Today we’d like to introduce you to David Osilaja.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
During my sophomore year in college, I began hosting and planning small events for my close friends. I continued doing this until it got to a point where I was running out of space in my college dorm. As Junior year approached, I was awarded the opportunity to become the creative director for Georgia State University’s African Student Association’s Fashion Show. This is one of the largest events held annually on our campus exceeding over 500 attendees. As the fashion show was coming to a close me and my team were looking into throwing a party and wanted to have a name for the event. I always felt as though there was a process to life and when I was looking for a name for the party, I had taken the acronym from those steps to create “DOPE”. Dope standing for the process of life: Develop (inner self), Obtain (tools to grow), Progress (forward), Enlighten (the world).
As I planned the party, I realized I wanted to give me and my team a platform where they could come together through creativity. The party was a success. After the party, I then pulled together the meaning and the reason why I did it to create DopeTreats – a platform that brings people together through creativity. I continued creating and connecting with different creatives to work up a buzz for the Instagram page @DopeTreats.ATL. Today we can be commissioned to plan and host events, photo shoots, video shoots, or parties. DopeTreats also produces a miniseries, “Be Dope Series”, where we interview different influencers (artists, creatives, DJs, etc.) about themselves and what it means for them to Be Dope in their craft.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not. Throwing any event and building any brand comes with obstacles. Breaking through the barrier to enter the tight-knit creative scene in Atlanta was difficult. Occasionally, we came across issues with confirming different parts of the event – designers, performers, and things of that nature.
Please tell us about DopeTreats.
What is DopeTreats?
“DopeTreats is a platform that brings people together through creativity. We are a collective of talented youth, based in Atlanta, working together to provide an outlet for creatives both on-and-offline.”
Mission – As a collective, we strive to inspire the youth, connect the creative community, and host the most dope events and parties! It is our mission to brings people together through creativity.
What does DopeTreats do?
DopeTreats can be commissioned to plan and host events, photo shoots, video shoots, or parties. DopeTreats also produces a miniseries, “Be Dope Series”, where we interview different influencers (artists, creatives, DJs, etc.) about themselves and what it means for them to Be Dope in their craft.
Dope stands for – “DOPE” stands for the process of life: Develop (inner self), Obtain (tools to grow), Progress (forward), and Enlighten (the world).
Who are we?
Our target audience are individuals who are creative, talented, affluent, and influential. Last year, DopeTreats’ Fashion and Spoken Word Showcase drew 128 attendees and over 16 participants from a range of different creative and entrepreneurial backgrounds across Atlanta. The event was marketed as a networking opportunity for young designers, models, musicians, and photographers in the Atlanta community. Last year was a success and this year we are looking to accomplish the same things. One way is by hosting events and parties which are targeted at creative, talented, and affluent millennials. The parties, hosted between events, are fun ways to give back to the community. There is also the Be Dope Series, where we interview different influencers (artists, creatives, etc.) and allow them to showcase their talents on social media.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from my childhood is going to different events with my family. In the Nigerian culture, planning events is somewhat second nature being that we plan events for everything from weddings all the way down to housewarmings. I would not realize until later years, but it is the reason why I have a love for planning events today.
Pricing:
- $12 to $75 per hour, plus vendor commissions when planning a social event
- Day of Event Coordination ranges from $50 – $100
- 15% of Client’s budget when planning an event
- 50% upon signing the contract other 50% needed two weeks before the event
Contact Info:
- Email: dopetreats.atl@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dopetreats.atl/
- Other: https://dopetreats.splashthat.com/
Image Credit:
(Chain Necklace) Shots by: @dontemaurice Model: @primaa.donna Makeup: @fabulouss.t Styling/CD: @visionsofego; (Male & Female) Essences. Sponsored By: @dopetreats.atl Make-Up Artist: @malikrichie Photographer: @corbincreatives Creative Director: @visionsofego Stylist: @pablopicaszo Models: @kaadijah & @sulel_; (Girl is white silk) Be Dope Series Ep. 003: A Natural Gem Sponsored by: @dopetreats.atl Podcaster: @eraofkeyonna Creative Director: @visionsofego Shot By: @shotbyevn; (2 Females) Photo of two models that were in our Fashion & Spoken Word Event: Self-Importance; (Girl in Blue Dress) Be Dope Series Ep. 002: Allison in Wonderland Sponsored by: @dopetreats.atl Food Blogger: @aksalibi @alliemgns Creative director: @visionsofego Shot By: @bykamerix; (Guy on Blue Silk Backdrop) Be Dope Series Ep. 004: A Man in The Groove Sponsored by: @dopetreats.atl Artist: @grimm.lynn Creative director: @visionsofego Photographer: @xanjuuu; (Girl In Red) Be Dope Series Ep. 001: Modern Day Li Sponsored by: @dopetreats.atl Model: @riceisart Edits: @corbincreatives Creative director: @visionsofego
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