Startup Story
Inner Voice Creative, founded by Robyn Keet in South Africa, is a socially conscious photographic exhibition management service and photography mentorship business. Robyn is using this business platform to create a range of specialist photographic services and training products that allows the business to give back to the global creative community.
LoA learned more about this exciting, impact driven creative business this month from founder, Robyn Keet.
What inspired you to start your company?
Inner Voice Creative was birthed from the 2018 DocuFestAfrica photographic exhibition where the Creative team headed by Robyn Keet was able to create, curate and execute this event with unprecedented success, during her previous role as picture library manager at Africa Media Online. It captured an uncomfortable period of South African history that was not touched on at the time - what life was like during the Apartheid struggle. Incorporating photographic collections from the Tiso Blackstar Group, Paul Weinberg, Eric Miller, Graeme Williams, George Hallet, Greg Marinovich and David Larsen, the exhibition raised awareness and touched on people’s consciousness by sharing visual stories of downtown Johannesburg, Wits University students, various army training camps, women issues, artists and poets of the day.
An organic conversation was fostered between the lady’s movement, black sash, and #metoo, and by having established photographers speaking to incumbents along with walkabouts sparking active discussions on what it means to be a visual historian in South Africa. Part of the original Creative team members now works with Inner Voice Creative, bringing about that same dynamic that started this journey.
In the past year, Inner Voice Creative has been instrumental in the creation and execution of the St John Vision 20/20 exhibition. The exhibition highlights accessible and affordable eye care for all South Africans. It started in Fishhoek, Cape Town before moving to Stellenbosch, and then on to Johannesburg. This exhibition has been featured in the Art Times, Country Life Magazine, Mercury, and other relevant publications. Inner Voice Creative also created an activation exhibition called Lunar: Journey with the eco-fashion brand Lunar as a way to launch the new SA Fashion week summer collection.
Speaking about Robyn’s work and ethos at Inner Voice Creative, George Woods CEO at St John South Africa, said: "Robyn’s work in photographic exhibitions is inspired, carefully considered and conveys the narrative of ordinary people in an extraordinary way.”
Inner Voice Creative is aware of the lack of confidence in the business skills photographers need in the market and has crafted workshops to bridge that gap. As part of their upliftment strategy, Inner Voice Creative has developed no-charge webinars that assist in developing key skills for photographers as they make their entry into the industry along with their charge-for workshops which bring far more detailed information.
Speaking about the impact of Robyn’s work and the Inner Voice Creative, John Hogg, a photographer, said: "I have attended two workshops with Robyn on stock photography and have had a one-on-one session on how to best approach the business. Robyn has an infectious enthusiasm backed up with an insider understanding of the very competitive and intricate world of stock. Her insight has left me with a far better understanding of how to approach, prepare the images and partake in it. Her imparted knowledge will certainly benefit photographers, no matter their photographic interests or style of work.”
“Photography has the power to change communities, start robust conversations, and to touch the hearts of all regardless of gender, nationality or creed.”
“My personal goal is to connect over 1 billion people around the world through the art of photography.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
All our services, be it through our Exhibition management services or Photography mentorship and training products allows us to gives back to the global creative community. In the last year, the St John Vision 20/20 exhibition was able to give free eye screening tests to those in the Durban and Stellenbosch areas that could not afford it. As well as upskilling over 50 photographers around South Africa through our no-charge webinars.
Tell us a little about your team
Our team is an amazing, creative, bunch of freelancers that come in and out as projects enter our eco-system. Our teams are built on a pay-it-forward model whereby personnel are encouraged to start their own side business, not only to focus on their entrepreneurial spirit but also give them a safe space to answer their creative calling.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I grew up in an entrepreneurial family. It's in my blood but I only took the leap in 2018 after a sense of necessity. Entrepreneurship knocked on my door when I successfully executed my first photographic exhibition in May 2018. From that moment, I was drawn in by the desire to embrace the creative reflection that photography offers society, as well as a way to reduce my paralyzing stress levels in working for someone I didn't fully align with.
“Being an entrepreneur is not about a destination, it is about the journey that you are on and the impact that you have made in the world.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My personal goal is to connect over 1 billion people around the world through the art of photography. In order to accomplish this vision, we are always on the lookout to collaborate with ‘For-Purpose’ organisations that would like to connect with their communities in an unorthodox but effective manner. Photography has the power to change communities, start robust conversations, and to touch the hearts of all regardless of gender, nationality or creed.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Seeing your vision becoming a reality.
Being an entrepreneur is hard. There are way too many days that you will burn the candle on both ends, you will probably neglect the people you love in the pursuit of your vision and at first, you will question every decision you have ever made especially the one in becoming an entrepreneur.
Being an entrepreneur is not about a destination, it is about the journey that you are on and the impact that you have made in the world.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Be patient. Be Wise. Be relentless. Be Courageous.
Be patient with the process. We all come into entrepreneurship with a grand vision to change the world and make money. This takes time.
Be wise with the people you bring into your start-up. Not all free offers and olive branches are given with your best interest at heart.
Be relentless and courageous with your creativity. You are uniquely capable to build your business. Think outside the box and celebrate that moment when you need to get up, one more time in the pursuit of building greatness.
Contact or follow Inner Voice Creative
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL robyn@innervoicecreative.com
Why LoA loves it…
When you have passion-driven entrepreneurs who believe in their ability to make a positive difference in the world through their businesses, you really can change people’s lives for the better. Robyn Keet is an entrepreneur who has a big vision and the passion to make it a reality, and as a result, will contribute to making opportunities happen for the creative community she loves. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa
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