"As a Black creative, I’ve had to work ten times harder to be taken seriously – that’s why my work speaks for itself." - David Oku

In this episode of Creative Like Us, Ange speaks with London-based freelance illustrator and animator, David Oku. David shares his journey from a childhood passion for drawing to establishing himself as a professional artist. He discusses the impact of early encouragement, the challenges of navigating the creative industry as a person of colour, and the importance of valuing your work.

David also reflects on his experiences in retail, his transition into freelance work, and how perseverance and skill development have shaped his career. He offers insight into balancing personal projects with commercial work, the significance of creative collaboration, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're an aspiring creative or an established professional, this conversation is full of inspiration and practical advice.

Where to Find David Oku:

Instagram: @DOKUart

Website: www.davidoku.com

Links & Mentions:

Big Fat Minimalist - Anirudh Mehta

UAL - University of the Arts London

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!

Support the show

Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.

If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please email [email protected]

You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list

Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a Google Review here. Thanks!

“When you walk into a room, own who you are and what you’ve achieved, it’s not about fitting in, it’s about standing out.” – Ayo Abbas

In this episode of Creatives Like Us, host Angela Lyons is joined by marketing consultant and podcaster Ayo Abbas to discuss their collaboration on the upcoming Creatives Like Us networking event for creatives of colour, which will take place on February 13th, 2025. This event will feature inspiring speakers, opportunities for collaboration, and a supportive environment for networking and sharing ideas.

The conversation also explores Ayo’s work as a marketing consultant specialising in the built environment marketing for architects and engineers. Ayo shares her journey from corporate roles to running her own business, Abbas Marketing, and discusses her two podcasts, ‘The Built Environment Marketing Show’ and ‘Interchange’. Ayo is an expert on LinkedIn and believes in the power of personal branding and using the platform to showcase your work, research your industry and make meaningful connections.

She is an award-winning marketing consultant who predominately works with architects and engineers. She was named as the overall winner for the Digital Woman of the Year awards 2022. She started Abbas Marketing as she thought there was a gap in the market for practical marketing advice, particularly for SMEs. Ayo has 24 years of experience in marketing and has represented many major construction and professional services firms.

Links and Resources

Book your ticket for the Creatives Like Us event on 13th February 2025

Abbas Marketing website

The Built Environment Marketing Show

Connect with Ayo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayoabbas/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayoabbas/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ayoabbas
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ayoabbas.bsky.social

The Interchange Podcast

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!

Support the show

Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.

If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please email [email protected]

You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list

Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a Google Review here. Thanks!

In this first episode of Creatives Like Us, Angela speaks with Dominique van Werkhoven, a writer and co-founder of The Werks, about her journey as a creative entrepreneur. Dominique shares her experiences of building a career in writing, running a small business, and collaborating with other creatives. She reflects on the importance of representation, discussing her time as one of the few Black students at Oxford, and how breaking barriers can inspire others. The conversation looks into the power of collaboration in creative work, the balance between personal and professional creativity, and the pivotal role mentors can play in shaping careers.

Meet the guest
Dominique van Werkhoven
A born and raised Londoner, with Guyanese and Jamaican heritage, Dominique is a freelance copy and content writer, now based in the Netherlands. Together with her husband Gideon (who is also the co-founder of their three children), she runs The Werks – a website development and copywriting micro agency helping impact led small businesses to get found and to show up online, with confidence, purpose and joy.

Links and Resources:

The Werks Website: https://thewerks.nl/
Instagram: @WeAreTheWerks
Dominique’s Advent Project: @NomadSixtyOne
LinkedIn: Dominique van Werkhoven

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!

Support the show

Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.

If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please email [email protected]

You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list

Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a Google Review here. Thanks!

In this introductory episode of Creatives Like Us, host Angela Lyons (you may know her as Ange) shares her inspiration for creating a podcast that amplifies the voices of creatives of colour. Drawing from her personal journey as a graphic designer, Angela reflects on feelings of self-doubt during her time at Central Saint Martins and how representation and mentorship shaped her career. The podcast aims to celebrate the highs, lows, and in-betweens of being a creative of colour with conversations that inspire others to pursue their creative dreams and open doors for the next generation.

Angela and series producer Heather discuss the vision behind the podcast: to create a platform that inspires collaboration, shares impactful stories, and addresses challenges in diversity and inclusion within the creative industries. With a focus on community, mentorship, and the theme of “passing it on,” the podcast seeks to influence broader conversations about representation and show that there is space for everyone. This podcast is for anyone who wants to be inspired, supported, and empowered in their creative journey.

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!

Support the show

Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.

If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please email [email protected]

You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list

Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a Google Review here. Thanks!

Creatives Like Us is a podcast dedicated to opening up the conversation and amplifying the voices of underrepresented creatives, especially people of colour. Hosted by graphic designer Angela Lyons, this podcast is all about breaking down barriers and showing that a successful career in the creative industry is possible for everyone.

Through open conversations with inspiring creatives, Angela creates a platform for stories that challenge the status quo and provide insight, encouragement, and practical advice. Creatives Like Us is here to empower and uplift the next generation of diverse talent, whether you're a student, graduate, or exploring a new career path.

If you have enjoyed the podcast, please leave a review here. Thank you!

Support the show

Contact Information

This podcast is hosted by Angela Lyons of Lyons Creative.

If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to be featured on this podcast, please email [email protected]

You can follow and connect here:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Podcast website
Instagram - Creatives Like Us Podcast
Join the mailing list

Produced by award-winning media and marketing specialist Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub
Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

The opinions of our host and guests are their own.
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice or leave us a Google Review here. Thanks!