Today we’d like to introduce you to Folasayo & Ndidi Ayoola.
Hi Folasayo & Ndidi , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We started Oda Creative in 2008 with a shared goal: to help brands and events show up in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and true to who they are. At the time, we were working full-time corporate jobs. One of us was in oil and gas, the other in Tech leadership, and we built the business during every free moment we had.
We began with brand and web design, then expanded into luxury stationery and experiential event branding. We weren’t just designing what people asked for. We were creating new ideas that didn’t exist yet. Some of those early concepts eventually became trends in the industry. We officially incorporated in 2011 and have grown steadily ever since.
Today, we work across both brand and event spaces. From brand identity, websites, and packaging design to invitations, menus, signage, digital tools and more, we help our clients show up in a way that feels intentional, elevated, and deeply aligned with who they are.
We’ve worked with entrepreneurs, creatives, planners, and household names. We’ve also spoken at conferences nationwide and internationally, including The Event Experience Africa (TEXA), Engage! Summits, Landlocked Luxury, In Trusted Company, WIPA and others. What we’re proudest of is helping our clients feel proud of how they’re showing up.
We collaborate closely on every project, combining strategy, creativity, systems, and detail to make sure every final product reflects the highest version of our client’s vision. Whether it’s a rebrand or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, we bring clarity, care, and excellence to every touchpoint.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been meaningful, but far from smooth.
We began with raw talent and a vision, not funding, mentors, or a roadmap. In the early days, we wore every hat: designing, coding, packaging, delivering. We had to figure out pricing, boundaries, and positioning while juggling real client work and real life.
At the time, we were both working full-time in demanding corporate roles. Ndidi was in IT oil and gas, and Folasayo was in IT leadership. Building Oda Creative meant early mornings, late nights, and weekends. We carved out time wherever we could, all while starting a family.
One of our earliest challenges was production. Without in-house printing, we had to rely on vendors who weren’t equipped for the unconventional ideas we were bringing to the table. We often had to prototype concepts ourselves just to prove they could work. Some of those early risks became trends in the industry, but back then they took persistence, creativity, and a lot of trial and error.
We were branding businesses and producing for major events, often without the internal systems we needed. Folasayo’s background in systems helped, but building for ourselves while building for others was a constant tension. Client work always came first, which meant learning how to protect time for our own business. Burnout, scope creep, and growing pains were all part of the process.
As co-founders and life partners, we also had to navigate the emotional side. We learned to separate roles, build trust in each other’s strengths, and grow a company without compromising our relationship.
Eventually, we built frameworks, refined our offers, brought on help, and shifted from being doers to leaders. The challenges haven’t stopped, but our ability to move through them keeps getting stronger. That’s what keeps us growing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Oda Creative?
What sets us apart is the intention behind everything we create. We’re not just trying to make something look good. We want it to mean something. Our clients come to us when they’re ready to level up, and they trust us to help them do it in a way that still feels true to who they are.
We don’t chase trends or pump out templates. Every brand design, every piece of stationery, every element of an event is built with purpose. That’s something people feel when they interact with our work. We hear all the time that what we create feels personal, elevated, and aligned. And that’s exactly what we aim for.
We’re most proud of the way our work empowers our clients. We’ve seen people raise their prices, attract better-fit customers, show up more confidently, and feel proud of the way they’re represented. Whether it’s a founder finally seeing their vision come to life or a couple watching their guests light up when they open the invitation, that emotional response is everything to us.
We care deeply about quality, about experience, and about doing things the right way, not just the fast way. That’s what people remember, and that’s what we want to be known for.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We’re just grateful for the chance to do the kind of work that brings both meaning and beauty into the world. We know how much trust it takes to let someone help shape your brand, your event, or your story, and we don’t take that lightly. If anything, we’d want readers to know that behind all the design and strategy is a team that truly cares.
We’re proud of what we’ve built and even more excited about what’s ahead.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.odacreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odacreative/
Image Credits
Kasey goes slick, spostophotography, massonliangphoto,
