YOX
Please introduce yourself.

TIMMY
I’m the CEO/Creative Director at TISV Digital, a digital design agency. My working experience dates back to the year 1999.

YOX

Why or how did you choose the creative profession?

TIMMY

I started out as a programmer, back in 1999, writing codes and building desktop apps. When the .net era became popular, I realized the need to evolve into web applications and I built my PHP skills and started creating websites and web based commerce solutions. I worked at a few places, MTN, NEXT, Zeesoft (linkserve) and Woo interactive. I got a job at Woo interactive, as their chief developer, where I worked on many online banking solutions. At Woo, I developed my design skills and fell in love with the 8th wonder of the world, Photoshop (takes a bow). Years after, I moved to MTN, as an interface and web designer. I also had a 3 month spell at 234NEXT, where I worked with the likes of Chude Jideonwo, Cheta, and Tolu Ogunlesi.

YOX

How did you prepare yourself for the profession?

TIMMY

I think for me, like many others, I have an eye for what looks good, and just try to replicate it. Either in my head or on the canvas. Online has also really helped.

YOX

What do you do to remain relevant and conversant with moving trends in the profession?

TIMMY

Lol, relevance is relative, but like I usually advice people, be a parasite. Identify the area you want to be relevant in, and move with the trend. Don’t be shy to ask, look at what has been done, copy it but make it your flavour and try to get paid for it. Keep being friends with the younger guys because they are more adventurous; your experience however, gives you an edge. Don’t get too comfortable, always be willing to try out new things, that you choose to adopt what you’ve learnt is another but learn it still.

YOX

Did you start your business while still working somewhere or were you on your own when you took the decision to start up? What guided your choice?

TIMMY

I got an opportunity while I was working somewhere, but I needed to be a registered company before I could get paid. Somewhere during my journey, I got a call to come design the 2nd covenant University website, that project required I needed to register a company. That’s how my path to entrepreneurship started. Thank God CAC was effective back then

YOX

How did you balance your full time job and personal business without itches on both sides?

TIMMY

Because it was a side gig, I had to work late nights at home, my laptop was my most treasured asset.

YOX

How did you differentiate yourself as a proper business and not just another artisan?

TIMMY

Being very responsive, keeping to timelines, and when we fault (this happens often) we take time to communicate and give feedback to client. Also, always being available to their needs, weekends, public holidays or even on vacation, once my clients call, I answer.

YOX

What process do you follow from initial request to job completion so your clients see professionalism and then trust your service delivery?

TIMMY

Once a request comes in, I send a document brief, asking the client to complete the doc for clarity and proper documentation. We reply with timeline and cost where necessary and try all to ensure we deliver as promised. Tone of voice in email and phone conversations also sets one aside. The “evil person” who started the Customer is King cliché set me up, but I take it religiously.

YOX

In this digital age where everything is wanted fast, how do you meet multiple deadlines without selling out on the quality and style of your art?

TIMMY

Delegating, you can’t do it all. Learn to share tasks, amongst friends, outsource to other skilled individuals, work late, multi-task anything. Just ensure you get it done. I, even till now, use 3 apps at a time for 3 different clients briefs. I can be on PS for Lagbaja, AI for Temedo and Indesign for Omo baba mukomuko.

YOX

It is difficult to have fixed prices in the creative profession. What formula do you use for charging fees appropriately?

TIMMY

Tricky, well I’ve been lucky to have clients who have placed me on a retainer, but sometimes I just use customers clout. Other times I use time factor or consider resources invested. One cheat sheet, is you can ask 3 industry friends what they will charge you if you gave them the job. Double the most reasonable one and give to client. Most often, client will negotiate and let you know what they are willing to pay. You then decide to proceed or otherwise.

YOX

What are the basic things needed to launch a full-time business e.g documents, fixed assets, staff, etcetera? How or
where would you advice as the best way or place to get them?

TIMMY

Hmm… Capital is key, as long as you are willing to set up proper, and not that home studio thing all of us once did. You need client(s) whose bills can sustain the dream, at least to start. You need an accessible location, because for you to get the big jobs, client will come to your office, even if just once. You need a lawyer, there are lots of freelance lawyers, it just helps to take away all those agreements that can set you up. Staffing is also Key, for me, I don’t believe in CV’s but I will like to know you can type a paragraph without little or no typos. You speak and look well, albeit your dress or mix style, be it Goth or Ballerina. And you are passionate about the sector not just one who needs a reason to leave home. You need power, a good hardware and internet, your business delivery is built around those three.

YOX

Which client/business deal would you refer to as your first big hit and how did you land them?

TIMMY

FCMB. It came by referral. I started an agency designing their internal communication materials and grew over the years to become the Agency that managed the rebranding and entire digital strategy. I think being able to understand their brand well has given me that edge.

YOX

What marketing activities do you carry out to ensure quality clients keep coming through the door so your business stays alive?

TIMMY

This one is tricky, but we’ve been lucky, referrals have been key for us.