Today we’d like to introduce you to Assata Salim.
Assata, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a teenager, I always had a certain love for the entertainment industry. In those days my first love was dance. I would study Mya, Aaliyah, and Sean Paul’s music videos until I knew all the moves. I would also choreograph and perform in talent shows with my friends, so I just knew I would one day dance in all of your favorite music videos. Somewhere along the way that shifted and I began being more business-minded. My brothers were into music and I always had an idea or connected to help push them to the next level.
Fast forward to college, I linked up with some friends and associates and together we created GMQ Queens Promotions. Gorgeous, Motivated & Classy! We even had an office space at Studio 4060 at the Metropolitan Lofts, now known as MET Atlanta. We did our thing for a while then parted ways.
From there, I linked up with my day ones from Stephenson High School and together we created ATL Smasherz! ATL Smasherz was a HipHop duo consisting of V.I.P, aka Veezy Smash (LONG LIVE VEEZY) and Nayo Smash. They both knew that I had NO management experience but they trusted my grind and our vision and with the support of our friends and family we made things happen. Shows, interviews, merch, out of town shows on chartered party buses, and more! We created a family, a bond, and a vibe that was unmatched. However, our run was cut short by the untimely passing of Veezy Smash.
From there, my mentor Jennifer Williams (J Sharpe PR Agency), saw the work that I was doing and decided to connect me with one of her clients, Shanell YMCMB, who was in need of an assistant at the time. With Shanell, I learned a lot about the ins and outs of the music business and celebrity culture. One highlight of this experience was joining and traveling with The America’s Most Wanted Tour which featured Lil Wayne, T.I., two Chains, Audio Push, & Adrien Broner.
From there I became the Marketing Director of GMF, a management company that worked with T-Pain, Audio Push, Ace Hood, G Herbo, Lil STL, and more! Here I solidified my knowledge of digital marketing and product management. I learned the format and strategies of an album rollout from start to finish on a major level as our clients were signed to RCA and Interscope. I was a creative director, stylist, and whatever else I needed to be in order for our clients to be successful.
I then took some time away to become a mother to a beautiful son which pushed me into entrepreneur mode. I had already started an event planning company in 2014, but after leaving GMF, I took my company to the next level. I began doing digital marketing for an independent artist, taking the strategies learned from the major labels and scaling them to fit the needs of an independent artist. I began offering social media marketing, digital marketing, and brand management which brings me to where I am today. The CEO of October High Agency, with the loving support of my Libra crew who inspired the name and vision of October High.
Has it been a smooth road?
My journey has not always been easy but it has been blessed. This industry is very up and down so you have to always stay alert and be forwarding thinking. You have to keep opportunities in your pipeline to ensure that you are always working. This is a very competitive field so you have to be careful and always keep your bases covered. You are only as good as your last hit so you can’t live in what you used to do because people are only concerned with what you are doing now (in the present) and how it can benefit them. Because of this I learned to define my own success and work towards achieving those goals as opposed to what other people would expect or imagine.
Losing a member of the rap duo that I managed also showed me that you can’t place your entire career in one project. People’s lives change every day and you have to be able to move forward and keep going to fulfill your personal goals and visions despite those changes.
The most important message I want to share is that motherhood is a blessing and should never be seen as the end of your career. In a male-dominated industry, you can be made to feel like you’ve gotten in your own way by deciding to become a mother but that is not the case. Yes it makes things a bit more challenging and requires more planning, but it also makes it even more worth it because you are able to support your family doing something that you love! Keep PUSHING!
Please tell us about October High Agency.
October High Agency is a full-service marketing, brand management, and creative solutions firm. Our motto is to stand out from the crowd and let creativity be your solution. Our creative team provides marketing, brand development, and consulting that turns a product into profit.
1. Grow social media following and digital engagement.
2. Develop brand aesthetic and social media presence.
3. Identify key branding opportunities to increase revenue and sales.
4. Research the marketplace to determine where the product or client fits in.
5. Develop marketing and advertising strategies.
6. Manage budgets.
7. Helping create designs and layouts for print and digital advertising concepts signage and collateral.
8. Oversee promotional activities.
9. Analyze pricing and sales.
10. (Re)evaluate how the brand can appear to a wider consumer base.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I had a very unique upbringing which gave me exposure to a variety of cultures and experiences. Studying abroad allowed me to see the world from a broad perspective and gave me a global outlook on life and business. My parents were very supportive and allowed me explore and be self-determined. They taught me the importance of scholarship and taking pride in my work. They named me Assata after Assata Shakur, which means she who struggles for her rights. They understood the importance of a name so my name alone has set me up for success in life.
Pricing:
- The Dreamer Package- Not sure how to launch that new idea, project, event, or business? Let October High Agency turn your vision to reality. (Value- 10k w/ a la carte options)
- The Growing Brand Package- Are you a growing brand looking for innovative ways to engage the marketplace? Let our creative solutions give your brand a boost! (Value- 7k w/ a la carte options)
- Established Brand Package- Are you an established brand looking for someone to manage and maintain your brand’s integrity? Build your own package that best suits your needs by selecting our services a la carte.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.octoberhigh.com
- Phone: 404-610-6099
- Email: info@octoberhigh.com
- Instagram: @octoberhighagency
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OctoberHigh/
Image Credit:
Credit Francisco Dean- professional photos only
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