Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marcus Ollie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Marcus, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
In many environments where I’ve been, of the very few or the only one that “looks like” me, my mindset has always been that I am surrounded by other humans; gender, race, appearance, and religion have never been the objective in the room. With this perspective, this has allowed me to become exceptionally effective, which I’d also like to consider part of being successful. This has allowed me to accept each individual as a blank canvas, allowing their life experiences to be the brush. It is very important to be open-minded and adaptable to be effective, no matter what room you’re in.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the co-founder of a brand called L.Y.L.A.H., which is an acronym for, Love You Like A Human. Locally out of Kansas City on our way to reaching the world. We are a brand that provides a platform where people can express their unique individuality. We do events (mainly photo events), and our purpose is to bring many people together to share their stories, creating dialogue and separating tension. We are very passionate about planting the seed that we are more alike than we are different. By creating this acceptable platform, we shine a light on the person’s story that we feature on our social media pages and website. We want people to know that there are those who do care, and there should not be any shame as to who they are as human beings.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
In my journey, the three most impactful qualities were perseverance, curiosity, and adaptability. My advice for those starting their journey is to embrace challenges, stay curious, and be open to learning and adapting along the way. In addition to perseverance, curiosity, and adaptability, another important quality is resilience. It’s essential to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward. Furthermore, I’d say surround yourself with supportive people, seek mentorship, and never stop learning and growing. Embracing “failure” will allow you to add greater context and skill to your journey and to your success.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Absolutely! I’m always open to collaborating with creative and passionate people. Here’s the best and most beautiful thing about L.Y.L.A.H.: no matter a person’s career, the industry, or the individual, we would love to have some collective interaction. Our underlying message of peace and acceptance allows companies to show that EQUALITY is about ensuring that EVERYONE has an equal opportunity to be provided with the best services. Accepting Diversity promotes EQUALITY. We are all human. You can let the world know by showing them that ALL HUMANS ARE WELCOME. From a consumer and customer standpoint, it provides that sense of comfort that they’ll be addressed with the upmost service. All this can be simply done by having a L.Y.L.A.H. window decal. We can easily be reached at www.LoveYouLikeAHuman.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LoveYouLikeAHuman.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/l.y.l.a.h
- Linkedin: L.Y.L.A.H. (Love You Like A Human) – United States | Professional Profile | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-y-l-a-h-love-you-like-a-human-
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/L_Y_L_A_H
- Yelp: http://www.facebook.com/L.Y.L.A.H
- Other: Gmail: [email protected]
Image Credits
Co-Founder: Michael Ludwick Salem Summers Photos Credited to: Krysten Brown (Kryslynnphotography
