The Hungry Creative Podcast

Mofiyin Jibowo

For the curious mind. Human conversations on creativity and growth. Every episode of The Hungry Creative Podcast brings you closer to the version of yourself that dares to dream big and pursue passionately. Connect with us on YouTube, Instagram & TikTok https://www.youtube.com/@TheHungryCreativePod https://www.instagram.com/thehungrycreativepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/thehungrycreativepod/

  1. How to Build a Scalable Agency You Can Actually Sell (20+ Years of Insights)

    MAY 1

    How to Build a Scalable Agency You Can Actually Sell (20+ Years of Insights)

    What happens after you achieve the ultimate agency dream? In this episode, we sit down with brand and creative strategist Wilson Wong to discuss his 20-year journey from co-founding Squeeze Creative to successfully exiting Everbrave. Wilson pulls back the curtain on how to build a creative business that is valuable enough to be acquired, and why he eventually chose to walk away to prioritize family, "analog flow," and being truly present. ________________________ In this episode, you’ll learn: - The "Solopreneur Trap": Why your business must run without you if you ever want to sell it. - Building Agency Value: How recurring revenue, client retainers, and proprietary systems create an attractive exit plan. - The Power of Slowing Down: Why Wilson believes "speed" is a race to the bottom against AI, and why being human is your new competitive edge. - Identity Beyond the Desk: Navigating the "Who am I?" crisis that follows a major professional pivot. _______________________ Connect with Wilson Wong: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thewilsonwong/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewilsonwong/ Labels: Father, Husband, Creator, Strategist. Current Work: Independent Brand & Creative Strategist. _____________________ ⏳ Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Who is Wilson Wong? 01:57 – The Agency Journey: From Squeeze to Everbrave 03:50 – Changing Priorities: Why I Sold My Shares 06:34 – Success Beyond Money: The "Tombstone" Test 09:11 – How to Make an Agency Valuable Enough to Sell 12:26 – The Personal Brand Trap: Can Your Business Survive Without You? 17:48 – Dealing with the "Identity Crisis" After an Exit 22:44 – Why Digital Designers Need to Get Back to "Analog Flow" 29:53 – Pushing Back Against the Speed of AI 32:08 – Why Face-to-Face Connection is the Future of Work 36:09 – THE GAME: Creative Differences Trivia 40:53 – Final Thoughts: What it Means to be a "Hungry Creative" _____________________ 🚀 Join The Hungry Creative Community Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @bFWd-9QeqVkzIBnZ0Q Read the Digest on Substack: https://substack.com/@mofiyinj Listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: https://hungrycreativepod.riverside.com/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehungrycreativepod/ Follow us on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehungrycreativepod ____________________ Relevant Tags Primary Tags: Wilson Wong, Creative Agency Exit, Brand Strategy, The Hungry Creative Podcast, How to Sell a Design Agency, Creative Entrepreneurship. Secondary Tags: Anti-Hustle Culture, AI vs Human Creativity, Scalable Business Systems, Personal Branding Tips, Creative Professional Pivot, Graphic Design Strategy, Calgary Creative Scene. Long-tail Tags: Building a business that runs without you, Identity after career change, Why creatives should slow down, Wilson Wong Everbrave, Squeeze Creative merger. #thehungrycreativepodcast #CreativeJourney #GraphicDesign #CreativeDifferences #CareerGrowth #Upskilling #DesignTrivia #PodcastForCreators #CreativeObsession

    47 min
  2. The 10 Month Job Hunt - How a Creative Obsession Saved My Career | S4 Ep 3

    APR 3

    The 10 Month Job Hunt - How a Creative Obsession Saved My Career | S4 Ep 3

    The 10-Month Job Hunt: How a Creative Obsession Saved My Career | S4 Ep 3 What happens when the portfolio is ready, but the phone stops ringing? In this episode of The Hungry Creative Podcast, I’m joined by my co-producers and long-time collaborators, Abiodun Ageh and Scotty Adegbola, to discuss the grit, rigors, and pure obsession required to survive the creative industry. Abiodun opens up about a challenging 10-month job hunt and how he used that "dead time" to obsessively layer video production and motion graphics onto his design toolkit, a move that ultimately saved his career. We also dive into our "secret" creative origins, from wooden earring sculptures to professional church decor, proving that a true creative journey is never a straight line. Finally, we put our professional expertise to the test with a demo of my new game show segment: Creative Differences. Watch as I grill two veteran designers on typography, cinematography, and the technical terms every pro should know. 🚀 SUBSCRIBE for more deep dives into the creative process and professional growth. 📌 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Is your creative "excessiveness" actually a superpower? 01:53 – Scotty’s Secret: Making and selling wooden sculptures. 05:10 – Abiodun’s Origin Story: Designing a church altar for a wedding. 10:32 – From childhood sketching to a professional Fine Arts degree. 15:37 – Managing "terrible" clients and excessive revisions. 23:50 – Ideation vs. Execution: Where the real creative "high" lives. 28:11 – The 10-Month Job Hunt: Turning desperation into upskilling. 33:30 – The power of curiosity: Knowing "something about everything." 41:14 – GAME SHOW: Creative Differences Trivia Demo! 53:00 – What it truly means to be a "Hungry Creative." 🔗 Connect with the Guests: Abiodun Ageh: https://www.instagram.com/abiodun_ageh/ Scotty Adegbola: https://www.instagram.com/iamafotografa/ 🚀 Join The Hungry Creative Community Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @bFWd-9QeqVkzIBnZ0Q Read the Digest on Substack: @ Listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: https://hungrycreativepod.riverside.com/ #TheHungryCreative #CreativeJourney #GraphicDesign #CreativeDifferences #CareerGrowth #Upskilling #DesignTrivia #PodcastForCreators #CreativeObsession

    55 min
  3. What It Really Takes to Build a Powerful Brand | S4 Ep 2

    MAR 20

    What It Really Takes to Build a Powerful Brand | S4 Ep 2

    What It Really Takes to Build a Powerful Brand (feat. Nonso Nnamdi) "Marketing is the voice that speaks for you when there is nobody in the room to actually speak for you". In this episode, we sit down with Nonso Nnamdi, a brand strategist who has navigated the marketing landscapes of both Nigeria and Canada. We tackle the tough questions: Can you scale by doing things that don't scale? Is AI a threat to your creative job? And why do most networking attempts feel so transactional?  Key Takeaways: Scale requires Systems: Why manual flyers won't get you to 10,000 users and how to build a recognizable brand.Founder-Led Marketing: Why people trust humans more than logos and how to piggyback on personal credibility.Immigrant Excellence: Nonso’s "Live where you are" philosophy for settling into a new city like Calgary.The AI Car: Viewing AI as leverage rather than a replacement for human creativity. 🔗 Connect with Nonso Nnamdi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonso-nnamdi/ Strides Platform: https://makingstrydes.com/ 🚀 Join The Hungry Creative Community Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCuPOJbFWd-9QeqVkzIBnZ0Q  Listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts: https://hungrycreativepod.riverside.com/ Support the Pod: Join our Substack Digest for deeper insights into each episode https://mofiyinj.substack.com/Email us for collaborations: thehungrycreativepod@gmail.com Please be sure to subscribe and leave a review to help our community grow!

    1h 47m
  4. Stop Overthinking, Just Start Creating | Adrian Rivas | S4 E1

    MAR 5

    Stop Overthinking, Just Start Creating | Adrian Rivas | S4 E1

    What does it really take to build a creative career from scratch in a new country? Adrian Rivas is a filmmaker and content creator based in Canada whose work focuses on cinematic travel storytelling and aesthetic-driven visuals. Originally from El Salvador, Adrian moved to Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic and began building his creative career while studying mechanical engineering. Through social media, he shares visually rich content capturing nature, mountains, and cinematic landscapes, while also educating aspiring creators on filmmaking, camera gear, and content creation strategies. His work blends storytelling, travel, and visual aesthetics, drawing inspiration from filmmakers and cinematic directors known for strong visual style. What You'll Learn in This Episode • How to start filmmaking with the gear you already have • The difference between commercial videography and content creation • How creators monetize through brand deals and affiliate links • Why views often matter more than followers for brand partnerships • The opportunity for creatives living in Alberta • Why community matters for creative growth • How to stop overthinking and start creating Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:10 Moving From El Salvador to Canada During COVID 06:30 Studying Mechanical Engineering While Loving Film 11:05 Starting Filmmaking With an iPhone 15:20 Phone vs Professional Cameras 19:45 Commercial Videography vs Content Creation 24:30 Pivoting Back to Social Media Content 27:34 How Creators Monetize Content 29:57 Affiliate Links & Brand Partnerships 31:18 Why Views Matter More Than Followers 35:03 Sponsors & Digital Products (LUTs) 39:40 Business, Taxes & Creators in Canada 45:15 Alberta vs Toronto for Creatives 50:40 Comfort Community vs Growth Community 56:20 Building a Creative Community in Calgary 1:02:10 Cinematic Influences & Visual Style 1:08:52 Turn Off Your Brain: Stop Overthinking Creativity 1:10:20 Rapid Fire Connect With Adrian Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/adrianrivasc/ Connect With Mofiyin Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/the.mofiyin Hungry Creative Podcast Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thehungrycreativepod

    1h 22m
  5. Interior Design vs Decoration: The Craft, The Chaos & The Business | Hope Allison | S3 E9

    FEB 6

    Interior Design vs Decoration: The Craft, The Chaos & The Business | Hope Allison | S3 E9

    What really separates interior design from decoration? What goes on behind beautifully curated spaces, beyond Pinterest boards and aesthetics? In this episode of the Hungry Creative Podcast, Mo' sits down with Hope Allison, founder of Maison Consulting, to explore the true craft of interior design, from architecture school to building a design practice rooted in intention, structure, and excellence. We talk about: - The difference between interior design vs interior decoration - Why beauty must also be functional - The realities of working with artisans and managing projects in Nigeria - Designing spaces that improve productivity, mood, and well-being - Building a design business with standards, structure, and self-awareness - Learning to slow down, live more, and grow sustainably as a creative Hope also shares powerful personal stories, from getting laid off early in her career to being featured in Highbrow Living Magazine, and the mindset shifts that helped her stay grounded and hungry. This conversation is for designers, architects, creatives, founders, and anyone curious about the invisible work that goes into creating great spaces. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Hope Allison & Maison Consulting 03:12 – Architecture, Interior Design & Early Career Lessons 07:45 – Interior Design vs Decoration Explained 12:30 – The Importance of Function in Beautiful Spaces 18:06 – Working with Artisans & Managing Real-World Constraints 24:10 – Trust, Creative Freedom & Client Relationships 30:55 – Designing Spaces That Improve Productivity & Well-being 37:42 – Career Setbacks, Layoffs & Personal Growth 43:18 – Building Standards in the Interior Design Industry 49:50 – Features, Recognition & Lessons from Highbrow Living 55:36 – Advice for Young Designers & Closing Reflections 🎧 Available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📺 Watch the full episode here 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with leading creatives More episodes to inspire you: The Untold Story of Piggyvest | Mmediong Esu - https://youtu.be/xvlsUIfKk2M How Chaos Shaped My Creativity | Chukwu Adaeze - https://youtu.be/Avh-fnN9Lpc Here's how you show up | Obasola Akintola - https://youtu.be/Ts6L3OGzn0s Working at Pentagram & Closing Dá Design | Seyi Olusanya - https://youtu.be/_FgvpPlCO0U The Art of Collaboration | Niyi Okeowo’s Secrets to Creative Success - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu5YeaqBfiA&t=1884s #HungryCreativePodcast #InteriorDesign #DesignThinking #CreativeCareers #AfricanCreatives #DesignProcess #ArchitectureAndDesign #CreativeEntrepreneur #DesignEducation #MaisonConsulting

    1h 11m
  6. Why African Creatives Struggle to Be Taken Seriously | The Huddle Roundtable | S3 E8

    JAN 22

    Why African Creatives Struggle to Be Taken Seriously | The Huddle Roundtable | S3 E8

    In this episode of The Hungry Creative Podcast, we host our first-ever roundtable conversation with David James-Udoh and Samuel Iweibo, founders of The Huddle. Together, we unpack some of the most pressing challenges in the African creative industry today. From the underrepresentation of creatives, to the lack of trust from global brands, to why designers are often undervalued and underpaid, this conversation is honest, layered, and long overdue. We talk about: - Why African creatives struggle to be trusted despite proven talent - The absence of proper documentation, archives, and competence records - Why beauty is rarely seen as function, and how that affects pay - The gap between junior and senior designers - Unhealthy competition vs collaboration in the industry - Why more people are trained to code than to design - The vision behind The Huddle as a source of truth for African creatives This episode isn’t about complaints. It’s about structure, perspective, and what needs to change. If you’re a designer, creative, product thinker, or founder navigating this space, this one will resonate. 🎧 Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Check out The Huddle: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCErcrue8mTQ1vI2zbdWIqPw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsthehuddle/ More episodes to inspire you How Chaos Shaped My Creativity | Chukwu Adaeze - https://youtu.be/Avh-fnN9Lpc Here's how you show up | Obasola Akintola - https://youtu.be/Ts6L3OGzn0s Working at Pentagram & Closing Dá Design | Seyi Olusanya - https://youtu.be/_FgvpPlCO0U The Art of Collaboration | Niyi Okeowo’s Secrets to Creative Success - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu5YeaqBfiA&t=1884s From Physiotherapy to Design, Finding Purpose | Tunji Ogunoye - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiY0hOIy8iE&t=56s #itsthehuddle #community #designers

    1h 60m
  7. The Truth About Nigerian Housing Nobody Wants to Admit | Snag Inspector | S3 E7

    JAN 8

    The Truth About Nigerian Housing Nobody Wants to Admit | Snag Inspector | S3 E7

    In this episode of The Hungry Creative Podcast, Mo sits down with Snag Inspector, a faceless but deeply respected voice advocating for better building standards and public education in Nigeria’s built environment. From cracked buildings and poor ventilation to inflated property prices and the realities of the Land Use Act, this conversation unpacks why many Nigerians are paying more for less — and what needs to change. Snag Inspector shares why public education became his mission, the risks involved in exposing unsafe developments, and the behind-the-scenes challenges of holding developers, institutions, and systems accountable. This is not about attacking people — it’s about standards, safety, and awareness. If you live in Nigeria, rent, buy property, work in construction, architecture, or real estate — this episode matters. In this conversation, we explore: - Why housing quality has declined over the years - The hidden dangers in poorly constructed buildings - Why property prices don’t match value - How the Land Use Act affects real estate costs - The risks of speaking up in the construction industry - Why public education is the real goal 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts 📌 Subscribe for more honest, thought-provoking conversations Chapters 00:00 — Introduction 02:15 — Why Snag Inspector Started Educating the Public 04:42 — Unsafe Housing Conditions Nigerians Normalize 06:44 — Where We Went Wrong With Building Standards 09:09 — Education, Technical Skills & Why Universities Aren’t Enough 13:10 — Why Real Estate Prices Don’t Match Quality 14:28 — Ventilation, Health & Poor Design Choices 15:58 — The Land Use Act & Cost of Land in Nigeria 18:19 — Why Land Ownership Is Broken 20:38 — The Risks of Public Education & Pushback 22:55 — Threats, Legal Warnings & Staying Faceless 25:20 — Why Some Videos Had to Be Taken Down 27:31 — Balancing Criticism With Integrity 29:29 — The Quiet Support From Government Insiders 29:58 — Final Thoughts on Public Awareness #realestate #housing #architecture #nigerianarchitecture #hungrycreative

    1h 23m

About

For the curious mind. Human conversations on creativity and growth. Every episode of The Hungry Creative Podcast brings you closer to the version of yourself that dares to dream big and pursue passionately. Connect with us on YouTube, Instagram & TikTok https://www.youtube.com/@TheHungryCreativePod https://www.instagram.com/thehungrycreativepod/ https://www.tiktok.com/thehungrycreativepod/