Exploring Life & Business with Olawale Adeyina of Green Street Media

Today we’d like to introduce you to Olawale Adeyina.

Hi Olawale, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

I’m Olawale Adeyina, the Founder and CEO of Green Street Media, based in Atlanta, USA, with a vibrant extension in Africa. My journey began fresh out of university, armed with just a vision and my modest savings from freelance graphics and web design gigs. My eureka moment struck when I stumbled upon CNET.com, whose compelling tech narratives and visual storytelling sparked a desire in me to mirror such a platform in Nigeria, addressing the lag in tech news dissemination in my home country.

Driven by this aspiration, I birthed Techcityng.com, which quickly ascended to become one of Africa’s leading tech news portals. Pioneering video tech reviews in Nigeria, I filled a noticeable void, transitioning from mere written blogs to creating engaging video content. This venture evolved from discussions with my friend, Tosin Hunkuten, who not only embraced the idea but also offered his camera skills to shoot our pilot episodes.

The early days were fraught with the usual suspects of doubt and financial strain. Yet, it was the encouragement from Tosin and the support from friends like Bellarose Okojie and Ade Fabian, who lent their presenting talents, that transformed my vision into a tangible reality. Despite initial setbacks in securing TV partnerships, a strategic shift to YouTube, advised by a contact at Google Nigeria, catapulted our reach and opened doors to invaluable collaborations, starting with a landmark partnership with Samsung Nigeria.

Our YouTube foray not only increased our visibility but also set the stage for a lucrative project with an e-commerce giant, marking our first major commercial triumph. This venture was a testament to our capability in producing top-tier video content, establishing Green Street Media as a titan in Africa’s visual content production sphere, specializing in TV commercials, documentaries, and corporate videos for a global clientele.

Reflecting on this journey, I am profoundly grateful to God and owe a monumental debt of gratitude to my founding team—Tosin Hunkuten, Bellarose Okojie Duruji, Benita Okojie Adeyina, Adewale Oladipupo, Ade Fabian, Gbenga Sawyer, Adeusi AdeDeji, and Lukman. Their unwavering faith in the infancy of our dream was the catalyst that propelled our shared vision to the heights it has reached today.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Certainly, the journey hasn’t been without its hurdles, but I wouldn’t call it smooth. Founding Green Street Media in Nigeria, right after university and without any investors, was a formidable challenge. My initial capital came from the modest earnings of my freelance graphic and web design work. Inspired by CNET.com, I saw an opportunity to bring timely tech news and reviews to Nigeria, where information on global tech advancements often arrived late.

We innovated by introducing video tech reviews, a concept then absent in Nigeria’s tech landscape. Convincing others of this vision, especially with limited funds, was daunting. However, a turning point came when my friend Tosin Hunkuten encouraged me and offered to help film our pilot episodes. With this push, I invested my savings into creating the pilot for TechCity, navigating through the complexities of media production and partnership.

Facing the broadcasting world presented its own set of challenges. TV stations demanded high fees for airtime, beyond our financial reach, and potential sponsors were initially non-committal. The advice to pivot to YouTube was a game-changer, amplifying our reach and attracting collaborations with brands like Samsung Nigeria.

Our major breakthrough came when an e-commerce CEO, impressed by our YouTube content, awarded us a significant contract. This marked a pivotal moment, transitioning Green Street Media from a startup to a key player in Africa’s visual content production sector. So, while the path had its smooth stretches, it was interspersed with obstacles that we navigated with resilience and strategic pivots.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

At Green Street Media, our world-class team of creatives have  established us as a frontrunner in the digital media and storytelling domain, particularly at the nexus of technology and media. We’ve illuminated the contributions and impact of esteemed organizations such as Microsoft, YouTube, Google, Samsung, USAID, Transsion, Stanbic IBTC, Leadway Assurance, 9Mobile, and itel, through our adept storytelling and high-quality video productions, including commercials, documentaries, corporate videos, and branded content.

Our skilled professionals excel in collaborating with startups, brands, and agencies, delivering innovative and impactful video productions that not only meet but exceed expectations. From crafting succinct 60-second TV commercials to orchestrating comprehensive multi-year branding campaigns, we ensure top-notch creativity and effectiveness, offering unparalleled value in the industry.

At the heart of Green Street Media is our passion for visual storytelling, driven by a commitment to help our clients achieve their objectives through the dynamic medium of video. We engage closely with our clients to tailor video content that resonates with their audience, bringing their vision to vibrant life.

Further exciting our journey is the venture into developing long-form content for general audiences, including feature-length movies, documentaries, and series. This strategic expansion allows us to weave captivating and meaningful stories, enhancing our portfolio and diving deeper into the art of filmmaking. With this move, we aspire to blend our narrative expertise with cinematic artistry, creating unforgettable experiences that entertain, enlighten, and inspire, marking our bold entry into the film industry and broadening our storytelling spectrum.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I advocate for the strategic selection of mentors and deliberate engagement in networking with individuals and communities to foster business growth. In the process of selecting a mentor, I prioritize evaluating the individual’s expertise, growth trajectory, and achievements, considering how their guidance can enhance my professional development and proficiency in my field.

Regarding networking, my focus is on identifying potential business relationships where my services could be beneficial, or where collaboration opportunities might exist. When engaging with communities, I assess how my contributions can align with my industry’s needs and how participation can yield personal and professional growth, as well as generate a positive impact on my business.

In essence, the judicious choice of a mentor combined with targeted networking strategies can be instrumental in accelerating business growth, enhancing professional skills, and expanding industry connections.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.greenstreetmedia.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenstreetmedia.co