We had the good fortune of connecting with John Olowe and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi John, is there something you believe many others might not?
I disagree with people who promote having a plan B all the time. I understand the concept of not putting all of your eggs into one basket and backing yourself up incase your dream doesn’t work out. However, I believe that people who focus on having a plan B have already doomed plan A to fail in many cases. You’re already splitting your efforts and energy into multiple things instead of just focusing the thing you truly want to do. Believe in plan A with all that you’ve got. Don’t operate with doubt. You can’t even fully operate in purpose with doubt.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art has always been special to me and a vital part of my existence. My artistry has been with me since I was a child, and it has only just grown and adapted with me. Getting into musicianship for me when I did was unexpected for me, because I never expected myself to take that route in my creativity, mainly because of the other things that had occupied more of my interest prior. My challenge became translating the images, thoughts and sounds I heard in my head into a cohesive work that made sense and could resonate with someone else positively that wasn’t me. Music was something I did for joy and for the sake of expression in a way that best fit me. Or at least one of the ways. I do believe getting into music professionally was always my plan from the beginning, because I knew when I started that it was what I wanted to do with myself and where my future began. Much of my imagination was already spent seeing myself doing things professionally with music (doing performances, music videos, etc.), so the concept of taking things to the next level wasn’t an absurd one to me. I think the primary issue I faced coming into the professional industry of music was making myself and sound accessible and effective for someone else while also keeping my creative integrity and identity. For me music has always been about creating something new, not conforming to what already is. Still to this day, this can still present me with trial, but it has always worked out for me in the end, because I get to create an experience for someone that will stay with them forever, and the only expense for me is a little extra work or maybe even just a little different of an approach. My own approach.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love going to studios often. I know, so unpredictable! Besides that, I love trying foreign foods with people, especially that they aren’t used to eating. Whether it be Indian, Thai, Ethiopian, Korean, Vietnamese, etc. so there are many times that I’ll go to a place with someone sometimes that I’m even going to for the first time. However, besides the few random things I enjoy doing here and there, I don’t go out to many “exciting” events too often because I do enjoy peaceful, often quiet environments. I love walks, parks, trails and whatnot.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely love to shout out my church Kingdom Empowerment Center that is currently based in McDonough, Georgia. God has used these people to empower me and instill crucial values and attributes into me as a person, and they have added so much overall value in my life. They’ve poured into me spiritually, mentally, financially and in just every way possible. They are a big reason why I’ve made it as far as I have in my business with just all of their teachings in not only spiritual aspects, but financial literacy and business. They are truly an “empowerment center”.
Website: Johnolowe.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/johnolowe
Twitter: Twitter.com/johnnumber9y
Facebook: Facebook.com/johnolowe2001
Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCt2OTu4gcdQuvr5ddQ3dGgQ
Other: Johnnumber9.com
Image Credits
Savannah Rose (Instagram: @savmphotography_), Jayla White (Instagram: @shotsbyfocus) & Brandon Malcolm (Instagram: @malcmediaa)