Ethel Cofie: Share your knowledge, inspire others
[bctt tweet=” I have always loved the idea that technology can allow you to create – Ethel Cofie” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] When Ethel was 18 years old her father sent her to computer diploma class, so she would keep busy. There, one of the lecturers made a life-changing statement to Ethel, “the computer is dumb and the computer is only as smart as the one who writes its logic”. That simple line led to Ethel choosing to do a degree in computer science and then a master’s degree in Distributed System on scholarship in the UK (the only female in her specialization). Ethel made her first attempt at entrepreneurship with a software firm in her Ghana which failed. Because she was self-funded, Ethel lost her savings in the process. Not daunted, Ethel went back to full-time employment across Ghana, and Nigeria, Sierra Leone building innovative technology or managing teams that build innovative tech. She eventually found her way back into entrepreneurship and is now an award-winning entrepreneur. Her software company EDEL Technology Consulting won the IT Consulting Firm of the Year, as adjudged by the Ghana Telecom and IT Industry. In the last few years, Ethel Cofie has gone from being named one of the top 5 women influencing technology by the Mail and Guardian (South Africa) to winning the Most Influential African Woman in Business and Government: ICT Category by CEO Global. How did you get the idea/concept of EDEL Technology? As I sat through my first programming class, I thought, the computer is only as smart as the one who writes its logic, and I’m smart so why can’t I? I had just signed up to my first computer training class after my secondary education. It was all new and exciting for me –learning about computers. This first lesson revolutionalised my life and the way I felt about computers. It’s one of those aha! moments of my life. After 6 months of the computer training course, I decided that a career in computing was what I wanted; I, therefore, applied to Valley View University to pursue a BSc course in Computer science. I have always loved the idea that technology can allow you to create and make drastic changes in industries in technology. So I knew I was always going to become an entrepreneur. In my mind, I was going to build an organization around technology. I chose to focus on building an IT Strategy and Consulting company so I can strategically work with companies to build new revenue streams and make them more efficient. What has been your biggest hurdle so far? In business, there are challenges– times you feel like giving up. Times you feel you made a mistake. Like all entrepreneurs, the biggest challenge is the self-doubt, and also the negativity from people you think should support you. The story is no different from mine. Leaving a lucrative corporate job to start my own business was a challenge. [bctt tweet=”After failing the first time round, Ethel Cofie went on to be an award-winning enrepreneur” via=”no”] Has there ever been a time when you thought of giving up? What kept you going? I left my lucrative job and very comfortable life in London and returned to Ghana with the intention of starting a Software Business of my own (EDEL Technology Consulting). I told nobody about it. Not even my parents, because considering that they were the typical African parents, I knew they would object. They only got to know of my intentions after I had shipped all my belongings and arrived in Ghana. Everybody thought I was insane. And guess what, I failed completely at my first attempt. A lot of my working life was spent in the United Kingdom, where people understood technology. However, I painfully came to understand what it meant to build technology in Ghana, where at the time most people did not understand what it meant. You can just imagine what my parents and people said at the time. The blow was overwhelming because I had spent all my savings on this new adventure. But I didn’t let this deter my vision. I plodded on, mastered courage and took on a few jobs, did a lot of projects and started EDEL Technology consulting version 2 and I am glad to report that the second version has grown to the point where we have clients not only in Ghana but in the United Kingdom. What is your favourite thing about the tech industry? I love the ability to create and change industries and change how businesses use technology to solve business challenges. This is why I love technology –we can change how the world works. [bctt tweet=”Ethel Cofie: This is why I love technology –we can change how the world works.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] As one of the top 5 women influencing IT in Africa, to what do you attribute your success? I’m always learning and sharing. I’ve found that nothing is more rewarding than learning new things, and this has always been my mantra. You cannot over-learn. Another thing is also to share. Share your knowledge, inspire others, hence my fixation with getting more girls into tech. I also believe that to be successful, one must maximize their opportunities and believe in the purpose for which was born. Which season is the toughest for your job? How do you overcome this? We work with businesses so our seasons are based on general economic trends. We provide solutions to businesses so when business is booming, our services are also in high demand. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Omowunmi Kolawole: Social media is my only marketing channel
[bctt tweet=”I make more sales via Twitter than other social media networks- Omowunmi Kolawole” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Omowunmi Kolawole is a 26-year-old graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos. In September 2016, she founded Shoepify, a shoe brand targeted at women who are all about winning in the financial world while looking amazing and saving money at the same time. The brand is dedicated to the smart spenders who can totally “slay” without breaking the bank. Apart from selling shoes, Omowunmi is a trained fashion designer who is on her way to launching the next best brand in the Nigeria’s fashion industry. Why did you choose to sell shoes? Two major factors triggered this. The first is my target audience. I target people with big feet; these are people who find it difficult to get their shoe sizes. This is a major challenge because I can personally relate. Most of the sizes we stock are 39 upwards. Although we are looking to stock more of 37, 38 and 43 as we have had increasing demands for them. The second factor was based on a research I did. I found out there was a gap in the online shoe business. Vendors often cater more to high-end customers. People weren’t really selling shoes below N12,000 (~$37) so it was an opportunity for me as there was a market suffering. We don’t stock shoes above N10,000 for now. Is social media your only channel of marketing? Yes, it definitely is. Apart from the word-of-mouth marketing, I do at various gatherings, I channel all other marketing into social media. What are your primary social media channels and how long have you been using them? Twitter and Instagram. We started using them September 2016 but went full scale in March 2017. What social media platform do you consider more productive in terms of audience and sales? Sometimes it shifts, but I have definitely made more sales on Twitter. I personally use the platform a lot, so I have been able to capitalize on my personal profile. Customers are also more engaging via Twitter. Retweets go a long way in helping the business as it can land on thousands of people’s timelines. Twitter has definitely been more productive. [bctt tweet=”People find it hard to trust brands on social media- Omowunmi Kolawole” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What are some of the challenges you have faced while using social media? With social media, you have to be constantly online to engage potential buyers. You need to keep them engaged and the platforms are quite different. What works for Twitter may not work for Instagram thereby, making you create double content around the same picture/post to get reactions. Another challenge is trust. I found out there are a lot of illegitimate businesses running online especially on Instagram so people find it hard to trust brands. Clients are skeptical about paying their money to someone they don’t know or not getting the exact item they paid for as shown in pictures. So we have to go the extra mile to convince them. How has social media affected your general sales? About 90% of the sales have come from social media so I can say that even though there are challenges, we are pushing through and it is definitely getting better. People are beginning to trust the brand more. [bctt tweet=”Do a research before using social media for marketing- Omowunmi Kolawole” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Which one-sentence advice would you give to someone interested in using social media as their marketing force? Do your research, know what your target market wants and give them. f you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Sharon Kadangwe: No competition without innovation
[bctt tweet=”You won’t find anyone else who will be as honest with you as you are with yourself” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Model….. what comes to mind is the svelte size zero figures, catwalks, high fashion and of course the G_L_A_M_O_U_R! And usually when we talk about Runway Fests, its all about the gorgeous models working the runway and less of the amazing superstars behind these events. With that said we decided to challenge the norm and spotlight a poet, writer, model and entrepreneur from Blantyre, Malawi who goes by the name Sharon Kadangwe. Sharon has a degree in Counselling Psychology but is also passionate about fashion, arts and empowering girls. She has been modelling professionally since 2012 and has appeared in fashion shows in Blantyre and Lilongwe. Sharon has also appeared in several themed photoshoots and adverts for Airtel and Nedbank. Her interest in the fashion industry grew beyond modelling over time as she became one of the founders of the Winter Ankara Fashion Expo (WAFE) an annual street fashion show which occurs in Blantyre and started in 2015. Is it possible for a teen starting her modelling career to just breakthrough without undergoing a training of some sort? It depends. In other circumstances some of the best models have just been scouted in the street. Scouted means they are seen by someone who works in the fashion industry and then from there their careers start, they then train as they work. Most international models start their careers like that, locally we have Jack Thunde who was scouted in South Africa. You then have another group of models who make it because they are hard-working and passionate and they get training. In our industry, it’s not everyday that someone is scouted so you would have to train and practice if you want to find jobs as a model. What makes WAFE different from other festivals? Everything about WAFE is unique. The name is unique, where it occurs is unique and how we do it is unique. We are the first fashion show in the history of Malawi to be held on the street. The Winter Ankara Fashion Expo (WAFE) is an event that we created after we realized that most fashion shows in Malawi were centered around the capital city and the summer season. We hold it at the end of July, which is the end of the cold/winter season in Malawi and we have it on Victoria Avenue. The reason why we chose that particular street is because of its history and the significance it has in the present day. We also wanted to have an event created by Blantyre, for Blantyre that anyone could enjoy. Which is the most important, strong headliners or strong supporting acts? Great question. Being someone who’s been on both sides (attending and planning an event) I would say headliners are important but supporting acts can also make or break the headliner. The tricky part is in finding both strong headliners and strong supporting acts at one event. The aim of WAFE is also to promote youth entrepreneurship within the fashion industry. Is it going according to how you envisioned it? Yes. It has. Response from the event so far has been positive not only from the attendees but the designers. We have been able to provide a platform for different types of designers, especially upcoming ones. Models we have auditioned and trained have gone on to parade in different shows and campaigns all over Malawi. That’s what we wanted to do; give people a platform to people so that they grow and develop with the skills they learn and empower others to do the same and that chain keeps going until the industry expands and grows and I believe with time that will happen. [bctt tweet=”You can’t have competition without innovation – Sharon Kadangwe” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How competitive is the industry? It’s competitive, challenging and slowly responds to change. I believe most of the competitiveness comes from selfish ambition and greed. If we had a lot more people willing to collaborate with others to grow the industry things would move at a faster pace. But at the same time you can’t really call it competitive when people don’t come up with their own creative ideas they just copy what others do. You can’t have competition without innovation. You’ve had much experience with festivals now. What seems to get easier with time? Hahaha, I wouldn’t say 2 years is a lot of experience but I have definitely learnt a lot about myself, what I can do, how people think, how to work with others and how to talk to people from all walks of life. The only thing that becomes easier is seeing where you made mistakes and being willing and able to fix them. We have had a lot of disappointments and setbacks over the past 2 years and being able to pick yourself from that and forging ahead is also something that comes with time. What doesn’t get easier is the same thing; experiencing a setback, making a mistake and getting disappointed. It goes both ways. Managing events is an unpredictable industry. You can plan everything to the last second but anything can happen. Nobody ever expects bad things to happen, but they do. What matters is how you deal with them Can you share with us your greatest work related accomplishment I have a few accomplishments that I’m proud of but at the top of my list would have to be featured on africa.com, I was given an opportunity to talk about WAFE and all the things I do. I also performed poetry and gave a talk to female students at the S.H.E empowered retreat for girls last year. It was amazing to have such an opportunity, when I was in school I hoped for such events to happen and so I’m really glad I was able to share my story and my art to other young ladies. Fun question! Do you ever talk to yourself? When and
Ginika Okafor: I wanted to create colourful products that are uplifting in every way
[bctt tweet=”Being an entrepreneur is no child’s play in Lagos – Ginika Okafor, founder Yili Footwear ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Ginika Okafor is a lawyer, art lover and a Motherland Mogul showing that young Nigerians can wear #MadeinNigeria with pride. In between trying new foods, visiting new countries and experiencing their culture, Ginika designs and creates footwear. Her brand Yili is fun, colourful and Nigerian-made. Ginika is secretly an adrenalin junkie, so you may catch her either bungee jumping or sky diving (but just make sure her dad doesn’t read this). Here she shares with us the challenges of sourcing local materials in Nigeria and sums up what it means to be an entrepreneur in Lagos in three words. Why did you decide to start Yili? I love colours. I like to be surrounded by bursts of colours and as a result I infuse a lot of colours in my everyday outfits and surroundings. With this in mind, I started Yili because I wanted Nigerian-made and sourced footwear, which infuses bursts of colours in its aesthetics. Furthermore, I notice colours have positive effects on moods and I wanted to create colourful products that are uplifting in every way. This is why you find most of Yili slippers are combinations of different bright colours. Also, there is an option for customers to choose the particular materials and colours that will go with our existing designs. This makes each footwear more personal, unique and more meaningful to each customer. How have you (or do you) overcome challenges that your business faces? One of the many obstacles I faced so far is the sourcing for materials locally. We get our leather from the local markets, and what is available this week may be sold out the next. I overcome this struggle by widening my local contacts. This means I travel across Nigeria in search of good local manufacturers selling quality materials. This also affords me the opportunity to see different parts of country and to better understand the culture and everyday living experience of many Nigerians. Also, due to the exchange rate crisis, the prices of a lot of our raw materials have increased in price thereby forcing us to increase our prices. In this forex instance, I can’t really do much but hope the price of forex comes down. All in all, I have learnt to continue to push through in spite of various obstacles. #andyetshepersisted. [bctt tweet=”Sourcing for local materials have taken Ginika Okafor to very interesting parts of Nigeria ” via=”no”] Can you share the process of sourcing for materials as a 100% made in Nigeria brand? Our products contain different materials from leather to adire to calico etc. What many people don’t know is different parts of the country specialise in different goods/material. Take ake adire for instance. The best adires are found in Abeokuta. So, when I’m buying my adire I don’t buy it Lagos; I travel to Abeokuta, speak with different families and vendors that have produced adire for decades. I learn from them on what is new, how they come up with new designs and so on. This applies to all the materials we use. Sourcing for local materials have taken me to very, very interesting parts of Nigeria and I hope to tell the different but amazing stories in a memoir one day. Where do you see Yili in the next two years? Expanding. This expansion includes opening a local manufacturing plant, having our own standalone stores in in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano as well as in three African countries. We would like to partner with various independent retailers to stock our products. However, we want to ensure that whichever store we stock in must understand the ethos and vision of the brand. Also, we want customers to be able to order Yilifootwear from our website and have it delivered anywhere in the world. What do you think is necessary to take Yili to the next level? We need funding. Expanding the business requires a lot of money we don’t have now even though we are open to investors. Also, we believe having a e-commerce website will not only give the brand the visibility it need but it will improve accessibility too. We are currently working on our website, once that is up and running anyone can order Yilifootwear and we be shipped worldwide, thereby expanding the brand presence globally. What’s your favourite Yili footwear design? The Max slippers because I named it after my eldest sister who has been a huge support and inspiration in my life. #loveyouMaks What three words describe being a young female entrepreneur in Lagos today? Being an entrepreneur is no child’s play in Lagos. It is a wilderness out here and every day is the survival of the fittest. That said, being an entrepreneur (especially a female entrepreneur) can be described thusly Perseverance Hardworking Hopeful If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Mwiche Siame: Influence and leadership is much more than having a “position”
[bctt tweet=”Mwiche Siame’s drive to work in health came from a place of having lost close family & friends to HIV” via=”no”] Mwiche Siame grew up in the small town of Kitwe, Zambia. As a Global Health Corps fellow, Mwiche worked at the Ministry of Health Zambia as a Senior Research Associate. She stayed at the Ministry of Health and is currently working as a Strategic Information Officer in the Ministry’s Department of Policy and Planning. Her work involves ensuring that health workers obtain training in data quality and use of data/health information for decision making. Previously, Mwiche completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology at the University of Zambia, becoming actively involved in the AB (abstain, be faithful) club, which focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention. In this club, she and other college students travelled to primary and secondary schools to give lectures and mentor students about the risks of HIV/AIDS. She worked for the Macha Research Trust, which is a nonprofit organization with the mission of improving healthcare through research. In 2011, she continued her education at the graduate level, obtaining a degree in epidemiology with her thesis research focusing on prevention and treatment of risk factors of malaria in pregnant women. Why did you decide to work in the health sector even though you didn’t study medicine or train to be a health professional? I studied biological sciences and could have worked in another sector but I strongly felt that I could still make a difference in global health. Initially, I worked in a lab for infectious diseases, focusing on malaria. After about five years, I decided to go back to school and study public health. When I went back to doing lab work I struggled to find my place. I decided to become a Global Health Corps fellow and then it became very clear that I needed to get back to my first love, which is working in HIV from a public health angle. In college you worked on HIV prevention. How did you mobilise other students to get involved and take action? I was a passionate student leader and an advocate of HIV prevention among my fellow college students and those in secondary. My drive to work in health came from a place of having lost close family and friends to HIV. I was able to share personal experiences with others on how HIV impacts young people and also on reproductive health, specifically among young women. And you were placed at the Ministry of Health in Lusaka as a Global Health Corps fellow. Did you expect to stay there beyond your fellowship year? Absolutely not! I had no idea what my next career would be three months before the fellowship ended. The opportunity was unforeseen but I was in the right place at the right time and I took it. What has surprised you about working for the Ministry of Health? I initially did not have a clear understanding of why the system was so bureaucratic, and now that I have worked there I know better and appreciate the need to have such a structured system. When people think of health, we often think of medicine and tools rather than data. Why does data collection and analysis matter for health outcomes? I often have to explain my relevance at the Ministry of Health as I am neither a doctor nor a nurse, especially to my grandmother! I work in the Department of Policy and Planning and work primarily on quality improvement of health services through data use. Data collection and analysis matters as it is the backbone for measuring performance and is the basis for decision making and policy formulation in health. Without data, there is no evidence! And without evidence, there is no strong justification to have interventions that improve health outcomes. People often think that leaders are the ones who are out on the front lines protesting and leading rallies but we know that’s only one type of leadership. What’s your own personal leadership style? My leadership approach is strategic and participative. It entails encouraging each member of the team to maximise their strengths and be active in making a change. I feel that influence and leadership is much more than having a “position” – it’s more about deliberate efforts to pool the knowledge and experience of all players. A multi-sectoral approach is critical. Can you tell us about a mentor who really impacted you? My grandmother! She did not have a college education, was married at 15 years old, and has had many health challenges, but she still remains a leader in her own right against all odds. She has taught me a lot about life and given me career advice based on following my heart, being true to myself, and challenging myself to do and be better. Her hard work and advocacy for women’s empowerment has been a great source of inspiration to me. What’s your favourite way to relax and renew your energy when the fight for health equity gets tough? I love music – singing and listening to music relaxes me. I am fortunate to have a strong support system of friends and family to talk to and hang out with, and this helps a lot. Also, I do take some time to meditate and pray too, and that keeps me grounded and present. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Ipinayo Ade-Akingboye: Know the difference between a business and a hobby
[bctt tweet=”I wouldn’t say self-taught but I didn’t have any formal training in photography – Ipinayo Ade-Akingboye” via=”no”] Ipinayo Ade-Akingboye likes to think of herself as a creative. The short #MotherlandMogul studied Architecture in the University of Lagos but is currently a wedding and portrait photographer based in Lagos, Nigeria. Ipinayo is often playing Candy Crush but finds time to run her photography hustle. She was a Finalist for the Etisalat photo competition in 2012 and was nominated for Eloy awards Female Photographer of the year. Ipinayo also participated in the Fayrouz L’original competition and her team came second. Was there a specific time when you realised that photography is a viable career choice? Hmm, all I can say for sure is that I really enjoyed every time I was shooting. It became something I didn’t mind doing for the rest of my life. I chose photography as a career choice when I concluded my NYSC. Although I had been shooting for about 3 years professionally, it never really was full time. If I had exams coming up or school obligations, I would not take jobs. But so far, I have been able to start photography full time this year and I am enjoying it. You’re also an architect, how do you combine your knowledge of architecture and photography, if ever? Well, architecture taught me discipline and how to solve problems. Before I start a session or organize one, I ask myself certain questions like; Who is it for, What is it for, What solution or experience is it meant to provide? That’s all from my architectural experience. Are you self-taught or do you have formal training in photography? Would you say one option is better than the other? I wouldn’t say self-taught but I didn’t have any formal training in photography. I have these amazing friends who used to let me follow them about while they were shooting. They helped me a lot when I had questions. How long did you have to learn and perfect your craft before you could earn a living through your photography? I can’t really put a time stamp to that cause we are always learning, I have not stopped learning. I think anyone at any stage can earn money through photography. It all depends on the kind of work you’d like to be known for, the quality you put out and the type of clients you want. How have you worked on differentiating your brand so it stands out? I believe when you are on a journey to find out who you really are, no matter what it is that you do, your work will speak for you. [bctt tweet=”When you’re on a journey to find out who you really are, your work will speak for you” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What’s your dream photography project? My dream project is to travel round Nigeria and shoot a particular subject that comes in different shapes and sizes but all places have them in common. What should a young African woman who’s interested in photography do to make her hustle successful? She has to know the difference between a business and a hobby. She should surround herself with people who don’t think her dreams are too big and most of all, she should stay true to who she really is. With creative people (and that includes many freelancers) the line between a business and hobby can sometime be blurry. Sometimes what started out as a hobby can transition into a business, so it’s very important to understand the rules. A key feature of a business is that it’s operated for profit. You often engage in a hobby for sport or recreation, not to make a profit. To demonstrate a profit motive for your business, first of all make sure that you keep excellent records. It may help your case if you can keep track of some of the following information: The amount of time you put into the business The percentage of your total income that comes from the business The reason for any losses Changes and improvements you’ve made to the business Evidence of your own knowledge in the field A record of any past business successes including any profits made in earlier years The current and anticipated future value of any business assets. Both need to be differentiated because they help you know exactly what you want and where you are headed. There is nothing wrong with making photography a hobby, I mean thats how I started. When I decided I wanted to make a living off it, it became a business for me. [bctt tweet=”It’s important that your client is comfortable around you, it allows you bring out the best” via=”no”] What’s a typical day like for you? I personally try as much as possible to meet my clients before the day of shooting so there is a certain level of comfort already. However, this doesn’t happen all the time. Other times, I try to chat them up when they are getting their make up done and all. It is very important that your client is comfortable around you, it allows you bring out the best in their portraits. Photography is not a cheap hobby, what can a budding photographer do to save money with regards to equipment etc? Get a day job? Lol! I have so many colleagues that have/had day jobs so they could save up to get necessary equipments for them to start on their own. A professional camera costs between N850-N1.5m now, body only. Also, not everyone would get the well paying clients immediately but you have to keep up. You have to be at alert so when its your turn, you are ready with no excuses. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Sylvia Nwoko: Running a social media business has not been easy
[bctt tweet=”With good internet connection, a social media business is less work and more fun- Sylvia Nwoko” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Sylvia Nwoko is a 22-year-old graduate of Foreign Languages from the University of Benin, Nigeria. She established Thatpurpledotcouture, a unisex clothing brand in Nigeria as a fashion blog in October 2015. After a year, she developed interest in turning it into a business and ventured into fashion services such as fashion designing, retailing Ankara fabrics, fashion accessories and other ready-to wear fashion items. At the beginning, Sylvia was her own model, alongside a couple of her friends. Asides doing this, she has interests in singing, travelling and reading good books. How have you managed to successfully run a social media business? Running a social media business has not been easy. However, with good internet connection, good publicity and my love for social media platforms such as Instagram, it has been less work and more fun for me. I have a deep passion interacting and starting conversations with different people. I also have a good edge at convincing people. What are some of the challenges you have faced while using social media for promotions? My major challenges are poor internet connection, high data costs, cost of running adverts and trying to get the attention of the public to follow my account and patronize me. What is that thing that gives you an assurance that you have successfully run a campaign online? The fact that I can post several pictures and my followers react to it in different ways is a good feeling. Even without posting a single picture in 2 days, I still get comments and orders coming through. [bctt tweet=”I use social media to promote my business everyday- Sylvia Nwoko” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How often do you make use of your social media channels? Every day, I must confess. I think I’m an addict. Which is your favorite social media channel for business and why? Instagram is my favorite social media channel because my page is not private. Anybody can scroll through see what we’ve got to offer and send us direct messages. I always get an instant notification via Instagram unlike other channels such as Snapchat where customers have to add me up first. [bctt tweet=”Social Media is ideal for every kind of business- Sylvia Nwoko” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Do you think social media is ideal for every kind of business? Give a reason for your response Yes, I think social media is ideal for every kind of business because we live in a virtual world where all most everybody believes what they see on the internet. I think it is the best thing that can happen to any business especially when you have a speedy growing fan base that trusts your services. What advice will you give to someone who is intending to start a social media business? Be prepared, social media business is very competitive and tasking. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Onyinye Okwuofu Okocha: Learn from the experience, make the necessary adjustment and try again
[bctt tweet=”…I fought for my future, fight back for your destiny – Onyinye Okwuofu Okocha” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Onyinye Okwuofu Okocha was a 26 years old lawyer (non-practicing )when she lost her husband to the Dana Air flight crash in 2012. Faced with the reality of having to fend for herself and her daughter Jessica, Onyinye had to take her destiny into her hands and make a success of herself against all odds. Onyinye enrolled in the Fate Foundation Aspiring Entrepreneur’s programme and also attended a catering school. She is now the creative director of Kairos Treats. Outside running her hustle, Onyinye is a member of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Neca Network of Women Entrepreneurs (NNEW), and International Cake Exploration Society (ICES). What gave you the courage to turn your hurdle into success at a time you were going through a very tough situation? With the death of my husband, I was faced with the reality of having to fend for my then 15-month old daughter and I. Though I had the sympathy of friends, family, and colleagues who rallied around to support me, I was aware that everyone also had their lives to live and responsibilities to shoulder. I, therefore, told myself that I couldn’t afford to be a burden to anyone. I wanted my dignity as a woman and mother intact. When one keeps going cap in hand to seek for assistance, it is only a matter of time before things go south. I had been trained by my parents to be independent and content, then to consistently reach for more and do better. I have a daughter who I want to be proud of me, I knew I had to fight back and succeed for her. Most of all my courage and confidence came from the promise I had in God. I made up my mind to show forth God’s goodness irrespective the circumstance. The fact speaks for itself. Before I started Kairos Treats I had tried other business which did not work out work out so well. I eventually attended an entrepreneurship course at Fate Foundation and also attended a catering school following a leading from God to so do and the rest is history. [bctt tweet=”You would succeed if only you try. If you do not try you have already failed” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What can you tell other women who are going through difficulties they think they can’t get past? How they can pick themselves up? To every woman out there who may be going through a hurdle, it seems like the bottom is caving in and you are sinking fast and you just can’t stay afloat. Whether you lost a spouse, child, job, your business is struggling whatever be the case; I say to you, innate in you is the capacity to not just go through it but to come out refined as gold. Precious jewels go through the fire before the beauty we see is brought forth. Know that you are more than the situation and will come through a success. I fought for my future, fight back for your destiny. God has got your back, do what it takes to get better, obtain knowledge, enter strategic relationships, walk out of unproductive or abusive relationship. Don’t just sit back and throw a pity party, get up and go. You would succeed if only you try. If you do not try you have already failed. If you try once and things do not seem to work, do not give up; learn from the experience, make the necessary adjustment and try again. I first began to import and sell shoes, which did not go so well. I then went back to my first love makeup artistry, but I had to give that up because of its mobile nature, my daughter needed me. [bctt tweet=”Precious jewels go through the fire before the beauty we see is brought forth” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How has it been running your business and taking care of your daughter as a single parent? Raising a daughter and running Kairos Treats has not been a piece of cake, but God’s grace has been sufficient. The early days was pretty tough, I didn’t have a help. I would attend to my daughter by myself, get her to school, do all the baking and decoration. I often had to work over night, effect deliveries, pick her up from school, attend to her again, think of ways to increase sales and clientele, find a way to pick our bills, grapple with personal and family issues…then there was a pending law suit plus all the drama dished out by the solicitors representing Dana air. Wth all that, I still had to manage to look good, put on a smile and carry on like all was well. God lovingly held my hand through it all and it all got better with time. Could you give us some insight of how you started Kairos Treats? How have you built the business so far to become its creative director? As I mentioned earlier, some months after my husband passed on, I began to import and sell shoes. That did not go so well, so I decided to go back to my first love, makeup artistry. The mobile nature of being a makeup artist made me have a rethink, I needed to be available for my daughter so I took time out to inquire from God what to do. I needed to make money and also have time to attend to my daughter. While I waited, I attended Aspiring Entrepreneurship program at Fate Foundation to obtain requisite entrepreneurial training. Towards the end of the programme, I got clear directions to attend a catering school. On graduating, I registered my company as Kairos’n’kosh with the help of a dear friend. We started really humbly, it was just me. I had just basic equipment and had to borrow some things initially. A major boost to our sales and clients came via a strategic partnership with DealDey.
The scramble to the top: 8 things overlooked in a fitness entrepreneur’s journey
[bctt tweet=”People have to see to believe that you are capable of transforming fitness goals into a physical reality” via=”no”] The hustle is real. Becoming a fitness entrepreneur may be one of the hardest career choices a person can make because of the required level of patience and discipline accorded to success in the fitness industry. People often overlook the journey of a fitness entrepreneur owing to the fact that they are not privy to the behind-the-scenes footage in their lives. Most fitness entrepreneurs start out juggling their passion with another job in order to fund their lifestyle, gain experience and get professional certification. Here are eight considerations that are often overlooked in a fitness entrepreneur’s journey to career growth and stability: 1. Food and supplement expenses A small fortune may be spent on food depending on fitness goals; weight loss, muscle gain or maintenance. Protein requirements vary per person depending on their body mass index and daily activity levels, so buying protein and multivitamins may be a major consideration. Sometimes eating a balanced diet may dig a hole in your pocket but the results are totally worth it. 2. Blood, sweat, and tears In order to stay relevant, you literally have to keep training. This could involve coming up with different challenges, hitting personal targets and diversifying your fitness regime to stay on top of your game. A serious fitness entrepreneur trains at least five times a week and rests on other days. 3. Getting that perfect shot It’s time to get into amateur modelling via social media. People have to see to believe that you are capable of transforming fitness goals into a physical reality. Sharing clear photos taken from a good camera is absolutely necessary to showcase your physique to a target audience of potential clients. Early in one’s journey, a good camera phone may suffice but if you choose to engage your clients and audience through workout videos and short inspirational clips then investing in a professional camera will be worthwhile. [bctt tweet=”Building an army of loyal clients may take some time but requires consistent effort” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 4. Client loyalty Building an army of loyal clients may take some time but requires a show of consistent efforts on your part. Following through with a plan and holding yourself accountable for every bit of information shared on social media will build trust in potential clients and reinforce working relationships with existing clients. Let’s face it, you have to lead by example; don’t expect your clients to be thrilled at their chicken salad dinner when you are actively sharing photos of Italian thin crust pepperoni pizza topped with extra cheese and a glass of South African wine. 5. Sponsorships Becoming a sponsored athlete or fitness professional may not only be for the ‘elite’. You just need to position yourself to attract brands through social media and official websites. The companies that approach fitness professionals may not be in the fitness industry as they may be looking for an unexpected beauty icon or someone to drive their sales traffic. Although it takes a while to get to this stage, doing what you love for photoshoots, working holidays and press briefings will give you a financial boost and expose you to greater opportunities. 6. Becoming a thought leader Want to become the next Lita Lewis? Growing in your area of fitness expertise will allow you develop ideologies on a certain type of fitness goal or exercise. Trying and testing what worked for you in your fitness journey will spark peoples’ interest and increase your following. This can be reinforced by testing your ideologies on yourself and a focus group to build credibility. [bctt tweet=”Maintaining relevance in the fitness industry can be likened to a product life cycle” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 7. Competitions Sports, physique or athletic competitions are great ways to advertise your personal brand, challenge your physical capabilities while escalating your career to a different level of professionalism. Placing in a competition usually attracts endorsements from supplement and fitness apparel brands which may be in the form of money or free products in exchange for regular promotion and modelling. 8. Guest appearances Making a name for yourself in the fitness industry requires you to actively network at fitness festivals and other related events. Popular fitness entrepreneurs may often have the chance to speak at health and wellness workshops or lead a corporate wellness event. These appearances will ensure that your face becomes familiar to fitness enthusiasts and people that are just beginning their journey. Maintaining relevance in the fitness industry can be likened to a product life cycle: a fitness entrepreneur will get to a stage that requires innovation to maintain steady growth. This phase is mentally and physically tasking but the benefits accrued are insurmountable. Apart from growing in discipline and perfecting your time management skills, you get to be in the best shape of your life while turning your passion into profit! This career path may not be suitable for introverts or socially awkward people unless they are willing to grow in their confidence and interpersonal skills. Are you ready to step outside your comfort zone and embark on this journey?
Kalaria Ejindu: From Africa to the world
[bctt tweet=”Africaneurs Inc provides startups with the platform to expand their network & grow their business” via=”no”] Kalaria Ejindu is a value oriented, driven entrepreneur with years of experience in leadership and skill building training. She is the founder of Africaneurs Inc, a platform for African entrepreneurs to build their skills, expand their network and grow their businesses. Through her engaging online contents and events, Kalaria hopes for Africaneurs to become the number one destination for African entrepreneurs. In this interview with SLA contributor Gracious, Kalaria talks to us about her growing business which aims to rid the degrading stories about Africa. What problems do Africaneurs aim to solve? Africaneurs provides African startups with the platform to build their skills, expand their network, get business tips and grow their business. We are an organization that motivates Africans to contribute to the development of a new Africa through our engaging online contents and events. Because most of the stories out there about Africans are disturbing, insulting and ridiculous, Africaneurs Blog is dedicated to sharing stories and achievements of Africans. We also have an online shop that leads the way to allow every African entrepreneur and designer to present and sell his/her products to a cross-cultural market where all the profit made will go back to funding start-ups, Africaneurs events and projects. How have you challenged yourself in the years since the start of your business? In the past year till date, I have challenged myself by creating time from my busy work and school schedule in other to equip myself. I attended business related conferences, seminars and events. I was at the Harvard Business conference, Columbia conference and many more skill building events. At these conferences, I learned new business skills and equipped myself for the work ahead of me. It is always good to learn from Moguls. What kind of support is necessary for startup entrepreneurs? For startups to be successful, they need support from family, friends, and the government. They need mentorship, funding, skill building and all the support they can get from the community at large. [bctt tweet=”A good team of investors can take an organization to the next level of success – Kalaria Ejindu” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What kind of investors do you need for your business and how do you tend to attract them? A good team of investors can take our organization to the next level of success. At this time, we need angel investors, personal investors, and event sponsors. At Africaneurs, we exude confidence in the value and impact of our programs in hopes that we can attract investors. How do you connect to your target startup and how easily do you reach out to African based start-up entrepreneurs from the diaspora? Through our engaging online content, we are able to connect with thousands of African-based startups. We have also partnered with some organizations such as the Xperience Media Online and Abiriba Exhibition Fair to host events in Nigeria. We are planning another pan-African event in Nigeria this year and will keep all our followers in the loop. [bctt tweet=” Our mission to for the world to see how beautiful, creative and great Africans are” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What support system and tools have helped you in the course of running Africaneurs? I consider myself very blessed with a community of supporters. Just to name a few, I have my family, my friends -the founders of Dashiki Pride and the founder of Kajai Media. They have been very supportive of me and my entrepreneurial journey. In terms of tools/resources that have helped me, I always fall back to books about entrepreneurship for example “The Power of Broke” by Draymond John and online contents from websites such as She Leads Africa. What global concepts have greatly influenced your business strategy? The concept “Africa to the world” has a great influence in my business strategy. At Africaneurs, we showcase the greatness embedded in Africa through our online contents, and Pan-African events. Our mission to for the world to see how beautiful, creative and great Africans are. [bctt tweet=”Follow your passion and surround yourself with positive and smart people” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Tell us your one business mantra. One mantra that helped my start my business and keep my business sailing is “Follow your passion and surround yourself with positive and smart people” If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.