps and eventually into writing, mentoring, and building Parent-Child-Connect. Everything I do now comes from what they taught us: stay curious, stay humble, and don’t pretend you didn’t see that piece of trash on the floor. My success is built on the foundation they laid.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Olaolu Ogunyemi, and if I had to sum myself up in a few words, I’d say I’m a husband, a father, a U.S. Marine Officer, and an award-winning author with a serious passion for developing the next generation of leaders. I’ve always been known as the “life of the party” with an endless supply of energy, but my true drive comes from a deep desire to see families and communities thrive.

How did I get started? My journey began in Ruston, Louisiana, growing up as the fifth of six children. In a big family, I learned the value of storytelling early because it’s one of the main ways we connected and learned life lessons. Later, as I transitioned from graduating with honors from Grambling State University to commissioning as an officer in the Marine Corps, I began to see a pattern. I saw how easily young people could be misled by the wrong voices or swallowed up by their insecurities.

I realized there was a critical need for positive resources that didn’t just entertain children but actually equipped them, and their parents and mentors, to navigate life’s challenges. I didn’t want to watch young people become statistics; I wanted to provide the tools to help them become leaders. That vision gave birth to Parent-Child-Connect (P2C).

What do we provide at Parent-Child-Connect? Bottom line: We are all about creating leaders through connection.

For families and children, I write children’s books that tackle big life lessons in fun ways. My flagship book, “Crow From the Shadow,” along with titles like “Horace the Horsefly” and “Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine,” helps kids understand self-worth, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

For schools and communities, I provide interactive read-alouds and writing workshops that spark creativity and build students’ confidence.

For leaders and organizations, I offer dynamic speaking engagements, keynotes, and leadership training. I’m also preparing to launch my new book, “Lead Last,” which focuses on counterintuitive principles for effective leadership.

The Problems We Solve & What Sets Us Apart: We bridge the gap between generations. Parents and leaders often struggle to connect with today’s youth in a way that feels authentic and impactful. I solve that by blending military precision with parenting wisdom and soulful storytelling. What sets me apart is that I don’t just talk about leadership from a textbook perspective. I teach from the “trenches” of real life, sharing lessons learned from personal failures, insecurities, and the rigors of military service. I believe that to lead effectively, you must serve first.

What I’m Most Proud Of: I am incredibly proud of the movement behind “rebranding the crow.” In my book “Crow From the Shadow,” we turned a bird that is often misunderstood and overlooked into a symbol of transformation. It’s a message that resonates with the kids (and adults) I meet: that no matter what “shadow” of doubt or negative influence is over you, you determine your own future. Seeing the lightbulb go on in a child’s eyes when they realize they have that power is what makes all the hard work worth it. That ownership of the future is what sparks meaningful change and sets the stage for developing the next generation of impactful leaders.

What I Want You to Know: If there is one thing I want your readers to know about my brand, it is this: Connection is the foundation of leadership. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, or a CEO, you cannot lead people you do not connect with. Parent-Child-Connect is here to help you build those intentional connections so that we can raise a generation of resilient, purpose-driven leaders who care more about service than the spotlight.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn is that leadership requires you to unmask. I used to believe that to be respected, I had to fit a specific mold—whether that was the “hardened military officer” or the “typical” creative/children’s book author. I had to unlearn the idea that my identity was defined by how others perceived my profession.

The Backstory: This played out in two distinct areas of my life, which I discuss in depth in my upcoming book, “Lead Last.”

First, it happened in the Marine Corps. Early in my career, I unconsciously adopted the persona of the “no-nonsense Marine.” I thought that to command respect, I had to suppress my personality, energy, and empathy. In some ways, I became a robot in a uniform, but the result wasn’t respect; it was disconnected relationships. I was leading with my rank and position as an Operations Officer, not with connections to others. People did what I said because they knew I had the Company Commander’s support, and they didn’t want me to nag them, not because I inspired them to accomplish the mission. I had to unlearn that behavior painfully and realize that authenticity doesn’t dilute authority; it strengthens it.

Second, this resurfaced when I stepped into the world of children’s literature. Let’s be honest: when you picture a children’s book author, you probably don’t picture a 6-foot-tall U.S. Marine Officer.

I remember walking into spaces feeling like an anomaly. I didn’t “look the part.” There was a heavy stigma that said these two worlds—military discipline and whimsical storytelling—didn’t mix. I struggled with the feeling that I needed permission to be there.

The Shift: The turning point was realizing that I am qualified not in spite of my background, but because of it. I realized that if I waited for others to validate my presence in the room, I would never walk through the door. I had to stop allowing other people’s limitations of what they couldn’t see to affect my purpose. I unlearned the need to fit the mold and decided to break it instead. Now, I lean into the contrast. I use my military background to bring structure to creativity, and I use my creativity to bring empathy to leadership.

The lesson? Your purpose doesn’t ask for permission, and stereotypes don’t determine your qualifications.

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

Honestly, the biggest thing that helped me build my reputation was deciding to market “Olaolu Ogunyemi” first. I’ve been very intentional, and yes, a little aggressive, about getting out there and meeting people. I show up on podcasts, introduce myself to folks in my target audience, write blogs and LinkedIn Newsletters, and stay active in the spaces where my readers, parents, teachers, and leaders spend their time.

What’s made the difference is consistency and connection. I don’t lead with a product; I lead with value. If people enjoy my perspective, energy, and heart for serving the next generation, the books and services naturally follow. My reputation grew because I wasn’t trying to be a brand. I was being myself and showing up with purpose every single time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://parent-child-connect.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olaolu.ogunyemi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olaolu.ogunyemi
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaolu-ogunyemi-465ba453
• Twitter: https://x.com/Olaolu_Ogunyemi
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCcR7d3yzZXfzcBfxveyP-g
• Other: Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/author/olaolu_ogunyemi

Image Credits

All credits are taken by family and friends.