Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayo Thomas.
Hi Ayo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As a Creative Visionary, I launched WOE Magazine (Women Own Excellence) in 2016 during my tenure as a senior human resources professional working in the corporate sector. I used my creative gifts in content creation and media to produce the digital go-to guide for women seeking to soar in their personal and professional lives. In a short amount of time, WOE became a trusted publication for its everyday readers and influencers who grace the cover.
After launching my magazine, I discovered my creative genius was identifying superb talent and creating opportunities for them to showcase their specialized skill sets through media. When I discover amazing talent, all of my senses light up. It’s like lights start popping off in my head (lol) as a sign to say, “she’s the one” or “he has something special”. However, I recognized there was a lack of diversity in major corporate spaces when it came to hiring creative and tech professionals. I realized I had a problem that needed to be solved. During the pandemic, WOE Magazine suffered lost sponsorships and advertising which impacted our growth and sustainability as an independent publisher. My intuition led me to pivot by merging my transferrable HR skills and the creative proficiency I acquired over the years, to form Galore Creative Staffing Agency.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While Galore is not my first venture, the entrepreneurship journey is not always smooth. The staffing business is more than finding the right candidate for a company. The foundation of your business must be solid to include legal contracts, funding, robust business development plan, systems/technology and more. The greatest struggle was bringing all those business elements together using a bootstrapping method with little manpower. Some people think all you need is recruitment experience, a phone, a contact list and a laptop. But if you looking to grow a profitable staffing business, you need to ensure you have a solid foundation. I initially leaned on my 14-plus years of HR experience, however, there was so much I needed to learn about running a creative and tech recruitment agency. I got tired of trying to figure it out on my own, so I reached out to my Mentor/ Business Coach Dee Williams (Founder of Staffingpreneur Academy ) to help me get my business on track. I invested in the academy which is a digital platform for entrepreneurs seeking to launch a staffing business. It was one of the greatest investments for my business and the reason why my company is on the right path to experiencing a profitable year in 2023!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Galore Creative Staffing?
At Galore Creative Staffing, we are more than just a staffing agency. We are a team of creatives who introduce emerging and highly skilled diverse talent who are on the upswing of being at the forefront of their industries by positioning them to become the driving force who will change the way the world works in creative, digital marketing, and tech communities.
We help our clients build diverse creative and tech teams by providing contractual, direct hiring and executive search services. In addition, we are helping talent who are looking to break into tech land careers by offering Google Certification scholarships as a Grow with Google Partner. Most staffing agencies do not provide training and development for talent to enhance their skills. We are passionate about not only helping talent land their dream jobs but also growing professionally.
Here are three things that set us apart from other creative staffing agencies:
We are creatives posting creative and tech talent for success.
We cultivate creative talents.
We bring a creative advantage with a combined 25 years of human resources, communications, technology and creative experience.
Our unique strategy does not solely rely on AI (Artificial Intelligence) for diverse recruitment strategies. We are building our talent pool through a grass root approach which includes community, connectivity and relationships. I am on a mission to help creative and tech companies bridge the diversity gap within their organization by building a pool of stellar talent who are ready to lend their genus.
One of my biggest accomplishments and what I am most proud of is joining the Microsoft AMPD mentoring program as a diversity supplier. This opportunity opened the door for us to now serve Microsoft as a client, which was one of the major tech companies on my business vision board.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
As the Founder and EIC of WOE Magazine, I had the pleasure of interviewing many women celebrities and influencers who are making a difference around the world. We received recognition from various media outlets such as Huffington Post, Fox 45 Baltimore, Good Day Washington, Bravo TV Online, Afro News Paper, Shaderoom, Fashion Bomb Daily, Google D.C. and more.
I am a creative who loves creating opportunities for other creatives to thrive! In the near future, Galore Creative will be launching the entertainment arm of our business. We will help place creatives (makeup artists, photographers, etc.) for job opportunities in the tv and media space.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.galorecreativestaffing.com
Image Credits
Keinde N. Thomas
