đź’ˇ Social Media with Soul: Finding Courage to Create with Tope
If you’ve ever felt nervous about showing up online — whether on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok — this week’s La Vie Creative episode is for you.
I sat down with Tope, a Nigerian-born creative living in Paris, who has built a career blending storytelling, strategy, and purpose. Through her work as a content creator, product communications professional, and travel curator, she’s found a way to make social media feel authentic, joyful, and deeply human again.
🌍 From Nigeria to Paris: A Journey Fueled by Courage
Tope’s story begins at 14, when she first told her mother she’d one day move to Paris. Years later, she made that dream a reality — not by waiting for permission, but by creating her own opportunity.
After working in corporate compliance for a French company, Tope realized her true calling was creativity. She quit her job, moved to Paris, earned an MBA, and started fresh. “Once I feel convinced about something,” she said, “I don’t wait for someone to give it to me. Closed mouths don’t get fed.”
Her message? You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment — create it.
🎨 Creativity Is a Dance Between Fear and Courage
When I asked Tope how she moves past fear, she laughed softly. “You never move past it,” she said. “You just learn to juggle fear and courage.”
She believes that fear is actually a sign you care — a spark pointing toward something meaningful. “The fear means there’s a future me that connects with this. I just need to connect the dots.”
Her best advice? Take one second of courage. Create a draft. Film the first clip. Write the caption. Post something imperfect. “You’ll never see the end goal clearly,” she reminds us, “but that’s okay. The magic is in the trying.”
đź’« Joy and Service: The Heart of Creativity
For Tope, creativity isn’t about chasing trends — it’s about joy and service.
She calls herself a “joy company,” creating not only for beauty’s sake but to help others feel inspired, connected, and seen.
Whether she’s producing travel guides, helping brands reimagine their stories, or simply sharing Paris tips online, Tope asks one powerful question:
“How can I make someone’s life easier, brighter, or more joyful today?”
📱 Tools That Make Creativity Simpler
Tope is a big believer in using tools that make the process smoother — not harder. Her go-tos include:
- ChatGPT – for brainstorming, structuring ideas, and clarifying concepts
- Canva – for designing carousels, brand guides, and her upcoming Paris Coffee Table Book
- Notion – for planning content, managing projects, and even personal goals
- CapCut, Lightroom, VSCO – for easy, polished video and photo edits
- Revolut & other finance apps – for managing creative income with less stress
“The idea isn’t the creativity,” she says. “The execution is.”
đź“ť The Notes App Is Your Best Friend
Tope insists that creativity doesn’t live in perfect studio lighting — it lives in your everyday life. “Your Notes app is your secret weapon,” she says.
When you overhear something interesting, discover a hidden spot, or learn a travel hack — write it down. “Everyone is facing the same problems you are. The content is already happening in your daily life.”
Her three pillars of content:
- Solve a problem. Share something helpful.
- Show how. Give people access to the solution.
- Be relatable. Don’t hide your imperfect moments — that’s where real connection begins.
She reminds us that even the most luxurious brands thrive on relatability: “The people who buy luxury look just like you and me. They want real stories, not perfection.”
🚀 How to Start Creating Today
For anyone too shy to show their face on camera, Tope shared the inspiring example of @dreamsinparis, a faceless account that grew to over 39K followers by simply sharing valuable Paris tips.
“Start where you are. Use what you have,” she says. Whether you’re making UGC videos, selling travel guides, or offering creative services — there’s always a way in.
Her final encouragement:
“You owe it to yourself. There’s no excuse. The way will fall in line once you start walking.”
🌸 What’s Next for Tope
Tope is now focused on two exciting projects:
- Launching travel guides that capture her favorite hidden gems across Paris and beyond.
- Creating a community for Paris-based creatives, a space for collaboration, connection, and mutual growth.
She hopes to partner with local venues, brands, and fellow creatives to bring these ideas to life.
If you’re interested in joining or supporting her mission, you can find her on Instagram and TikTok at @heytope.
✨ Final Thoughts
This episode is a beautiful reminder that creativity isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence, courage, and joy. Whether you’re a seasoned creator or just beginning, Tope’s story proves that your journey is the content.
