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FEATURED ENTREPRENEURS
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Picture This:
Ade Akinloye was born in a Nigerian village.
His parents built their own house, owned livestock, and grew and harvested their own food.
They lived a simple life, often going without the luxuries of regular electricity or running water.
Ade was nurtured in this small communal environment for the first three years of his life, and in speaking to him, I could tell that he is a very grounded young man.
But what's so unique about Ade's early years?
The Nigerian village he was born in is located in the state of South Carolina.
Not Nigeria, South Carolina!
Apparently a group of individuals, mostly Nigerians, had established the village of OYETUNJI just outside of Buford, South Carolina, back in the seventies.
This is where Ade and his family lived during his early years.
They subsequently moved to Los Angeles, but fifteen years later,
Ade found his way back to another thriving black community.
The Atlanta University Center.
We pick up his story there. Please join us.
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DigitalFilmDeveloper.com
Preview The
Upcoming New Version
Of DigitalFilmDeveloper.com
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THE HBCU NETWORK:
Tell Us About DigitalFilmDeveloper.
ADE AKINLOYE:
Digital Film Developer offers digital camera owners an alternative to processing their own images with low quality home printers.
Customers can simply log onto the web site to obtain information on digital products, services and advice that will make digital imaging less time-consuming for the average user.
Our services include:
- Digital Image Enhancement and Editing,
- Photo Scanning,
- Business Cards, Brochures, and Media Kits,
- Graphic Design (including album covers and posters for music artists),
and a host of other products.
With the web as our storefront, we have the ability to reach worldwide markets, increase sales, and save on overhead costs.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
How did you get into this industry in the first place?
ADE AKINLOYE:
I've been taking pictures since I was in High School.
I've always wanted to work for myself.
In college, I switched my major to Business after working for someone else.
I found out that I didn't like the way the business was ran, but I didn't have the authority to change things.
Working for someone and having the business run the wrong way caused a lot of stress.
I decided then that I would have to work for myself.
Being an entrepreneur will allow me to give back to folks, and to help my community.
I decided to start a businesss that integrated two of my passions;
Photography and the Internet. I reasoned that since the digital camera market is expanding at a fast pace, the need for digital imaging services will grow at a similar rate.
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THE HBCU NETWORK:
What is the mission of your company?
ADE AKINLOYE:
To be the Number One provider of Digital Imaging Services on the Internet.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
What Is Your Target Market?
ADE AKINLOYE:
Internet users,
Digital camera owners, and
Corporations with digital imaging needs.
Even kids have digital cameras these days. The market is estimated to grow to five billion dollars within the next 4 years.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Who Do You View As Your Competition?
ADE AKINLOYE:
Online, web sites like Shutterfly.com and Ofoto.com are playing in the same space.
Offline, companies like Wolf Camera are pretty well established in the market. I would like to attain market share similar to Wolf Camera's with my physical storefront presence in the next few years.
I already provide some services outside of my Internet presence, and this list of services will become more extensive as my company grows.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
What kind of challenges do you face as a rising entrepreneur?
ADE AKINLOYE:
Going to school and working at the same time has been a challenge.
Raising capital to grow my business has also been challenging.
I'm essentially a sole proprietor, with support from a number of colleagues.
A young lady by the name of Tamika Thompson manages the accounting, and provides support with picture processing as well.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Who Are Your Role Models?
ADE AKINLOYE:
My father.
He went back to school when he was 38 years old. I will never forget that.
It taught me something. He's a Physician Assistant.
Both of my parents are role models for me. They have been together for about 28 years, and having that stable home
has contributed to my staying focused on my goals.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Why Did You Decide To Attend A Black College?
ADE AKINLOYE:
I grew up in Los Angeles, and attended Crenshaw High School. My Mom didn't want me to stay in California, though.
She wanted me to broaden my horizons. After graduating from high school, I set my sights on Atlanta.
I liked the environment in Atlanta. I had heard about it when I was little.
I also had some friends that had moved to Atlanta just a year prior. I saw a lot of positive and successful black people in Atlanta, and that really appealed to me.
So I took the plunge and enrolled at Clark Atlanta University. I later transferred to Morehouse College after a couple of years, so as to take advantage of a better financial aid package.
Attending a Black College has been a good experience. There are a lot of different flavors, styles, cultures, beliefs, languages...
It's a melting pot.
Freshman year was definitely the most memorable for me, though. It was my first year away from home.
Freshman year was real cool. I met a lot of new people.
It turned out to be a really good year. Two years later, my girlfriend came out from Los Angeles to join me. We bought a house together, started a business,
and here we are.
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THE HBCU NETWORK:
Where Do You See Yourself 5 Years From Now?
ADE AKINLOYE:
I see myself as the CEO Digital Film Developers Enterprises.
The company will be ten times larger than it is now.
We would have invested in a few other companies related to digital services, including streamline video.
We will be a million-dollar company, with customers in most major cities across the country.
Our customer base will comprise more of large corporations like appraisal companies, law firms, contracting firms, etc.
We will also have a number of colleges and universities as clients. I see the area of digital services for colleges and universities as an untapped market.
Schools could have digital files of students with thumbnail pics.
Students' school IDs could be available in digital format - everything would be digitally connected.
The next few years will be dedicated to building up the other facets of the company- accounting, marketing, advertising, legal, etc.
THE HBCU NETWORK:
Ade, best of luck with your enterprise. We wish you nothing but success.
And thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.
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