We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zoe Kolapo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zoe below.

Zoe, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

At the young age of 28, it might seem unusual to think about legacy. Some might argue that such thoughts are best left for later in life. For me, however, legacy is one of the most powerful assets a person can leave behind, and I am intentionally working to build it. To me, legacy encompasses hope, faith, and tangible resources that can improve the lives of those closest to us and, by extension, those around them.

I aspire to leave a legacy that inspires the next generation to embrace their unique gifts and talents, their distinctive quirks and specialities that set them apart from anyone else. Working in social media, I often observe how originality can become diluted. When something genuinely innovative surfaces, it’s often copied by thousands, sometimes making it hard to trace back to the original creator. Yet occasionally, someone credits the source, and for me, when I look at my life, the true source of everything has always been my faith.

As a Christian, faith will always be the greatest legacy I could leave. My journey as an entrepreneur hasn’t been without its challenges, and during moments when I’ve felt like giving up, it’s my faith that has sustained me. Faith has always been the foundation, the source I return to time and time again. It’s something I can never fail to mention or leave out.

I also want to be remembered for my love of business and my deepest desire to see women start their ventures with clarity and confidence. In 2020, when I quit my job to launch my coaching business and build my YouTube channel, I remember feeling like the world was my oyster, while simultaneously not knowing where to begin. I came across countless resources about how to scale a business, but the process of starting well often seemed rushed. Coaching women in business has since become one of my greatest passions, and I want to be remembered for empowering women to take that first step with confidence and purpose.

One of my favourite scriptures is Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This verse reminds me of the essence of life itself. Each day, we live with hope. We endure difficult seasons and face disappointments because we hold onto hope, even when we can’t yet see what we’re striving 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 got into the industry by studying business and management at university. Initially, I aspired to own a hair salon as I’m a fully qualified hairdresser. However, after completing my 2nd degree, I had the opportunity to help a friend start a cake business. It was during this process that I realised my true passion lay in helping women establish their businesses with the right foundations to ensure they are both sustainable and positioned for steady growth.

In 2021, I co-founded a social media agency called ‘The Social Beat’, where we specialise in management, strategy, branding, and design services for small to medium-sized businesses. Our mission is to make social media simple and accessible for everyday business owners, seamlessly blending beauty and strategy into their online presence. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, we fully immerse ourselves in the brands we work with, treating their businesses as extensions of our own. We strive to embody their vision and goals with the same care and dedication we would give to our brand.

I am most proud of my resilience in business. Quitting my job and launching a business during the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t an easy decision, but I’m so glad I leapt when I did. Over the years, we’ve been able to expand our services, work with nationally recognised brands and refine our focus to collaborate with people who are just as passionate about business as we are.

As an entrepreneur and business coach, I’ve had the opportunity to host an award show for Young Enterprise, a national charity in the UK that first sparked my passion for business during university. This experience was a full-circle moment, reminding me how impactful the right guidance and opportunities can be for young entrepreneurs.

I’ve developed my skills and had the privilege of supporting women who are trailblazers in their industries. I’ve helped reignite passion in businesses and empowered women who were on the brink of giving up. Seeing them thrive and grow in confidence is what drives me, and it’s one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth, call me old-fashioned, but this has been our primary source of gaining clients to date. Before people commit to your business, they commit to you. I’ve always prioritised my character over my business because people can’t access our services without first connecting with me. For that reason, I make it a point to put people before their business, building genuine relationships and trust from the start.

My advice? Get out and network. Talk about your business with both old and new acquaintances, you never know who might be looking for exactly what you offer.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my business partner back in secondary school or high school if you’re in the States. We were in the same tutor group and couldn’t have been more different. She was a reserved, rock-loving emo, while I was the class clown who often found herself in trouble!

By our second year (Year 8), we became friends, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. Fast forward to 2021, she decided to quit her job and was considering going freelance after working within a specialist PR agency. We had a conversation and decided to join forces. She brought a wealth of knowledge in social media, PR, and strategy, areas I hadn’t yet mastered and together, we created something special, our business, The Social Beat.

Building a business with her has been an absolute delight. Solenè has taught me that it’s possible to go into business with a friend. She is resilient, consistent, honest to her core, incredibly selfless, and deeply loving.

She’s the reason our brand looks as stunning as it does. Her creative edge and skills are unmatched and I’ll always shout about the brilliance she brings to everything we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.the-socialbeat.co.uk/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquelyzoe_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-kolapo1/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UniquelyZoe

Image Credits

All images are credited to The Social Beat