JULY PRIME PARAGON: PHARM OLAJIRE JACOB
From writing Rx school projects & reports to creating marketing collaterals that help SMEs grow internationally, Pharm. Olajire Jacob has always sought distinction; even with life’s constant curve balls, his journey is one that redresses your mind and shows that although you might not make Coke out of Kola, you are never too young to try. Value-driven, Tenacious, Pachydermatous and Systematic are a few descriptors for our Prime Paragon for July. Let’s take a look into the mind of a Prime Paragon. . .
YPG LAGOS: Please tell us about yourself and what you do?
PhOJ: Olajire is an experienced B2B copywriter with a background in Pharmacy. Olajire has helped several startups across the globe grow their sales pipelines. By delivering highly effective marketing collaterals, he has assisted small & medium-size businesses to capture and dominate new markets. Having graduated with a distinction in Pharmacy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 2016, he has since delved into the world of marketing and sales, helping businesses achieve unprecedented growth using the power of words.
I have noticed that there is a huge gap between the demand for quality content and writers that can actually deliver. This is the problem I and my team want to solve with the Elitefold brand (elitefold.com). We provide actionable copies to help businesses scale their customer base and revenue.
YPG LAGOS: What choice words would you use to describe yourself and why?
PhOJ: Pachydermatous. In a world where being yourself and truly believing in your dreams may be challenged, growing a thick skin will help you pull through nonetheless. I think this is a prerequisite for achieving true success.
YPG LAGOS: Why did you choose to study Pharmacy? What were your dreams? Was Pharmacy more of a means to an end?
PhOJ: My dad is a pharmacist and had two thriving community pharmacies growing up. I used to watch him count the proceeds of the day every night before going home. As time went on, I also discovered, he takes calls every now and then to counsel his patients on how to use their drugs. I felt I could make ‘stupid’ money and impact lives at the same time. So, yeah, I opted for pharmacy. FYI, my dad wanted me to study architecture.
YPG LAGOS: What (has) changed over time?
PhOJ: The pharmacy profession is truly a noble one. However, the profession in Nigeria, currently lacks the exclusivity that would make the practice really enjoyable and rewarding, especially for the YPs (Young Pharmacists). Isn’t it crazy how one may be able to purchase a high-ceiling antibiotic at Idumota?
YPG LAGOS: Are you a full-time non-practicing Pharmacist? If no, what are you doing and how do you stay in touch with the profession? If yes, how does Pharmacy or being a Pharmacist fit into your future plans?
PhOJ: At the moment, I am not practicing pharmacy. I am obsessed with anything sales and marketing. Copywriting gives me the chance to sell without opening my mouth or staying in traffic for several hours before I am able to strike a deal. I will definitely re-route to pharmacy when I have enough financial power to break into the industry and still keep the ethics of the profession intact. It’s all about empathy, for me.
YPG LAGOS: It is very intriguing to find a First-Class graduate of pharmacy not practicing. What is the story behind this?
PhOJ: The mind is pretty much like an elastic band, you will never know how much it can hold until you stretch it. Getting into the copywriting space was serendipitous for me, but running with it required a mind-stretch. I think being a pharmacist should not stop anyone from acquiring other skills. You see, we are finally in the skills economy. In the next 5 years, we will all be freelancers; existing as an entity, and having a global reputation. There is no better time to be a copywriter and be a professional same time. Copywriters are professionals. Content writers? Maybe not.
YPG LAGOS: What concepts or ideas pique your interest, how do they inform your actions and how do you utilize them in work and life?
PhOJ: Most days, you’d find me talking about copywriting, mindset, entrepreneurship, and empathy. These four things form the core of who I am. With empathy at the core of your service or product, scaling becomes less of a steephill battle. It’s all about serving people and humanity. Everything you need is on the other side of what you give.
YPG LAGOS: How do we address you officially? Do you or people (family, friends, and clients) ever have conflict in identifying with your discipline as a Pharmacist? (You can cite a scenario or more )
PhOJ: Hahaha. Just call me Jire or thejirejacob. It’s not that serious. Titles are superficial, it’s what you carry that makes the difference. Title without substance is like a placebo with no API. However, most of my friends who are in fact, pharmacists simply call me Olajire Jacob.
YPG LAGOS: At what point did you know you would not be practicing? (Answer if it applies)
PhOJ: Uhm, that was my final year. Seeing that I had made my first million as a copywriter, and I was enjoying it, I thought: Why not go full throttle?
YPG LAGOS: What lights your fuse as a person, and what quells your fits?
PhOJ: I am a sucker for systems and automation. If you show me a way to maximize utility, I’d have my head spinning in the right direction. What quells my fits? A simple acknowledgment does the job.
YPG LAGOS: How do you spend your free time? (Hobbies etc)
PhOJ: I like to just chit-chat and shoot the breeze. I really like to bowl though. I am up for a challenge. Anyone?
YPG LAGOS: What does copywriting mean to you, and how has it impacted your life?
PhOJ: Copywriting is influence. Whether you are selling, trying to set an appointment, want a pay raise, need to write the cover letter that gets the job, copywriting will help you do just that. Copywriting has given me the freedom to actually pursue my passion and truly care about people. It’s no longer B2B (Business to Business) or B2C (Business to Consumers), but Business to People.
YPG LAGOS: For you to stick with it, it must be lucrative and fulfilling to some degree. Do tell.
PhOJ: That’s right. When I finally get on Forbes, it should be said that I did my first $100k selling copywriting services while putting a huge smile on the faces of several individuals and families across the globe. My 2020 goal is to expose at least 100,000 youths to the beautiful world of copywriting, help them move up the corporate ladder fast, or start a profitable copywriting business that keeps them independent forever.
YPG LAGOS: I am sure you’ve had epic moments in the course of your career, do talk about some of your notable ones? (Please include achievements & losses too)
PhOJ: Let me share one epic moment. It was my 6th month into my copywriting journey, I was contacted by a UK cinematography company to write a 300-word approval letter to come film activities in the Lagos KiriKiri prison. They had hired someone who probably was unable to capture the mission and vision of the company. They reached out to me and offered to pay me the highest fee I had received for my service at that time if I could whip something in less than 12 hours. As an Ife boy, I took on the job and delivered. They came back after a week with the news that they have been approved and offered an extra payment that was almost the initial fee. This experience made me decide I was going to remain in the copywriting industry and do whatever it took.
Losses? I had my work rejected by 6 clients in a row. Took a month off, did a self-analysis, and came back grinding again.
YPG LAGOS: If given the chance to redo things, how far back would you go in time? What would you do differently and why?
PhOJ: I wouldn’t have done anything differently really. I still would have studied pharmacy and leaned towards sales and marketing.
YPG LAGOS: If given the chance to look into the future, would you take that chance? Why?
PhOJ: Successes in life are better appreciated when they are unanticipated. Setbacks are better handled when the “hope” to keep going springs forth from within, I think.
YPG LAGOS: As a creative, do you ever have a block? How do you handle it?
PhOJ: Writer’s block is a myth. What most people call writer’s block is inadequate research. However, there are times I am not just interested in doing anything copywriting. I find a way to let off the steam and recharge. If you are in the business of truly helping people, it shouldn’t be hard to take some time off.
YPG LAGOS: I’m sure you have quotes or wisdom nuggets you live by. One or two for us?
PhOJ: The universe can hear your thoughts and your words. You want to shape your realities with your words every time. You see, you have to create the image of where you want to be and challenge reality to catch up.
YPG LAGOS: From a vicarious or personal POV, what challenges plague a pharmacy graduate in the job space? (Include clichés/norms you have observed)
PhOJ: Like I said at the start of this interview, YPs are at a sort of disadvantage these times. There is a great disconnect between the job description and the remuneration. However, one way to rise above these challenges is to put value first. When you over-deliver, you can easily ask for a pay raise and set the rules.
YPG LAGOS: Did you fall victim? How did you navigate/bypass them?
PhOJ: Not really.
YPG LAGOS: Video games (Console and Game) or Watching sports? Cooking or Take-out? iPhone or Android? Movies/Cartoons/Anime/Manga? Calls/Texts? (Please indicate specifics where applicable with brief details)
PhOJ: Video games, so I get to thrash some of my pharmacy friends who are sports aficionados.
Take-out when I am swamped and cooking when I’ve got a bit. The Apple experience is priceless. Talk about the omnichannel way of doing things: Start off on the iPhone and finish up on Mac. To me, that’s priceless! Movies, please. I binge watch movies based on recommendations. Calls, when it’s really important.
YPG LAGOS: Very interesting! Thank you so much for speaking with us, Jire. It’s great to see one of us blazing trails in the the copywriting industry. We truly wish you success
PhOJ: Thank you for the opportunity and God bless.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/olajire
Instagram: Instagram.com/thejirejacob
Twitter: Twitter.com/thejirejacob
Facebook: Facebook.com/thejirejacob
This interview was conducted by Pharm Oluwatobi Ojo. We hope you had a worthwhile time reading through the interview. Visit PSN-YPG Lagos YouTube channel to explore our “10 Questions with Pharm Olajire Jacob”. Enjoy! Don’t forget to subscribe.
