Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2022 member
Forward Slash
Forward Slash is a creative agency and production studio specialising in social media and digital marketing strategy, ideation, consultancy, content production and campaign management.
Working primarily with brands and organisations in the music and culture space, along with music artists via independent and major labels, Forward Slash develops strategies, campaigns and executes projects with a focus on engaging and representing youth audiences.
Clients past and present include Sony Music, Nike, Netflix, BBC and Amazon Music.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
This is my first company and I’ve been able to get it to this stage without any outside assistance or guidance, navigating a global pandemic as a start-up as well as the day-to-day challenges of being a Black woman in business. I know that I have an excellent offering here, and I’m very aware that in order to make Forward Slash as successful as it can be I need help and expertise as well as the community and mentorship that this accelerator promises.
Why did you want to start your business?
Forward Slash was started organically and unintentionally as a natural progression from my work as a freelance Cultural Marketing Strategist and Consultant. I experienced a steady and consistent stream of work that required a team to deliver it, and after observing the marketplace over a period of time, I confirmed a gap in the market for authentic, culturally relevant social media campaigns, and responded to this by officially launching Forward Slash.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
I would like to become a better leader and CEO, increase my knowledge on all areas of business finance, get educated on how to effectively scale Forward Slash, and equip my senior team with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their roles.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Issa Rae. I’m inspired by how Issa Rae has organically and strategically built her brand and multiple companies on her own terms, in an industry that discourages diversity and difference. Leveraging her position to expand vertically and horizontally in content creation, TV, filmmaking, publishing, music supervision, sync, record label services and talent management, aligns with my own career and business aspirations.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Learning how to run a financially viable business in a relatively short space of time.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Learning almost everything in real time.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
I go to several friends who work in different industries and are able to share their insight and experience, to provide me with perspective and expand my thinking on how best to approach challenges and build my company.
What drives you to make your business a success?
The combination of having a creative outlet, collaborating with a team of talented people to bring this creativity to fruition, and delivering authentic and culturally relevant solutions for our clients and their audiences.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Identify as early as possible where the gaps are in your skills, knowledge and experience, and look to fill them, or make a plan for how you can mitigate them in the interim.