Oghenekevwe Omotosho: I started Oh Wow Popcorn in my kitchen, now its selling across Nigeria
Oghenekevwe Omotosho is a graduate of computer engineering. She obtained her B.Eng at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria. She is also a creative thinker and serial entrepreneur. Kevwe is the CEO and creative director of the unique popcorn brand – Gimme Oh Wow Popcorn & Events – makers of the popular Oh Wow! Popcorn brand. She is married with three children. In this article, she talks about how she turned her passion for popcorn making into a business, and how she’s overcome challenges along the way. How did you discover your passion for popcorn making? Oh Wow Popcorn started in my kitchen. I used to make popcorn for my children and also used it to entertain guests at home. Also, I enjoyed creating new flavors of popcorn especially indigenous Nigerian flavors. I got excited by the idea of making popcorn art and I offered the service of displaying a variety of flavors at every event, live popping or delivering to clients at their convenience. How did the brand Oh Wow Popcorn come about? I realized it was going to be a business for me sooner or later when I started getting positive feedback from friends and family. I made samples and took to my children’s’ school to do a little market research and their response was encouraging. So the journey began, it has been a massive adventure since then. Oh Wow Popcorn was formally launched on the 14th of February 2017 and to the glory of God, we have successfully weathered our fair share of what I call teething challenges. We keep on learning our lessons on this great entrepreneurial adventure and we have come out stronger and better for it. [bctt tweet=”We are proud to have revolutionized the popcorn and snacks making industry in Nigeria – @ohwowpopcorn” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you run your business full time? What did you do before starting Oh Wow Popcorn? I am a serial entrepreneur, I already had a few other businesses including Myfoodsupplies and I Sabi Work before my passion for popcorn lead me to start oh wow popcorn. I am currently running the three businesses. Popcorn making may seem easy, but what major challenge have you encountered since launching, and how did you overcome them? It has its own challenges. The most challenging was getting a business partner. I thought working with a partner would ease the pressure of running three businesses, but unfortunately, things didn’t work out as planned. I took the bull by the horn and threw myself into building my businesses by training my staff and restructuring my time. Another key challenge we have faced is getting acceptability for our brand of popcorn which is different from what Nigerians are used to. We have however been able to overcome this challenge. Knowing that there are many other popcorn brands in the market, how do you make sure your brand is unique and set yourself aside from the crowd? We stand out from other brands by being original, unique and creative. Our customer service is also excellent. What are you most proud of about the Oh Wow popcorn brand? We are proud to have revolutionized the popcorn and snacks making industry in Nigeria. Since inception, we’ve invented and introduced never seen before flavors like Kilishi popcorn and kulikuli popcorn into our specialized popcorn, and candy floss catering for various types of events. We saw a great potential and are happy to fill the space, by making our clients’ events come alive in previously unimagined ways with our tasty and colorful creations. When it comes to marketing, how far across Nigeria has your brand gone, and where can your products be found? Although we are based in Lagos Nigeria, we receive orders from other parts of the country, such as Ibadan, Abuja, Ondo, and Benin. [bctt tweet=”I took the bull by the horn and threw myself into building my businesses by training my staff and restructuring my time – @ohwowpopcorn” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Beyond popcorn production, what else do you do as a brand? We also cater for candy floss, ice cream, waffles, meat pie, chinchin, zobo etc. What is your staff strength currently, and how do you manage them? We currently have 4 permanent staff, and we also get temporary workers when necessary. I make sure everyone knows his/her job responsibility and concentrates on doing it. How do you manage your work-life balance, as an entrepreneur? I delegate duties to my staff and I try as much as possible to limit my work to some specific hours of the day, especially our social media management. Immediately my children get back from school. I concentrate on being a mother and a wife, I take them through all their assignment, eating and gist time before bed. Once they’re asleep, I round up my social media engagement for the day. What’s the next step for Oh Wow popcorn? The next step for oh wow popcorn is to have a presence all through key cities in the country and the world at large. We look forward to being the number 1 popcorn brand in Africa catering for all types of events. Any advice for people with this same business idea? I will advise you to start small, start with what you have. You may have to give a free service to showcase your work to potential clients. Your first impression can make or mar your brand Nurture and grow your business through the early years just as you would nurture a child. The most important tool you’ll need is your passion and drive to keep moving when the chips are down and it looks like you’re getting nowhere. Be creative, be original, be unique. Fill in the gap. Before the end of the year,… I would like to have finalized all plans for the maiden edition of Oh wow popcorn day. It’s an event that would help us give back to our community. It has been scheduled for January 19th next year. Sponsored Post.
WEBINAR WITH VUMILE MSWELI: WORKING TOWARDS YOUR DREAM CAREER (OCTOBER 31)
Don’t have a career growth plan? Well, girl, you need one! When we were younger, our career plans were much more exciting! We wanted to be so many things. Now that we’re older, are we really focused on our career goals with as much excitement? Or are we just all about the Benjamins? Sometimes, we get so busy on the job and running the businesses that we don’t take the time to focus on our personal development. But remember, you owe it to yourself. The smarter you get; the more skills and valuable contacts you have, the more your company will benefit and the more schmoney will come in!!! [bctt tweet=”Tired of your current career status? Join us for a webinar with @vumilemsweli on Wed, October 31st at 3 pm WAT to get all the tips you need to take your career to the next level.” via=”no”] Join us on Wednesday, October 31st, for a Webinar with Vumile Msweli, founder of Hesed Consulting, who will be giving advice on how to reach the next level in your career. Vumile has had experience working with individuals and entrepreneurs to accelerate their careers and businesses, and she’ll be helping you too! Some of the topics we’ll cover How to design your career Positioning yourself for your career Finding your Ikigai (the source of value in your life) Re-discovering your career passion How to maximize your career for success Register below to access this opportunity and submit questions that you would like Vumile to answer. Webinar Details: Date: Wednesday, October 31st, 2018 Time: 3pm Lagos // 4pm Joburg // 5pm Nairobi Location: We’ll send you the link to watch once you register Watch the webinar here: About Vumile Vumile Msweli is an international speaker, renowned career coach, columnist, and the Chief Executive officer for Hesed Consulting. Hesed is a consulting firm specializing in commerce acceleration; career coaching; women empowerment; facilitation and training on the African continent with a presence in Nigeria and South Africa. Vumile has worked in Europe; Asia and across the African continent for reputable multinational institutions including Barclays, Investec, Nedbank, First National Bank, and Vodafone. Vumi is a regular contributor to the Guardian Nigeria and Destiny South Africa, she has spoken at the African Union, Women’s Economic Forum and USAID to mention a few. She is an award-winning businesswoman who has received honours such as the Women’s’ Economic Forum’s Woman of Excellence Award, being named 34th Most Influential Young South African by Avance Media, the Mail and Guardian Top 200 most influential Young South Africans and awarded the Elle Boss of the Year in the Corporate Category and the Black Management Forum’s Young Professional of the Year.
Ooooota Adepo: Africa needs to connect with the world and itself
Ooooota Adepo is the Founder of Cross Culture Creative, a consultancy which addresses business challenges in Real Estate, Energy and Technology between Africa and the Western World. Motivated by her drive to simultaneously tackle social issues and capture business opportunities in the global marketplace, Ooooota seeks to build a world in which all cultures are uplifted, and borders do not impede growth. As director of In-Decks, Ooooota feeds her passion for food and travel through culinary insights and from some of the world’s most interesting food personalities. She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree from Cambridge University in Urban Planning. She is fluent in English, Yoruba, French, Spanish and Italian. Ooooota recently gave a Ted Talk in Berlin, where she highlighted the need for a more connected Africa, culturally and in business. [bctt tweet=”As an African, have you experienced travel restrictions within and outside Africa? Watch this Ted Talk by @ooooota1 ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Watch the Ted Talk here: Here are 5 takeaways from this TED Talk about Africa’s connection with the world and with itself: 1. If Africa is to be culturally or diplomatically engaged with the world, it needs to be viewed as an equal, not as an object of charity, nor as a fad. 2. Our history and our cultures (languages included) must be reinforced internally if they are to stand against the veracity of Western civilizations. With time, histories fade and languages die. We are responsible for ensuring this does not happen if we are to remain relevant as a people in centuries to come. 3. Africans need to be fiercely curious about the world but more importantly about Africa. There is so much to discover. [bctt tweet=”Unfortunately, African’s still face restrictions in traveling their own continents. How did we get here? – @ooooota1″ username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 4. When we present ourselves to the world, either in conversations with non-Africans or through our businesses, we must keep in mind our global brand. We must always be ambassadors of our continent. We must also always treat fellow Africans with respect. 5. The solutions I outline in my talk towards building a prosperous Africa through infrastructure, trade, industry, and education need urgent attention. I see African women spearheading this. If you’d like to be featured on the SLA Facebook page? Click here to share your story.
Eva Toby: How To Stay Empowered When You Feel Life Sucks!
Eva Toby is an Amazon Bestselling author, media personality and presenter. With a degree in psychology and Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and an MBA, Eva is passionate about helping women and young adults bring clarity to their purpose. She is the creator of The Purpose Blueprint: 7 Easy Steps to Clarity. Eva has been featured in Genevieve Magazine, Afro Elle, Spice TV, LA Talk Radio, WHPR and more! Eva is 6ft tall and has modeled part-time for the past 10 years as a car model for Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, getting premier access to some of the fastest cars in the world. In this article, she talks about overcoming challenges and finding her purpose. On creating “The Purpose Factor” book… If someone had told me several years ago I would be a best-selling author and purpose pusher, I probably would have laughed. However, it’s always fascinating how God truly knows things way ahead and has greater purposeful plans for us even when it comes out of tragedy. I was led to create The Purpose Factor book after the sudden death of my dear cousin in 2014. With my emotions being all over the place from a state of shock, sadness, and confusion. I found it really hard to cope after experiencing such a significant loss. I remember one day picking up my bible to read for encouragement, and it was at that moment these notes had fallen out. The notes were actually from a message, two years prior, that I’d shared with a youth group at church about the significance of living life to the fullest and making your time here on earth count! [bctt tweet=”There is no growth in your comfort zone – @evatobyXE” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Notably, I’d read my bible so many times prior to that and never realized I kept those notes tucked away in my bible binder. It just goes to show the significance of the timing. At that point, I remember this resurgence of passion and desire of sharing with the world the Power of Purpose. And I wanted to get the message across that each person on this earth is valued and has an assignment. I realized how life is so precious and fragile. And that ‘Time’ is not money but life! Hence, it is imperative that we maximize our time here in order to be of value and impactful. The Purpose Factor book was dedicated to my cousin who indeed lived life to fullest and impacted so many lives. On facing life challenges… The past few years have indeed been life changing and challenging to say the least. From the loss of my cousin, and then another cousin. And then, I lost my father in 2016. Experiencing such significant losses in a span of a few years has been indescribable. Couple that with trying to stay focused on building my brand/business, it was not easy. But one thing I learned through this process that keeps me going is that even in pain there is still a purpose. As painful as the process has been, I realized God still has me here for a reason and wants me to keep going. [bctt tweet=”I firmly believe that passion is for “yourself” while purpose is for “others” – @evatobyXE” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Perhaps there may be someone out there that will hear my story and be encouraged to keep going despite the circumstances and challenges they are facing. I learned that in life we all have seasons, and every season has an expiry date. It is the endurance during those seasons that prepares and makes us stronger for the rest of our journey in life. 3 ways women can stay empowered… Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, broken relationships, loss of job, or personal struggles, rough times happen to everyone at some point in life. Trying to remain hopeful and positive through it all can be challenging. Especially when overshadowed with feelings of confusion and loss which begin to resonate so deeply. [bctt tweet=”Never curse the process! Your purpose is a product of the process – @evatobyXE” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] While you may feel like you are in a hopeless space it is essential to be reminded you are not. You are in a season of transition and need to remember there is a breakthrough on the other side of the breakdown. Below are 3 ways you can stay empowered when you feel life is taking its toll on you: 1. Acknowledge Your Feelings Almost everyone at some point has had that feeling of hopelessness and despair. The truth of the matter is that it is OK. We are all human and embracing your vulnerability is the first step to reclaiming your power. Remember acceptance is not a sign of weakness and by no means an indication that you don’t desire change. But rather than suppress those feelings, acknowledgment gives you the confidence to deal with them and start making a way for something new to emerge in your life. 2. Have An Attitude of Gratitude There is so much power when we cultivate an attitude of gratitude in our daily lives. Research studies have shown the positive impact on people who focus on gratitude. Gratitude facilitates increased self-esteem, optimism, happiness, improved mental health, progress towards goal achievement, increased energy and more. Therefore, it is important to start making gratitude a daily ritual. You can start by creating a gratitude journal for yourself. Each morning and/or evening tries to think of at least two things you are grateful for in that moment. 3. Look for Opportunities of Growth When life hits us hard, we are often led to start with “why me?” or “why is this happening?” It’s natural at first but if we dawdle in this space for too long, it can lead us further onto the pathway of self-pity. Hence the importance of changing the narrative from “why” to “what”. Start thinking about “what”
How I Became a Social Media Influencer
I started my Instagram page back in 2015 as a fitness inspiration account to keep me accountable while I was doing Kayla Itsines Bikini Body Guide also known as BBG. There were a whole bunch of girls around the world who started their guide around the same time as me so I gained followers relatively quickly because my page was a source of motivation for all the new girls starting. My page grew as BBG grew in popularity, and it eventually grew to where it is now. I became an ambassador for BBG Cape Town in 2016 and we hosted regular BBG workout events until the end of 2017. Over the years I continued to document my fitness journey and post relatable content. Workout memes, inspirational quotes, and transformation pictures really motivated me and seemed to connect well with people on similar journeys. I got into fitness to empower myself because I had no confidence in myself before I started working out regularly, even though I played sport throughout my life. I started my fitness page in 2015 but my health and fitness journey started in 2013 back when I used to use Twitter for workout motivation. [bctt tweet=”If you’re a blogger, photographer, fashion stylist, makeup artist. Read this…we’re spilling the tea” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Before you go on this influencer journey, follow these steps: 1. Decide your niche and stick to it It’s easier to grow a page if you specialize in one or a few things so people will know what to expect from you. Think about it, when you follow an account that’s not a friend or celebrity it’s usually because they post something specific that you like eg. make-up tutorials, fitness or fashion inspiration, food recipes etc. 2. Think of yourself as a brand If you’re building a brand, there has to be some level of self-reflection your page needs to be an honest extension of you. What do you stand for? What’s your vibe? Make sure your feed represents your personal brand. 3. Figure out your why What’s the purpose/aim of your account? Is it purely for fun or is it business? And then decide how much time you want to invest in it to match what you expect to gain from it. 4. Have a theme for your pictures Everybody likes things, make sure you have a flow going on your page. There are so many categories to pick from. You can use a consistent color theme or even have a particular object in all your photos to test your creativity. Even if it’s just the same filter, aesthetically planned feeds are nice to look at. 5. Work, Work, Work Put relative time and effort into your posts and try to be as creative as possible. Try having “content creation” sessions once or multiple times a week like you have study sessions. And/or take down any ideas that pop in your mind in your memo pad so you can use them for post and caption ideas later. 6. Socialize That’s the whole point of social media! Respond to your comments and engage with the accounts you follow so they are encouraged to engage with you too. The more engagement you have the greater the chances are of your page being discovered by people and brands. 7. Use hashtags The hashtag game is always changing but it doesn’t hurt to experiment with a few and see how it affects the engagement of your posts. Also, try to use less popular hashtags so ones that have less than 1M posts. You’ll have to search for hashtags in your niche and find the ones that people use but don’t abuse like #fitness or #love 8. Collaborate with people in your niche Follow and engage with accounts in your niche to let other people interested in your niche see your profile, the more your account has seen the greater chances you have of gaining new followers. You can also do story shoutouts with people in your niche for more exposure or even try to ask them out for coffee. 9. Track your engagement Pay attention to what posts people respond to best. Figure out what content your followers enjoy viewing. Track the times you get the best engagement, that usually helps get followers. 10. Have fun It’s really not that deep unless you see it as a business, then different rules apply but don’t let social media get to you. Remember, Instagram isn’t real life and real life has so much more to offer than aesthetics. That doesn’t mean I don’t love a pretty bowl of oats, just remember to keep everything in context. The Bottom Line Relax! When you focus less on structure after you’ve done your content planning, more ideas tend to come your way. If you are someone takes their own photos. I would recommend walking around with a portable camera or learn some tricks with your phone. People really do gravitate to someone they sense is genuine or can add value. I think you need to stay up to date with all the changes and continuously adapt your content (Try to think of ways you can make yourself invaluable) if you really want to slay the game. For more on Shalom’s fitness journey and amazing fitspo, find her on the gram. Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here.
Eva Warigia: Be mindful of your network, it is the base of your success
Eva Warigia is a jack of many trades with a passion for Africans and their economic advancement. As one half of the executive directing team of the East Africa Venture Capitalists Association, representing over sixty firms, she uses her knowledge of finance and strategy to position East Africa as a thriving investment hub. In this interview, she talks about her leadership position, and how she’s working with stakeholders to promote investment in East Africa. At what point in your life did you first learn about your field of work and what drew you to it? I probably came across private equity in 2011. At the time I worked for a technology and corporate advisory firm as a strategy analyst focusing on helping businesses fundraise. It was there that I got to interact with the different structures of funding. [bctt tweet=”My docket as one half of the leadership of EAVCA is in leading the advocacy and intelligence – @eva_hawa” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You are one of the two executive directors of the East African Venture Capitalists Association (EAVCA) what exactly do you do? EAVCA is a member association for private equity and venture capital firms who are interested in deploying capital in East Africa. As a trade organization, we represent the interests of member firms deploying private capital in the region, which constitutes Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. We are the interface between the region’s stakeholders, the general public and the investors. Our activities largely involve advocacy for the private capital sector, research, and intelligence for investors considering the region for investment. Being the foremost networking platform for East Africa to advance thought leadership in the PE and VC space, and finally, conducting training for the sector. We also nurture the local professionals, as well as building awareness with the sector stakeholders. My docket as one half of the leadership of EAVCA is in leading the advocacy and intelligence. This entails working with the sector stakeholders to create partnerships that promote investment inflows in East Africa.Internationally, less than 10% of venture capital funds go to female entrepreneurs. Is this situation just as bleak in East Africa? This is also the case in East Africa. There was a time when female-led enterprises were not as visible as they are now, especially on the funding front. Emerging trends for conscious investment (particularly gender lens investing) mean that the tide is slowly turning to acknowledge that female-led enterprises are equally lucrative. Furthermore, women are more deliberate in their business planning and less likely to take investment capital for personal use. What does EAVCA do to ensure that besides women-owned businesses there is diversity in general in businesses being considered for funding? From 2018, EAVCA became more deliberate in local engagement by working with trade associations, incubators and accelerators to grow local awareness of PE and VC as alternative sources of capital. We are also ensuring we carry out industry-specific research showcasing opportunities that exist in East Africa. One such research was on the opportunities available for fin-tech investing in East Africa, which we launched in March this year. This allows investors deeper access to sectors that have probably been on their radar but whose information may be hard to come by. [bctt tweet=”I think it is important for technical entrepreneurs to find partners who will help them with the business side of their enterprise or product – @eva_hawa” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What are some of the mistakes you have seen female entrepreneurs make while interacting with venture capitalists, and what can they do to better pitch their businesses to investors? While I would not categorize this as a mistake, I think it is important for technical entrepreneurs to find partners who will help them with the business side of their enterprise or product. Far too many entrepreneurs are struggling to raise capital by themselves without the tools or skills to approach this. Thankfully, there are programmes and incubators that equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to begin thinking of their vision as a commercial venture. There is quite an array of accelerators available for African entrepreneurs such as MEST Africa which is available in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Cote d’ Ivoire or Growth Africa for East Africans. There are also institution backed programmes like the Trade and Investment Hub (the Hub) by USAID, which is available in East, West and South Africa, or the Stanford Seed Transformation Programme in Ghana and Kenya. Finally, we have philanthropy backed incubators also committing to support the initiative by Africa’s entrepreneurs such as the Tony Elumelu Foundation or Africa Netpreneur Prize by the Jack Ma Foundation. EAVCA has been led by women from its inception. Can we interpret that to mean Africa doesn’t share the same discouraging international statistics when it comes to women’s leadership in VC firms? As an association, we are privileged to have women as the champions of the industry in East Africa. For the VC and PE funds, the bulk of fund managers are still led by men although we have a growing number of women taking up that space. I believe it is important for women to support each other in male-dominated industries such as ours and share their journeys so that we can all learn from each other. How has working at EAVCA changed your perception of Africa’s potential to be an economic and innovation hub in the future? I have always been an Afro-optimist and firmly believe in Africa’s value and ability to influence the future! Working with EAVCA has furthered my confidence in our potential as a continent. I interact each day with people who are as passionate about Africa as I am and who are effecting positive change within their different spheres. I am able to see how it is all shaping out from my bird’s eye view at the Association and it just fuels me to want to do more! What is the favorite part of your job? Every day, I meet people that are clear about
Chioma Ezekwesili highlights the Essentials to Building and Growing Your Blog
“The main essential for starting a blog is to first have a passion for something”. – Chioma Ezekwesili Blogging is a great platform to express yourself, build a brand, and even make a source of income. Due to the diverse benefits of blogging, there is an influx of blogs and bloggers. This can make the process of building and growing your blog daunting. You might question whether it is worth it and how do you go about building this presence online? In this interview with fashion and lifestyle blogger Chioma Ezekwesili, she provides inspiration for prospective and current bloggers on her experience of starting and building her blog and brand. When and why did you decide to start your fashion and lifestyle blog and what were the essentials to beginning it? The main essential for starting a blog is to first have a passion for something. It could be cooking, fashion, gossip, politics, and other topics. You don’t have to be an English guru but you should always endeavor to read something new about your passion. This is significant because you can then provide your readers with new insights into your niche. In addition, you will be able to come up with new and diverse ways to relate to your readers. Secondly, you should draft a consistent timetable. It’s hard at the beginning but once you start, keep at it. Every day, have a topic you can write on. What will help you is approaching each day with an open mind? Also, make sure the photos, write up or videos are original because it allows your readers to connect with your originality. As for myself, I started my fashion and lifestyle blog in 2015 but I couldn’t keep up with it. This was because I started the previous blog with the sole purpose of making money. The blog was just alive for about three months and that was it. Then, I officially started www.yhitschioma.com in July 2016. This blog is out of my love for fashion. I also felt the need to express my opinion on lifestyle tips. I try to make my posts inspirational. I merge fashion styles to relatable inspirational quotes. I want to let people know that fashion is more than wearing designer clothes. Fashion is also a way of passing a positive message to the people around you. [bctt tweet=”I grew my 7k followers on Instagram by posting my Sunday bests every Sunday and tagged it #fashionforchurch – @Yh_ItsChioma” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What is the best platform for intending media influencers to be on and why? Instagram and Twitter are the best platforms, dependent on the type of influencer you are. Instagram is mainly for fashion, lifestyle, and style. It’s best for visual appeal through photos and videos. Then, Twitter is good for sports lovers, especially soccer. The discussions on Twitter around the leagues is something that anybody building his/her brand around soccer needs to be on. Twitter is also a good platform for having discussions about politics, sports, music, health tips and more. I advise that you be linked on both platforms. That way, whatever you post on one can reflect on the other. However, more attention should be placed on the social media platform primarily for your type of brand. Social media metrics are ever changing and for those looking to make an impact online, the competition is increasing. Is it possible to grow one’s social media organically? Yes, you can grow organic followers and I am a testimony to it. I grew my 7k followers on Instagram by posting my Sunday bests every Sunday and tagged it #fashionforchurch. Every Sunday, people were looking forward to what I wore to church. Once you find out what your followers like, stick to it and be consistent. Do not buy followers because interactions on your post will not match your followership. That matters because people and brand will immediately see through that. The first year might not be easy but keep posting. Also, make sure you use hashtags because they work like magic. What is your process of growing your brand presence? Building your brand starts with a conscious effort to actually build the brand. Find the social media platform that suits what you are trying to build Try to make your followership on any social media platform that you are on organic. If you are on Instagram, never miss relevant hashtags like #MCM #MondayMotivation #WCW #TBT #FBF or things like that. You can even come up with your own personal hashtag that people can follow through your post. For me, it’s #LifeOfAStartingEntrepreneur and #yhitschioma. If Twitter is your platform, be sure to check the trending hashtags and draft your tweets around it. Finally, you have to be consistent your post on social media. Be sure to have your contact details available for people to reach you. Reply and like comments so that there is a discussion around your post. How can one stand out and be unique online? You stand out by being real. Don’t try to be in competition with anyone. Rather, you should strive to be a better version of yourself. Keep doing what you love and don’t copy others. Be original with your posts. What steps should an aspiring media influencer take to attract opportunities to work with organizations, brands, and collaborations? Keep your profile open not private. Make sure you give credit to other brands you are wearing or using on your page. Then, you get other brands to notice that you are promoting other brands. They will then want to work with you. For blog collaborations, if you never reach out to people, you might not have anyone reach out to you. Last year, I sent about 5-6 messages to other bloggers like myself for collaboration. However, I got turned down by about 4 and I didn’t mind. I did a collaboration with the bloggers that wanted to. The result is that other bloggers saw it and then reached out to
Eyitemi Popo: How I turned my media brand into a lifestyle brand
[bctt tweet=”If you’re an entrepreneur who feels stuck with your business, I hope you find this article at the perfect time and it encourages you to keep pushing.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] After five years of building my online magazine, painstakingly growing a social media following, and nurturing relationships with global brands, I had found a comfortable niche in the media landscape. The night after my magazine’s 5th-anniversary party, I quietly reflected on the journey. I read the congratulatory messages I had received, some reminding me that many online sites and magazines that started with – or even after – Ayiba no longer existed. But was survival enough of an achievement? Making my dream my reality was significant. Building a team to drive that vision forward had significance. I mean, I had gone from shooting the first cover of Ayiba Magazine on my college campus to having celebrity photographers shoot the cover with Hollywood actresses. The growth was undeniable, that had to count for something. And perhaps it did. However, my side hustle was still a side hustle bringing in side hustle revenue. Was that the best I could do? And more importantly, what was next? Almost a year to the date of my quiet contemplation, I have built Girls Trip Tours, a social venture that is a direct manifestation of my magazine’s mission. It leverages Ayiba’s readership, brand equity, and professional network to design unique travel experiences across Africa with a focus on female empowerment. Our trips have the goal of empowering future female leaders through mentorship, while taking in the sites and dining around town in the company of high profile business women and local industry leaders. I like to think of it as ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ with less soul-searching and more self-actualization. Where once you could read about Lagos’ nightlife, Nairobi’s startup ecosystem, or Rwandese artisans in the pages of Ayiba, now we can arrange for you to experience these things first-hand through group or solo travel with Girls Trip Tours. The idea came from the opportunity I observed for digital brands to bring online experiences offline and create deeper more meaningful connections with their virtual communities in real life. The concept of Girls Trip Tours emerged from a perceived customer need. Ayiba readers were emailing to ask for travel advice. Our articles had inspired our readers in the diaspora to want to visit the continent and they were looking to us as an expert resource. My mission with Ayiba is to connect Africans in the diaspora with those on the continent through storytelling. I have consistently done this through online and print mediums, but now I have the opportunity to create those connections in real life. [bctt tweet=”Lifestyle brands thrive when they figure out what their customers end goal and design their brand around the experiences that their customers desire – @AyibaMagazine ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Figure out your customers desire, along with the people, places, things, and ideas that inspire them to action. After surveying 100 plus women in Ayiba’s online community, I decided to organize trips to Kenya and Nigeria in 2019. As per their feedback, there are a mix of experiences to satisfy those seeking ancestral travel experiences to West Africa, wildlife and adventure in National Parks, as well as urban exploration in Africa’s most vibrant cities. In addition to satisfying a customer need, by expanding my media brand to include travel experiences, I now have a new avenue for creating content. On each trip, there are multiple opportunities to connect with new talents to feature or more contributors to write. I also will be creatively inspired by my surroundings to shoot video series, photography campaigns, and write OP-EDS on social issues I am confronted with. In the long run, I believe it makes sense for Ayiba to become a lifestyle brand. I am creating a customer journey that can start with exploring content online, which may lead to booking a travel experience or vice versa. The magazine and the trips will feed into one another. In this next phase of my entrepreneurial journey, I look forward to listening to my customers, as well as looking to broader industry trends for my continued evolution. For any entrepreneur that may feel stuck with their businesses, I hope you find this article at the perfect time and it encourages you to keep pushing. If your growth has become stagnant and you are looking for a new direction to go in, observe customer behavior, look to the industry for inspiration, and most importantly, ask your audience what they want/need, then test it out. I did a soft-launch with a Girls Trip to Ghana in July. It was that small group trip, the women I met, and the girls I mentored that gave me the confidence to do more.My advice Consider what other verticals may be profitable before you give up on a business you have put time, money, sweat, and tears into. As tough as it may be, if you have a good foundation: reputable brand and loyal audience, there are many ways you can consider monetizing and scaling up. Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here.
Kgomotso Phatsima: From a young age I knew I was born to fly
Kgomotso Phatsima is the Ambassador of Youth in Aviation and Aerospace, she is a social entrepreneur who assists with the empowerment of youth in aviation and aerospace, STEM education awareness and equipping the upcoming generation with business entrepreneurial skills. She is among the first female military pilots in Botswana Defence Force and she won the Botswana Youth Awards Best Female of the Year 2017. She is part of the Obama Foundation Africa Leadership Program 2018 as one of the exceptional young emerging leaders in Africa. Kgomotso conducts professional coaching, team building exercises, and motivational talks, speaker events for corporate, schools and universities. [bctt tweet=”As a small little village girl, growing up I used to see airplanes flying over our house, from an early young age I knew I was born to fly -Kgomotso Phatsima ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What led you to choose a career as a pilot? I am Captain Kgomotso Phatsima. I was born in a very small village called Ledumadumane from very humble beginnings near Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. A village so close to the Capital City of Botswana Gaborone so much that you could almost touch it with your bare hands. As a small little village girl when I was growing up I used to see airplanes flying over our house, from an early young age I knew I was born to fly! You are part of the military, what has that experience done for you and how has it shaped you as a person? When I finished my high school, I applied for piloting at 43 Air School in South Africa, my family did not support my dream, my mother said it was too risky and way too out of the norm for a girl child from very humble beginnings to fly an airplane. ” We are too poor my child, during our time a girl child would not even dream of flying planes, Go to the University and study to become a teacher” my mother lamented, with a 45 years old age difference; almost close to five decades indeed we came from different generations Instead, I gave up my dream to fly and went to pursue a Bachelor of Education Science degree specializing in mathematics at the University of Botswana When I finished my degree I was immediately hired at Goodhope Senior Secondary School to teach mathematics. After 8 months of teaching senior secondary students mathematics, I realized that it was not challenging enough for me, that I was not fulfilled. What challenges have you faced with your career and what did you do to overcome them? In April 2009 the Botswana Defence Force decided to enlist its first female military pilots. This time around I knew nobody was going to stand on my way, now I was going to follow my dreams. My mother cried. I told her “No mother, this is my dream, this what I want; this is what resonates in my heart.” I left home for a year-long basic military training to the disapproval of my parents. The training was one of its kind. The most mind-blowing, painful, challenging yet excitings sometimes deeply intriguing experience ever. I learned martial arts and tactics, leadership, unarmed combat to shooting a gun and working as a team. You have undertaken a few philanthropic projects, why has that been important for your career or personal growth? Fast forward to now since I became one of the first female military pilots in Botswana Defence Force 10 years ago. When I was growing up as a dusty little village girl, I never had the chance to sit down with a pilot nor see the inside of a flying machine until I had the opportunity to fly it. Therefore, seven years ago I started Dare to Dream, to give the upcoming generation a chance I never had! Dare to Dream is a social enterprise aimed at advancing the empowerment of youth women and girls in STEM Aviation and Aerospace as well equip them with business leadership skills. We use the power of flight to ignite dreams, to impact communities and change lives. We offer robotics, coding, leadership and character building sessions and airport visits for the upcoming generation. At Dare to Dream, we travel far and deep in rural areas to give the upcoming generation a sense of purpose in their education! Our motto is to leave no child for behind for African development. [bctt tweet=”My dream is to set a STEM Aviation Business Leadership Centre in Gaborone at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport-Kgomotso Phatsima” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What passions do you have or explore outside of your career as a pilot? Due to my contribution in advancing youth, women, and girls in STEM Aviation and Aerospace Business Leadership, I won the Botswana Youth Awards Best Female of the Year 2017. I also won the Scholarship of Commercial Drone Pilot Licence which I am currently doing with UAV Industries, South Africa. This year I was selected for the Obama Foundation Africa Leaders Program as one of the exceptionally talented brilliant young emerging African leaders who will be groomed to serve and lead positive changes in their communities, their country, and the African continent. I have also been selected for the 100 Most Influential Young Africans by Africa Youth Awards 2018. I will be leaving for the United States of America Washington DC for yet another amazing Leadership program – International Visitors Leadership Program for Women leaders promoting peace and security. Lastly, I have received a donation of two bodies of Aircraft Fuselages RJ85. My dream is to set a STEM Aviation Business Leadership Centre in Gaborone at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. The Aviation Academy will be the home of Science Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It will offer an introduction to aerospace sciences, robotics, coding, and drone technology to the upcoming generation as well as equipping them with business and entrepreneurial skills. We are currently looking for strategic partnership and investor opportunities to assist us to realize this dream to develop the Next
Naomi Michael Adenuga: The Boss Lady of Talent Management
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry is a challenging reality for anyone, but thriving in the said industry can be done, and it can be done well. I had the privilege of speaking to Naomi Michael Adenuga, a successful female talent manager in Nigeria about her experience being one of the very few women in the entertainment management industry. During our conversation, she candidly shared the realities of the struggle, and how she negotiated it to become one of the most sought-after agents in the space. So, who exactly is Naomi? Naomi is a multi-award-winning brand strategist and talent manager committed to helping people identify their purpose and monetize their talents. She is the founder of Naomad Talent Management Agency, which represents gifted individuals and visionary brands passionate about their craft and meaningfully connecting with their audiences. She and her world-class team of professionals help clients hone their skills, develop confidence in their capabilities, and strategically build and position them as viable brands with longevity. She boasts of over 9 years of experience and is unapologetic about taking her “seat at the table.” Her sharp intuition, a penchant for over-delivery, and exceptional ability to connect to her clients have gained her the apt moniker of “Boss Lady”. She has a true heart for people and believes that everyone comes into the world endowed with certain talents given for the purposes of earning a personal living, sharing with others for social good, and impacting the world. A few notable awards she has won during her career include Talent Manager of the Year, Entertainment Personality of the Year, and the Young Achievers Award. She has most recently been nominated for Nigerian Entrepreneur of the Year by Nigerian Teen Choice Awards and Entertainment Personality of the Year by Nigerian Achievers Award. With such a compelling set of accomplishments, I was eager to have her share her story and perspective on how to “kill it” in a male-dominated industry. How did you discover your purpose and passion? I found my purpose when I started my passion filled talent management journey. Talent management means building up a person and guiding them to their highest potential. I call it King making, some people are Kings and some others are King-makers. As time went on, I had people come to me for advice on general stuff and work stuff. The more people I spoke to and worked with to help build them up, the more fulfilled I was. My purpose is to help others find their purpose and become better versions of themselves. By doing so, I not only build myself up as well, but I get to do what I am passionate about and fulfill my purpose. What was it like initially trying to break into a male-dominated industry? It was tough I had to constantly prove myself, work harder and smarter. [bctt tweet=”My purpose is to help others find their purpose and become better versions of themselves – @NaomiBosslady” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How has your experience been since then, and how do you navigate challenges? It’s honestly not as bad as it was in the past. The industry is evolving, and I noticed the change when women and men started being nominated in the same award categories. A few years ago, it was: Best Female Talent Manager or Best Female Artist or Best Female DJ; now, it’s Best Talent Manager, Artist, or DJ. The gender bias is reducing. When I have challenges, I talk to God about it. He always gives me a strategy (laughs). I also have a few people in my Industry I go to for guidance. I look at women who are breaking boundaries in male-dominated sectors and I draw strength from them. Women like Ibukun Awosika, who currently serves as Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria; Kemi Adetiba, who is a leading music video director and filmmaker. She directed The Wedding Party, which is one of the highest grossing films of all time in Nigeria. Finally, Tiwa Savage, who is one of the biggest names in the African entertainment industry. She goes toe to toe with the men and comes out on top of her game. She sells out venues like the men and is a mother. These women and a couple of others have consciously and unconsciously laid out the blueprint for the next generation of women to break into and thrive in male-dominated industries. I draw strength from them by reminding myself that they too must have faced similar challenges and more but keep pushing. This tells me that I too can do it, survive, thrive and beyond. [bctt tweet=” I look at women who are breaking boundaries in male-dominated sectors and I draw strength from them – @NaomiBosslady” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Why did you choose the entrepreneurship route over working for someone else? I didn’t have a choice really. The last job I had working for an entertainment company ended because the CEO dissolved the company. I had to make ends meet, and so I started working independently. I began by writing proposals for people, coming up with strategies, consulting here and there for upcoming artists and small brands, while moonlighting as a manager of a nightclub and serving as an event planner. I was working by myself and just winging it. Along the line, I realized, “girl you really can do this”. I never applied for a job with any company after that and continued working for myself. I also discovered that I am a natural born leader. [bctt tweet=”The entertainment industry is evolving and the gender bias is reducing – @NaomiBosslady” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Can you share a little more about the non-traditional route that brought you where you are today? First off, shout out to my uncle and mentor who gave me my first shot, Efe Omorogbe. I was basically doing nothing with my time and getting up to no good, and so my mum insisted that I reach out to him. He is the CEO of Now Muzik and is an entertainment industry powerhouse. He gave me a