Instagram Influencer Spotlight On: Dupe Aleru @Dupe_Aleru

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What are you doing now and where do you come from?

My name is Dupé Aleru, pronounced Doo-PAY A-luh-ROO.

For the past decade, I have combined my passions for education and self-improvement towards a life of dedicated to being an education entrepreneur, speaker, content creator, and author.

I live in sunny Long Beach, California, and I love it! Living six blocks from the beach is amazing, not to mention being surrounded by phenomenal food and chill vibes.

I started my career back in 2006 as a classroom teacher, with only an unshakable suspicion that life had more for me in store. But I never could have imagined how much!

MY STORY

I’ve always had a passion for teaching and the learning process, so when I graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2003 with a degree in sociology, I went back to school to receive my Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

At the age of 25, I thought, “I MADE IT!” I snagged a job as a second grade elementary school teacher, and I couldn’t have been happier.

Yet life sometimes has other plans for us, and my exuberance would soon turn to despair. I was laid off after my first year teaching due to budget cuts, only to be brought back the next academic school year. Then I was laid off after my second year teaching, and brought back a third year. Plus, during this time, I had to invest much of my emotional and physical energy to caring for myself, due to a medical condition that almost took my life. Still I was determined to continue my teaching, but I was again laid off TWO MORE TIMES until finally, in 2010, I made one of the toughest decisions of my life—I decided to leave classroom teaching altogether.

By this time I had added a new degree and Credential: a Master of Science in Educational Counseling, and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. I had invested so much time and energy into teaching; however, I knew that I had to find a different way to make an impact within the educational field.

While I began taking a serious look at my future, and what I wanted for myself, I accepted a job working for The Beverly Hills Courier as its Director of Education Services—a fancy term for education reporter. I threw myself into the work, building the education section from the ground up before being laid off AGAIN due to major staff cuts at The Courier.

Yes, that’s FIVE LAYOFFS within a five-year period! Enough to make most people throw in the towel; and I admit, the thought did cross my mind. But instead of quitting, I took it as a sign from God—it was time for me start my own company.

TUTORS FOR TOTS, TWEENS & TEENS LLC WAS BORN!

I hustled to build my tutoring business, which later grew into an education company. Over the last several years, I have stepped fully into my life’s purpose—educating audiences of all ages on a MASS SCALE! This is where I was meant to be, and though I had to overcome many setbacks, it was all a SET UP to get me to where I am now.

Today, I spend most of my time creating curriculums for school districts and city programs. I also speak at K-12 schools, colleges, and other events. Plus, I have amazing fans that give me the opportunity to deliver daily inspirational content, focused on business and personal development, on my social media platforms.

Life is phenomenal, and I’m just getting started. I hope my story has inspired you to go after your dreams, and to never give up, even when the odds are stacked against you.

2) What are your topics of interest? What do you post on Instagram the most?

My topics of interest are: education, motivation, and content development. I post daily inspirational videos or still photos / words for my fans.

3) How did your Instagram name come about?

It’s my name 🙂

4) What are some apps you use to edit your photos? Share with us your photo-editing routine!

I use Canva to edit all of my Instagram photos. It’s an amazing app, easy to use and allows you to personally brand your photos–mine being inspirational photos with words.

I edit photos / videos every day. I usually get inspired by reading something the day before online, listening to my morning podcasts, or even having a normal conversation with a friend. I use my environment for inspiration. Once I know what topic my post will be about, I choose a photo that embraces the emotion of the quote that will be placed on the photo.

5) Any Instagrammers whom you really like? Which Instagrammer inspires you the most?

Since I’m an entrepreneur / speaker, I tend to pay attention to those Influencers in my field. I really like Eric Thomas "The Hiphop Preacher", Gary Vaynerchuck, and Trent Shelton.

6) If there’s one thing your fellow Instagrammers just gotta try now, what’s it gonna be?

Hmmmmm…great question. I will base this off of the questions I receive the most in my DM’s. I would say try the InShot app because other than the personal or business questions that I get asked daily, people always want to know what I use to edit my videos. InShot and iMovie. If you do not have either, get them!

7) What’s your favorite part about being an influencer?

Empowering people who I do not even know to take action! It amazes me the amount of emails, DM’s, and even phone calls I receive from people thanking me for putting out my daily inspirational contact. It grounds me because sometimes it’s easy to forget that I am blessed that I know my purpose, I know who I am and where I’m going, and not everyone are so lucky to be so self-aware. The fact that I can help people reach a level of awareness that can elevate their lives, it’s the best feeling in the world.

8) What are some of your top tips to brands for running campaigns? How do you maintain authenticity?

Be you. You said it…maintaining authenticity is about doing the things that you would do even when no one is watching, listening, or reading. Sometimes social can be oversaturated with regurgitated content, so it’s vital to think outside the box, be creative, and take lots of risks.

9) What would your advice be on the importance of quality and original content?

Here’s my saying, "Talent is KEY, but execution is KING" – Dupé Aleru. I say this because people assume that you only have to be talented or an expert in an area to be successful. You have to be talented AND deliver valuable content for your target audience. Otherwise, your content is meaningless. Again, be you and create content that is tailored and original for your audience.

10) What do you like best about partnering with brands?

I love the reach or exposure! As an educator, my goal is to educate on a mass scale. The more people I can inspire, the more I’m living out my legacy.

Topics:

  • Education

Country:

United States of America

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