Today we’d like to introduce you to Ajea Nicole.
Ajea, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been someone who is passionate about inspiring and encouraging others. Whether that’s through posting motivational quotes on my Instagram story or Bible verses, there’s something that really draws me in and gets excited about sharing something positive. I graduated from Lasell College last year with a Bachelors degree in Communication while focusing in Journalism and Media Writing. Right after I graduated college, I decided to go to grad school and get a Masters in Integrated Marketing Communication.
Between the time I finished with my Bachelors and started grad school, I knew that I wanted to write a blog. For a while, I had a hard time thinking about the sort of direction or perspective I wanted the blog to be about and focus on. But nonetheless, I knew that I couldn’t let my desire to share my thoughts, words, and wisdom, die. On one hand, I wanted my blog to inspire others but on the other hand, I wanted my blog to be a central location in which people could go to feel hope, glean faith, and understand that they don’t have to go through their struggles alone.
From the time I started my blog last year, I honestly think that the direction I was going with it changed. And I think that was a good thing. The reason why I think that the direction changed is that I realized that there are other ways in which I can encourage, inspire, and support others. I didn’t know what that would like or what that would essentially be, but I knew a few things;
1) God was pushing me out of my comfort zone in many ways than I expected.
2) God was calling upon me to use my gifts, talents, and experiences to be of service to others.
3) God was reminding me of the vision that He instilled in me and NOW was the time to get to work.
I wanted to create a business in which at the core, I value the relationship over transaction. I also wanted to integrate faith as well, as that’s a topic/theme on my blog. I wanted to create a business in which I can utilize what I’ve learned in school and through various hobbies and opportunities, and help small brands tell their story in a way that is clear, concise, and consistent. Lastly, I wanted to create a business that primarily focuses on three services: photography, content marketing, and business branding. I knew that if I could do that, then I would certainly be using my hands for good.
I also tell myself that when I meet people, I don’t want them to see ME. But I want them to see, feel, and know the Christ in ME. And because of that, I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Him.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
If I were to tell you that getting to the point of starting a business has been smooth, I would be lying! But if I were to tell you that even if the road is smooth but the journey is still worth it, then yes, that’s the truth! The top thing that I’ve struggled with along the way and on this journey is honestly, fear.
I struggled with fear because I kept thinking about what other people would say or what they would think about me and my business. Would they think it’s a foolish idea? Would they think it’s pointless? Would they not want to work with my company because it’s based on faith? Every sort of what-if question you can think of, I’ve asked it. Trust me. I also struggled with fear in the sense that: 1) I am only 23, 2) I don’t have an enormous team set up yet, 3) I don’t have an entire list of connections, and 3) I don’t even have a plan as to how to make a profit! But if there was one thing that I did have every step of the way, it’s honestly God. See sometimes, I think that we count ourselves out because we look at what we have as insufficient. But while we look at we feel as insufficient, God doesn’t view it as that. In reality, He is only preparing us for whatever it is He is going to give us next.
The other reason why I was compacted with fear is that of having a business in which faith was it is core, could be tricky. I think being faith-based can cause points of contention for many people, especially for people who may not really be interested in that or make turn their nose when they understand it. But honestly, faith-based to means is just a way that I make a distinction- that I make sure that everything single aspect of my business not only benefits God but pleases Him. Being faith-based means that I am treating every single client that I cross path with, with love, compassion, and care because those are characteristics that Christs bestows to us.
If there is the first thing I can say to other women starting their journey is to let fear push you and guide you in the direction in which you are supposed to go. Sometimes, the sense of fear becomes so overwhelming and intensifies the minute or second, we are so close to our destination or close to that place we have created in our minds we need to be. The second thing I would say to women, particularly young women starting their journey in regards to fear is to learn to embrace your fears, don’t run from them. I think it is so important to embrace your fears because, at the end of the day, fear is a human emotion. It’s an emotion that we all have, even for people that look like they have it going on. They have fear(s) too just like you and I. But I think when you surround yourself with the right people for the right reason, they will notice your fears not as a sign of weakness but as a sign of undeniable strength waiting to be birth itself. Finally, the last thing I would say to women on their journey is to surround yourself with people that want the best for you. People that can see the vision you want to birth and want to help be a part of the process with you. Seeking Godly council is something that I also recommend. There are going to be good days and bad days but always be in a state of gratitude for the opportunity to live, breathe, and do what you love the most.
When you are confident about your journey, even when things are difficult or uncertain, you have the unique power of surprising yourself.
We’d love to hear more about A N & CO.
A N & CO. is much more than your “typical in-house creative consulting agency” offering a variety of services. In fact, we approach our services and what we do from a faith-based perspective. We specialize in photography, content marketing, and business branding. Our goal is to be a bridge that connects small-sized brands who need help figuring out, enhancing and establishing their digital story, both online and off. By tailoring our quality services to small brands specifically, we believe that our clients will be able to:
Understand that success isn’t determined by the size of a business.
Unlock talents and gifts already within them.
Utilize every connection and opportunity for good.
I think one thing that sets us apart from others is that we believe in not just who we work with but we also value relationship over transaction. We can make a difference. We have the potential of instilling encouragement into someone and hope that they will go off not just do great work but help someone else too- pay it forward. I am really proud to finally get this point where I can say I have a business. I believe in God and I know that I wouldn’t be here without Him. Also, I am really proud that by integrated faith into my business, I can ensure that I am doing work that will please God.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I believe that if there are opportunities that society thinks women are not well positioned for, then I would hope that women would still go after that opportunity anyway. For me, I think that now is the time (and I think it’s been happening slowly but surely) with the rise of the Me Too and Time’s Up movement, for women, regardless of where they come from, to really live their best lives and tap into the dreams and goals they have put aside. I don’t think there are opportunities that women are positioned because I think that means that only she should be in that position and that she should she not work to obtaining other positions that go against what society says. And sometimes, being in the same position for too long gets old and stale. But in other times, it’s what is needed to get to the next level so, in retrospect, it sort of goes hand-in-hand.
One thing that my parents have always taught me is that it is not enough to say that I do not know something or know how to do something. But instead, I have the power and potential to seek the answer to whatever it is that I do not know. I have that right and responsibility. Similarly, my parents also taught me the importance of never letting opportunities that I think I don’t qualify for, stop me for applying for them anyways. Why? Because if we’re to ever wait until the right time or wait until I feel like the dial has finally turned, I would be missing out on thousands of chances to turn every single no into at least one wonderful yes. I think that women, especially as of recent are in a position where the world must stop and actually listen to them (and us). The world must listen to who is talking, even when sometimes it’s the same kind of women. I know and hope that this is only the beginning. Now more than ever, we are seeing women rightfully claim their seat at the table and what a beautiful sight that is.
Contact Info:
- Address: 88 Harvard Avenue
Hyde Park, MA 02136 - Website: byanandco.com
- Phone: 617-596-0963
- Email: byanandco@gmail.com
- Instagram: byanandco.com
Image Credit:
Personal photo was taken by Jess Ngo (IG: @jkngoo)
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