I've Grown and Here’s what's next..

If anyone had told me 21 days ago that I would be writing this with a full heart and a better sense of direction, I might have just laughed and scrolled past. But here I am; reflecting, smiling, and feeling proud.

When I first joined the Brandevo 21-Day Content Challenge, I was a bit unsure. I knew I had stories to share, skills to show, but I wasn’t so confident in how to put everything together or even how people would receive it. I was just someone who loved creating; designs, videos, ideas, but didn’t really know how to express all that consistently online.

But this challenge pulled something out of me. Day after day, it helped me sit with my thoughts, tell my truth, and show the world who I really am, an evolving creative who is not afraid to grow.

I didn’t just write content, I wrote my journey. I wrote my fears, my first wins, my lessons, and even my mistakes. Each day pushed me to think deeply, speak honestly, and stay real. I began to understand myself better. I learned that my creativity is not just in what I design or edit, but also in how I communicate, how I connect, and how I show up.

One of the biggest things that changed is my confidence. I no longer wait to feel “ready” before I put something out. I’ve realized that growth comes from showing up, not just when it’s perfect, but even when it’s still in progress.

I’ve also met new creatives, learned from their stories, and drawn inspiration from their journeys. It felt like a community, people cheering each other on, not competing but building together.

So, what’s next?

Now, I’m more intentional. I know I want to grow as a visual storyteller, blending design, video editing, and strong content to help brands show up better. I’m working on building my portfolio, sharpening my editing skills, and learning how to attract the kind of clients I truly want to work with.

I want to use everything I’ve learned in these 21 days to start creating better content for myself and others. No more hiding. No more doubting. Just showing up with value, creativity, and heart.

To everyone who’s been on this challenge with me, thank you. We did it.

And to myself, I see your growth. Don’t stop now.

#day21
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest

What Success Means to Me

Success for me has changed over time. I used to think success was when your name is everywhere, when people clap for you online, or when you have millions of followers. But now, I see it differently.

To me now, success is peace of mind. It's the joy that comes when I complete a task and feel proud of it. It’s when I design something or edit a video and the client is so impressed that they either come back or recommend me to someone else. That simple “Thank you, I love it!” hits different. It gives me a reason to keep going.

Success is also growth. I remember when I first started designing. I didn’t even know how to use certain tools. My designs were far from what they are today. But I kept learning, watching videos, joining trainings, practicing even when I was tired. And now when I compare my old works to my current ones, I smile. That’s success. Not because I’m perfect, but because I’m better than I used to be.
Another part of success for me is showing up, even when things are hard. I’ve had weeks when I didn’t get any client. I’ve had times when I felt stuck or doubted my skills. But I didn’t quit. I kept showing up. I kept creating. I kept learning. That consistency alone is success.

Also, anytime I help someone, maybe a beginner in design or someone looking for editing tips, and they tell me they’re grateful, that feels like success to me. Because it means my journey is not just about me; I’m able to add value to others too.

Even the small wins matter to me. The first time I got paid for my work, I was excited. It wasn’t about the amount, it was about the fact that someone trusted me enough to pay me. I still remember that day clearly. It motivated me to do more.

I’ve come to understand that success is personal. It’s not always what we see on social media. It’s not about doing everything or being everywhere. It’s about knowing who you are, staying true to your journey, and appreciating the small steps forward.

So yeah, for me, success is peace of mind, growth, consistency, impact, and the joy that comes with doing what I love. I’m still on the journey. I’m still building. But every little progress, every lesson learned, every good feedback, that’s success to me.
And I believe, one day, all these small wins will lead to something even bigger.

#day20 #brandevocreator’squestchallenge25 #thecreatorsquest

A Simple Reminder That Helped Me

Some weeks ago, I was sitting down holding my phone, trying to design something for a client. But deep down, I wasn’t motivated. It wasn’t because I didn’t know what to do, it was because I felt like, “What’s the point? Nobody is really seeing this. I don’t even know if I’m doing it right.”

That was when a thought hit me. A reminder I had once seen online came back to my head: “You’re not starting from zero. You’re starting from experience."

That small line changed how I felt that day.

You see, many times I used to feel like I’m still far from where I want to be. I compare myself with others online, their big designs, big clients, big engagement. It makes it look like I’m not doing enough. But the truth is, I’ve come a long way already. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve grown.

That quote reminded me that every time I try something again, whether it's showing up online, editing a video, or designing a flyer, I’m not starting from scratch. I’m starting from everything I’ve learned so far. That’s powerful.

So instead of beating myself up, I decided to just do my best that day, and that design I made turned out really good. The client loved it. And it reminded me once again how much that simple mindset shift helped me.

It doesn’t sound like a “big” tip. It’s not a hack or a new app or a tool. But trust me, this reminder has helped me more than anything:
"You’re not starting from zero. You’re starting from experience.”

Now, whenever I feel tired, unmotivated, or even when I feel like my content is not growing as fast as I want, I just whisper that line to myself. And it pushes me forward.

Sometimes, what we need is not a perfect plan. It’s not a fancy Canva template. It’s not another course. Sometimes, we just need to be reminded of how far we’ve come, and that we are allowed to grow slow.

This is what has helped me stay consistent. This is what keeps me creating, even when I’m not in the mood. It reminds me that every design I make, every video I edit, every post I create, they’re all building something.

So here’s me passing the reminder to you:
You’re not a beginner anymore. You’ve been learning. You’ve been showing up. You’ve been trying. And that counts.

Keep going. Don’t wait to be perfect. Don’t forget how far you’ve come.
That’s the tip that’s been working for me. Nothing fancy. Just a powerful truth.

📷 - one of my designs made earlier this year

#day19
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest

A Mistake I See People Make Online (And a Better Way of Handling It)


Let me tell you a quick story.

When I started posting my work online, my designs, little wins, and even behind-the-scenes content, I used to think, “If my work is good, people will just notice me.” That was the mindset. I’d post and disappear. I wouldn’t engage, I wouldn’t explain, I wouldn’t show up again until I had something new to post. I thought showing up once in a while was enough.

But it wasn’t.

One of the biggest mistakes I made, and I still see many creatives make online, is posting without connection. Just dropping a design or video without a caption that connects, no story behind it, no engaging with people in the comments, no follow-up. Just drop and ghost.

The truth? That approach doesn’t help you grow. People don’t just connect with the work, they connect with you, the human behind the work. They want to know why you made it, what inspired it, how it helps someone.

I learned this the slow way.
One day, a friend told me, “Francis, your designs are beautiful, but you never talk to us. We just see nice graphics. We don’t know you.”

That hit me.

Since then, I started making changes. I now talk about my process in simple terms. I share why I designed a certain thing. I even ask questions like, “Which version would you pick?” or “What does this make you feel?” I started showing up more like a human, not just a creator.

And you know what happened?

People started talking back. People started saying, “Wow, I love the way you think.” Or “Thanks for breaking this down.” Or “This inspired me.”

So here’s the better way I’d suggest:
Don’t just post to impress. Post to connect.
Even if it’s just 1–2 lines of honest thoughts or a simple story behind your work, let people hear your voice through your content. And when they comment, reply. Say thank you. Ask them what they think.

That’s how you build community.
That’s how you grow trust.
That’s how you stand out, not just by your skill, but by your personality.

I’m still learning. I still make mistakes. But this one change, posting to connect, not just to impress, has helped me grow more than anything else.

Try it. You’ll see the difference.

📷 - One of my recent book cover design..

#day18
#brandevocreatorsquestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest

THIS IS WHO I AM (RIGHT NOW)


Hi, my name is Akah Francis.
Right now, I’m not perfect. I’m not at the top. But I’m showing up, growing, learning, and building something meaningful.

If I were to describe who I am today in simple words, I’d say I’m a creative, a visual storyteller who uses design, videos, and words to help brands stand out in a noisy market.

I started as a graphic designer. That’s where my creative journey began. I still remember how confused I was when I opened my first design app. I didn’t know anything about layout, fonts, or colors, I just had this strong desire to create. Over time, with consistent practice and a hunger to improve, I became better. Today, my designs are clean, sharp, and most importantly, impactful.

But I didn’t stop there.
I realized that design alone wasn’t enough. So I started learning video editing. Why? Because videos speak louder. They capture attention, tell stories, and connect with people emotionally. And I wanted to be that kind of creator, one who doesn’t just make things look good, but makes people feel something.

Now, I combine both skills. I design visuals that are scroll-stopping and edit videos that are engaging. I tell stories that matter, stories that help brands connect with their audience. That’s why I now call myself a visual storyteller. Whether it’s a simple flyer, a social media post, or a short-form video, I don’t just create, I communicate.

I’ve also started writing. Not novels or long essays, but sales-focused captions, relatable content, and creative scripts. Writing that sells. Writing that teaches. Writing that inspires. I believe words still matter, even in a visual world.

I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.

This is me right now: A creative guy named Akah Francis, helping brands stand out through design, video, and storytelling.

And I’m just getting started.

#day17
#brandevocreator’squestchallenge25
#thecreatorsquest