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

Sequoyah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

If I were starting over, I wouldn’t have cash-strapped my business. People always say ‘cash is king’ but is it really? As our small businesses are formed, it’s so important that we follow stories that match our aspirations. Example: if you’re starting an agency and want to become competitive with WPP, then study WPP’s founding journey and what they’re doing to sustain and grow the business. Don’t look at the agency, your same size, as the end all, be all, of your education in the industry. Learn the rules of money in businesses doing better than you, find out how to maximize what you have by learning from businesses similar to you, then do what’s best by following the data, money, and your intuition is key! Oh, and please ask for money while you have money #protip.

Sequoyah, 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’ve created my own lane within the space of advertising by activating my passion of being as analytical as I am creative. my 12-year career spans across various media and entertainment companies + an ad agency where I was the first and only researcher in the company’s 10-year history.

My career has allowed me to learn the business – what do customers need in a partner, what do their customers need in a brand, and how to drive positive results with anything I touch. My strategy and insights have led to the successful campaigns of some of the biggest brands known across the US, as well as brands we hold close to our hearts within local communities throughout the Southeast.

My agency, 924 CoOp, bridges the gap between freelancers and agencies to connect audiences to brands one data point at a time. Through marketing strategy and market research, 924 CoOperative is on a mission to help people see themselves in the products and services they use the most.

Our vision is to amplify the voices of underrepresented people through better marketing, better research, and better data. 924 CoOperative achieves this by creating culturally accurate campaigns and strategies, recognizing all voices as equal, and using data responsibly and ethically every step of the way.

We offer marketing strategy, marketing research, and digital advertising solutions and pride ourselves on being personable, timely, culturally accurate, and socially responsible.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I was part of a company that had an equity for all program which allowed all employees to own the business. I knew that we were going to sell, based on understanding the business being conducted around me. At this point, I knew I wanted to own a business, so I worked at the company (albeit miserable while doing so) until we sold. When we sold, there was a pretty significant exit by several of us who were fed up and we all took advantage of our capital gains. I did 2 things: bought a house & funded my business. That was the starting point and I’m so glad I did!

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

One lesson I had to unlearn is that people want my authentic self in the work place; while I do believe you should be safe to be who you are, there’s a fine line between being who you are vs. being who you are at work. You want to give your employer and colleagues enough to understand you and what you stand for, but not enough to where they can begin duplicating you or making decisions on your behalf in which they have not earned that intimate position in your life. In my career, I’ve had folks think they know me and assume, mostly negative, things about me, especially regarding my attitude as a Black woman. I now keep things consistent, stick to about 3 things I’m willing to talk about at work, and everything else is reserved for me at home.

Contact Info:

• Website: SequoyahG@924CoOp.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/_databae
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/sequoyahglenn

Image Credits
Montyangleo Photography Greenbook