Today we’d like to introduce you to Assata Salim.
Assata, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since a teenager, I have always wanted to work in entertainment. My original first love was dance. I aspired to dance in hiphop and reggae videos. I would study Aaliyah, Mya, and Sean Paul’s videos until to memorized all the moves. I would also choreograph talent shows with my friends in High School so I just knew I would grow up to be a dancer or choreographer. Somewhere along the way, I became more business-minded and started exploring new opportunities. My brothers we always into music and I was always bossy (lol) so I began working with them doing promotional work.
Fast forward to college, where I connected with some friends and created GMC Queens Promotions. Gorgeous, Motivated & Classy! At the time, we had office space at Studio 4060 in the Metropolitan Lofts, now known as MET Atlanta. We worked a few projects and then parted ways.
From there, I returned to my roots and collaborated with my Stephenson High School family. Together we created the ATL SMASHERZ, a hip-hop duo consisting of V.I.P, aka Veezy Smash and Nayo Smash. They knew I had no management experience but they also knew I had drive, talent, and ambition. I knew they had pure talent and that it deserved to be heard by the masses. So in a very short time, we put together a project, did radio interviews, shows, created merch, scheduled out of town shows on chartered buses, and made it all happen with no real budget! This was an epic time for me, but it was cut short by the untimely passing of Veezy Smash. Together we built a synergy that will always be unmatched.
As I was piecing together my life, my mentor Jennifer Williams of J Sharpe PR Agency in New York, connected me with one of her clients who were in need of a personal assistant at the time. Jennifer had seen the work I’d done in the past and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to further my entertainment experience soon after I became the assistant to Shanell, YMCMB, where I learned a great deal about the ins and outs of the industry. One highlight of this experience was joining the America’s Most Wanted tour with Lil Wayne, T.I., 2 Chainz, Audio Push, Adrien Broner, and more!
Following this experience, I became the Marketing Director for GMF Artist Management Firm. Here I had the pleasure of learning artist marketing 101 on a major scale. I worked labels like RCA and Interscope as a product manager for T-Pain, Audio Push, and more!
After a couple of years with this firm, I took some time off to become the mother of a beautiful son. There’s nothing like motherhood, which will push you into full entrepreneurship mode. I began re-branding October High as a full-service marketing, brand imaging, brand management and creative solutions firm. I began applying the skills and tactics learned from working with major labels to independent artist giving them major reach with a smaller budget. And that brings me to where I am today, CEO of October High Agency.
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?
It has not always been smooth but my journey has always been blessed. In this industry, you always have to be forward-thinking. Projects and opportunities end abruptly so you have always to stay ahead of the curve to ensure that you remain employed. Losing a member of the hip-hop duo, I managed taught me a lot about focusing all your efforts in one place. Although it is important to focus on one project, you also can’t rest your whole career in someone else’s hands. Life changes occur regularly so you have to establish your own brand and identity, which allows you to work with multiple people and brands.
October High Agency – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
October High Agency is a full-service marketing, brand imaging, brand management and creative solutions firm. Our motto is: Stand out from the crowd, let creativity be your solution! Our creative team provides creative marketing, imaging, brand development, and consulting that turns a product into profit. Want to reach an international market? October High can also translate your content into Spanish! I’m most proud of our diversity and ability to work in many arenas, although entertainment is our first love.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was stepping out and investing in myself as an entrepreneur. I was so afraid of falling off and not being able to have a career after becoming a mother but I have been able to push past that and create a growing business from the bottom up. I haven’t reached even half of my goals but I am proud to say that I am at least working towards them daily.
Pricing:
- The Dreamer Package- Unsure how to launch that new idea, project, event or business? Let October High Agency turn your vision into a reality. We offer full service consulting that will take your idea from a dream to a fully packaged brand fit to enter the marketplace. (10k full value 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! (7k full value w/ a la carte option)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.octoberhigh.com
- Phone: 404-610-6099
- Email: info@octoberhigh.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octoberhighagency/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OctoberHigh/
Image Credit:
Francisco Dean- Professional Photo
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