Marvel Iwezue, founder and CEO of Marv Creative Media Management, leads a forward-thinking creative agency focused on empowering businesses and MSME founders. With a predominantly female team, Marvel champions SDG 10 by advocating for reduced inequalities and promoting financial independence for young women.An expert in project management and digital marketing, she has collaborated with over 30 businesses across Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK.
Marvel also oversees a major summer skill program for female students in Lagos and contributes to the Association for the Education of Young Girls. Her vision is to expand her agency into a full-service creative powerhouse.
What inspired you to start Marv Creative Media Management, and how did you identify the need for the services your agency offers?
I started Marv Creative Media Management first as a challenge to myself. I saw it as an opportunity to push myself rather than complaining about the slim opportunities available to entry level job seekers. Over time it has been an avenue to bridge the gap in quality media services and affordability while empowering women in the creative industry. All these I identified through my own experiences and challenges.
Could you share some of the challenges you faced when starting your business and how you overcame them?
One of the major challenges was finding young people who believed in the vision and were ready to be committed to the startup phase and all that it poses. I wouldn’t major on financial constraints because I was prepared for it and rather saw it as a propeller for great things. I’ve had to deal with various people but forming the current team I had came from a lot of prayers, due diligence and investing in a lot of training programs online and offline. I also pride myself in building and enabling environment for young minds to thrive.
What role did your education in Business Administration play in shaping your career as an entrepreneur?
I am so grateful for my educational background. It laid the foundation for the things I do now as an entrepreneur. Apart from the key skills in strategic planning, operational management and finance I picked up, I also gained a great network of like minds who inspire me daily. My research work on Change management in Nigeria helped me greatly in understanding my team, change in business clime, managing radical change and all the other things that come with it.
 Leading a team with 90% women is quite remarkable. What strategies have you employed to foster an inclusive and empowering work environment at Marv Creative Media Management?
I believe in the power, skills and creativity that women hold. I encourage them always to put in their A game, challenge the norms in the tech and marketing space. I provide equal opportunities for male and female team members in my agency, and celebrate individual efforts regardless of gender. Together we make a formidable squad pushing digital innovation in Nigeria and the world by extension.
How do you approach team building and ensure that your employees stay motivated and aligned with your company’s mission?
I ensure alignment with our mission first by leading by example and empowering my team members. Through daily hurdles, weekly check-ins, training programs and quarterly fun activities, we encourage the team. At Marv Media, we do not joke with our reward systems. In fact, I share feedback from clients with our team(both positive and negative) This keeps everyone in check, excited to take on clients jobs and each task assigned to them.
Can you discuss the importance of financial independence for women and how your agency helps achieve this for the women on your team?
I cannot stress the importance of women being financially enabled and independent. Right from age 9 I had a skill that fetched me money. I made beads and sold to family and friends. My parents thought me the importance of savings, giving and spending. I later went on to learn many other skills like makeup, salesmanship and creative writing which fetched me an income at various points in life.
Now running an agency, I am passionate about showing young women that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. At Marv Media, women handle heavy gears, work on websites and so much more and earn their worth. My agency provides stable income, skills training, and opportunities for advancement. Recently we launched an internship scheme where we empower university students and National Youth Corps members.
Social impact seems to be at the core of your business. How do you balance profitability with your commitment to social responsibility, particularly in driving SDG 10 of reduced inequalities?
Balancing profitability and social responsibility requires intentionality. I made the decision to project the work Social impact leaders and startups in Africa are doing in their own little way through social media.
I’m proud to serve on the board of the Association for the Education of Young Girls, an NGO dedicated to advocating for girls’ education. Additionally, I encourage my team at Marv Creative Media Management to volunteer in various social impact initiatives, fostering a culture of giving back and making a positive difference in our world.
 What successes have you seen in empowering young women through your agency, and can you share a story that stands out?
The results and feedback has been tremendous. Seeing young people come in with little to no digital skills and grow rapidly. Our current Team success officer, who came into the team for an administrative role has picked up mobile videography skills by being a part of what we do. This has now become a great addition to the team’s efforts and she is now monetizing this skill as well as serving in social impact organizations as a media volunteer.
What’s your long-term vision for Marv Creative Media Management, and where do you see your company in the next five to ten years?
In the next five to ten years, I envision Marv Creative Media Management as a leading creative agency, providing tech and marketing solutions to SME’s and Social Impact organizations, expanding globally and empowering more women. It’s from Africa to the world.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to start their own businesses, especially in the creative industry?
Stay true to your vision and pursue it with passion. Never be afraid to agree that you lack expertise in an agree but never stop there, strive to improve, be hungry for knowledge and seek support.
Looking back on your journey so far, what are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
It’s never a matter of ability, but resolve. Stay resilient, because challenges will inevitably come. Remember, it’s not about failing, but about what you make of failure. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and surround yourself with three sets of people: those who encourage you, those who learn from you, and those from whom you learn.
