Today we’d like to introduce you to Zay Oliver.
Zay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started making traditional art (drawing, painting, multimedia) in elementary school and just developed a love for all things creative. I started learning graphic design and music production in high school, and I started to find some focus as to what I truly wanted to do as a career. This is around the same time I began my exploration into social media, where I saw what all was capable of visual artists and designers around the world. I realized that I wanted to make a bigger impact on my artwork and design. I wanted to be a cultural icon, to be honest. I wanted to be like the Kanye West (pre-MAGA hat) of graphic design. I just needed a name.
I used to post a lot of breakfast-centric “food porn” on my Instagram back in high school, as it’s obviously my favorite kind of food. One of my followers commented “#breakfastgod” under a pic of a waffle breakfast sandwich I made. It was funny at the moment, and I didn’t take it seriously until probably a few months later when I realized that the name “The Breakfast God” aligned perfectly with my personal philosophy of affirming and manifesting your destiny upon waking up. My mantra has become: “The breakfast is your destiny. The god is you.” It’s cool having a name that attracts a lot of attention that also has some depth to it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road stopped being smooth once I got to college. By my senior year of high school, I realized I didn’t really care about going to school anymore and I just wanted to get straight to work. I wanted to be a graphic designer and animator and I just wanted to get straight to the internships and career experience. I kinda checked out mentally when I was at FSU for a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, a rough patch in my long distance relationship with my girlfriend (now fiancé), and having my first son at 20 years old, in my 3rd year of college.
I’m proud to say now, a couple of years later, that I’ve managed to overcome the struggles I was experiencing emotionally, mentally, and physically. I put a lot of energy now into paying the validation and self-efficacy I found for myself forward into the community.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a multimedia artist, graphic designer, consultant, and business owner. I specialize in cover artwork and motion design, and helping creative entrepreneurs craft narratives and communicate their messages through beautiful design and video. At this point, I’m most proud of the opportunities I’ve gotten like these, to tell my story and widen the scope of my impact. It’s an incredible honor.
As far as what sets me apart from others, I think the main things are: 1) that I don’t compete with anyone else. A business not competing? Shocking, I know. I disarm my “competitors” by giving a game away for free. As I learn, I teach. We can all eat. 2) I provide much more value to my audience’s social media experience than my peers in the creative community. I entertain, I share, I learn, and I teach. I try to check off all four of those tasks every day. I’ve got the stats and metrics to back me up.
What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
Miami is a great city to start any kind of business. Orlando is just the same. Any metropolitan area is great for starting a business, but I wouldn’t let being located in a “big city” stop you from pursuing your dream. My advice to anyone just starting out would be to spend as much time learning as they possibly can. Work in every position within the field. Learn print design, web/social media management, marketing, presentation design, etc. EVERYTHING.
Don’t start a business that will be charging people money for products or services you don’t think you’re the absolute best at. Get your education, one way or another, and then jump off the porch. There’s no such thing as being “ready,” emotionally speaking. Once you’ve got your start-up capital and some runway, you’ve gotta take the leap. Focus on empathy and value. The clients will be attracted to your business seemingly MAGNETICALLY.
Pricing:
- Cover Artwork (EPs, Singles, Mixtapes, & Albums): $100-$150
- Logo Identity Package: $250-$500
- Animated Cover Art: $200-$300
- Business Card Design: $75
- Flyer Design: $75
Contact Info:
- Website: thebreakfastgod.com
- Phone: 321-345-0109
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebreakfastgod/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/oliver_isaa513
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
