Vahid Farzaneh is the managing partner at both the homebuilding company his family created, Home Creations, and the marketing and advertising agency he created, Freestyle Creative. Here, he talks about TikTok and how quickly the marketing industry changes.
Where do you get your news first?
I get most of my news online, mostly from social media posts from The Oklahoman and OKCTalk. I tend to use Instagram for shorter clips, and for more in depth, I will go to the newspaper. I like the immediacy of social media as well as the ability to see what others are saying about a particular topic. I can get a better picture of the whole story that way.
What app do you open first in the morning?
I mostly look at Instagram or LinkedIn to begin my day. I look at LinkedIn for business development or recruitment opportunities and Instagram to get caught up on the latest marketing trends.
What newsletter always gets clicked open?
I will always click on newsletters from the Oklahoma Film and Music Office. I’m always interested to see what is going on in the film community.
What podcast do we need to be listening to?
How I Built This with Guy Raz! As an entrepreneur, I like to hear about people’s vision and creative processes to solve their problems. Each founder and leader interviewed allows me to tap into their mindset and learn how they were able to address pain points not only in their industry but also with a wider application as well.
What social accounts or platforms should we be following?
Besides Home Creations, Freestyle Creative and 405 Business Magazine, I like to follow OKCTalk and Entrepreneurs’ Organization.
What music should we add to our playlist right now?
“Overload” by Life of Dillon. It just puts me in a good mood, and having a good mood helps me have a productive day!
What books are making you think?
The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber had a big impact on me during the start of my career. However, The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy is a book I reference the most. Back when I started Freestyle Creative, I was the one doing all of the work. The E-Myth was able to help me switch mindsets to being an entrepreneur rather than a video specialist. Instead of being the person working in the business, it taught me that I needed to be working on the business. The book gave me a better understanding of how to take my passion and skills from a hobby or side gig and turn it into an entire marketing firm.
Is there any other media you consume that we’ve missed?
I scroll through YouTube quite a bit. I have learned so much from different YouTube channels, from gardening and cooking to entertainment and business-related strategies.
What role does media literacy play in business?
The marketing industry changes so often and fast. I want to be leading the charge! Being a digital native has helped me and my agency, Freestyle Creative, to become successful. It has also helped me with keeping marketing strategies front and center for our customers at Home Creations.
How do you ensure you remain media literate?
Just make sure you’re on TikTok! Also being around a younger staff helps me stay in the loop with all the updates and latest trends in media.
