Meet Entrepreneur Emmanuel Oyewole, A Tech Blogger And Founder Of Beyondainow.com

Young entrepreneur Emmanuel Oyewole has loads of business ideas, and he works hard to bring these ideas to reality. When he recognized the absence of African music on UK radio stations he established Snatch Radio in year 2013, and through this platform he got engrossed in various technical aspects, one of which brought out another business idea, a Tech Blog named beyondainow.com. he speaks to Elorasblog in this interview.

Please tell us a little bit about your background?

My name is Emmanuel Oyewole
I grew up in the vibrant and bustling town of Oshodi, Lagos State. My time in Oshodi holds cherished memories, especially the house where I spent my childhood. Our community felt like a close-knit family, where we shared bonds despite coming from different parents.

My educational journey led me to Bolade Grammar School in Oshodi, a school often underestimated by many. However, I’m proud to stand among those who defied expectations and went on to achieve meaningful accomplishments. Following my secondary education, I pursued Business Administration and Management studies at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.

Subsequently, I engaged in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program in Jalingo Local Government, Taraba State. A pivotal point in my journey was securing my inaugural role after NYSC at Pan Ocean Oil Corporation, an Oil and Gas company. This marked a significant achievement and a source of immense pride for me.

What was your dream profession growing up?

In my formative years, I had many dreams and aspirations. I dreamed of becoming a basketball player, basically anything that’s popular on TV, and even envisioned myself as the president of Nigeria – a lofty ambition that I fervently prayed for. However, over time, I grew discouraged with the intricacies of the political process, leading me to reconsider that path. Amid these varied aspirations, one pursuit remained steadfast since my secondary school days: the passion for music.

An intriguing turn of events occurred when a classmate of mine from secondary school departed to attend a music school. Out of curiosity, I inquired about the nature of this endeavour and was immediately captivated. I approached my mum with the idea of attending a music school, but her advice was to first complete my ongoing endeavours and then explore my musical aspirations, at my own expense.

In the lively 1990s, many amazing musicians shared their hip-hop and R&B songs with us. This made me love music even more. Consequently, two of my friends (Wale and Tunde, who’s no longer with us now. God rest his soul) and I, residing under the same building (may I add, this is a face-me-I-face you type of building), decided to channel our shared passion into something tangible. This marked the inception of “The Treasurez,” a three-member boy band. We serenaded anyone who would lend an ear, undoubtedly causing quite a commotion within our neighbourhood. Regrettably, our efforts remained confined to the local scene, with our musical journey unable to transcend those borders. However, that tale deserves its own telling on another occasion.

Can you share with me your journey to Entrepreneurship?

Since my days in polytechnic, the concept of being a job creator rather than a job seeker has been instilled in me, and this perspective has remained with me ever since. I’ve always envisioned myself as a CEO, but the question of what field to venture into has been a recurring pondering. While I dabbled in music, I didn’t allocate it the attention it deserved due to the busyness of life.

However, when I relocated to the UK in 2011, the seeds of entrepreneurship began to sprout within me. With music not being as feasible to pursue, I aimed to stay connected to the music industry in some way. As a devoted enthusiast of radio and African music, I swiftly recognized the absence of African music on UK radio stations. This observation motivated me to bring about change.

Residing in Woolwich Arsenal with a friend at the time, we frequently brainstormed ideas. Leveraging the identity I had already established as Snatch Moore, I had a revelation: I could harness this name to create a music platform. This marked the birth of Snatch Radio in 2013, which rapidly ascended to become the No.1 Afrobeats radio station in the UK.

Tech Blog: where did you get the Inspiration?

I’ve always been really curious about technology because I know it’s going to be really important in the future. The transformative power of technology is reshaping our world, and I am determined to be an active participant in this evolution. Nonetheless, I found myself grappling with where precisely to make my entry into the realm of technology.

Throughout my tenure overseeing Snatch Radio, I found myself engrossed in various technical aspects, such as graphic design, selecting website templates, as well as the installation and editing processes. These experiences led me to believe that I was already on a path within the technological domain.

Luckily, ChatGPT emerged as a prominent topic of discussion in various circles, capturing my attention. Eager to comprehend the buzz surrounding it, I embarked on an exploration of ChatGPT. Consequently, my introduction to the world of ChatGPT has played a pivotal role in shaping my trajectory.

Why did you choose the name beyondainow.com?

I consulted ChatGPT to propose a suitable tech name for my venture. It offered around 10 suggestions, which I cross-referenced through Google to check their availability. After some contemplation and creative thinking, I merged elements from two suggestions that stood out. This fusion gave birth to “Beyond AI Now”.

Did you attend any form of training before setting up this business?

Not at all. My approach involved gathering insights from content creators across platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Additionally, I delved into ChatGPT to apply and refine the knowledge I had acquired.

How do generate contents for your Tech blog?

Initially, I used ChatGPT to formulate content by providing it with specific information. This method resulted in the creation of approximately 20 blog posts. Presently, the process involves the collaboration of freelancers who actively contribute to the content on the website.

Can you share with me the setbacks and challenges you’ve encountered in this business?

The main challenge I’ve faced is convincing individuals to collaborate or have faith in the vision I’m pursuing. Once that hurdle is overcome, the path becomes clearer. Interestingly, even without actively promoting the business, the quality of the articles has attracted unexpected traffic from various sources, indicating that something is working effectively.

What’s the best advice from your experience you can give to the youths who aspire to invest in a business like yours?

Make a firm decision about your chosen path and pursue it relentlessly. Approach your endeavours with passion and unwavering dedication. Remember, you can’t do everything alone; you require a team of like-minded individuals who share your vision to propel you forward. Utilise the existing platforms to your advantage, and don’t hesitate to seek knowledge through asking questions and continuous learning.

Where do you see beyondainow.com in 5 years?

In the span of five years, I see beyondainow.com taking the lead in organising tech summits across major global cities. Furthermore, I envision the platform playing a pivotal role in nurturing the upcoming generation of optimistic minds within the tech industry.

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com