Taking our turn to share our story

In the last few weeks, I have had the privilege to speak at two events targeting young entrepreneurs and students. 

The most recent one was last week when I had the opportunity to share my journey into Fashion Public Relations (PR) with participants at the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) programme at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).

When a friend Naa Adjeley Konney of TrendsnBlendsgh asked if she could save a slot for me because she was assigned to invite 5 Entrepreneurs/Influencers who would experience YALI for a day and also have the opportunity to interact with participants about how they started and got to where they are now, I hesitated for a minute. 

So I asked her if she thinks I fit in, she said "I think you do, You run a Fashion PR, that's huge". Then I thought to myself, how is it that, I always think what I do is so small and not worth sharing. It's been 6 years since I founded e'april public relations.  

I agreed, and I'm glad I did.  It was a great learning experience for me. Aside sharing my journey as a PR person in Fashion, I also had the opportunity to learn a few things from the training.  

I also had the opportunity to listen to amazing stories from other women such as Evita Joseph, founder of Evita Joseph Beauty and Fashion Blogger, lavanita.

The other speaking engagement I had few weeks back was at the University of Professional Studies' "Time with the Practitioners" event organised by the Public Relations Management Students Association (PReMSA). This event was targeted at PR students who have had many questions with regards to what practicing PR was like and jobs prospects after school.

I shared the platform with fellow PR practitioners Paa Kwesi Forson (Head of PR, Global Media Alliance) and Abigail Naa Karley Clegg (PR Freelancer).

Speakers and Lecturers at UPSA

Being students studying Public Relations, I could related to what would be going through their minds as students on what career choices are available to them after graduation.

As professionals, we gave them our guides on what little things they can do differently that can keep them ahead of others looking for the same job opportunities. 

Particularly in my case, they should create their own jobs if they can't seem to find what they are looking for or are not being hired.  

I took the opportunity to share how I found my niche in PR by combining my skills as a PR person to my passion which is Fashion to build a career as a Fashion PR Specialist.

To any student or young PR professional looking to find their place in PR, remember that just like mine, it takes time, research, self-searching and hard work to find what you are passionate and do what you love.

The key to loving what you do is identifying what you’re good at and matching it with what you’re passionate about. 

What skills set do you have? See how you can match that with something you enjoy doing or you are passionate about.

Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Events

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Daniel Kumevor (Middle)

There is something captivating about Emirates Cabin Crew and their stunning and easy recognizable uniform. Being at the forefront of the airline and serving as the direct link to customers, their uniform identity has won many hearts with many desiring to have an opportunity to work there.

Daniel Kumevor is one out of over a 100 other Ghanaian working with Emirates, an award winning global airline while enjoying the best opportunities working in a multi-cultural environment and living his best lifestyle.

Currently a Supervisor In-flight Emirates, Daniel’s recounts how his remarkable journey as a Cabin Crew started off during his first flight experience with a Ghanaian Cabin Crew member in 2008 while traveling back home with 4 other colleagues from the University of Ghana on board Emirates. This lady after the boarding procedures caught up with them and encouraged them to take a chance and apply for a job on their website when they needed a job.

Two years after that encounter, Daniel decided to apply for a job with Emirates and to his amazement, he was selected among a few other Ghanaians to begin training and subsequently commence work as a Cabin Crew.

Looking all dapper in his rich chocolate color suit featuring a subtle cream and red pinstripe complemented with a cream-colored shirt and a brown tie that has diagonal red strips, Daniel shares his experience and life with fellow social media influencers and journalists over lunch at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

Daniel explains his role as a Supervisor as one that involves being well knowledgeable about all the procedures. “I always go in anytime they need help to offer assistance. Because I have been through all the ranks so I know what works and offer assistance. You are trained on the service flow and how to talk to your customers such as phrases to use for the President or a Minister and you need to be able offer them first class treatment.”

For Daniel, aside going through all the trainings on how to dress and look good at all times, his most gratifying moment is to make people happy and so he always wears a smile no matter what. Even when dealing with angry customers, all he has to do is to smile “My smile, I have never had one (in reference to angry customers), really, I always think, you don’t know what really happened to the person, he might not be smiling because maybe he had an issue at the airport or maybe had a bad day”. All he has to do is to welcome the person with a smile.

While he is flying across the entire world for mostly 22 days and only gets off for about 8 days, Daniel also finds fulfillment in supporting and working with other colleagues in making an impact in the lives of others through donation and charity events.

The Emirates experience which puts your Safety, Entertainment and Service first also compliments his natural genes as a Ghanaian identified mostly as hospitable, honest, humble and very happy people.

Myself and Laurie

Myself and Yaa Somuah

Myself and Daniel

Listening attentively while Daniel shares his life at Emirates, one thing I found really heartwarming is to see a Ghanaian really making Ghana proud and happily making an impact on peoples lives even if its just a smile because a smile is all it takes to make impact.

This post was originally published in the Business & Financial Times 6/4/2018

Faith Senam Ocloo 
Fashion Public Relations 
Fashion I Beauty I Lifestyle I Arts

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