She Leads Africa

4 Steps To Doing a Mid-Year Rework of Your Goals

Did you start the year off with a bang, only to find yourself losing steam and veering off track? We’ve all been there, Sis—eagerly crafting a list of New Year’s resolutions only to abandon them by March. According to a recent article by Inside Out Mastery, 23% of adults ditch their goals in the first week, and only 36% make it past the first month. Sounds unreal right? But fear not! It’s time to reignite your motivation and give those failed aspirations a makeover. I am here to help you reignite your motivation. Realign your focus and get back on track to achieve those goals that matter most to you. We’ll be diving into three powerful yet entirely doable tips that will revamp your resolutions and set you up for success. Say goodbye to the traditional approach and get ready to tackle your goals with a fresh perspective! Tip 1: Cultivate a Growth Mindset Resolutions often fail because we view setbacks as failures rather than opportunities for growth. Shift your mindset and embrace the idea that setbacks are an inherent part of the journey towards success. When faced with obstacles or temporary setbacks, instead of giving up, take a moment to reflect and learn from the experience. Adjust your approach, seek alternative solutions, and keep pushing forward. By adopting a growth mindset, you’ll transform setbacks into steppingstones and develop the resilience needed to achieve your goals.     Tip 2: Implement the “Power Hour” Designate a specific hour each day as your “Power Hour” dedicated solely to working on your resolutions. During this time, eliminate distractions, turn off notifications, and immerse yourself in focused and intentional action. Whether it’s exercising, writing, learning a new skill, or organizing your space. I promise you, this concentrated effort will yield significant results over time. By consistently allocating just one hour a day, you’ll witness substantial progress and develop a powerful habit of prioritizing your resolutions.     Tip 3: Get Yourself an Accountability Buddy We all know that accountability is crucial for sticking to our goals, but why not make it more enjoyable and effective? Instead of simply relying on a friend or family member to hold you accountable, turn it into a fun competition or challenge. Find someone with similar goals and turn the process into a friendly rivalry. Compete to see who can achieve the most progress in a set time frame, with rewards for the winner. This twist adds an element of excitement and camaraderie that will keep you motivated and engaged.   Bonus Tip: Celebrate Every Step Too often, we focus solely on the end result and overlook the progress we make along the way. Take the time to celebrate and acknowledge each milestone, no matter how small. Treat yourself to a small reward, indulge in a favourite activity, or simply bask in the satisfaction of your accomplishments. Celebrating each step fuels your motivation, boosts your confidence, and reinforces a positive mindset, propelling you forward on your resolution journey     Sis, it’s never too late to transform your resolutions into tangible achievements. Dust off those dreams, apply these tips, and get ready to conquer the rest of the year with renewed vigour and determination. Let go of any past disappointments and gear up to make the rest of the year your most successful yet.  You’ve got this!  

4 Tips to An Extraordinary Existence

Sis, let me drop some truth bombs on you. Real superheroes? They aren’t wearing capes or shooting lasers from their eyes. Nope, they look just like you and me, living our ordinary lives. But guess what? We have the power to create extraordinary impact in small, yet significant ways. So, get ready to unleash your inner hero, sprinkle kindness like confetti, and buckle up for an awe-inspiring journey into the realm of becoming real-life superheroes! You see, being a superhero isn’t about having supernatural powers or donning a flashy costume. It’s about recognizing the power within us to make a difference, right here, right now. It’s about embracing the extraordinary potential that resides within each of us and using it to create waves of positive change. You don’t need to move mountains or save the world in one fell swoop. No, my friend, it’s the small acts of kindness and compassion that can have a lasting impact on those around us. Buckle up, because we’re diving headfirst into the realm of real-life superheroes. Tip 1: Embrace Your Inner Quirkiness: Embrace what makes you unique and let your quirks shine! Don’t be afraid to break free from the mold and show the world your authentic self. Whether it’s a peculiar hobby, an unconventional talent, or a quirky sense of humor, let it be your superpower. By embracing your individuality, you inspire others to do the same and create a world where everyone feels comfortable being their extraordinary selves. Tip 2: Start a Random Acts of Awesomeness Challenge: Challenge yourself to perform random acts of awesomeness every day. It could be leaving a heartfelt note for a stranger, surprising a coworker with their favorite treat, or even organizing a community clean-up event. The key is to spread joy and positivity in unexpected ways. Not only will it brighten someone else’s day, but it will also ignite a spark of fulfillment within you as you witness the impact of your actions. Tip 3: Create a Superhero Alter Ego: Tap into your creative side and create your own superhero alter ego. Design a unique costume, come up with a catchy superhero name, and identify the special qualities and powers your alter ego possesses. Embody this persona in your everyday life, using it as a reminder to unleash your inner superhero and make a difference wherever you go. It’s a fun and empowering way to infuse your life with a touch of superhero flair. Tip 4: Organize a Community Impact Event: Take the initiative to organize a community impact event that addresses a specific issue or cause close to your heart. It could be a charity fundraiser, a volunteer day at a local shelter, or a neighborhood clean-up project. Rally your friends, family, and neighbours to join forces and make a collective impact. By bringing people together and working towards a common goal, you not only create positive change but also foster a sense of unity and camaraderie within your community. These unconventional tips may seem a little out there, but that’s precisely what makes them extraordinary. So, embrace your quirks, challenge yourself to acts of awesomeness, channel your inner superhero, and organize community events that leave a lasting impact. It’s time to step out of the ordinary and embrace your extraordinary potential. Let’s make the world a better place, one unique and unconventional act at a time!  

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. 

Budgeting Tips for the 2021 Bride (Nice-to-Have and Must-Have)

Are you overburdened with all the bills with no one to help you out? Or, are you worried about a long to-do list with numerous ‘advisers’ but no help in sight? This is one time to pause and breathe! Yes, Breathe in…Breathe out…  Now that you’ve taken a breath, here’s what to do to get control of your wedding expenses three months before your wedding: 1. Make two lists; a Must-Have List and a Nice-to-Have List. Grab your fiancé to do this with you.  Your Must-Have list contains things you know you need to make the wedding the most successful to you.Your Nice-to-have list is for anything else that will be good to have but does not determine your wedding’s success or your happiness. Let’s not deceive ourselves, not everything is a must-have so be true to yourselves as a couple and make that clear from the beginning. ​2. Review your Must-Have list and put a timeframe to each item with the corresponding cost. Thankfully, I have created a wonderful Wedding Budget Template to help. ​3. Make notes of when the next stream of income will come and plan for it. If you earn monthly, plan ahead on how much of it goes into your wedding. ​4. According to priority, review your Nice-to-Have list and add the maximum you can spend on each item. 5. When money comes in, check off something on your Must-Have List. Repeat until everything is checked off. ​6. Use extra income to start checking things off your Nice-to-Have list, in order of priority. 7. When help is offered, as long as you have items on your Must-Have list, channel all help to this list first before anything else. ​8. Repeat as often as required. In my line of business, I’ve realised that the smartest brides are those who always stay on top of their finances. Remember, the whole essence of this is for you to take one day at a time. There is no need getting so frustrated about what isn’t available or living beyond you.  You’re on your own budget! #NoComparison. Always remember, you’re not alone and I’m always here to help.

How to keep your inner child and laugh more

Happy New Year Everyone. Wishing you a healthy and amazing 2021! By now, we’ve all probably written our new year’s resolutions with renewed effort, energy and discipline to ensure we achieve all our goals. Goals such as; (a) losing weight; (b) getting healthy; (c) finding a job or a new job; (d) possibly relocating; (e) meeting the one (*wink wink*), travelling and so on, are usually top of our lists. While all these plans are great and will generally contribute to our mental wellbeing during the year, we should all aim to maintain the child within us. Now, what does this mean? “We should try to laugh more and be happy.”  There is a common myth that children laugh about 300 times a day and adults laugh about 20 times a day. While these numbers may not be accurate, the message is clear. As we grow older, we tend to laugh less and take life too seriously. This is mostly because our responsibilities and goals increase, and we are always looking to achieve more in different aspects of our lives. We can, however, try to laugh more while carrying our burdens and hoping for what is to come.  “So how can we laugh more?” Well, here are some of my tips: Be grateful – Take a moment each day to remember all the things we are grateful for. This exercise helps us to remember everything in our lives that is going well, and what we should be grateful for. It also gives us renewed hope and strength that at the end of the day, everything will fall into place. Watch a funny movie – Funny movies make us laugh, even when we are in the worst of moods. When someone shows us a funny scene or says something hilarious, no matter how much you try to hesitate, you find yourself laughing. Solo dance parties – Now this is one of my favorites. I love listening to happy music, and dancing alone in my room, car, or the park. Anywhere you feel safe, just dance, let it all out and be happy.  Talk to people who make you feel safe and happy – We all have that one family member or friend that always leaves us in a better mood every time after we talk to them. Speak to people like these more.  Exercise – It’s scientifically proven that exercising releases endorphins, which are known as “happy hormones”. These happy hormones interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain and triggers a positive feeling all over your body.    Learn to let things go – Now this is something that I still struggle with but have personally seen the benefits of by taking baby steps. As we go through life, a lot of things will most likely not go our way. When this happens, we should learn to accept it and move on.  Stay hopeful – Believe that what you want, or need will happen. Have faith that God has answered your prayers and act like it. This programs our brains to believe we have already received all our heart’s desires and in turn, makes us happy.  At the end of the day, we all have one life, so let us try to enjoy it and never let go of our inner child. 

MOLPED FEATURE ON SIMI DREY: AWARD WINNING RADIO AND TV HOST

Molped sanitary pad is a product from Hayat Kimya Limited (manufacturers of Molfix diapers), and is a skin-friendly, ultra-soft, sanitary pad, designed to make young girls feel as comfortable, soft, and secure as they feel beside their best friends. Molped’s breathable layer keeps young women fresh, and it’s skin-friendly, cottony soft layer does not cause irritation. Molped sanitary pad is every girl’s best friend, helping them be more confident, and supporting them through their periods. Molped has partnered with She Leads Africa to highlight the beauty and importance of valuable female connections.  You can connect with Simi on Instagram and Twitter. ABOUT SIMI DREY Simi Drey is an experienced multi-award-winning Broadcaster who has worked across media platforms in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria.  With a First Class Degree in Broadcasting and Journalism from the University of Wales, she currently hosts the Saturday and Sunday morning shows on the Beat 99.9FM and on television anchors 53 Extra on African Magic. Having won the Future Awards Africa for Best OAP (TV and Radio) in 2019, Simi Drey uses her platform to share her passion for entertaining and educating the youth; tomorrow’s leaders. What does friendship mean to you? Friendship means family. My friends are people who know me, they know my strengths, they know my weaknesses yet they still love me.  They have been there for me and always will be at different stages of my life and I will do the same for them. Can you tell us of a time when any of your girlfriends connected you with a career or business opportunity? There have been numerous occasions where my girlfriends helped me but the most recent would be Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi who nominated me for the OAP category of the Future Awards Africa. She did this without my knowledge and even when I won, she still didn’t tell me what she had done. Someone else informed me.  Since then, winning the award has opened so many other doors for me such as being the Nigerian representative of a panel in South Africa, to discuss the role and emancipation of women in African society. Can you tell us about a time when your friend (s) helped you through a difficult situation in your career? In the first year of my career, while I was more or less fresh out of university, I did not know anyone in Lagos and I was hardly earning anything. I didn’t feel like I was making progress and I was extremely frustrated.  During this period, I became friends with Dr Kemi Ezenwanne. She constantly encouraged me and prayed with me. She also helped me get a foot into the modelling industry which eventually brought about enough funds for me to move out of my aunt’s house, and rent my own place.  Without her, I may not have continued pursuing a media career. How many women do you have in your power circle, and why did you choose them? I have three different power circles. One consists of four women including myself, the other consists of three people, myself included and the last, five in total. I don’t think I chose them to be honest. I think we realised how much we had in common and we just ‘clicked’ as friends. However, they have remained in my power circles because of their loyalty and support throughout the years. When the world saw me as a nobody, they were there. We have grown together and stayed together through stages of our lives; school, employment, marriage, childbirth and even divorce.  No matter what though, we see the potential in each other and we strive daily to bring it out. One person’s success is a success for the entire group. How do you think young women can network with other women to achieve career success? I think now more than ever, networking is much easier especially with social media. There are people I am friends with on Instagram for example that I had forgotten I had never met.  However, because we talk a lot and exchange ideas, it feels like we know each other inside out.  Social media networking can start simply by liking or commenting on a person’s picture. Search for someone in a similar industry as yourself or someone who has inspired you along your journey and send them a message.  Don’t just write ‘hi’ though. Make it personal. What is your fondest memory of you and your girlfriends, from when you first began your careers? Before I started working in Nigeria, my friend Deena and I auditioned for the X-Factor. Neither of us made it past the first audition. Along with our friend Sully, we thought we were going to become a successful girl band- Deena and I as the singers and Sully as a rapper. We never released a single together. Our dreams of a girl band were pretty short-lived.  Fast forward and Sully is now a successful Investment Banker in London, I have become a multi-award winning Broadcaster and although Deena actually continued to pursue a career in music, she now has been booked for shows across Nigeria and the UK and her songs play on mainstream radio stations. Finally, what advice/tips do you have for young career women, to help them build and maintain valuable relationships with other women? I think the phrase ‘women don’t support women’ has been one of the most damaging statements for young women.  I would say first and foremost, do not compete with other women. See them as allies. Celebrate their victories and try to lift them up in ways you can. They will do the same for you.  Society is difficult for women generally but when we stand together, we have so much power. #MyGrowthSquad series is powered by Molped (@MolpedNigeria). Connect with them on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube. Sponsored post

HOW I WENT FROM MY 9-to-5 TO PERFORMING ON A WORLD TOUR WITH MR.EAZI – SINGER-SONGWRITER, TOME

Building a successful brand is challenging whether you are a small business or individual. Historically, breaking out has especially been a tough job for women in music and entertainment. One talent who seems to have cracked the code in navigating the music business is a 9-to-5’er turned singer-songwriter Tome. In just 2 years of becoming a full-time singer-songwriter, she has performed with Burna Boy, Wizkid and Mr. Eazi on world stages, and she is just getting started. In March 2019, she debuted her single L’amour and released her debut EP, The Money, in February 2020. With her mantra, “I am enough. I am TÖME”, she’s determined to become a household name and empowering voice to African women across the world. Tell us a bit about yourself? My name is Michelle Oluwatomi Akanbi. I’m a Nigerian-French Canadian Singer-Songwriter born in Montreal, Canada. I was raised in the diverse city of Toronto where I grew up listening to Fela, Erykah Badu, and Alicia Keys. Music is a very important part of my life. I am my art! I put 100% of me into my music – sound, vocals, lyrics – all of it. How will you describe yourself as an artist? My music is what I like to call Afro-fusion. With a fun mix of genres, my songs have messages of love, fun, and empowerment. As an artist, I would say I am a lyricist with a message. What influenced your passion for the arts? I honestly can’t say there was any specific influence on my love of the arts. But I remember watching Superstar (1999) with Molly Shannon as a child and thinking to myself, I’m going to be a superstar one day. #Day1Dreams What motivates you to get up every day to make music? My motivation to keep going in my career is to make my family proud. I hope to provide them the ability to live the lives they want to. Other people also motivate me. I am so lucky to be around people I can learn from. They add to my experience and view of the world which makes it easier to write music. There’s always a story to tell apart from my own. Tell us about your career journey. I’ve always been making music. I released my first project on SoundCloud in 2015 – an EP titled One with Self. It was a really personal project of 5 songs I recorded on my phone while I played guitar.  In 2018, while I was still working as a Marketing Executive at my full-time job, I recorded Tomesroom Chapter 1 and many other songs. I didn’t release any of the songs at the time because I had no team and didn’t want it to go “nowhere”. I planned to do another year working at my 9-to-5 job and “learn more about the industry”. In 2019 my dad (who is now my manager) heard my song L’amour and asked me if I was ready to work. I said yes and officially started my career as a full-time artist. So far, I have been really blessed. In my first year as a professional recording artist, I have shared the stage with incredible talents like Wizkid, Burnaboy, and done a tour with Mr. Eazi in Europe. I have learned so much and improved my craft in such a short time. It’s amazing to know that it’s only the beginning. What influence do you want your music to have on the African woman in today’s world? I hope my music helps women accept their own strength. Every time I get on stage, I remind myself – “I am enough. I am TÖME”. I want to show that the African woman can be and do anything. You don’t have to limit yourself to what anyone wants to tell you to be. All the obstacles in your way are only temporary.  You attract what you think and if you are focused and know what you want, you can never fail. What are your top 3 tips for young African women looking to make their mark in their career or business? Stay on-trend. You have to continuously push yourself to experiment to stay as relevant as possible and grow.  Stay open-minded and knowledgeable. It’s the same whether you have a 9-to-5 or business. Stay true to yourself. People can tell when you’re not being genuine. You will never make your mark if you don’t know yourself and get lost in other people’s vision of you. Follow Tome’s journey and vibe to her music. IG: https://www.instagram.com/Tomeofficial_/Fanlink: https://fanlink.to/tome SPONSORED POST

Hey Sis, Where Does All Your Money Go?

Have you ever wondered where all your money goes before payday? You are not alone in the struggle. Tracking your expenses is an important first step in financial literacy. Zikoko, a culture and entertainment digital magazine based in Lagos, Nigeria, asked a sample of women how they spent the bulk of their income in the past month of the interview. Here are some of the ways women responded. Can you relate? I spend a lot on Uber rides I don’t have a car and I hate moving around with public transport, so all my coins go to Ubers. Thankfully I can afford it. It’s hard to calculate how much of what I earn goes to Ubers because I have a 9-5 and a pretty great side gig. But I’d say 20% of the income I get from my 9-5. I’m aware that it’s a little ridiculous to spend so much money on just transport. But my life’s motto is comfort first. Plus Ubers saves a lot of my time, and I hear time is money. Weaves. Weaves. Weaves. I have a government job so my salary is a joke. But I have an online business that does quite well. The average cost of my wigs or weaves is about 150k (~$400). My 9 -5 pays about 80k (~$210) a month. So I guess I spend like two-months salary on hair. I’m not ashamed of it. It’s not like I buy weaves all the time. I can still afford to put food on my table and pay my rent thanks to my business. My rent is expensive The first year I moved out to live on my own, I had a flatmate. She left the country the year after, and I got stuck paying the full rent. I paid it in hopes of getting another flatmate, but I’ve had no luck yet. I’d say the bulk of my money goes to rent. I earn 300k ($810) a month and my rent is 1.2 million (~$3,260) a year. This means 100k (~$270) of my monthly income goes to saving for my rent. I really like my apartment and have no plans to move out. So for now, I have to keep paying the rent. Want to track your expenses? 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SIGN UP We’ve got you sis! Click here for your report! http://bit.ly/SLAAppReport Internet is so expensive I don’t have a job so my ‘income’ comes from an allowance from my parents which usually adds up to about 50k (~$135) monthly. I spend about 15k (~$40) on data every month. So data costs make up most of my expenses. Food, I don’t like to cook I don’t like to cook, so feeding can get a little expensive for me. I’ve never sat down to do the math but between groceries, eating out and buying food every day I must be spending about 40 to 50% of my income on food. My struggle skin won’t let me live I have very problematic skin. I decided to start paying more attention to it about 2 years ago because a girl must SLAY. The only problem is good skincare products are expensive. Don’t let those people telling you that black soap is all you need, lead you astray. They just have good genes. I don’t buy skincare products every single month thankfully. On months where I run out of everything at once, I can spend almost 50k (~$130) on products. My monthly salary is 220k (~$590). Makeup is expensive I’ve always loved makeup and buying it wasn’t always so costly. But with the way the economy is set up, everything I love is now so expensive. I just started a business as a make-up artist so I think most of what I make goes into buying new products. I spend like 80% of what I make on that. I have way too many friends In the past year, I’ve spent a ton of money on Aso Ebi. I’m at an age where all of my friends are getting married all at once and I’ve come to the realization that I might have too many friends. I’m currently in between jobs so I can’t say how much I spend exactly. But based on my last salary, I’d say last month I must have spent 40% of my old income on just Aso Ebi. That’s ridiculous! Zikoko amplifies African youth culture by curating and creating smart and joyful content for young Africans and the world. Learn more about Zikoko here.

Here’s what you missed from SLAY Festival Joburg 2020

For the first time ever, SLAY Festival was held in Johannesburg South Africa, on March 7th and it was a VIBE! More than 1200 women came together to attend a one-day learning and networking experience. There were speed networking sessions where we saw our SA boss ladies work the room, and make new connections, and then our Keynote Speaker Bonang Matheba, made her entrance and taught us all about making money moves.  All attendees had direct access to some of Africa’s biggest and brightest innovators, including celebrity chef and entrepreneur Mogau Seshoene, youth activist Zulaikha Patel, TV presenter and model Kim Jayde, Africa Director for Global Citizen Chebet Chikumbu, doctor and mental health advocate Dr. Khanya Khanyile, Managing Director for TRACE Southern Africa Valentine Gaudin, actress Ayanda Thebethe, author and personal finance coach Mapalo Makhu, Head of Marketing for Google South Africa Asha Patel, Swiitch Beauty CEO Rabia Ghoor and many more. It was a full day of interesting mainstage panel discussions, networking sessions, masterclasses, mogul talk sessions, shopping from local vendors and loads of fun. Our Mzansi queens showed up, and showed out! So whether you missed the event, or you want to relive the SLAY Festival Joburg 2020 experience, this is your first behind the scene look, at the brands, experiences, and fun that went down at SLAY Festival Joburg 2020. We upgraded our business skills with AUDA-NEPAD In line with their flagship project, “100,000 SME’s by 2021, AUDA-NEPAD Senior Programme Officer, Unami Mpofu, led an interesting conversation on growing a sustainable business and accessing funding for a business. We learned new career and digital skills with Women Will Women Will, a Grow with Google program hosted private mentorship sessions and masterclasses throughout the day, focused on career growth for millennial women in the workplace, and tips on how women can use digital skills to grow their business. We slayed our hair with Dark and Lovely Dark and Lovely our official haircare partner, treated our queens to a full glam station, where they were able to try new products and get new hairstyles. During a special masterclass, they also got to learn the latest styling techniques, to keep their hair slayed and popping.   We bloomed with Glade Glade brought a one-of-a-kind sensorium experience that was just the breath of fresh air guests needed. They also hosted an engaging discussion on how women make Africa bloom with Poppy Ntshongwana, Monalisa Molefe, Nkgabi Motau and Martha Moyo and Christine Jawichre. We discussed topical issues with Global Citizen Global Citizen allowed attendees to engage in conversations on issues affecting women, and other topical issues, which was very enlightening for our  SLAY Festival attendees. We vibed with Trace Our official media partner Trace, brought in the entertainment and cool vibes with their interactive photo booth and green screen, and there was never a dull moment there. There you have it, this was your official behind the scenes look at what went down at SLAY Festival Joburg 2020. We Came. We SLAYed. We were WITHIN! SLAY Festival Joburg 2020 was a vibe and more. The moment the gates were opened, to when the last person left the room, we learned, unlearned and relearned, while having so much fun. So here’s raising a glass to all our SA queens who made the time, energy and resources that went into planning SLAY Festival Joburg totally worth it. Click here, to watch the highlights from SLAY Festival Joburg 2020.

Molped Feature on Odunayo Eweniyi: Co-Founder, PiggyVest

Molped sanitary pad is a product from Hayat Kimya Limited (manufacturers of Molfix diapers), and is a skin-friendly, ultra-soft, sanitary pad, designed to make young girls feel as comfortable, soft, and secure as they feel beside their best friends. Molped’s breathable layer keeps young women fresh, and it’s skin-friendly, cottony soft layer does not cause irritation. Molped sanitary pad is every girl’s best friend, helping them be more confident, and supporting them through their periods. Molped has partnered with She Leads Africa to highlight the beauty and importance of valuable female connections.  About Odunayo Eweniyi Odunayo Eweniyi is the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of PiggyVest. She previously co-founded pushcv.com, one of the largest job sites in Africa with the largest database of pre-screened candidates. She has 5 years’ experience in Business Analysis and Operations and is a First-Class graduate of Computer Engineering, Covenant University, Nigeria. She was named one of Forbes Africa 30 under 30 Technology in 2019 and one of 30 QuartzAfrica Innovators 2019. She sits on the advisory board of TrainFuture, an education technology company based in Switzerland, as well as the Gender Lens Acceleration Best Practices Initiative, a collaborative effort of Village Capital, US and the International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (WeFi).  In 2019, she was named SME Entrepreneur of the Year West Africa by The Asian Banker’s Wealth and Society and she is the youngest Nigerian on Forbes Africa list of 20 New Wealth Creators in Africa 2019. Odunayo was also one of the featured speakers at the World Bank-IMF Annual Meeting in 2019. She is one of Business Day’s Spark 2019 Women to Watch and made the World Women in Fintech Power List for 2017; the YNaija Most Influential People in Technology 2017 and 2018. She is a 2018 Westerwelle Young Entrepreneurs fellow; and she is a recipient of The Future Africa Awards Prize in Technology 2018. In honour of her work, she was named one of 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria 2019 by Leading Ladies Africa, one of 50 most visible women in Tech by Tech Cabal in 2019. She is also included on the #YTech100 2019 list of the brightest Nigerian technocrats. She is the Her Network Technology Woman of The Year 2019. She was also voted The Most Influential Young Nigerian in Science and Technology 2019. She works to support the inclusion of women in technology by working with hubs and female-focused networks like For Creative Girls, GreenHouse Labs, She Leads Africa, Itanna etc. She is also the cofounder of the women’s community, Wine and Whine Nigeria. You can connect with Odunayo on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. What does friendship mean to you? Well to me, friendship means mutual understanding and reciprocity. I like to think of all my friendships as safe spaces that are characterized by genuineness, shared values and free of ignorance and discrimination. Can you tell us of a time when any of your girlfriends connected you with a career or business opportunity? Yes actually, in a previous life I was a part-time tech journalist and my friend, Dami, connected me with a well-paying, writing gig at an international magazine. I even ended up working there for well over a year. Is there a time when your friend(s) helped you through a difficult situation in your career? I have a  young career, so no difficult situations have stood out there, but my friends are constantly helping me out of sticky situations, and outside of work, they always come through for me. How many women do you have in your power circle, and why did you choose them? I have five women in my power circle and the thing is, I wouldn’t say I chose them, as much as they accepted me for who I am. As a person with Asperger’s syndrome, I am definitely an acquired taste. So these five women, who are actually angels really, have moved through life with me with an understanding of who I am and I, them. But in addition to that, we share values, and despite having varied and many different goals, we work towards it together by supporting each other. How do you think young women can network with other women to achieve career success? To be honest, I think that would be much the same as they network with anyone else. There’s really no special way to relate with women. I think if you just treat people in general with empathy and respect, then you’re well on your way. What is your fondest memory of you and your girlfriends, from when you first began your careers? I actually started having girlfriends, or friends at all, after I started my career. So the memories we built, were built after we all started working and were at many different points in our lives. Finally, what advice/tips do you have for young career women, to help them build and maintain valuable relationships with other women? I think this is really general advice to maintain valuable relationships with everyone. It’s this simple, have empathy, have respect and always pay it forward.  To add a caveat though, I 100% believe that female friendships save lives, so I definitely encourage young women to have specifically female support systems. But just overall, move through the world treating people fairly, whether you want from them or you’re giving to them. #MyGrowthSquad series is powered by Molped (@MolpedNigeria). Connect with them on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube. Sponsored Post