Promise Akpan

Climbing the corporate ladder can be beneficial for you as a creative in several ways: 1. Influence and Impact: Leadership positions allow you to shape strategic decisions and drive innovation. 2. Resource Access: Higher roles often come with more resources, enabling you to execute bigger and better projects. 3. Networking Opportunities: Corporate leadership exposes creatives to valuable connections and collaborations. So, it's a win and a huge advantage for you. 4. Credibility and Visibility: Advancing in the corporate world can enhance your reputation and visibility. 5. Financial Stability: Leadership roles typically offer better compensation, providing financial security. However, I understand that it's not all creatives aspire to or thrive in corporate environments. Some of you may prefer freelance, entrepreneurial, or artistic pursuits. Ultimately, it's about finding the right path that aligns with your goals and values. Do you prefer climbing the corporate ladder?

Some of the beautiful corners in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. My state is beautiful and clean! Moreover, I’m the photographer 😊 #akwaibom #tourists #tourism #uyo #photography #WilliamEst

POV: Designer and his design. Share yours 😊

Your work doesn’t exist if no one sees it. Show your work!

“I’m in need of a graphic designer to hire for a project” I’m very sure that there are designers in need of opportunities who’d see such post and the only thing they’ll do is go under the comments section and comment “Interested” and leave it at that expecting clients to reach out to them. Meanwhile other intentional designers who are always ready to give a shot and grab the opportunities they want (even when they are not experts) who’d go to the person’s inbox immediately they see the post and leave a message like this: “Good day Mr B, I’m ABC, a professional graphic designer. I’m reaching out regarding your need for a graphic designer. I am a good fit for that and I’m available to help you achieve your desired outcome. Here’s the link to my portfolio. Looking forward to your response and working with you. Thank you” Please, Use the comments section and tell us who’d stand the highest chance of getting hired.

"Don't leave money on the table" isn't just about taking on every client that comes your way. It's about being strategic, intentional, and focused on building a business that truly thrives. By being choosy about who you work with and what you take on, you'll create a business that aligns with your values, challenges you, and brings in the income you deserve.

If you decide not to go to school, please listen. The day you drop out or turn your back on university education, you’ve just signed a lifelong agreement with yourself: “The professional door is closed to me.” Not locked. Not impossible. But closed, and you’ll need something extraordinary to pry it open again. Let’s not lie to ourselves. Degrees still carry weight. They still open doors. So the minute you reject that route, understand this: You will have to work three times harder than the average graduate. You can’t afford to waste time. You can’t be unserious. You can’t just vibe through life and expect it to click. There's is no pension or gratuity waiting for you anywhere. If there will be one, you will have to make it for yourself. You become your own retirement plan.  If you pick up a skill (any skill at all) you must be undeniably good at it. Not average. Not “trying.” You have to move mad. Welding, carpentry, tiling, auto repairs, trade, supplies, sports, ICT, tech, cooking, content creation... Dude, anything! You cannot be average. Because somebody, somewhere, will stack their BSc against you. Someone will believe that their cousin who barely scraped through a basic polytechnic has a more “promising future” than you. You’ll have to prove you’re smart. You’ll have to prove you’re resourceful. You’ll have to prove you deserve a seat at the table, and that proof must be LOUD. So if you walk away from school, just know... You don’t have the luxury of time. You want to be a public speaker? Your voice must come like thunder. You want to code? Outrun the ones who studied Computer Science for 5 years. You have palm started oil processing? My dear, your long-term goal should include buying out an entire community's worth of farm produce.  When they’re asleep, be awake. When they’re chilling, be working. You better be ten steps ahead. The odds are not in your favour, but your dedication and skillset are your greatest w€ap0n$. This is not a pity party. This is war. If you’re ready to take this path, take it with your chest. No fear. Because one truth remains: Hardcore skills beat a university degree every day of the week. © Ifiok Bernard

Let's get real. You've been grinding, putting in the hours, and still wondering why the paychecks aren't reflecting it. Here's the tea: income grows when three things align – VALUE, CONFIDENCE, and VISIBILITY. Think of them like a trio of fuel for your money engine. Let's break it down: 1. VALUE: Are You Solving Problems? Income starts growing when you deliver crazy VALUE. Not just any value, value people are willing to PAY for. Ask yourself: What problems do I solve for others? Is my skill/product making someone's life easier, richer, or better? Example: A coach helping people crush their fears? That's value. 2. CONFIDENCE: Own Your Worth, Bruh! You need to BELIEVE you're worth the money. Confidence isn't arrogance; it's knowing your worth. People pay more when you radiate: "I know I'm the solution." "My work is fire, and I'm worth investing in." Think about it: Would you pay ₦50k for a course by someone who sounds unsure? Or ₦500k for one by someone WHO KNOWS THEY DELIVER RESULTS? Confidence = higher price tag. 3. VISIBILITY: Show Up, Don't Hide! Show up! Show up consistently! Show uppppppp! Even if you're amazing, no one pays for what they don't SEE. You need visibility? Post on social media (authentically). Speak at events (you can volunteer to do so). Network like crazy (you need to know more people and people need to know you). Solve problems publicly. Example: A fitness trainer posting transformation videos on IG? People SEE results, they trust, they pay. When They Align? Boom! Imagine: You offer a premium service (VALUE). You charge ₦1m because you KNOW it's worth it (CONFIDENCE). 10,000 people see your posts, and 100 book you (VISIBILITY). Result? Income grows. Not overnight magic, but consistent growth. Here are the blockers and how to ix 'Em: 1. Low Value: Upskill. Solve BIGGER problems. 2. Lacking Confidence: Practice self-belief. Track wins. Surround yourself with cheerleaders. 3. No Visibility: Post daily. Collaborate. Be seen! Ever heard of someone like Gary Vee? He delivers MASS value (content), oozes confidence ("I'll crush this"), and is EVERYWHERE (visibility). Boom – millions. Your Move? Start today! Identify how you create VALUE. Speak like you mean it (build CONFIDENCE). Show up CONSISTENTLY (VISIBILITY). The bottom line is that, income isn't just about hustle. It's about becoming a VALUE-packed, confident magnet people SEE and PAY for.

Hold my glass while I inspire and show you that you can convey a powerful message in a remarkably minimal way. Always leave the logo minimal and meaningful. #logo #design #graphicdesign #branding #logodesigner #graphicdesigner #logodesigns #logodesign #designer #AFCON2025

This is how I approach brand apparel design. How do you approach your? #brand #branddesigner #branddesign #GraphicDesigner

As a brand designer, you've probably struggled with typography at some point. Choosing the right font, pairing fonts that work, and making text look pretty... it can be overwhelming! 😅 The good news? Google fonts site! This is a goldmine. check it out - it’s time to level up.

Show up! Speak up! Speak loud! Speak well! Speak often! Show up with your work!

Share one of your favorites brand identity design project.

As a brand designer, you've probably struggled with typography at some point. Choosing the right font, pairing fonts that work, and making text look pretty... it can be overwhelming! 😅 The good news? Google fonts site! This is a goldmine. Go check it out. #designtip #Graphics

Quote with a fine picture of you.💛

"Because someone cannot take good pictures is a valid reason not to hangout with them." - Promise Akpan (2026)

One of the hats I love wearing as a designer is the "ownership" hat. It allows me influence decisions outside design, and people have come to trust it. I see a bad copy, I call it out and change it. I have campaign ideas? Sharing them. Bad branding? No we go start again.

By being choosy about who you work with and what you take on, you'll create a business that aligns with your values, challenges you, and brings in the income you deserve.

"Don't leave money on the table" isn't just about taking on every client that comes your way. It's about being strategic, intentional, and focused on building a business that truly thrives.

Cheers to a rewarding year. #august1 #HappyBirthday