Interview with Founder of Deck Magazine, Entrepreneur, Gilmore T. Moyo.

Gilmore T. Moyo is a young social entrepreneur from Bulawayo, founder of Deck Magazine and Hunnar Management Agency . He was recently named the Worlds Most Influential Young Man 2013 by UK Magazine Eduzine.. Check out this inspirational interview with Gilmore below.

Who is Gilmore T. Moyo?

I am a Global Citizen, Arts Practitioner, Social Entrepreneur and Visionary. Born on the 21st of March 1990, my works fall into what my birthday represents – Humanitarian Day. I was born in the City of Kings – Bulawayo, the second largest city of Zimbabwe. I am from a family of 4 children and I am the fourth and last born. I work closely with my community and I strongly believe that I have a role to play in improving the global society through my capabilities.

You are one of the Founders of Deck Magazine, what is the concept behind the initiative?

TeamdEck, the 5 of us behind Deck Magazine met in 2011 and started off an inhouse publication called Horizon Magazine for the Horizon Lounge in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Initially I came up with the idea of doing an inhouse publication for Horizon, and the idea grew into a monthly magazine and a brand. My idea was based on the fact that my team members, Mbo Mahocs (an Architect Student/Fashionista), Sonny Jermain (Electro Dj/Global Changemaker), Ntando Moyo (Comedian/Law Student) and Chris Nqoe (Law Student) all Bulawayo based, had a lot of outside influence and experience but did not have a platform to share it within our own society. Therefore, TeamdEck was formed from the need of us craving to impliment what we saw and gained from the outside world and overseas into our own space. In many cases, a lot of people get exposure but never share it, we wanted a situation where everyone benefits from what we gain from outside our country.

What inspired you to start a lifestyle magazine?

After a few months of doing Horizon Magazine, I went overseas and came back to Zimbabwe with a different twist and idea. I then quickly met up with the Horizon Lounge Owner and informed them that my team and I won’t be willing to go on with their publication. It was really a sad moment for me, seeing that I had been working on building a brand and putting it across to the world.  To be honest, an inhouse publication was just limiting our capabilities and what we could do individually on a larger scale, we wanted a bigger challenge. A few months passed by, with people wondering what had happened to TeamdEck and then, 2012 August the 1st, we launched Deck Magazine Online. The idea behind Deck Magazine is to give a Global perspective from a Zimbabwean point of view. Deck offers a  young, fresh and opinionated perspective to the rest of the world and with this, our following has grown and we are yet to grow as an international brand.

What do you aim to achieve with Deck Magazine?

Our vision is to become the leading Urban Culture Lifestyle Magazine from the City of Kings – Bulawayo. Bulawayo being the second largest city in Zimbabwe, has never received any special attention and also most people within my society have turned to ideal around that idea that they can not do much. Instead, we want to be the change that we want to see, thus implimenting and pushing what we strongly believe in, through our capabilities. We are the trend setters not followers!

You recently launched Hunnar Management Agency, please tell us more about the initiative

Wow, am so excited about Hunnar, which by the way is said as it is written. Hunnar is Persian for Talent, hence my agency is Zimbabwe’s premium talent administrative and management establishment. For the past 2 years, I have been working with a lot of artists and have been giving them managerial skills without basically contractially putting it down. After consulting a few individuals and existing agencies, I then realised that there was a gap in the industry, which I wanted to occupy.

Many initiatives within Zimbabwe are either events management, entertainment or modelling agencies. My idea was to create a resource centre for the creative industry and also allow people to contact one establishment to find talent. Thank God for inspirational personnels like Saimon Mambazo of Siyaya who sat me down and talked me through how I need to secure my artists and myselfs interests during the course of working with each other. With Hunnar I manage Zimbabwe’s Top Designers Shadow By Sidumiso, Melusi Nhengu & BlinQ, Super Model – Tholakele Dlamini, Motivational Speaker – Njabulo Moyo, the Djembe Monks, Djays Sonny Jermain & Kead Wikead, and a whole lot of Zimbabwe’s artistic brands.

What are some of the challenges you faced as a young person starting your own project?

Being young, energitic and having this “big” vision tends to blind many youths and they lose focus along the way. In many cases, I realised that I needed guidance from those that have been in the industry for a longer time than i. Also, a challenge I faced and am still facing is that those around me that have been in the same sector for a while, feel threatened by a young person coming up to doing something. In many cases you hardly get support from individuals that flash their teeth as a shield to their unsupportive manner towards what you are doing. This is a huge obstacle and it takes one to draw inspiration and advise from beyond borders to keep firm, and if you are lucky enough there is that one person within your reach that will provide these. One needs a whole lot of focus and networking to keep going on.

How has the journey been so far?

Well, as an individual you need a lot of focus and it is never a smooth road, but again if you are moving towards a brighter vision , you have got to keep on moving and pressing forth.

What is success to you?

Success is the ability to bring a smile on the next persons’ face through your capabilities and works.

Your biggest achievements so far?

I would actually say, my biggest achievement so far is the ability to have people believe in my dream and subscribe to it. That is the biggest achievement that makes me want to do more. Again, I should not forget other achievements such as being invited and meeting Honourable Gordon Brown at Number 10 Downing Street in the UK in 2009, dining with Famous Chef Jamie Oliver, Speaking at the Germany Parliament, listed as the Worlds’ Most Influential Young Person 2013 by UK Based Eduzine Magazine, representing Zimbabwe at numerous Global platforms and setting up a fully registered talent management agency. I could go on, but the list is endless. I love what I do and seeing someone benefit from it, brings joy to my soul.

What do you think are the challenges facing African Youth today?

In my opinion, I strongly believe that there is a lot of opportunities out there. But, many youths do not get enough support in whatever capacity, to impliment and make their dreams a reality. Society is not willing to support people, while verbally the support is there. Todays youth also loose their identity along the way and they become just like the person next door and have no uniqueness.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I will be a Radio Host for South Africa’s 5fm, have my own reality TV show, be on the Forbes List, establish premises for Hunnar Management Agency with branches across the world and one of the Globes’ leading brands and entrepreneur.

Who/What keeps you going through tough times?

Knowing that Jesus Christ died for me, keeps me going and whenever I am in doubt and tough times, I kneel down and pray. Also, I try to remember and collect the factor that made me start what I am doing and once I get it, my focus comes back.

You are part of a number of youth networks. What are some of the positive you have drawn from them?

Basically, I have realised the importance of networking so as to broadern ones social horizon, share ideas, learn from others and use these ideas to grow yourself. Everyone has their uniqueness and we need to hear their story and share our story for us to create mutual understand and grow as a people.

You are a British Council Global Changemaker. What does it mean to you?

Being a GCM means that I have strong dreams and have made my steps towards achieving them. In turn I have to inspire others to take their baby steps towards achieving their goals and dreams. Basically, I am a trendsetter! 🙂

You have a great sense of fashion, where do you draw this energy from?

Well, now when talking about my sense of style, I get mixed feelings from many people. Some say I dress weirdly, while others that are fashionable and understand style, say I am amazingly stylish. I have never really paid attention to what I wear, meaning, I am not obsessed with my wardrobe. I pick unique pieces from anywhere and everywhere I go and put them together. For me, being stylish is having the ability to coordinate what you have into a master piece. I love being creative, and just as I am creative with my projects, I am creative with my wardrobe & look too. I find inspiration from the smallest things that people take for granted.

What music do you listen to and what do you do in your spare time?

I am in love with Jazz, Soft Rock, Soul and Pop. I am very cheesy with my music, but also have a weird ear. I love The Soil, Emeli Sande, John Legend, Zahara, Adele, FUN, Hillsong, Maroon 5, Asa Laasha, Lira, Chiwoniso Maraire and Winyo. I am also a visual artist, so during my spare time I paint, do vocal classes, Freelance write for other publications, model part time and assist local charity homes through holding fundraising events. I love Radio and should be doing it soon, though on a local level. I have designed 2 book covers, one for British Council and another for Author – Njabulo Moyo.

Who are your role Models in Africa?

I am inspired by the story of famous Model – Alek Wek and Zimbabwe’s President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. It takes one to explore the world to understand why I listed these 2 individuals. I guess that calls for another interview. 🙂

What are some of the activities you are involved in?

I am the UNESCO’s Youth Peace Ambassador, work with the Alliance Francaise de Bulawayo and also do a lot of freelance jobs in the area of writing, modeling, consultance and  multi-media.

What would you like to change in the world today?

My dream is to bring a realisation that what we have in common as a people of the world, is more important than the unique differences that we have. In many cases, people look at our differences and come to a conclusion that results in negative perceptions, instead of finding the common ground and building our world together. I would eliminate social injustices, racism, stereotypes, apathy and inject the thought of working together as a people without looking at the texture of ones hair and their backgrounds.

What advise would you like to give to young people who also want to start their business?

Dream, Believe and Possess. Firstly, one has to believe in themselves and their dream for the rest of the world to subscribe to it.

Therefore, remember that if you are not convienced with what you want to do, you will never convince the next person.

Follow Me on Twitter: @GilmoreTee / Tumblr: www.gilmoretee.tumblr.com