When I tell you that there are certain people quietly leading the charge in industries we, as people, often overlook, my dear reader, you best believe me, because why would I stir and steer you wrong. Over the years I have been privileged to watch strangers, friends, including foes, grow into captains of industry that fill some with envy and, definitely, applause.
Most of the time these folks go on without recognition, sweating, toiling, breaking mind, body and soul to ensure that those around them benefit long term. They strive above all else to make and live their lives in service to others; they lead with passion, grit and relentless dedication because that is essentially what makes them what they are.
“To be a trendsetter is much better and rewarding than a trend follower, both in life and in business.” ― Victor Kwegyir
For some, the word ‘trendsetter’ would give them better understanding, for the old-minded folks like me, these are new kids on the block – the glass ceiling breakers, the stir potters, the dream creators, the dream chasers, the undeniable achievers, especially in the face of adversity.
The world for the past decade has seen a dramatic rise in the social innovate industry. This has been significantly impacted by the growing social media market as well as a need for entertainment at one’s fingertips, be it charity, films, conversations or just mindless entertainment. People now have a need to live through the eyes of others while, in their own way, give back to society with a stake in being part of someone’s evolution or growth.
According to an article I stumbled on online, entitled ‘Trendsetting, Cultural Awareness, Cultural Receptivity, and Future Orientation among the Young Generation of Chinese College Students: Trendsetters Critically Matter’, by Jane E. Workman, Seung-Hee Lee and Kwangho Jung; they stated that, “An important role of the trendsetters is to discover the potential of an innovation at the beginning of the life cycle and inform others of this potential. Trendsetters play an important role in the adoption–diffusion process for new products (i.e., innovations). Trendsetters influence decisions of later adopters; thus, trendsetters can make a difference in the global fashion (others too) industry by fulfilling their traditional role of promoting new fashion styles. Also, they are in a position to take on a new role of endorsing the industry’s mission to be more sustainable.”
Ah, let me break it down for you in Deola’s terms: Trend setters, a.k.a. new kids on the block (not the boy/man band) are people who have and are looking impossible in the eye and making it believe in the possible; those on the edge of constantly breaking boundaries and grounds for the future of the unborn generations. As you already know, I love a good song on celebrating unsung heroes and heroines, so let us get right to it: Deola’s top three new kids on the block, showing you that if you can think it, it can definitely become a reality.
“Carving your own path gets you to greatness quicker than following someone else’s trail.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo
i. Mimidoo Achineku Bartels, General Manager, Filmone – Nigeria
Daughter, wife, mother, sister, friend, now general manager. This woman is literally a powerhouse on legs; she has been the silent reckoning force for a lot of trending Nollywood blockbusters topping the charts. With such an unassuming warm personality, Mimidoo has put her heart and soul beyond being just a team member and an employee – she perceives the project as hers, remembers every name of crew and cast, does her best to negotiate positively and fairly while being strict. She is uncompromising, and unrelenting, in her values in the face of personal and professional adversities that would regularly break others down. A quiet, yet loud, woman who lets her work speak for her, it is little surprise when Filmone decided that it was best to step up their game by promoting her to the position of general manager. She is one of those women who make me proud to be a woman and Nigerian, because she surely proves that anything is possible if you work hard and are true to the things you hold dear, while taking care of others on the way. These are the type of trendsetters we love to see
“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”
– Coco Chanel
ii. BTS – Korea
RM, Jungkook, V, J-Hope, Suga, Jimin, Jin… How in the world did seven very beautiful unknown boys-turned-men take over the music industry like a good virus (think the kind given to you to kill bad viruses and boost your immunity…that kind).
Bangtan Sonyeondan (Bulletproof Boy Scouts, also known as the Bangtan Boys) is a South Korean boy band formed in 2010, who co-write and co-produce the majority of their material. Some will say they are famous because they are pretty (well, it’s a plus obviously), but the honest truth about their success is their beautiful, gritty and mind-blowing relentless drive towards being more than the world expected of them. From performing in sometimes empty rooms to internationally filled-out shows, the world is currently their stage and fluttering hearts of all ages theirs. The Bangtan Boys literally have an army at their fingertips (look, the army are not to be messed with, you have been warned!)
Their level of stardom, to some, may seem unearthly to the point where spokespersons around the world did their best to exempt them from the mandatory military service expected of all male Korean citizens before the age of 30. A spectacular group of men dominating the fashion, music and motivational scene like waves and waves of tides spreading love, like and Bangtan Boys, wherever they go and appear.
“Don’t force yourself to fit in where you don’t belong. Be a trendsetter.”
iii. James Duncan and Fuhad of the ShxtsNGigs Podcast – United Kingdom
These two keep the laughter coming every time you happen to scroll past their timeline on any social media platform (well, for me, it is mostly Instagram). You cannot possibly keep having a bad day after listening to the unearthly Thor rib-cracking banter that these two get up to.
Fuhad and James have found a way to take everyday conversations and comments and make them hilariously funny to the point of you wheezing so hard you might see the devil laughing before your eyes. From a seemingly unknown duo of very handsome young men, to taking on tours, having guests and receiving awards for their insightful conversations, these two have set the stage for funny, serious, hair down intellectual madness that makes you pause and question why you are laughing so hard at the absurdities that people send in, yet finding it highly relatable still. They definitely are on the right track to changing the way British-oriented podcasts are seen and received around the world and I am here for it, so should you.
“When you carry weird with confidence, you become the trendsetter.”
Look, you may not relate to the top three I chose to be seen or recognised as trend setters, but one thing you will agree with me after reading the above is that these three, or eleven, all embody the powerhouse factor and moral code of ‘do it to your heart’s content’. I am fully aware that everyone sees people differently based on likes, perceptions and so on, but getting to know people are celebrating them for what they bring to the table in their own industry, space or world is important.
To the trendsetters out there, I hope you remember to give yourself all the flowers you deserve whenever you feel like giving up, because, trust me, your time will come and I hope I will be there to celebrate you then.
Till next time, my dear readers, bye.
