From Biochemistry to Digital Success: How Toheeb Yusuf Built TeeybAds Hub into a Leading Marketing Agency

In 2019, while in his final year as a biochemistry student at Kogi State University, Toheeb Yusuf embarked on a journey that would change his career path. What began as a side interest in digital marketing soon evolved into a thriving business.

In 2020, Yusuf founded TeeybAds Hub, a digital marketing agency, and by 2022, the company was officially registered. Here, Yusuf shares his story and the challenges he overcame in building TeeybAds Hub into a successful venture.

Yusuf’s journey into digital marketing was born out of necessity. “I initially studied biochemistry based on my brother’s recommendation, and I was doing well in my studies. But when I was in my third year, my brother passed away. I had no idea how to make my biochemistry degree work without his support for professional courses or an M.Sc. So, I decided to learn digital marketing and start TeeybAds,” Yusuf explains.

Starting out was not easy. Yusuf lacked the financial resources to purchase expensive courses and had no access to a good phone or laptop. He used his school fees, left by his late brother, to buy a phone and a laptop in his final year. “I relied heavily on YouTube, Google, and free courses, plus the support from networking with like-minded individuals,” he recalls.

Though biochemistry and digital marketing seem worlds apart, Yusuf believes his academic background had an unexpected influence on his new career. “My degree taught me to pay attention to the tiniest details, a skill that has been incredibly useful in digital marketing.”

By 2022, Yusuf decided it was time to formalize his business. “I hired a professional to help with the registration, and within three weeks, TeeybAds Hub was officially a registered business. Since then, I’ve been able to build a team of eight people working with me,” Yusuf shares.

Initially, Yusuf’s goal was simple: to make enough money to sustain himself through school. However, as the business grew, so did his ambitions. “We’ve evolved from that initial goal to paying salaries for eight people within two years of registration. Our current goal is to help our clients generate a combined $1 million in revenue over the next year.”

Yusuf notes significant changes in the digital marketing landscape since he began in 2019. “Consumers’ buying behavior has changed a lot. Brands now focus more on building their own branding and content, not just direct response efforts. Nowadays, branding and direct response go hand in hand. This is the time and age where you cannot neglect the importance of building a brand.”

TeeybAds Hub’s success can be attributed to a combination of personal branding and client referrals. “We get tons of referrals daily and weekly from our existing and past clients, which gives us more than enough to work with. We also run paid ads to grow the online presence of me as a brand, which in turn facilitates the growth of the agency.”

Yusuf reflects on a particular project that stands out in his career. “We had a client in the US where we generated about $100,000 in six months, but the project I’m most proud of wasn’t the one that made the most money. We worked with a woman who was completely new to direct response campaigns and sales funnels. We helped her sell almost a thousand units of her programs within four months using Facebook and Instagram ads. It’s a project I’m incredibly proud of.”

For those considering a transition into digital marketing, Yusuf advises seeking guidance from those with experience. “It’s not easy, and it took me years to reach a stable level. To transition smoothly, you need help—don’t try to do it alone.”

Yusuf has ambitious plans for TeeybAds Hub. “We aim to become the go-to marketing agency for direct response marketing campaigns and social media branding for businesses, high-net-worth individuals, creators, and SMEs. We want to be a household name for marketing in Nigeria and beyond. I see us accomplishing that in the next few years.”

Toheeb Yusuf’s journey from biochemistry student to successful digital marketing entrepreneur serves as an inspiring reminder that with determination and adaptability, it’s possible to turn a challenge into a thriving business.