In episode 172, Kerel has a solo conversation with Afshan Nasseri, Founder & CEO at Aam Creative, a multicultural marketing agency which she founded in 2021. Afshan was born in Montreal, Canada to parents from India and Iran, eventually moving to a suburb of Boston, later returning to Montreal for university. Her upbringing in such a multicultural family, speaking multiple languages, brought on her passion for culture, pop culture, and marketing to diverse audiences making sure they’re heard, celebrated and talked to.

They talk more about the lessons Afshan learned from leaving college and joining the corporate world, to leaving, the pandemic happening, and the need for money to survive being a huge factor in starting her own company. Afshan speaks on what gets her so excited to be a CEO, working with diverse women all over the world, helping companies learn more about their diverse audiences, and using what she loves and she’s good at to make a positive impact in the world.

Timestamps

0:38 : Afshan Nasseri, Founder & CEO at Aam Creative shares about growing up in a multicultural family with parents from India and Iran, speaking multiple languages, and the mix of cultural influences in her upbringing

2:11 : Afshan reflects on her saying “create a life around your passions,” how her parents were open-minded and supportive without following traditional career paths, and her unconventional path to entrepreneurship which she is grateful for despite any hurdles

5:41 : Aam Creative is a multicultural marketing agency, fully comprised of women of color, working on everything from branding to brand design, paid media, social media management and cultural consulting for larger entities

7:12 : Afshan discusses her thoughts on the state of affairs in regards to marketing to diverse audiences, how it differs in different markets and parts of the world, and the lack of brand management with diverse audiences

10:41 : The motivating factor for Afshan to share Aam Creative, starting with working in the skincare industry, possibly quitting prematurely, finding her niche in corporate roles and eventually infusing her knowledge of Indian culture into marketing efforts

14:43 : After losing her job and dealing with the pandemic along with everyone else, Afshan faced a low point, but bounced back by focusing on learning and building her confidence

16:16 : Afshan’s favorite part about being a CEO, including working with women all around the work and presenting them with opportunities for growth and financial independence

17:36 : What a typical day looks like for Afshan, what would make her day be a good day where she feels the impact of her work, socializes, and treats herself

18:57 : Why cultural consulting is something that gets Afshan excited to do her work, and how it goes back to her upbringing, highlighting the importance of understanding diverse communities and their nuances

21:12 : What book is on her nightstand, Afshan’s love of history and why she thinks it’s the best way to learn, a podcast that she can relate to and allows her to learn more about financial literacy

22:09 : Advice for someone who wants to build a social following.

23:48 : One thing Afshan wishes she were better at and how it would help at being a CEO

24:39 : Afshan shares one special song that’s in her rotation right now in the mix with mostly her favorite Indian music

25:18 : How to connect with and follow Afshan

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