We were lucky to catch up with Phil Lashley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Phil , thanks for joining us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

Attending any high profile art school in the US is a privilege, especially if you’re an international student paying as you go without any financial assistance. It was the perfect mix of old school Caribbean mindset (of not wanting to owe anyone) and the harsh reality that no scholarships were available for student coming from out side the US.

Shout out to all Caribbean middle class parents who believed in their kids as mine did for me.
I never knew which semester was my last, so this encouraged a hustle to build working experience like no other.

While attending the Art Institute in Miami (Miami International University of Art and Design) and a few unofficial internships, I miraculously secured a job junior motion design position in the heart of LA’s post production scene. There I bounced around from an Oscar winning motion design studio, to a Hollywood feature film marketing agency, to an award winning visual effects studio for high end commercials. This was a dream until realizing I was deeply unsatisfied.

Besides the flashy portfolio and some pretty dope Hollywood experience, the long hours and little pay didn’t add up for the out put. It just wasn’t sustainable and I couldn’t ignore it. Leaving California post production scene was one of the most difficult decisions and at the same time a beginning of my innovative adventure.

MINDSET SHIFT________

Instead of just doing motion design in the usual spaces, I’ve pivoted to using this skillset in unconventional ways.
I’ve realized that creativity isn’t just reserved for the award winning studio and agencies but also for personal brands. It’s for everyone!

Also, after reverse engineering my most successful projects I’ve realized that people only understand and remember what they connect with, so helping mission driven communicators and brands connect the dots could be a place for me to really shine.

Since I made the shift I’ve freelanced more in the UX and innovation space to pay the bills while learning essential skills for communicating the value of creative work and presenting my visual storytelling services to different spaces such as course creators, sales experts, coaches/consultants and thought leaders.

While it has not been an easy pivot, the move has allowed me a platform to develop my own signature framework, essential peoples skills, business skills and speaking skills as I’ve now been on several podcasts and panels as guest.

I’ve essentially taken some Hollywood skills to a space where full creative expression isn’t main stream as yet.

Phil , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi my name is Phil and I’m a visual storyteller originally from the island of Barbados. I discovered my craft by simply being honest on how dissatisfied I was and then following my own obsession for art directing, innovation and the idea of using creative storytelling in different spaces. To me it’s like a chef using uncommon ingredients to make the most refined dishes that keeps the people coming back for more. In this case I am the chef, and my clients are the restaurant owners. Their clients are the guests that keeps coming back for more.

Currently I provide visual storytelling services communicators. These are typically sales experts, speakers, coaches or course creators. I’m sure with time this thought leadership list expands.

Essentially Im using storytelling techniques to reimagine frameworks, sales assets and other IP content into unforgettable visuals.

Usually my clients are creatively constipated. They have great ideas and sometimes complex concepts, but they also really struggle on how to express themselves clearly with visuals or even story.

I’m mostly proud of my very own framework (the FRAME method). I’ve seen it transform my own work and my client’s work by making ideas and experiences more human.

I truly believe that people only remember when they connect with. So using my storytelling approach for transforming frameworks, sales or presentation assets and IP ideas into visuals people remember will continue to cultivated a community of engagement for my clients.

You can download the FRAME method workbook for free at phillashley.com

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

I think reputation is built by being known for something that you do consistently. I believe I’m still a work in progress, and while I’m not well known my goal is to be top of mind in the thought leadership space for creating captivating visuals helps people connect deeper with their audiences.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In the beginning of 2023 the tech/innovation industry took a major hit.

Alot of my peers got laid off and although my consistent flow of revenue was the small to medium B2B SaaS, they also took a hit.
I was preparing to pivot the previous year but Q1 made it very clear it was time to dive fully into developing my own personal brand instead of relying on my usual clients.

This was a real test of resilience and determination as I had to quickly learn how to sell the value of creative work directly to high achieving founders and business owners.

Contact Info:

• Website: phillashley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillashley/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/phil-lashley-46648114
• Youtube: @phillashley https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsJyBmnB4kXH1YgMYcM4gSA

Image Credits
Photography by Antoinette Lashley