Meet Siraaj Woods | Founder of SWC

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

Hi Siraaj, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I always wanted to be my own boss ever since I was a little kid. When I was growing up I used to hate how my dad always had to go to work because I wanted to spend more time with him. I used to tell him, “If I was the boss, I would let my workers take as many days off as they wanted.” Obviously being an adult now, I understand how unrealistic that would be, but my mindset behind time freedom has remained consistent since my early years. As a teenager, the thought of working 8 hour days, 5 days a week literally terrified me. Hell, I could barley stomach working longer than 4 hours at my first real job which was at Papa John’s.

The first time I ever had to clock a 6 hour shift making pizzas, I literally thought I was going to die. My thought process from being an over dramatic teenager didn’t really change when I got my first real job out of college. This was my first time clocking 40 hour weeks on a consistent basis. Less than 3 months of this allowed me to completely understand how working adults can go off of the deep end and do irrational things that cause them to lose their jobs. I used to sit in the office at 1pm on a Tuesday afternoon feeling like I was in a maximum security prison. Looking out of my office, I would often get jealous of the people that I saw passing by out of my window on the second floor. Often wondering to myself, what do they do for a living that they get to walk around so freely on a Tuesday afternoon, while I’m “trapped” in this office?

My jealousy would reach a boiling point as I watched my former boss leave the office everyday around 2pm to get some food or pickup his son and never return. Knowing that if I did the same thing I would be instantly fired. One day I convinced him to let me go to a networking event, because I was so desperate to get out of the office. When I got to the location, I quickly realized the event had been cancelled. Because it was 2022, I pulled out my laptop and did some work at the co-working space where the event was supposed to take place. When I got back to the office, boy did he let me have it. Safe to say, I never got the opportunity to leave the office again during my tenure. After my 90 day probationary period was up, he came to my office and informed me that he would pay the rest of my paycheck for me to leave, that was the most free I had felt in the last 3 months.

Going back to the beginning, one of the reasons why I started my business is because I wanted full control of my time and income. I wanted to be able to work where and when I wanted, and even though I found out quickly that I would have to work way longer than 40 hours a week to accomplish my goals, it always has felt more enjoyable because I’m working towards a vision that I actually believe in. And that vision is helping businesses all across the world get access to marketing solutions that they didn’t have previously.

What should our readers know about your business?
SWC is a nationally renowned social media marketing agency that primarily works to support Black owned businesses and entrepreneurs. What truly sets us apart is our dedication to crafting social media strategies that resonate deeply with our clients’ audiences. Our approach isn’t just about generating likes and shares; it’s about creating meaningful connections and fostering community around a brand.

We believe that social media marketing is not only something that should only be enjoyed online. We are deeply committed to building a supportive and dynamic community through our in-person events, specifically tailored for entrepreneurs and content creators. Our goal is to create a haven where like-minded individuals can come together to share ideas, challenges, and successes in the realm of social media—a field that, while incredibly rewarding, can often feel like navigating a never-ending whirlwind.

These events are crafted with the intent to demystify the complexities of social media marketing, offering practical insights, strategies, and tools to help our community members thrive online. By bringing together a diverse group of entrepreneurs and content creators, we foster an environment of mutual support and learning. It’s a space where collaborations are born, where experiences are shared, and where everyone, regardless of their level of expertise, can find value and encouragement.

We believe that the strength of our community lies in its diversity and collective knowledge. Our events are designed to spark conversation, inspire creativity, and encourage participants to explore new possibilities in a supportive setting. From workshops to panel discussions, we cover a wide range of topics relevant to today’s digital landscape, ensuring our community stays ahead of the curve.

Moreover, we’re not just focusing on the how-to’s of social media; we’re delving into the whys and the whats that drive authentic engagement and sustainable growth. Our community learns not only to navigate the technical aspects of social media platforms but also to understand the art of storytelling, branding, and creating meaningful connections with their audience.

I am particularly proud of our team’s ability to stay agile and innovative in the ever-evolving landscape of social media. This agility has allowed us to consistently deliver results that exceed expectations, even as platforms come and go, and algorithms change. Our commitment to continuous learning and adaptation is at the heart of our success.

Getting to where we are today was far from easy. Like many startups, we faced our share of challenges, from securing our initial client base to scaling our operations in a sustainable way. Initially as a young, inexperienced, and broke college student, I poured in all of my funds from work studies and refund checks to get this idea off of the ground. Making only $700 our first year in business, I remained committed to the vision that I had. There were moments of uncertainty, but our belief in the value of what we were creating kept us pushing forward. Overcoming these obstacles often meant taking calculated risks, being open to learning from failures, and always staying focused on our core mission.

One of the most important lessons that I’ve learned on this journey so far has been the unparalleled power of networking and collaboration. The importance of networking, collaboration, and surrounding oneself with the right people cannot be overstated, especially in the dynamic world of business and entrepreneurship. Networking opens doors to new opportunities, ideas, and resources. I can’t even count how many deals and opportunities that I’ve been introduced to by being in the right rooms with the right people. I’ve made countless breakthroughs in business because of my increased focus on networking with the right people.

Collaboration is also key, as combing diverse skill sets and perspectives while working together can lead to more comprehensive and creative solutions that no individual could achieve alone. Being with the right people—those who share your vision, challenge your ideas constructively, and support your growth—accelerates your journey towards your goals much faster than going at it alone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place to grab food in Houston is the Turkey Leg Hut. When I want to go out and celebrate, my favorite places to go have a good time are The Address, Kamp, and Chapman on Sundays. I’ll be back in H-Town very soon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love and support from my family, especially my Grandma. She is the person who instilled my work ethic. I watched her go to work at night for over 20 years, working a job that literally broke her body down and sacrifice so much to provide for us. She is the most giving and unselfish person I’ve ever met. I dedicate this to Nina, my heart.

Website: www.swcreatives.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sw.creatives/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/swcreatives/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swcreativesteam

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@swcreativesllc

Image Credits
All images are property Siraaj Woods Creatives, LLC.