We had the good fortune of connecting with Aliyah Oyemade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aliyah, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my career/business has taught me is embrace change fearlessly, whether it means pivoting, trying something new or taking calculated risks.

I’ve faced decisions like moving across the country multiple times, making bold moves in my career despite the fear of starting over, starting and dissolving a business (only to start a new business venture), and learning entirely new skills. Through it all, I’ve realized there’s no such thing as a mistake — only a choice with an opportunity to learn and grow.

Often waiting for the “right time” is an excuse; the key is to take action and adapt as you go. However, embracing change didn’t mean being reckless. If you want change, you have to be ready for what it may bring you. It requires strategic thinking about the long-term goals, discipline and patience to navigate the challenges and achieve results. Change also means celebrating the setbacks, even when it leads to starting over – because every restart brings the potential for new opportunities in life.

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.
A little background on me: I’m a Chicago native, a Philly undergrad, and now a Los Angeles resident. I consider myself multifaceted because I’m always dipping my hands into new ventures and exploring opportunities. Professionally, my primary focus is as a Business Affairs Specialist in advertising—a journey that has allowed me to work for a few of the industry’s top ad agencies, like Wieden+Kennedy and Media Arts Lab/TBWA. Funny enough, I never planned on working in advertising when I first moved to Los Angeles, but God had other plans. Looking back, I’m grateful things didn’t go my way. It’s been an exciting and rewarding path.

Outside of my role in advertising, I’ve expanded my skills into real estate and business consulting. Through my real estate business, I guide clients in navigating the home-buying process in Los Angeles County. Whether they’re first-time buyers or seasoned investors, I’m here to help them achieve their goals. On the consulting side, I work with a few small businesses, helping them navigate the often tricky world of entrepreneurship. These ventures not only fuel my passion to help others but also complement my professional expertise, giving me a broader perspective and keeps life more lively.

What I’ve learned along the way is that success is rarely a straight line and life is about experiencing. My journey has been filled with challenges, pivots, and learning moments, but each step has made me more adaptable and resourceful. If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that I believe in balancing ambition with curiosity and passion. Find things that help you grow, bring you joy, and keep you stable – financially and mentally – and know that it all doesn’t have to come from one place. Whether it’s in my career or my personal life, I’m always striving to grow, create, and leave a little bit of myself wherever I go.

A little bonus: When I’m off the clock, you’ll likely find me traveling —I’ve visited over 19 countries and counting. I’m a habitual matcha drinker, love a good candle (local LA shop, T. Reeves, candles are my fav), and I am always in the mood for a rooftop with a great view. I am always channeling my creativity into new hobbies; sewing or hitting the tennis court is my new obsession.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is such a great question! LA (and the surrounding areas) has so much to offer. I couldn’t possibly cover everything, but I’ll give my simple itinerary for a week-end visit. Disclaimer: it’s a mix of first-time “touristy” spots and some of my personal favs.

Starting on a Saturday – of course, we have to hike on Runyon Canyon so they can see the city views, or get outside in some way. Being from Chicago and dealing with cold weather, I don’t take endless opportunities to have a warm day for granted.

We then would explore Leimert Park and grab a quick pick-me-up at Hot & Cool Cafe. For a quick lunch, we have to stop by Simply Wholesome for their patties and a smoothie.

I’m sure we will need spend the afternoon shopping—either at The Grove or on Melrose. At Melrose, we can grab Happy Ice while we are out. For the night, I would probably take us to Ktown or Weho. If we’re in Ktown, I’d take them to Openaire for rooftop dinner, then grab a drink at Here’s Looking At You. Potentially hit up another bar and finish the night with tacos from a late-night truck.

For Sunday, we can start with a nice sunny drive up the PCH highway. We would stop by Broad Street Oyster to pick up some fresh seafood, then enjoy our food with some music and just vibe on the beach. Lastly, wrap up the day with a nice lowkey outing – whether it’s heading to Elephante for rooftop drinks with ocean views, or go down to the Arts District for dinner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First, I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support. Whether it’s through their guidance, their encouragement for me to go the distance, or simply lending an ear whenever I needed to talk, they’ve been an essential part of this journey.

I’d also like to give a huge shoutout to the incredible mentors, role models, and colleagues I’ve had the privilege of working with at TBWA/MAL and W+K. Their support has taught me how to navigate the advertising world, advocate for myself with confidence, and consistently show up as the best version of myself in professional spaces.

I also want to recognize my real estate partners for being such an amazing support system. They’re not just great colleagues—they’re some of the best real estate professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside.

Website: https://www.primeselectionmanagement.com

Image Credits
Maya Joan (https://mayajoanmedia.com/)

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