November 22, 2024 – while the world danced to Wizkid’s latest album, Morayo, something magical unfolded within our own DreamMaker community. Celeste, our teammate, had launched an EP. And after one listen, I knew I had to get inside her head.

My first interaction with Celeste was at Townhall when she was introduced as a baby  DreamMaker (a term for new hires). Her voice engulfed me, and so I wasn’t surprised because she introduced herself as someone who played music by the side. But like every new hire introduction, work quickly took my attention away from her until…

Sometime in September, she dropped a message in our Music Corner that she’d be having a show and we could all attend. I was intrigued and decided to listen to her music. Oh my! 

For the uninitiated - who’s Celeste? 

Celeste is a creative strategist at Moniepoint. Her work on performance marketing and CRM involves crafting campaigns that draw users into our app and keep them coming back. But outside of her 9-5, she’s all about the music. Although she just released ÀLÓ, she admits it’s been a passion project she poured her heart into for quite some time.

Celz: Okay, hold up. ÀLÓ? What’s the story behind the title?

Celeste: ÀLÓ means ‘stories’ in Yoruba. It’s inspired by those childhood nights of sitting under the moonlight, listening to tales that shape your imagination. I wanted the EP to feel like that – a collection of stories.

Celz: That’s poetic. But I imagine getting this out wasn’t all smooth sailing. What was the toughest part?

Celeste: Oh, you’re spot on. The hardest part was finding producers who understood the exact sound I envisioned. I was aiming for this mix of Indie Pop and Alte – a bit niche. It took me two years to find my groove. Funny enough, it all clicked when I found out one of my previous colleagues - Nath Mac, dabbled in music production. We started reworking some of my older songs, and the rest just fell into place.

Celz: Love that serendipity. What was the creative process like once you got rolling?

Celeste: Surprisingly organic. Some days, we’d meet at his place, other times at mine, or in the studio. If a beat didn’t hit right, I’d give feedback, and we’d tweak it until we vibed with it. I enjoyed the journey so much that I ended up producing the final track, ‘AWA’NLO’, myself.

Celz: Wait, YOU produced that track? I’d be embedding it for those reading to have a feel of your production prowess. 

Work, creativity, and everything in between 

Next, we discussed how she combined work with music. Spoiler alert? She’s killing it at both, and our team is right by her side. And nothing quite encapsulates this like the first time she announced to the team that she’d be having a live show. 

This was just a few months after she joined Moniepoint, and we were right there.  We had teammates who weren’t in the same city with her getting tickets for those who were, and we were outside!

I started this part of our conversation by asking how she juggled this while crushing it at work.

Celeste: I’ve been doing music for five years now – it’s woven into my life. People ask about balance, but for me, it’s all connected. Whether it’s storytelling through marketing campaigns or channelling emotions into songs, it’s the same creative flow. One fuels the other.

Celz: That makes sense – a storyteller at heart. What’s a typical day in your life like?

Celeste: I’m usually up by 4 am, writing or making music until 6 am. Then, I switch gears for my work stand-up. After that, I dive into team meetings, strategy sessions, and design reviews. Some afternoons are spent searching for new design inspirations, but I’m back at the piano or mic by evening. Music begins and ends my day.

Celz: That’s intense… but it sounds fulfilling. Switching gears – what’s been your most exciting project at Moniepoint?

Celeste: Hands down, the launch of the Moniepoint Debit Card and reworking our brand design guidelines. Those projects meant a lot because they marked my entry into Moniepoint. I remember being tasked with revamping our digital media designs – as the new kid on the block. No pressure, right?

Celz: Talk about trial by fire! What was the biggest hurdle there?

Celeste: I didn’t know the brand inside-out yet, which made it tricky. I worried people wouldn’t connect with the card’s new design. However, we tested different versions, and it turned out that our POS blue consistently resonated with customers.

Celz: That blue does hit different. You’ve been here for over a year now – what’s your favourite Moniepoint M?

Celeste: I’d say Membership. It surprised me, honestly. When I first joined, I wasn’t sure how open people would be to my music. But when I shared my first show in our music corner, the responses blew me away. People actually showed up! Even now, with ÀLÓ out, folks are dropping links in the music channel, celebrating it like it’s their win, too. That support means everything.

Celz: I remember actually. I think a few people got extra tickets for others, and there were reviews after the event. So, when you’re not busy conquering the creative world, what’s your go-to downtime?

Celeste: I’m pretty chill – either reading by the beach or watching mystical movies. I love how novels come alive when you read them by the ocean. I guess I’m not as adventurous as people think!

Celz: Beach reads sound like a vibe. Any final words for multi-passionate creatives out there?

Celeste: If you’re nurturing two passions – go for it. Don’t let the fear of burnout hold you back, but also listen to your body. What’s helped me is working remotely. I can blend my passions throughout the day. If you want that kind of flexibility, check out our careers page at Moniepoint. We’re doing cool stuff, and there’s room for more creative minds.

 To keep your heart calm and help you reach the depth of innovations within you, my album is your best bet. Listen here.