We were lucky to catch up with Robert Solomon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Robert, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about innovation. What’s the most innovative thing you’ve done in your career?

In 2015, at the age of 16, I embarked on my journey into journalism. At that time, I had just gained admission to study Civil Engineering at university. Now, there’s one thing you should know about being a child in Nigerian society: most parents want their children to pursue lucrative careers, like becoming a doctor, nurse, or lawyer. Thankfully, that perception is gradually changing. I had always known I was going to study engineering; if not engineering, then maybe architecture, because I excelled in Physics and Technical Drawing. However, deep down, I knew it might not provide the satisfaction I needed. If you’re a creative person, you’d probably understand what I mean; we don’t feel fulfilled until we pursue our true passions.

So, at 16, my mind was open, and I knew I had endless possibilities to become whatever I wanted to be. Stick with me; I’m going somewhere.

I attended numerous seminars and youth development programs to gain a better understanding of my purpose, and one recurring piece of advice was to “have a side hustle.” It made sense, especially considering the tough labor market in Nigeria. I knew many people who had graduated with top grades but remained jobless. One Saturday afternoon, while watching TV, I stumbled upon a show called “Fashion Bloggers.” I became captivated by the incredibly talented women making waves in the fashion world. One person, in particular, caught my attention—Margaret Zhang, who became my idol. Margaret was studying law and business at university while managing her website, doing photography, styling, attending fashion weeks, and more. It dawned on me that I could do something similar, so I launched my blog, “Down By One,” in 2015, and thus began my journey.

Before starting my blog, I knew I was a proficient writer; my teachers often praised me. I also had a passion for photography, fashion, and anything creative. At this stage in my life, I employed innovation by utilizing whatever resources I had to reach my goals. That meant writing and taking photos with my HTC phone and doing everything on that device. I considered asking my parents for a laptop and a camera, but I don’t think they fully understood my aspirations. To them, it probably seemed like a passing phase.

I began blogging while attending university, balancing it with my studies, and it was incredibly challenging. The Nigerian educational system hardly allows room for pursuing side projects (blogging wasn’t merely a side hustle for me since I wasn’t making money from it). Nevertheless, I persisted, taking breaks when necessary, and continued to grow my audience. When I started gaining views on my blog and my audience expanded, I realized I was onto something. That’s when I began contemplating how to elevate my blog to the next level, despite using a free WordPress site.

In 2020, during the pandemic, my friend Elvis Kachi and I visited another friend in a neighboring city. We intended to stay for two weeks but ended up staying for over three months due to strict lockdown measures. With ample free time on our hands, we began discussing our plans after university. We were both in our final year and apprehensive about our post-graduation prospects; Elvis had a background in fashion design. Somehow, our conversation veered towards writing, and Elvis reminded me about my blog and photography, questioning why I hadn’t monetized them yet. So, we set ourselves a task—to reach out to as many fashion publications as possible, offering our services as content writers, using my blog as a portfolio. And so, we secured jobs, albeit with meager pay. However, we remained undeterred, recognizing the importance of building our portfolio.

It has been four years since Elvis and I took that leap, and our lives have transformed. To this day, I thank God for that trip we took together. Elvis is now a professional fashion journalist with bylines in some of the most prominent fashion publications. As for myself, I transitioned from writing about fashion to music journalism. In just a few years, I’ve contributed to Rolling Stone, Paper Magazine, Teen Vogue, and many others. Additionally, I’ve launched my PR agency, The RCJ Company, which is thriving.

Honestly, the key is to keep pushing forward, without fear.

Robert, 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?

I’m Robert Solomon, a seasoned journalist, researcher, and Founder of The RCJ Company. My journey commenced officially in journalism back in 2020, following nearly five years of managing my fashion and lifestyle blog.

The RCJ Company is a Nigerian-born PR agency that specializes in cultivating editorial coverage for both companies and individuals through comprehensive reputation management, fostering positive brand awareness, and implementing strategic communication processes.

The genesis of The RCJ Company arose from a dire need to rectify the strained relationships between agencies and clients. My extensive experience collaborating with numerous PR firms in my journalistic career unveiled a persistent gap in comprehension between client expectations and agency deliverables. Witnessing talented creatives being overlooked due to miscommunication or misrepresentation was disheartening.

At The RCJ Company, our hallmark lies in our adeptness at bridging the chasm between clients and the media. Our modus operandi is anchored in collaboration, transparency, and innovation. We customize our strategies to cater to each client’s distinct requirements, ensuring their narrative is conveyed authentically and resonates with their target demographic.

While our origins may stem from collaborating with musical artists, our commitment extends to diversifying our clientele within the entertainment industry. Whether it’s actors, filmmakers, fashion designers, or influencers, we are steadfast in our dedication to empowering talented individuals and entities to amplify their voices and achieve their aspirations.

I take immense pride in witnessing countless talented individuals receive the recognition they deserve. I am driven by the pursuit of client success and am willing to go the extra mile to ensure their triumphs.

I think it’s imperative for potential clients to understand that at The RCJ Company, your success is our paramount concern. Our unwavering commitment to excellence permeates every facet of our operations, from crafting compelling narratives to nurturing meaningful connections with the media. When you engage with us, you’re not merely enlisting the services of a PR agency; you’re enlisting a dedicated team of professionals fervently dedicated to facilitating your achievements. We recognise the uniqueness of your story and are steadfast in our resolve to ensure it’s conveyed authentically and resonates with your target audience. With The RCJ Company at your side, rest assured that your brand’s reputation is entrusted to capable hands, and together, we’ll pave the way for you to shine in the limelight.

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

For me, the most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been to continue to put our work and all our career success out there. I think beacuse of the nature of what I do, it can be so easy to downplay your efforts and not celebrate your wins. If you knew me three years ago, you’d know I hated putting out my works out there. Partly because I didn’t like the attention it brought, and partly because I was still heavily dealing with imposter symdrome. No body is going to know you or what you do if you are hiding. So my startegy for the past three years has been to leverage social media, and just continue to publicise everthing that we do.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

RCJ Means, Reputable, Committed, and Just, and so when it comes to our reputation in the market, we don’t joke with it. I’ve heard some of my clients tell me that they have paid so many PR agencies, and yet they didn’t deliver. Some PR agencies have promised them heaven and earth for a ridiculous amount of money. These are things you’d never hear The RCJ Company do. In this industry, our reputation is so important and we always work to keep that.

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