Philomena Kwao: When I started, I was different from anything that existed in mainstream fashion
Philomena Kwao is a plus-sized British-Ghanaian model who has many philanthropic interests. Her meteoric rise came from working on multiple major campaigns for Torrid, MAC Cosmetics, Lane Bryant, Evans UK, Nordstrom and she has been highlighted on Huff Post UK, Guest blogger Metro UK, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Essence Magazine, among others. This British-Ghanaian beauty is the perfect canvas and model for the fashion industry! Her regal unapologetic natural beauty is one to behold. Philomena is also the Global Ambassador for Women For Women International Charity. She preaches the need for open dialogue and real inclusivity in the movement towards equal rights for women. SLA interviewed Philomena during her recent visit to Nigeria to celebrate with the women who are graduating this year’s program and have achieved access to life-changing skills to move from crisis and poverty to stability and economic self-sufficiency. [bctt tweet=”To pursue modeling, be yourself! – @PhilomenaKwao” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You bagged a degree in Economics, and a Masters’ degree in International Health Management, how did you make the career switch to fashion and style? My original career choice was very different and my journey into modeling began by chance as I had planned out a career in health management and policy after completing my masters degree. A friend of mine entered my details online into a modeling competition in which Evans and Cosmopolitan in conjunction with Models1 were looking for a new plus-size model to front their shape campaign and to also become the Face of Style 369. I eventually won the competition and hence my career began. I was going to take a career break anyway after my masters as I had continued through school and work with no break. So when the opportunity came for me to move to NYC a new adventure made perfect sense. I could make money and travel which were two of the things I wanted to do most at the time. It was a huge blessing. I originally set out to try modeling out for a year. One year turned into seven and here I am today. It’s been an incredible journey so far. I am now signed to JAG Models and I am living and working in NYC. Tell us about how you got your modeling debut When I first got to NYC I didn’t work at all. It was hard! My look was new. I was everything you weren’t supposed to be rolled into one. Dark skin, plus and a shaved head. What would brands do with me? It took a while for me to find my place in the industry but when a few brands like Lane Bryant, Landsend and Torrid took the plunge to try something new and widen the definition of beautiful my career really took off. [bctt tweet=”My beauty is common in Africa but in the West its what defines me and sets me apart – @PhilomenaKwao” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] As an African plus-sized model, what was your biggest challenge breaking into the fashion industry, and how did you overcome them? For so long, in the West, the standard of African Beauty was (and arguably is) very very narrow. Extremely tall, extremely thin and extremely dark. Most of the African models hailed from East Africa and the west fetishized their beauty as exotic and a true representation of The African woman. There are many problems with this. Africa is a vast continent with hundreds of thousands of ethnicities each with their own beauty. To homogenize the African woman is limiting and dangerous. My beauty is common in Africa but in the West its what defines me and sets me apart. When I first started I was different from anything that existed in mainstream fashion. I had a shaved head, my features are more commercial and I am a plus sized woman. It was very hard for people to get their head around it. Typically plus-size models are white and hourglass, and when they are black they are of a fair complexion with an acceptable hair texture. If they were slightly darker they had a long weave. The typical American girl next door look. African models were typically slim tall and dark. And yet here I was a mixture of everything; too ‘exotic’ for commercial modeling, too big for mainstream high fashion modeling. My biggest challenge was getting people to understand that black beauty exists in an infinite number of forms. This wasn’t easy, a big push for my career was definitely when Lupita was recognized as a world-class beauty because then I became the plus size Lupita. [bctt tweet=”My biggest challenge in the industry was getting people to understand that black beauty exists in an infinite number of forms – @PhilomenaKwao” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What prompted you to get involved in the movement towards equal rights for women around the world? As a woman, it’s hard to exist and live in this world without being affected by what’s happening to women around you. I was born in London, in the UK to a mother who immigrated from Ghana. I will never forget my first visit back home to Ghana. The disparity between my cousins and I simply because of where we were born was staggering. Even at such a young age it just felt so unfair and I was determined to make a change in any way possible. How did you become a Global Ambassador for Women For Women International Charity? Modeling is fun. It’s been an incredible blessing in my life, and I’m so grateful for every opportunity that I’ve been given but it isn’t enough. It isn’t enough for me. I’m still very much interested in my first love and passion, the advancement of women around the world. Whether through health, economic empowerment or social empowerment, women around the world need advancement. For too long we have been globally oppressed. The time for change is now and everyone can create change, firstly within themselves and then in their wider community. Social media has become such a powerful tool for this. One of the
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.
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
Dear Woman, It’s time to dance like no one is watching
The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has recently concluded a three-nation African tour. Setting Brexit issues aside for a moment, in both South Africa and Kenya she joined some youngsters in dance routines and well her dance moves, or rather lack of them, set the Internet ablaze. A television host in the UK compared her dance moves when in Kenya to picking fruit from a tree. An ABC news article also compared her efforts to one trying to reach for groceries from a high shelf. As Africans, we have been bestowed with the gift of rhythm and dance is one of our things. We can all agree that Ms. May is not gifted in that particular aspect. While I can pull a few moves myself, I absolutely love and agree with Robert Davidson’s tweet on Ms. May’s moves: “Good luck to her. Throw yourself at it knowing you’ll make a bit of a prune of yourself in front of the world’s media or sit on sidelines looking aloof. I say right decision @theresa_may – who cares what the haters say, strut your funky stuff”. How true this is! Tell me, how often do we find ourselves sitting by the sidelines because we fear what people will say or think? How often do we wait for the perfect opportunity to come our way before we take the plunge? Do we first seek validation from our friends and family before we garner the confidence to step out? In the words of H. Jackson Brown Junior, “Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor”. If you are on the sidelines, watching, criticizing, doing nothing about your circumstances, then nothing in your life is going to change for the better. [bctt tweet=”Do not wait to be asked, ask for what you want” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] A Harvard Business Review article by Andromachi Athanasopolou, Amanda Moss Cowan, Michael Smets, and Timothy Morris on the outcome of a study of the leadership journey of twelve female Chief Executive Officers resonated with me a lot. It indicated the fact that as women and particularly with regard to leadership, we tend to play on the sidelines. The study had five recommendations that women who want to scale the leadership ladder ought to take, and one in specific reverberated with me. It is as simple as this, do not wait to be asked, ask for what you want. The words below from a male Chief Executive Officer who took part in a larger study on the same topic of leadership brought it all together for me. “I was actually talking with a young woman who was asking me something about an opportunity, I mean I had never met her before….we were chatting about career advice and she said, you know, I’m just not sure I have all the skills they’re looking for, I don’t know if I should , you know, go for that or not. And I said, you know that’s the last thing in the world you should be worried about, don’t take yourself out of something before you’re even in it.” When I read this, I was so saddened for the young lady in the story but upon further reflection, I realized that this is the story of my life and the lives of many other women across the world. How sad! As women, we seek perfection before taking the plunge. But common sense should tell us that circumstances will never be completely perfect. It is okay to make a complete fool of yourself as you try out your new venture. Whether it works out or not, you will have learned how to do it better the next time. It is okay to voice your opinion in that meeting, even if it’s contradictory and not so well put together. It may just be the solution that will move your company forward. But if you keep quiet and tell your colleagues later that you had an idea that could improve things, you are not helping anyone. [bctt tweet=”It is okay to make a complete fool of yourself as you try out your new venture.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] We have to get tired of wishing we were better, more courageous and that we could take more risks. Let us stop wishing and start doing! Really, what is the worst thing that could happen, if we dared more, if we risked more or if we tried more! Despite the whole world poking fun at her, Ms. May remains the second most powerful woman in the world and from her response to all the jokes about her dancing, she is perfectly aware she cannot dance. She shook off the criticism saying “I think the chances of Strictly Come Dancing (the UK version of Dancing With the Stars) coming calling are pretty minimal”. Our new mantra ought to be “Try Everything”. That is where the magic is, that is where the magic happens. In the discomfort of not knowing how things will turn out but with the exhilaration that we are slowly becoming the best version of ourselves. Transcend to your next platform, queen. Dance like no one is watching! Interested in contributing for She Leads Africa? Click here.
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
7 lessons you can learn from Issa Rae and her InSecure journey
Issa Rae is an American writer, actor, and producer of the famous NBO series Insecure. She started out creating videos on YouTube when she got tired of seeing the same type of movies about black people. Issa Rae has been nominated for the golden globe award, her series has won the shorty award for the best web series. She also heads a media company called Issa Rae presents. If you haven’t watched any episode of InSecure you`ve just found yourself a new best friend. It’s like the dope movie for every girl seeking for some kind of succor after a hard week of work! It’s so relatable and funny. The story is centered around Issa, a black woman trying to keep it cool with her job in a non-profit, her relationship and her social life. I came across her show IssaRae presents on a lazy day when I was scrolling through my YouTube feed, and I was stuck. IssaRaePresents does not come up short. Trust me, they never disappoint. And oh, we’ve been waiting for the third series of Insecure like… And as usual, we won’t be disappointed. Now back to the main point. The backstage of creating media content is filled with people who never make it to the big screen. Writers, producers, camera, videographers, directors, editors etc. A lot of work goes into creating what you finally see on your screen. The backstage of the movie industry is dominated by males especially in production and directing. How did a black young woman break that glass ceiling to be her own boss? Let’s look at these lessons from her. On Starting Out: “I love creating content and YouTube was super accessible. I started my first show in senior year of college in Stanford and I kept growing that audience”. On Being Consistent: “I had two web series before the misadventures of the Awkward Black Girl. Those series did not gain instant fame but I was consistent throughout releasing those videos by 10 am every Monday and promoting constantly” [bctt tweet=”Stop finding the ways that you can’t and start finding the ways that you can – @IssaRae” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] On Working Hard “People constantly make excuses on why they can’t follow their dreams. Stop finding the ways that you can’t and start finding the ways that you can. Think about what you have now, friends, a camera, a room, whatever you have. Figure out a way to use what you have to make it work.” On Teamwork “I tend to have strong opinions about the characters in my shows because I feel I know them personally. Also, I try to loosen the rein and allow debates to go on. I love collaborating because there are people with a lot of great ideas I love hearing out. Resisting the urge to outrightly say no has been one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned” On Creativity “Life inspires me. I love little moments. I just like real life. Everybody has different areas of discomfort and seeing how certain things concerns people that won’t even matter to others intrigues me. I try to understand what makes people think that way and learn from them” On Overcoming Challenges “There are definitely challenges. At one end I want to take as many opportunities as I can, on the other hand, I do not want to disappoint myself and other people by not meeting up with deadlines. Trying to find that work/life balance for the past few years has been challenging” For Entrepreneurs in Film/Media “Know your goal. Make sure agencies & companies approaching you are aware of the vision you are working with. Be sure to have a good team. Utilizing the people around me was the best thing that happened to me. The team members that I have now started from the ground up with me, that organic growth is part of the reason this show has been a success.” Issa Rae has always kept it 100% real, affirming the fact that her show. InSecure, is a typification of her life as a young black woman trying to make it in a community that seems to tell her what to do. She has talked openly about her challenges and fears, and what accepting people’s approval has been for her. Her mother at first did not even agree to watch the show. From all of these, I learned two important lessons: 1. People crave authenticity They’ll gravitate towards people who are real and original. If you step into a new place and you’re a sheep amongst a pack of wolves or the only black female in the room, as long as you have a voice and you keep to that voice, people will gravitate towards you. 2. Everything takes time Issa affirmed that the first video she did on YouTube was crap, but as years went by and she gathered a team, it got better. You can tell the difference between her past videos in IssaRaePresents on YouTube and now. Just like a tree grows, slowly building stronger and deeper foundation which in the end will be able to stand the test of to such is the journey of a business which grows organically. P.S – All quotes from Issa were gotten from various videos you can find in the link below; A conversation with Issa Rae – AT & T Shape Issa Rae on InSecure, Jerry Seinfeld and Success – Larry King Show You’re the only one stopping you – Evan Carmichael If you’d like to get featured on our Facebook page, click here to share your story with us.
5 ways to escape uncontrolled consumerism
We are human beings and living as such requires us to consume things, even those of us interested in living a minimalist life. A minimalist is someone who operates a moderate or conservative approach when it comes to material things. I am from a polygamous home and boy do we own a lot and still try to consume a lot but personally, I have worked hard to escape uncontrolled consumerism as it becomes excessive when it extends beyond what is really needed. [bctt tweet=”Learn how to live a minimalist lifestyle by escaping uncontrolled consumerism with these 5 steps” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] We tend to mix up our wants and needs and forget or overlook how much space, time, strength and money we lose on things that are not paramount in our lives. Once we start consuming more than what’s needed, the boundaries set are removed, instantly. Our desires get reshaped and it happens so fast, we get used to consuming easily. A lot of people get overly trendy overnight, getting things that tickle our fancy, wanting to show up ‘right’ and live up ‘right’ and be in debt or be materialistically possessive. Now don’t get me wrong. There’s absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to be trendy and leveling up, living up to standard, but are we going about it the right way? Because going about it the excessive way consumes our limited resources. It’s about time we escape that cycle and embrace the minimal. Minimalism in this regard is living simply and subtly and the mantra is “less is more”. Living with the utmost intentionality and not deprivation, as the misconception people tend to have. Living a minimalist life seeks only to buy and keep the essentials, remove the frivolous items and keep the significant ones and in doing so, values intentional endeavors. Here are 5 practical benefits of escaping uncontrolled consumerism: Reduce debts This had to come first as our finances are very important. Being in any kind of debt isn’t fun and that causes a load of stress in our lives. It takes a toll on our health and mentally, we’re just not up for any vibe, whatsoever. But what if you could reduce your debts? What if plans to pay back your debts turn up positive? What if you could put your feet down and say no to debts? Your life would be stress-free. Resist the desire to live beyond your means The internet is double-faced. Its good and can be not so good at times. As a woman, I see my mates riding a 2018 Mercedes Benz GLA, in a fancy color, say hot red and I start comparing myself to that and then start calculating the amount I’ve got in my bank account or try to save up for it so I can post it up too and live a digital age life. The car is mouthwatering, yes. But that only invites lifestyle envy into our lives and the internet promoting the lifestyle of the rich as superior or enviable. This is where the intentionality of living a minimalist life comes to play. Only with an intentional rejection can one silence this constant yelling of uncontrolled consumerism. Have more contentment Many people believe if they reach a level of contentment, their desire for excessive consumption will diminish. But the truth is the intentional rejection of excessive consumption paves way for contentment in our lives. Pursuing minimalism realigns our lives around our greatest passions and results in a far better contentment with life than before. Remember what matters to you in the world Have we been too busy seeking happiness in the wrong places? Have we valued worldly things over family, relationships, religion? It’s time to realize what means important to us and make a priority list because true life and true happiness is found in the invisible things of life. Resist the need to keep up with evolving trends Change is a constant thing and as regards fashion and lifestyle, trends evolve. We are in the modern world and we can’t keep wearing style from the 90’s but that doesn’t mean we need to always change our wardrobe as trends come up. That’s our ‘want’ knocking our ‘need’ over. As a wise man once said, “Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but religiously follows the new”. The wisdom imbibed in this sentence strikes me as it relates and applies to fashion, decoration, lifestyle or design. Why don’t we remove ourselves from the pursuit altogether? Escaping uncontrolled consumerism isn’t as easy as ABC, it isn’t a walk in the park so is minimalism. But once you make up your mind and find that ‘intentional’ drive, you can do it. If you’d like to get featured on our Facebook page, click here to share your startup story with us.
Your blackness is enough on “Jesus and Jollof”: Podcast by Yvonne Orji and Luvvie Ajayi
The levels of hilarity from the Jesus and Jollof will have you spitting out your coffee and drenching your OOTD. By listening to this podcast hosted by two proudly American- Nigerian women – Yvonne Orji and Luvvie Ajayi, you’re let in on the secrets from being highly degreed women to breaking it into Hollywood as top class comedians, they spill the tea on glowing up and stunting on haters to make the best out of your hustle. If you’re about badass captions on the gram and Twitter- you’ll have a whole decade of content with Jesus and Jollof. Facts, no printer. I was introduced to Jesus and Jollof by my sister, after her non-stop giggles got me curious, “What was so funny”, I Thought. She’d just started listening but seemed to really enjoy it so I gave it a try “Couldn’t be that funny”, boy was I wrong. Yvonne Orji and Luvvie Ajayi easily switching between their Nigerian and American accents, talking about how they connected to their encounters with smooth-talking Naija boys, I was hooked. I think it’s incredible that these two Goat queens are out here breaking bounds. In short, listen to the trailer of Jesus and Jollof here Growing up in a whitewashed society, it’s hard finding your voice when you’re forced to think and talk in a certain way and especially when you have African parents waiting on you to finish your masters and bring home a suitable husband. Luvvie Ajayi, otherwise known as the “Professional Troublemaker” has got a lot to say on a lot of topics, as seen on her Twitter and IG, she’s hilarious all around. Luvvie is an award-winning writer, speaker, digital strategist, activist, and comedian- Ajayi is nothing short of a game changer. She has another podcast called Rants and Randomness, where she talks about her most pressing rants, raves, and faves on pop culture and the world right now. I have been a fan of Luvvie Ajayi since her incredible Ted talk on “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable“. Yvonne Orji, 34, received her masters in Public Health but opted to be a comedic genius against her parent’s wishes. I would say she’s the spicy half of the podcast, she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Fairly new to the scene, this woman is here to break bounds. I listened to Yvonne’s Ted Talk where she talked about on her decision to remain a virgin until marriage. I was so inspired listening to her and kept looking for more. That’s where I found Insecure, where she stars as a headstrong lawyer. Luvvie joined forces with Yvonne Orji, to speak on the challenges of being immigrants, goal-oriented women with a heavy dose of comedy on their days starting up and living out loud, raising consciousness about real women and girls today. Jesus and Jollof is my top-pick for the podcast of the year. It might be a bit of an overstatement but I have never heard anything so raw, inviting and relatable as a young black millennial. It’s like having incredibly supportive besties as you rush through your day. Why Jesus and Jollof, they mentioned them to be “the two things they can’t do without”. I appreciate these amazing God-fearing women for giving me the courage to go for what I’m worth. We need more black voices sharing their stories, I think this podcast is a pop culture staple, If you don’t leave as inspired as I, I don’t know what else can do the trick. Catch Jesus and Jollof every Wednesdays on SimpleCast and do follow these queens on their social media @yvonneorji and @luvvie on Twitter. You won’t be disappointed. If you’d like to get featured on our Facebook page, click here to share your story with us.