Resilience With A Touch of Innovation
Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities The entrepreneurial journey for African women is a dynamic tapestry interwoven with challenges and opportunities. This path requires resilience, creativity, and a visionary spirit to transcend barriers. In this article, we spotlight two remarkable individuals – Dorcas Agada and Zainab Ishaq – who are crafting their destinies in the world of business and serving as beacons of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs across the continent. Dorcas Agada: A Journey Rooted in Passion Dorcas Agada’s entrepreneurship journey was kindled by a combination of admiration for her mother’s endeavors and her personal love for bags. Witnessing her single mother’s dedication to various businesses planted the seed of entrepreneurship in her heart. Her passion for bags evolved into the birth of Avankra, a brand that specializes in crafting bespoke leather accessories. Dorcas’s journey is a testament to the power of mentorship, education, and a burning passion for one’s craft. Avankra doesn’t just produce bags; it represents a mission to redefine the perception of Nigerian-made products, combining affordability and durability. Zainab Ishaq: Pioneering Change in Livestock Zainab Ishaq’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in addressing real-world challenges. Inspired by her father’s cattle farming, she recognized the need for sustainable solutions in the livestock industry. Her venture, Amnah Agro Allied Farms, is dedicated to modernizing beef cattle production and meat processing. By integrating technology, sustainable practices, and innovative strategies, Zainab aims to contribute to food security and mitigate conflicts between farmers and herders. Her journey exemplifies problem-solving and the drive to make a lasting impact. The Entrepreneurial Skill Set: Keys to Success Both Dorcas and Zainab possess essential skills that have propelled their entrepreneurial journeys. Dorcas highlights creativity, effective communication, and financial acumen as crucial components. Her ability to convey her brand’s message, build relationships, and ensure financial stability has been instrumental in her success. Zainab emphasizes the significance of effective communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. These skills have empowered her to find innovative solutions and navigate challenges with grace. Transformative Wisdom for Entrepreneurs Dorcas’s game-changing advice revolves around adaptability. She emphasizes the importance of remaining open to change and seizing opportunities even in the face of adversity, a principle that has guided her entrepreneurial journey. Zainab’s wisdom lies in focusing on solving real problems. By addressing pressing challenges, entrepreneurs can create solutions that resonate with their target audience, thereby fostering genuine impact and growth. Weathering the Storm: Strategies for Success In the face of adversity, both Dorcas and Zainab have strategies to maintain their composure and drive. Dorcas employs organization, mentorship, and a positive mindset to navigate challenges. Zainab relies on her problem-solving skills, robust support network, and effective time management to navigate the entrepreneurial roller coaster. Celebrating Triumphs and Looking Ahead Dorcas’s proudest moments include seeing her bags featured in a prestigious fashion show and gaining endorsement from her business role model. These milestones underscore the value of dedication and perseverance. Zainab takes pride in conquering milestones that were once deemed insurmountable. Each achievement reinforces her position as a trailblazer in the industry. A Glimpse into the Future: The HGCP Experience Both entrepreneurs share their enthusiasm for the High Growth Coaching Program (HGCP) by She Leads Africa. Dorcas anticipates acquiring insights into production processes and effective marketing strategies. Zainab looks forward to leveraging the expertise of trainers and coaches to continue her journey towards business success. In a continent teeming with potential, Dorcas Agada and Zainab Ishaq stand as living proof that African women entrepreneurs can redefine norms and carve their own paths to success. Their stories inspire us to dream big, embrace challenges, and transform our visions into reality. As we celebrate their journeys, we also celebrate the resilience and innovation that characterize the entrepreneurial landscape of Africa. ___ Interested in reaching out to the ladies? Dorcas Agada, Co-founder Avankra I am Dorcas Agada, a 27-year-old hailing from Benue state. I hold a degree in Business Administration from Yaba College of Technology. Presently, I proudly serve as the co-founder of Avankra. Facebook: @avankra Zainab Ishaq, Founder Amnah Agro-Allied Farms I am Zainab Ishaq, hailing from Niger State, Nigeria. Holding both a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Mathematics from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, I am also honored to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amnah Agro-Allied Farms. Through this company, we strive to offer sustainable solutions for cattle beef production and meat processing, with a dedicated focus on ensuring accessible and hygienic consumption of healthy beef cattle. LinkedIn: Zainab Ishaq
Breaking Barriers, Chasing Dreams
Meet the Unstoppable Dreamweavers Navigating the intricate landscape of entrepreneurship as an African woman demands a spirit of resilience and grace. The journey winds through challenges, twists, and turns that might leave even the most steadfast souls a bit breathless. Yet, within this dynamic tapestry, a remarkable narrative unfolds – one where women aren’t merely confronting obstacles; they’re embracing them with an audacious flair that makes it seem like a leisurely stroll. Indeed, these women are redefining norms, shattering glass ceilings, and shaping destinies as effortlessly as a brushstroke on canvas. Allow us to introduce Zigwai Fanda and Olayemi Adewale-Ojo – two luminous forces reshaping the entrepreneurial narrative in ways that inspire awe. These women don’t just run businesses; they orchestrate symphonies of innovation and perseverance. As they traverse the peaks and valleys of entrepreneurship, they redefine the essence of success. Zigwai’s Flourishing Dreams Zigwai’s adventure weaves an enchanting introduction. Driven by a strong desire to mold her dreams, she set out on an unconventional path. Along comes LadyBamboo Limited – a living example of her dedication to sustainability and change. With skill, she transforms bamboo, rattan, and cane into incredible furniture, tools, and more. But her mission is bigger than business; it’s a dance to combat climate change, uplift women, and turn dreams into real-life treasures. “The power of good relationships with your customers, employees, mentors, coaches, etc., can never be overemphasized.”- Zigwai Fanda Olayemi’s Artistry in Sustainability Olayemi steps into entrepreneurship, bringing fashion, sustainability and creativity together. Her creation, Bara, stands as a testament to her ambition. With reversible children’s clothing and versatile designs, she tells a story of mindful choices. She believes fashion and sustainability should partner in a graceful dance, exuding elegance and ethical values. This is the essence of Golden Wisdom and Grace. “Life is an intransferable responsibility.” – Olayemi Adewale-Ojo Skills that Sparkle Zigwai wields strategic prowess, a formidable team, and unbreakable customer connections as her arsenal. Olayemi’s arsenal embraces marketing finesse, strategic insight, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. These tools illuminate her journey, making her brand shine as a beacon of prominence. Navigating Tempests with Poise In the face of adversity, Zigwai’s approach involves reflective contemplation, seeking counsel from trusted confidants, and methodical problem-solving. Each challenge becomes a steppingstone towards growth. For Olayemi, prayer, knowledge-seeking, and mentorship serve as the compass guiding her through stormy waters. In times of turbulence, she emerges not only unscathed but fortified. Glimpse into HGCP Impact Both Zigwai and Olayemi embarked on a transformative journey with the High Growth Coaching Program (HGCP), masterfully curated by She Leads Africa. Zigwai’s experience epitomizes metamorphosis; she honed skills, broadened horizons, and fostered enduring coaching relationships. The program’s influence is poised to transcend its duration, propelling her towards greater pinnacles. With unwavering enthusiasm, both entrepreneurs stand on the precipice of learning. Zigwai anticipates insights from future facilitators, while Olayemi envisions a horizon adorned with newfound knowledge spanning marketing, sales, and business operations. Zigwai and Olayemi’s narratives stand as luminous sources of inspiration, illuminating the fact that embarking on the entrepreneurial journey as African women transcends mere survival; it’s a masterful demonstration of flourishing in the face of adversity. With eloquent assurance, they provide tangible proof of the extraordinary potential inherent in every woman to shape her own legacy. Through their narratives, they create a compelling tableau that invites others to partake, wielding determination, resilience, and grace as instruments to redefine success on their unique and empowered terms ___ Interested in reaching out to the ladies? Zigwai Fanda, Founder of LadyBamboo Limited. Zigwai A. Fanda, a social and environmental entrepreneur, harnesses her fervour to create economically beneficial products from sustainable bamboo and cane, enriching households and businesses. Holding a Degree/Master’s in chemical engineering from the University of Aberdeen, UK, and having worked in the Oil and Gas Industry as a Process/Safety Engineer, she is the driving force behind LadyBamboo Limited. This social enterprise transforms bamboo, rattan, and cane into a range of sustainable offerings, including furniture, accessories, utensils, and more. Facebook: @ladybambooo Olayemi Adewale-Ojo, Founder of Bara Textile Designs Olayemi Adewale-Ojo, a wife and mother with a degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Obafemi Awolowo University, envisions a life beyond these roles. Her passion lies in helping young people discover their purpose early and building a legacy-defining company. This drive led to the birth of BARA, an Afrocentric Children’s Clothing brand, driven by Olayemi’s boundless creativity. BARA’s mission canters on sustainable consumption, encouraging the idea of doing more with less, and contributing to a more environmentally conscious fashion landscape. Instagram: @bara.texdesigns
SLA Top 50 Rising Motherland Mogul of 2023
Recognising 50 Rising Motherland Moguls Disrupting Industries and Trailblazing Across Africa [Lagos, Nigeria] – In commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day, She Leads Africa is announcing her Top 50 Rising Motherland Moguls List, which features Under 30 African women who are change-makers, trailblazers, and bold visionaries. Undoubtedly, Africa is bestowed with immense creativity, talent and resilience. Despite the numerous challenges facing the continent – including conflict, inequality, and poverty – young African women are proving themselves to be unstoppable forces. Against all odds, they are defying stereotypes, and making amazing contributions in diverse fields. This is a testament to their determination and tenacity, and it is a story that deserves to be celebrated and recognized. The Top 50 list showcases leading ladies and emerging stars of Africa, who are doing exceptional things in their communities and beyond. These women are trendsetters and role models, paving the way for future generations of young African women to follow in their footsteps. In a comment, Adeola Tobi, the CEO of She Leads Africa, said, “We are excited to recognize and celebrate the achievements of these young African women who are making a significant impact in their fields. Our platform is committed to providing a community for young African women to showcase their talents, network with like-minded individuals, and receive the recognition they deserve.” After numerous nominations and a rigorous selection process, those being honoured were selected based on their achievements, impact, and passion for promoting positive change in their communities. They were selected from various categories, including Film Making, Sports, Social Impact, Agriculture, Mining, Journalism, Public Service, Photography/Videography, Construction, Business & Entrepreneurship, STEM, Content Creation, Healthcare, and Oil and Gas. The 2023 SLA’s Top 50 Rising Motherland Moguls are: Healthcare Kemi Olawoye, Co-Founder and CEO of Babymigo (Nigeria) Okoro Chidinma Peace, Founder of The BloodDrive Network (Nigeria) Josephine Murgor, Anti-FGM/C activist, Mental Health Researcher and Educator (Kenya) Oyeronke Oyebanji, Public Health Practitioner and Deputy CEO of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Nigeria) STEM Adora Nwodo, Software Engineer, Multi-published Author and Global speaker (Nigeria) Oluchi Enebeli, Founder of Web3 ladies (Nigeria) Fama Jallow, Aerospace Engineer and African Space Education Program Coordinator, (Gambia) Ida Faal, CEO of FitaFaal (Gambia) Apemaa Divine Yiganabari, Geologist/Remote Sensing and GIS Analyst, CEO and Co-Founder BPurple (Nigeria) Zipeta Nabwala, UX/UI Designer, Software Developer & Founder Leverage Online, (Kenya) Social Impact Blossom Egbude, Partnerships Associate at Global Citizen (Nigeria) Murunwa Mutele, Chairperson of I AM SHE (South Africa) Grace Mongina, Founder of Street Uproot Kenya (Kenya) Pato Kelesitse, Climate Justice Advocate and Host Sustain267 Podcast (Botswana) Maryann Iberuche, Brand Communicator (Nigeria) Diana-Melissa Ngoumape, Co-Founder of Lengue and former Miss Francophone Ghana (Ghana) Farai Mubaiwa, Strategy Manager at Accenture (South Africa) Oluwaseyi Moejoh, Environmentalist and Executive Director at U-Recycle Initiative Africa (Nigeria) Dr. Ameaka Fatima Nkempu, Pharmacist and Body Positive Activist (Cameroon) Azeezat Oluwaferanmi Adekanye, Communications Officer & Founder She Speaks Power (Nigeria) Winnie Mphafudi, Social Activist (South Africa) Udemeobong Edet Akpan, School/Therapeutic Counselor (Nigeria) Journalism Leungo Mokgwathi,Social Media Manager (Botswana) Karen Takondwa Mwendera, Award-winning multimedia Journalist, Founder at Afrikaren Media (South Africa) Public Service Shannin Samorita Azaleah Jones, Founder Sharing Stories By Shanz, South Africa Idowu Oluwabusola Oladosu,Executive Director, Whispers of Love Children Foundation, Nigeria Titilayo Abigail Obileye, Communications and Media Strategist (Nigeria) Photography/Videography Lufuno Ramadwa, Multimedia Consultant and Founder of Sedzani Media (South Africa) Construction Olive Caroline Mandalasi, Engineering Surveyor at Pamodzi Consulting Ltd (Malawi) Business & Entrepreneurship Chido Dzinotyiwei, Founder Vambo Academy (Zimbabwe) Freda Anyanwu, Founder, EBH Africa (Nigeria) Nonhle Matsebula, Founder of Girl Boss SA (South Africa) Ashley Celia Timbana, Founder of AZALE Communications (South Africa) Chidinma Lynda Nnamani,Content Writer (Nigeria) Victoria Udeme Mojisola King, Founder of The Victoria King (Nigeria) Ebere Angela Ofoedu, Founder of Innovamp (Nigeria) Obiageri odoemena, Fashion Entrepreneur at Zikorah (Nigeria) Content Creation Usman Eleojo Favour, Content Creator (Nigeria) kamsi Nnamani, Digital Creator (Nigeria) Muji Bekomson, Creative Director at The Content Faculty (Nigeria) Omobolaji Ajibare, Social Media Manager Coach & Digital Content Creator (Nigeria) Marketing and Advertising Mwanamkasi Juma, Brand and Marketing Specialist (Kenya) Jaylene Ramalatso, Social Media Strategist and Founder House of Intelligence Marketing Agency (South Africa) Haoma Worgwu, LinkedIn Certified Marketing Expert CEO and Founder of Envisage Hub (Nigeria) Janet Machuka, Social Media Brand & Campaign Strategist Founder of ATC Digital Academy (Kenya) Treasure Ernest Iyoha, Marketing/Sales Expert & Founder of The Sales Ville (Nigeria) Finance Chide Idoga, Disruptive Technologies & Venture Capital Group at IFC (Nigeria) Jennifer Awirigwe, Founder FinTribe (Nigeria) Education Oluwatosin Adedoyin, Customer Experience Consultant & Founder, Olatayo Educates (Nigeria) We understand that there are countless other young African women out there who are doing remarkable things, and we encourage them to keep pushing, keep striving, and keep reaching for their goals. We also call upon individuals, organizations, and governments to invest in programs and initiatives that support the development and empowerment of young African women. Let us all work together to create a world where every woman has the opportunity to succeed and make a positive impact in their communities and the world at large. Once again, we congratulate the 2023 SLA Top 50 Rising Motherland Moguls, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for these talented and inspiring women. For more information about the 2023 Top 50 Rising Motherland Moguls, please visit or follow us on @sheleadsafrica across all social media platforms.
HGCP 2022 Participants: Kosi creates content that amplifies businesses’ marketing effort
“Looking back now, I am extremely grateful for my orientation & past experiences because it has groomed me to be resilient, to always bet on myself, to do my best & leave the rest to God. “- Kosi Hey, Motherland Moguls!!! It is time for another HGCP feature!!! Today we have Kosi Ofodile of K21 Media, a boutique creative agency that takes an iterative approach to our media production to ensure that our videos amplify our clients’ voices and appeal to their respective target audiences. We had a chat with Kosi and we promise you mogul, there is so much to learn! Tell us a bit about your background – how did you get to this point? I was born and raised in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. The first out of 4 siblings, alongside my twin brother. Growing up, I had a beautiful childhood. Loved playing Sims, lots of dancing and spelling B competitions, was such a girly girl, but still lied in a timid girl next door. Thankfully, with the help of my mother who was/is constantly encouraging me to remember where I come from & with the help of my lesson teacher, Mr. Kehinde, the journey to confident Kosi began. Looking back now, I am extremely grateful for my orientation & past experiences because it has groomed me to be resilient, to always bet on myself, to do my best & leave the rest to God. This has been my mantra since I turned 16 & I have my mum to thank for this. Both my parents have entrepreneurial backgrounds and have been of great influence, so I’m not too surprised I took on this path. What was your dream job or career path when growing up? To be an accountant (even if my math was bad lol) Tell us a bit about your family and the relationship you have with them? (Mention the people you live with, family or kids) I am so generously blessed to have a close-knit relationship and family who truly support my passions and every move. I come from a family of 4, we are all so creative & individualistic in nature. My dad is fearless, no other words to describe him. He fears no one, absolutely no one! My mum is my first friend and there is absolutely nothing I cannot talk to her about. I believe I can weather any storm with her by my side literally. My twin brother is constantly thinking out of the box and is not easily impressed by a lot of things, which challenges me to always be innovative & forward-thinking. He is also introverted and has a very high level of self-awareness which is truly refreshing. My younger siblings (sister & brother) are like my babies, they make us laugh a lot and are equally as independent. They are a vibe! What you would to be remembered for? What impact would you want to make in this world? I want to be remembered for showing love to others and being a solution provider in creative and thrilling ways. I want to be remembered for empowering brands and people with story-telling and positioning them to shoot for the skies What is your ‘why’ i.e. bottom line, and how do you stay motivated? Knowing that I have an appointment to keep by God and that I must fulfill is all the motivation I need. Tell us more about your entrepreneurial journey. When I moved back to Nigeria in 2016, I started working at one of the top broadcasting agencies in Nigeria, which exposed me to production. In 2017, I got an opportunity to work with a client who wanted to start a YouTube channel to share her lifestyle experiences in video content. After this project, I soon realized that many SMEs and personal brands did not have the purchasing power to outsource video production to heavy hitter agencies and big media houses/production companies. I observed this pain point and birthed K21 in 2018 to fill this gap. The rest is history What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur? No two days are the same and seeing the satisfaction first-hand on my client’s face once a problem has been solved Introduce your company the way you would to a potential customer? We are a boutique creative agency that take an iterative approach to our media production to ensure that our videos amplify our clients’ voices and appeal to their respective target audiences. We are very modern in the way that we project the product offerings of our clients, which is why we focus on brand storytelling (i.e., we don’t do videos for weddings, bridal showers, or event videos unless it has to do with the product of the brand or the service that the brand is offering). So that is how we’ve been able to set ourselves apart from the rest. For us, video storytelling is our way of positioning brands to shoot for the skies, and our core goal at K21 is to share brand stories in innovative and thrilling ways. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Resilience, Grit & Discipline What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our community? You have to know what sparks the light in you, so that you in your own way can illuminate the world. How do you handle or manage stresses of being an entrepreneur? Prayer & mini breaks across intervals during the day. What do you feel are your biggest achievements? At a point when Covid hit and things felt like they were going downhill, our resilience and ability to pivot our offerings and make even larger income than we did pre-covid is a defining moment for me. Amidst the hurdles and challenges faced, we pulled through! What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in? Market research & Innovation- it
HGCP 2022 Participants: Pamela brings ethically farmed food produce to the market
We are so excited to introduce our motherland moguls to Pamela Orbih, a Petroleum Engineer, an entrepreneur, a mum, a wife, and a 2022 HGCP participant. It was so refreshing speaking to Pamela, her energy for life and her passion for her business Yummly by Nature were inspiring. Yummly Nature sells the best quality ethically-farmed food produce like Sweetcorn, Potatoes, and Bell Peppers, to be delivered directly to your doorstep within 24 hours of harvest. I am sure you are wondering just like we did before we had this interview with Pamela “Why would a Petroleum Engineer in Nigeria choose entrepreneurship over “oil money”? Please sit back and relax and get yourself a drink or a cup of coffee (depending on the time you are reading this) “I do what I do because of the burning passion I have to bridge the gap between the local farmers and the customers. The fulfillment is derived when I know my business is slowly building a healthy populace due to the ethically farmed food products we provide to our customers. I stay motivated by constantly reminding myself that I am making an impact in the life and general well-being of someone out there, by them just purchasing their food products from us.”- Pamela Orbih A bit about her background: Pamela was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria by very intentional parents. Her parents played a huge role in her life and Pamela describes them as intentional. “My love for Mathematics and problem solving influenced my decision to study Petroleum Engineering at the University. Upon graduation, I was opportune to work in a company where I slowly transitioned from Petroleum Engineering to HR Recruitment. Worked in HR for about 4 years” With your background, how did you end up founding a thriving business? “I have never been entrepreneurial. I had thought I’d be a 9 to 5er as I started corporate work quite early. The 2020 pandemic lockdown gave me an opportunity to become an entrepreneur. This ushered me into my new path in the Agribusiness industry where I founded my business, Yummly Nature. I’ll say my core values of honesty, transparency, and putting in the work, have helped me persevere in building my business from scratch to the level it has attained at this point.” Wow! The irony! 2020 was a dark time globally but it also birthed Yummly by Nature. So what would you want to be remembered for? “I want to be remembered for the woman who disrupted her industry and innovated various sustainable solutions in the Agribusiness industry. I want to be remembered as a woman who mentored and helped young ladies step out of their comfort zone and reach their full potential.” What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our community? Run your business like a proper business. Know your numbers like the back of your hands and create standard operating procedures for activities within your business. What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs invest their time in? Attending pitching events to boost their confidence in talking about their business, also, Networking with other entrepreneurs What has your experience been like as one of the finalists to the program? It’s been amazing. I love my buddy, Bolanle, and my Coach, Ifeoma. The facilitators have been super amazing. I’m loving it in our community By the end of the 12 weeks, what would you like to have learned from the trainers and coaches? I would love to have learned proper business structuring.
HGCP 2022 Participants: Esther is dedicated to nurturing young minds
“I will like to be remembered for the impact I made in the lives of children from underserved communities and how through the skills set they acquire from the Community Innovation Hub, they were able to rewrite their poverty story/history of their families” For Esther growing up in Akoko, Ondo State was no excuse to dream small instead it challenged her to push beyond her limitations and at the same time create opportunities for underprivileged children to excel. Read our inspiring interview with Esther Ajayi, co-founder of Community Innovation Hub, a Hub that equips children with 21st Century Skills. Who is Esther, where do you come from how did you get to this point? I was born in Akoko in the Northwest area of Ondo state, Nigeria. I grew up in Ondo State. I had no mentor(s) who believed in me or could point me in the right direction. When I moved to Lagos, I found out I was ignorant about so many things and had so much to learn. There was a lot of work to do personally and so I had to buckle down to build my capacity to catch up with some years I felt were wasted. This is the inspiration behind what I do. I set myself on a course to give children from underserved communities the privilege I never had by equipping them through the Community Innovation Hub. What advice or tips would you give your younger self? Thank you for this question, I am a mum of two now and sometimes I reflect on what advice I will give my children as they get older, so to my 15-year-old self, I will say this: “Hey little Esther, You can learn anything you set your mind to learn. Have a possibility and growth mindset. Find a mentor and find opportunities to volunteer because in volunteering you find who you truly are and those who you are called to help.” How do you stay motivated and inspired? I do not want other children to go through what I went through while growing up, that is my why, and I stay motivated by reading the success stories of those that have passed through my incubation So, tell us more about the Community Innovation Hub? The Community Innovation Hub solves the problem of educational gaps. With CIH, my team and I equip young people with 21st-century skills. Our unique selling point, aside from teaching the skills is that we provide children with mentorship and guidance on how to write scholarship applications and they also get registered for local and international competitions in the area of their skills. What’s been the most significant thing you’ve done to grow your business? The most significant thing I have done to grow my business is to tell my business story, rightly. What skills would you say are required in becoming a successful entrepreneur? Marketing- You must be able to sell your business anywhere and anytime. Emotional intelligence- to relate with people, your network is your net worth. Critical thinking skills- it is a jungle out there, especially for entrepreneurs in Nigeria and so you need critical thinking skills to solve unique problems that arise. What do you feel are your biggest achievements? My biggest achievement is seeing children from the Innovation Hub winning scholarships abroad and winning local competitions. What has your experience been like as one of the finalists to the program? The feeling is something I am still basking in. I am excited to be among the finalists and most importantly, the learnings in the program are going to help me take my business to another level. It really feels great to be part of the 2022 Cohort. What is your favourite quote or saying? “We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it” Barrack Obama
HGCP 2022 Participants: Bolanle is tailoring African Fashion with love and pride
Sometimes the most extraordinary things are birthed from tragedy. On this edition we feature a doctor who is taking the love and pride of Africa fashion to the world. After Bolanle John Emaimo had a bike accident that fractured her left leg and caused her to be bedridden for 4 months, she used this tragic period in her life to immerse herself in art. She began by doing scribblings to crayons to watercolour pencils to digital paintings on Procreate. “The legacy I would want to leave in this world is that I am the girl who dreamed of it, worked towards it and became all that she wanted to be.” – Bolanle John Emaimo She then moved to making beautiful designs which she was then advised to place on T-Shirts and that’s how her fashion brand came to life. Bolanle is the founder of Africa Arise Clothing Line and one of the 20 female finalists’ part of the High Growth Coaching Program. We had a chat with her, and this is the story of her entrepreneurial journey with tips on how you can be a better businessperson. Give us a bit of background about yourself, where are you from and how you came to be the person you are today? Growing up in a Yoruba and Efik home, I remember that I avoided and despised anything traditional cloth that was made or bought for me. I preferred the English clothes because I felt they looked more stylish and creative. I was someone who always had an eye for fashion since I was young, but I didn’t just believe our African wears were stylish enough maybe due to the colour of fabric chosen then or the combination or the style it was designed into. My mindset went through a major reset and a good reformation when I went abroad. While abroad (Take Russia for example where there was Racism), being African and proud was more than a necessity, it became my identity. I identified with our culture more and valued our African textiles. The way I saw how our textiles stood out and told a great story of our identity as colourful, joyful people and also seeing European people take pride in our African clothing made me value it more. What is your favourite aspect about being a fashion entrepreneur? Being able to create that which I have been ruminating on my mind, representing Africa using our African textiles and changing the narrative about African Fashion. Tell us more about your business? Africa Arise Clothing Line is a Pan-African Fashion clothing line with the aim to deliver the most artistic, creative and Afrocentric fashion pieces that will make you strut into any room with Confidence as you take pride in our African clothing. What’s been the most crucial thing you’ve done to grow your business? Opened myself to challenges, stepped out of my comfort zone and became part of this year’s HGCP training program. What has your experience been like as one of the finalists to the program? It’s been awesome – I live my life daily with a focused purpose. It’s been an intentional moment of growth for me personally and for my business. By the end of the 12 weeks with HGCP, what would you like to have learned from the trainers and coaches? How to delegate tasks and how to inspire other people. How do you stay focused and productive every day? I always put the end result before my eyes. Whenever I lose focus or want to give up, I remember the end goal which I am driving at and keep pushing What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our community? Stop procrastinating and just start right now. What are some of the things you think new entrepreneurs should invest in to grow their businesses? It’s important to learn new skills. Be willing to always develop, read books about business and marketing. Put yourself out there and network with other entrepreneurs – online and offline. What is that one thing you would like to be remembered for and what is the legacy you want to leave behind? I would like to be remembered as an African woman who represented Africa both locally and globally. One who influenced many other Africans to love Africa and take pride in being African. I would love to use Fashion as a means to achieve that. The legacy I would want to leave in this world is that I am the girl who dreamed of it, worked towards it and became all that she wanted to be.
HGCP 2022 Participants: Christianah shares her story of rising up through tenacity to build a business
This year’s edition of the High Growth Coaching Program promises to be very exciting for our founders. The SLA team sifted through over a 1000 applications and after a rigorous application process we selected our top 20 participants. We are so proud of how far they have come. On a weekly basis we will introduce you to our participants, their story and their business. On today’s feature we sat down with Christianah Imole-Ayo Owoeye, co-founder of Trash Monger to share her story on coming from a humble background and rising up through tenacity to build a business that would empower women. “Always be ready to learn, unlearn and relearn.” – Christianah Imole-Ayo Owoeye Tell us a bit about yourself? I was born in Agege Local Government Area in Lagos. I am the second child of six and the first female child in my family. My primary education was in Lagos while my Secondary Education and Tertiary Education were in Ogun State. I am a graduate of Business Administration. Growing up wasn’t fun until I found my Identity in Christ which gave my life a new meaning and purpose. Apart from running Trash Monger. I am a soulful gospel minister, artist, and scriptwriter. During my National Youth Service, I participated in several advocacies through the Community Development Service (CDS). I was an active member of the Federal Road Safety Corp CDS group and often engaged in sensitization projects among women and girls on personal hygiene through the reproductive health CDS group. My work with the Reproductive Health CDS group increased my passion for an impactful life which made me volunteer in a recycling organization where I built my knowledge about the Waste Management sector where I now fully operate and lead. I would say one of the best gifts received growing up was education. What was your favourite subject at school and why? Psychology; I like being able to understand human feelings through what they are saying or not saying. What was your dream job or career path when growing up? Growing up I wanted to be a cosmetologist, but I was not sure if I could study this as a course in a university. I remember that as a secondary student in Nigeria, you had to choose between two or three pathways that determine the subjects you will learn as a senior secondary school student, I decided to choose the “art” pathway because I thought that it would have some connection to cosmetics. I didn’t realize how wrong I was until I was in my second year of high school. I remember crying when I realized my mistake. However, it did not turn out all bad, I realized that I had a knack for writing, acting and playing musical instruments. Tell us a bit about your family and the relationship you have with them? I am married to my friend of over 7 years and it’s being over a year of beautiful communion and friendship. Tell us about the legacy you want to leave in this world? What you would to be remembered for? That I gave hope, that I lived a life that would inspire you to take life as a gift. Have you always been entrepreneurial, what led you to taking that first step and setting up your own business? Right from when I was a teenager, I had always loved proffering solutions and rendering services. When I was younger I helped manage my dad’s pepper soup business. I loved seeing the joy on our customer’s faces after serving them. I also sold jewellery and clothes in school to support myself. Ah! I also had a failed business, it was a recharge card business. As a new entry in the waste management sector the ability to impact the local communities mostly women and youths while contributing to achieving a sustainable environment makes being a social entrepreneur interesting and inspiring. What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur? The ability to impact the lives of local women and youths while contributing to achieving a sustainable environment makes entrepreneurship a journey worth being a part of. Introduce your company the way you would to a potential customer? Trash Monger Limited is a waste collection and recycling social enterprise that is into the collection and recycling of waste into sustainable raw material for manufacturing processes. Since we started the business we have been able to create over 300 green job opportunities for internally displaced women and youths from underserved communities. Also, through our initiative we have carried out sensitizations within local communities on the importance of recycling and how to achieve a sustainable environment. What’s been the most significant thing you’ve done to grow your business? Continually learning through courses, mentorships and growing my network. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? Management [money, time, leadership] skills, Strategic thinking skills and A good communication skills What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our community? Always be ready to learn, unlearn and relearn. Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here. [mailerlite_form form_id=31]
HGCP 2021 Participants: Seclot Vet co-founder Olasunbo Atekoja shares how Seclot is providing security through address verification
I sat down with problem solver Seclot VET co-founder Olasunbo Atekoja to discuss how she is building the footprint of Nigeria through address verification. Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Olasunbo Atekoja and I am a co-founder of Seclot VET. I graduated with a degree in business Administration and Management 8 years ago. I have worked as an assistant supervisor with a fast food outlet, cash consultant with a Lagos state hospital and I am currently a country manager at Seclot. I spend my free time listening to music, going on road trips and spending quality time with my family. What do you feel are your biggest achievements? My biggest achievement is having overcome the fear of moving from paid employment to self employment, makin the leap to from regular income and structured work t the uncertainties of entrepreneurship such as business regulatory acts and stiff competitions. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur? My favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur is having the power to dictate how I spend my time, which allows me time to care for my household as well as the vastly available networking opportunities with other businesses and entrepreneurs. What challenges have you faced first as a founder and then as a female founder? The first and major challenge I faced as a founder is managing the team, some of the vetters are older men who find it difficult taking orders from a younger female and thus questioned my credibility as a manager, which is frustrating. Introduce your company the way you would to a potential customer. Seclot Vet is building the footprint of Nigerians one step at a time leveraging physical address and identity verification. We carry out employee verification, guarantor verification, NIN verification, driver’s license verification, Voters card verification, NUBAN verification and BVN verification. We perform physical address verification to confirm the authenticity of the information you’ve received from people you are working with in a seamless and effective manner. After using technological best practices to keep tabs on people we verify for our clients, we also provide after service support for them. You can learn more about us by visiting our website at https://vet.seclot.com/, you can also follow our Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/seclotdotcom/. You may also direct enquiries to vet@seclot.com. How did you come up with the name for your company? Considering the state of insecurity in the country, we created a company that could reduce this insecurity by ensuring there is enough data for security outfits. We needed the name of the company to sound reassuring to our clients, hence the name Seclot which literally means Security for the Lot. How have you carved a niche for yourself in your industry? We have carved a niche for Seclot VET by ensuring we are registered as a security technology company. We do not only verify addresses and identity, we keep a repository of data which can be used to track the footprint of people over a period of time. Where do you see your business in the next 5 years? In 5 years time, we have a vision to have built the footprints of over 10 million Nigerians leveraging physical address verification. What’s been the most significant thing you’ve done to grow your business? The most significant thing we did in growing our business was to increase our customer base to 1,600 while also applying to accelerator programs to scale up the business. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur? The top 3 skills needed by any entrepreneur are marketing, people management, and bookkeeping. Entrepreneurs should invest their time in these activities (acronym KEN): Knowledge – research on your industry and best practices; Exposure – start marketing early and get feedback from potential customers and; Network – meet with people that are in your field or related field. What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-toNday busy schedule? The trick I have discovered is that I have control only over myself and my actions, so I don’t get unnecessarily worked up over other people’s behaviors. Whenever I am feeling overwhelmed, I go to my place of relaxation. What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our community? The best advice I would love to share is “If you want to go fast, move alone; if you want to go far, move with a crowd”. Olasunbo is currently on the High Growth Coaching Program preparing Seclot VET to build the footprint of Nigeria.
HGCP 2021 Participants: Founder of Bakerlicious Titilope Akinola talks about how her love for cake inspired her confectionary business
I sat down with Titilope Akinola, the founder of Bakerlicious to talk about how her love for cake inspired her to start a confectionary business Bakerlicious, which makes tasty treats for all of life’s important occasions. Tell us a little about yourself. I’m Titilope Olubukola Akinola, I’m the Lead Baker and Sugar Craft Artist at Bakerlicious, a ProHire & Craft Company. Bakerlicious is a business I run on the side in addition to my full time job at Ventures & Trusts Limited, a Financial Advisory firm where I practice Human Resource Management. At V&T, I’m responsible for Human Resource Management and Administration. I have thirteen years of HR experience as a Generalist. I am a resourceful, tenacious and passionate person who is crazy about all things craft and beautiful. I enjoy travelling, reading, watching movies, coordinating events, cake baking and decorating, as these are my super powers. What do you do for fun/relaxation? I spend my spare time watching movies, hanging out with my family and friends. I also love travelling and reading. What is your ‘why’ and how do you stay motivated? In everything I do, I always embrace opportunities that allow me to fully maximize my God given talents, abilities and deploy my expertise. I am motivated by my utmost desire; which is to build a wealthy legacy that will outlive me and generations to come after me. What was the inspiration behind your business? Cake baking and decorating was a childhood fantasy (I also wanted to be a lawyer and an actress). I love to eat cake and all kinds of desserts in any shape or form (lol). Growing up, apart from birthdays or other occasions that involved eating cake, the only time I could have cake was when my sister agreed to bake for the family, provided that I would volunteer to manually cream the batter to a dropping consistency because we didn’t have a mixer. So my sister would measure the ingredients and leave me in the kitchen to struggle with the ladle and the cake batter; picture a skinny little girl seated on the kitchen stool in one corner of the kitchen with a mixing bowl on her lap turning butter and sugar in one direction with all the energy that she could muster. As much as I love to eat and enjoy the activities involved in making cake, I never did anything to grow and nurture the passion until I volunteered at Awesome Treasures Foundation (ATF), a faith based NGO where I was inspired and my passion to bake was rekindled. In 2015, two years after my first Cake Baking and Decorating Class, I registered a business in 2015 and started baking for family and friends. This is where I got my first paid order as a home based commercial entity fulfilling orders from the kitchen. Introduce your company the way you would to a potential customer Bakerlicious (by ProHire & Craft Limited) is a Baked Confection, Sugar Craft, Food and Beverage Company. Our luscious treats include a wide variety of moist, yummy, fluffy and beautifully decorated cakes with a wow effect. We also offer scrumptious butter cookies and nutylicious fruity granola. We also produce the best homemade thick, lush and creamy yoghurt drink and Greek yoghurt in plain and sweetened with date fruits (no colors, artificial flavors or preservatives). All our products are homemade from premium quality ingredients sourced from local and international markets. Whatever your order, what you get is balanced indulgence and a treat for everyone! You can see our products or make an order on our Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/bakerliciousng/. You can also visit our website at https://bakerlicious.business.site/ or give us a call or a WhatsApp on +234 81 8399 9299 and to view our WhatsApp catalogue. We’re also on TikTok at http://tiktok.com/@bakerliciousng. How did you come up with the name for your company? When I was naming my business, I wanted a name that speaks for the business without requiring much explaining, and my research for business name ideas led me to Bakerlicious. The name is a combination of two words describing exactly what the business is about (baked goods) and the customers’ experience when they see and taste our luscious treats (deliciousness). How have you carved a niche for yourself? We primarily cater to mothers who would give anything and go the extra mile to celebrate moments, birthdays, milestones, festive seasons, landmark occasions etc.. With our luscious boxed treats specially catered to their needs, and made with them, their children, spouses and loved ones in mind, we have positioned ourselves to be their preferred family baker. Our promise is to stay with them for lifetimes, offering the best luscious treat options for life’s every occasion. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur? My favorite thing about being an entrepreneur is the joy and sense of accomplishment I get when an order is fulfilled, knowing that the customer is satisfied and will return with repeat orders and send us referrals because they are truly happy with our products. I also appreciate the opportunities that unfold with each step taken towards growing my business. Every opportunity unfolds in layers just like when you peel an onion and I love to experience it. What do you feel are your biggest achievements? Starting my business and staying the course is my biggest achievement. There was absolutely nothing that guaranteed that I could come this far. Although I’m not where I would like to be yet, I am proud of how far I’ve come and excited about the journey ahead. I am also proud of the product categories and variants we are able to serve our customers. We’ll definitely have more products to offer as we evolve. I am also grateful for the learning and development programs I have been privileged to benefit from like She Leads Africa’s High Growth Coaching Program, which has helped me to streamline a path and equip me with useful knowledge and information for the