Kemi Amin
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I work with people as individuals and in business to uncover, then live and work in their purpose. ”
There are those of us who are moving in a particular direction. We may be moving fast, we may be moving slow, or we may be stuck but all in all, there are those of us who lack a true sense of direction. This is where I can help.
For the individuals I work with - they want something more out of life but feel stuck and out of focus.
For the small to medium businesses I work with - they are in need of a shared vision, mission, and values to move the company forward.
I guide my clients through the process of building a purpose-based practice that leads to sustained meaning, alignment, progress, and joy.
I lead a 12-week mastermind group program. I also provide individual coaching with a 12-week purpose building process. I also contract with businesses to guide them through developing their organizational purpose.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I have a background in marketing and communications, graphic design and design thinking. After receiving my undergraduate degree in visual communications I went straight into the public sector working in higher education and local government. While working full-time I started and lead a non-profit arts and culture organization for four years.
In the process of moving on from my non-profit I had the desire to grow and learn more so I made the decision to pursue my graduate education. I graduated with an MBA in degree in design strategy. My introduction into design strategy opened up a whole new way of thinking and approaching the creative process. I was able to apply the methodologies I learned to my work as my career evolved to communications and strategic planning in the public sector.
At this point I knew I needed to become an entrepreneur and that is exactly what I did. I decided I would take something I love - stationery - to build a business. That was the birth of Greetings from OGA in 2017, a stationery brand that celebrates the creativity and cultures of people of color from around the world.
In the middle of logistics of producing and shipping orders and flying to New York to pitch to a large retailer - I realized I had to dig deeper. I was no longer energized. I took a step back and got still. What energized me was the creative process and challenging myself to build a practice around getting Greetings from OGA off the ground. That was it and that was everything. So I made a power move. In 2019 I shifted Greetings from OGA to a wholesale business and contracted fulfillment and wholesale marketing services to handle the logistics and brand of the company.
This has freed up my time to fully pursue what energizes me, my purpose - to serve the journeys of those in search of their own sense of direction. And the rest is history.
How do you stand out in your field?
The work that I do is rooted in guidance, collaboration, and facilitation. It is my job to empower my clients to take the steps and do the work. I am there to provide knowledge, perspective, insight, and to hold you accountable for your work. Coming to your purpose is about uncovering and I simply help you pull the layers back, and then create the building blocks of your practice. I do this by building a relationship with my clients through mindful conversation and creative exploration, and then we start to build using the design thinking process.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I am currently building a course and community on purpose as practice. Folks can follow me on the gram or join my email list to get notified when this project opens.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is collaborative and hands-on. The relationships I build with my clients is reflective of an accountability/thought partnership.
Here is the gist of how it works:
I facilitate as we learn, explore, share, reflect and workshop.
I lean on the creative process, so I encourage my clients to use their hands (writing, drawing, building, etc.) to gain learning, build ideas, and uncover meaning.
My perspective focuses on intuition in a very practical context.
My business practice greetings, OGA represents my style, perspective, and taste. You can visit the website get a sense this.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Any way that I can spend more time on the creative and collaborative process is a win for me.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Fear is frustrating. The thing about fear is that it can either keep you out of life or keep you on Purpose. It’s not easy but it is simple.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Social media management. It is a great platform to digitally reach people near and far but I would much rather be out in the world with people in real life, or even over the phone. We can exchange ideas on social media but I believe IRL is where the real conversations happen.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I would probably talk to myself at 18. The underlying message I would tell myself is: your fears are the key to your freedom. To break that down even further, I would say:
Seek consistent mentors and positive reinforcements
Put healthy space between you and any negativity in your life
You can’t escape consistency so embrace it
One simple task at a time
Get over yourself, you are here so you are wonderful
Follow what energizes you and get to the root of it
Ask for help, always!
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would speak to another expert in my field who has much more experience than I do to gain insight on some of their challenges and successes as they grew and became more seasoned.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I am looking for people as individuals and in business who are on the verge of change. People who have the means to invest in themselves and their businesses. People who are ready to try something different, commit and trust the process with a little help.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal collaboration would be with a person or micro-brand that was like-minded and aligned with my core values. A collaboration that was based on content and the exchange of ideas and engagement. A collaboration that is aligned with the power of purpose, rituals/habits, and real life and some humor.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
Investment in my services depends on your needs. At the end of the year, I will be introducing a group coaching platform for individuals at $54/month and an online course at a one-time cost of $90. In April I offer the 12-week mastermind group program at a one-time cost of $2700 and one-on-one guidance that is customized based on your needs.
WHO IS A CREATIVE THAT HAS HELPED YOU ELEVATE YOUR WORK?
Marie Forleo is a marketing ninja. Her digital presence allowed me to realize the possibility that my natural talents have a place and profession.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email me at greetings@greetingsfromoga.com
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I stay on purpose. I use my hands. I go outside!
This member profile was originally published in February 2019.