How Founder Adebukola Ajao Is Empowering Small Businesses with Creative and Cost-Efficient Digital Marketing Solutions

Adebukola Ajao, Founder of BDY CONSULT LLC, supports small businesses with creative and cost-efficient digital media services.

Adebukola, a former freelance writer, has a passion for sharing small businesses’ inspiring stories. Her ultimate goal is to help such businesses overcome marketing challenges and maintain their role as vital contributors to the economy. Through her experience as a brand marketer, Adebukola has had the opportunity to equip companies with the necessary tools to stand out in the competitive social media market, find their unique voice, increase brand awareness, and drive traffic to their websites.

We spoke with Adebukola about BDY CONSULT LLC's solutions to common problems small businesses face, the valuable lessons she's learned as an entrepreneur, and her future plans for personal and professional growth.

Q: Tell us the story behind your company’s founding. How and why did you start working on BDY CONSULT LLC?

A: My path to marketing is quite non-linear. I studied Africana Studies and political science in college thinking I would become an attorney or run for office. But the very last classes I took in college were Graphic Design 101 and the Social and Psychological Development of African Americans. I learned about the Black Twitter phenomenon and became intrigued by social media. Coupled with the fact that I was a freelance journalist, marketing felt like the best next step in my journey as a thinker. I particularly dedicated myself to working with small businesses because I learned that America does not, in fact, run on Dunkin—it runs on the hard work of small businesses, many of whom were not using digital media to propel their businesses forward. I started my business as a solution to this big problem.

Q: What problem does BDY CONSULT LLC solve? 

A: At BDY CONSULT our slogan is, “If you’re in business, marketing is your business.” Aside from gaining access to capital, the number one issue small businesses have is properly marketing their business. We’re different from most boutique marketing agencies because we not only produce work for our clients, we help them see themselves as marketers! 

Q: Did you always know that you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

A: I come from a family of entrepreneurs so, unlike most people, it’s in my bloodline. My mom has always been an entrepreneur. For the past two decades she ran an African food catering business that is now one of the few brick-and-mortar African markets in Massachusetts. My father is a minister and runs a church as a nonprofit. My brother owns a HVAC company among many other things. My cousin runs a sneaker boutique. The list goes on and on. Being an entrepreneur feels right and has empowered me in so many ways. 

Q: What were the most difficult and most impactful lessons you’ve learned starting and running a company? 

A: Someone once told me, “To be an entrepreneur, you must be partially insane.” I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s very much true. Entrepreneurship is hard. It is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And, get this, I chose this. Just imagine choosing one of the hardest jobs in the world. 

My advice? Life is coming. You can’t stop it. People will leave you. Although it feels unnatural to be without certain people, trust me, it’s coming. The least suspecting of folks will leave you and blame you for their misfortune. You will feel underappreciated at times and may even want to give up. Don’t worry—nothing’s wrong with you. It’s a part of the process. Trust the process!

Q: Have you felt like giving up? What made you persist?

A: I feel like giving up often. But I only feel it and I let the feeling pass me by because once you’ve been a business owner for as long as I have, you learn that giving up is not an option. You can pivot or change course or even start over, but completely throwing in the towel is not an option. It’s the unsaid binding agreement you make when you decide to start a business—no matter how hard it gets, you will see your vision through to its highest potential. 

Q: We dare you to brag: What achievements are you most proud of?

A: I am incredibly proud, but mostly humbled, to be a university lecturer at one of the top colleges in the nation—and my alma mater—Northeastern University. My coursework focuses on digital era skills, leveraging digital technologies, and social media strategy.

As a marketing consultant, I share knowledge, but as a professor, I create knowledge. The next generation of learners will use my methods and ideas to excel in marketing and I think that’s so cool. It’s a fulfilling and full circle experience to teach undergraduate and graduate students. In fact, it’s one of the highest honors as a professional. To be trusted with the doting minds of students is by far my favorite accomplishment.

Q: How have you grown as a leader since starting BDY CONSULT LLC? 

A: If there’s nothing else you learn from my story, never forget this: teamwork makes the dreamwork. I’m uber weary of this “self-made” persona many entrepreneurs assume. The reality is, rarely does anyone achieve anything without the support of others.

That’s why there’s no real hierarchy in my company. I’m a consultant just like Jaslyn, our strategist, is a consultant. Sometimes I’m lead on a project and sometimes she is. It’s formally called transformational leadership.

Consequently, through this non-hierarchical structure, many of my team members have gone off and started their own marketing agencies and have adopted some of my methods. I live for this!

Q: What’s next for you and BDY CONSULT LLC?

A: BDY CONSULT is expanding into the commercial marketing world. We’re known for specializing in small business from historically disadvantaged communities but our capabilities go far beyond that. We want to work on larger campaigns and be able to show our creative side. 

Adebukola is a member of Dreamers & Doers, an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders by raising their profile through PR, forging authentic connections, and curating high-impact resources. Learn more about Dreamers & Doers and get involved here.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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