Welcome back to another episode of For The Creators, where its our job to demystify creativity. In these long form conversations, we tease out tips and tricks from all kinds of creatives whether they’re Musicians, Presenters, Actors, Directors, DJs, Writers, Entrepreneurs and everything in between.

In this episode I sit down with Ruby Aryiku, one of the owners of the social marketing agency Vamp and a young woman who is destined to do big things in the future. As trailblazers for inclusivity and cultural diversity, Ruby and her business partners are the true definition of Black Girl Magic. Not only have they hosted film premiers with Oprah Winfrey, Ava Duverney and Jada Pinkett Smith, they are also embarking on a campaign to change the beauty industry by launching their own beauty event Shades of Beauty Live this August.

During our conversation we touched on Ruby’s childhood, how she randomly decided to study media at college, sneaking into the Google offices, working with her two best friends and the importance of playing an active role in being the change that you would like to see in the world.

If you are a female entrepreneur or if you aspire to start your own business one day, this episode is especially for you. I have learned so much from Ruby about the power of positive thinking, patience and perseverance and I am sure that you will too.

Without further adue, please enjoy my sit-down with, Ruby Aryiku.

Show Notes:

- Discovering Vamp & Ruby from our guest Komali Scott-Jones (episode 008 https://soundcloud.com/forthecreatorspodcast/ep008)

- Meeting Ruby at Afro Hair & Beauty

- Ruby origin story

- Studying media and communications. Meeting her future business partners at University

- Starting VAMP

- 13mins ‘essentially you’re targeting yourself’

- Getting their first client, a makeup artist making her debut on YouTube 

- Spotting a gap in the market for the underrepresented

- Making sure they work with brands that they relate to

- We know you have never targeted this audience before, we can help you get to that audience without messing it up

- Magic Johnson using the same approach with Starbucks. Tapping into the audience he knows

- Being the change you want to see

- Promoting ‘Black Films’. Finding it hard to find ‘Girl Trip’ in local cinemas

- Cold calling and getting opportunities

- Getting ‘Girls Trip’ as a client, doing an Event and PR

- No red carpet scheduled, VAMP creating the screening 

- Working with brands that have products but aren’t reaching the right audience

- Suceeding with Girls Trip opening up the door for Blank Panther and Oprahs Wrinkle in Time, Purge and Molly’s Game

- Founding a company of 3 young black females and overcoming the barriers that come with that

- The advantages of Working with friends and open communication & Playing to your strengths

- Making the conscious decision not to be seen, but knowing that you have to have a face and a human side

- Getting a picture with Oprah 

- Taking the leap, leaving their jobs and starting VAMP

- Motivating yourselfas a founder. Getting a mentor

- The black beauty market, how VAMP want to make a difference in the beauty market Shades of Beauty

- ‘Perseverance Breeds Success’

Links

www.wearevamp.co.uk

VAMP: https://www.instagram.com/vampuk/

Ruby: https://www.instagram.com/rubyjadex/

Girls talk London: https://www.instagram.com/girlstalklondon/

Nissy Tee: https://www.instagram.com/nissytee/

Magic Johnson interview: https://youtu.be/pJ2uB54yW-w

Email:

[email protected]: [email protected]

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Hosts:

Ryan Nile - @journeyofthenile

Vernaire Bass - @vernairebass

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