Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2021 member
Shogun Social

We help businesses post like creators, to help them build true brand without ad spend.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
To better understand how to run a business and scale up in the right way. Things like hiring, scaling up, and developing cash flow forecasts and long term business plans and goals. We have seen success so far but I want to make sure we scale the right way.
Why did you want to start your business?
I started my business for many reasons, to prove that I could, to help my family do the things we never could growing up, and to also fill the gap in the marketing world of truly connecting with an audience instead of the usual corporate disconnect.
The age of automation is dead and the age of authenticity is in! And Shogun Social wants to be the agency that guides brands into a new era of organic social media.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
I'd love to make sure Shogun Social has all the things it needs to succeed and has a strong foundation, they don't teach you how to run a business in school so I want to make sure I am covering all bases.
Not only that but I also want to learn how to do things like cash flow projections, flushing out the business model, developing other revenue streams, and just making sure we have considered everything in our plans for growth.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Steven Bartlett, I went to see him speak in 2018 and it was the first time I saw someone else in marketing who looked like me absolutely smashing, and he inspires me because we come from almost identical backgrounds, and if he can do it, so can I.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Working with Barclays Eagle Labs as our biggest client and growing to a team of 5 in a year and 3 months is something I am proud of.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Learning how to run a business, dealing with late invoices, and finding the right talent.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
Online agency growth communities and others around me in Barclays Eagle Labs.
What drives you to make your business a success?
Because our service is at the right place and right time, and I want to grow this into something that can support my family now and in the future.
Plus I truly believe we can help businesses be more like creators, so social media can be a far more entertaining and valuable place for everyone.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Keep things lean and keep testing until your audience says they love your product or service then double down on the good.
To many people get an idea in there head and it can't be changed. Your audience is everything keep everything about them and involve them whenever you can and you can never fail.