Category: Uncategorized

Udoka Uju: I am the first woman in Nigeria to come out boldly as a creative Painter

by Awunli Eghosasere

Udoka Uju  the ‘first lady painter’ as she fondly calls herself, is specialized in creative wall designing (interior and exterior painting). She is  also the founder of the ‘Grab a brush, Color a Life’ Initiative,which targets poorly kept environments and beautifies them. She took a bold step in 2015 when she resigned from her banking career to pursue her passion as a painter.

... I am an influence to all other creative women out there... Click To Tweet

What does it feel like to be a lady painter in a male dominated vocation?

Knowing that I am the first woman in Nigeria to come out boldly as a creative Painter, with a totally different painting concept and solution, does feel good. The idea of it being a male dominated field is because we allowed it to be so in this part of the world. I am glad I am an influence to all other creative women out there, now a lot women are coming out as Painters, even those who only called themselves “Artists” are now adding Painter to their profile.

 

...my experience made me realize how some of us actually take people with blue-ollar jobs for granted. Click To Tweet

 

What gave you the push to walk away from your 9-5 job to
 pursue your passion? 

 

 

What motivated me to go pursue this business idea was the desire to find my own path in life, and to use it to inspire the lives around me. Up until late 2015, I had never thought of being a Painter. I had only always been fascinated with beautiful homes and spaces. I used to wonder what it took create beautiful spaces and I used to imagine myself creating spaces like that. So one day I just started calling myself The Lady Painter, and since then all I think of is how to create amazing spaces for people to live and work in.

 

How was your transition like from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur? What hurdles did you encounter?

My transition was a hard one, from paid employment to uncertainty. When I started off this business, my experience made me realize how some of us actually take people with blue-collar jobs for granted.

I used to have clients turn down signing an agreement with me, because they felt my job was not serious enough to have an agreement. I found myself spending even my profit on jobs I had concluded. To stop that from happening further, before I proceed on any job, my clients must sign my service request form, with my terms and conditions of service stated clearly, which saves me from being liable for defects on walls that I have no control over. This helps me do my job professionally.

 

Start by taking a first step which is understanding that your life is purposeful. Click To Tweet

 

Tell us about your initiatives and how they are impacting lives,

As part of my desire to give back to society and really inspire lives around me, I founded an NGO ‘Grab a brush, Color a Life’ Initiative. This initiative is all about beautifying a poorly kept school or location- in any local community with colours and patterns. 

The maiden project took place on October 1st, 2016 at Araromi Primary School Mushin, Lagos. What led to it was the desire to not only make money from my skills, but, to also touch lives positively using my painting. I believe that everyone deserves to live and learn in a beautiful environment and so my mission is to inspire people to live in their full potential- using colours and bold patterns. My next project is in Imo state, I choose my locations randomly.

 

Have you done jobs for male clients? Was their response positive or negative and how did you stand up to negative responses?

Yes I have done jobs for male clients and the response is always good, I have not received any negative response or feedback from male clients.

 

What message do you have for women who feel stuck in their jobs and would want to pursue their passion?Where do they start from?

I would give them the same advice I gave myself, which motivated me to be who I am right today, I curled it from a bible verse and gave it some twist. It says: whatever makes you happy, whatever gives you satisfaction, if it will make you a better person, if it will make your neighbor (in this case your customer) happy, and if it will earn you a decent income, then by all means go out there and do it! Start by taking a first step which is understanding that your life is purposeful.

 

How do you combine working as an entrepreneur and pursuing your other initiatives?

Thankfully, both my business and my initiative have the same offering – Painting, which makes it a little easy to manage. The only difference is that one brings in money and the other cost me money.

It’s quite a lot of work because both my initiative and job require me to travel to different states frequently. Also, I have a reliable team to handle my business when the initiative requires my attention. I can be reached on 08063275102 or email info@theladypainterng.com and my website is www.theladypainterng.com.

I am also available on the major social media platforms.

Twitter – @LadyPainterNG

Facebook – @TheLadyPainter

Instagram –  @theladypainterng

LinkedIn  – The Lady Painter

Are you  female painter or aspire to be one?

If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.

4 Productivity Tips for the Rest of the Year

by She Leads Africa

“Don’t be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.” -Charles Richards

It’s no news that we are now more than half way into the year 2017. For some , this is real good news but for others, it is a reminder of unmet goals. Whichever category you fall into, the good news is the year is not over yet and it is not too late to start working towards making 2017 the year you envisaged, and because it is my desire to see you make progress, I put together 4 productivity tips that can help you make that happen:

Value time

An object is treated based on the perception of its value; if you value time, you will make proper use of it. I don’t mean to sound like a motivational speaker but the reality is that the perception and use of time is what differentiates between high achievers and those on the other face of the coin.

The premium you place on time is the value that life gives back to you. If you do not value time, you cannot make good use of it. Understand its irreversible nature and ensure not to waste it. The number one time waster today is social media. Many of us spend our productive hours shuffling between social media sites to get wind of the latest gossips and trending hashtags.

The unfortunate thing however is that there is nothing that will change your life by staring at social media, even when it is past bedtime. It is advisable to take a break from social media every once in a while.

Have a plan

Everyone has grand dreams but not all of those grand dreams find a place in reality. This is because most of the time, there is no plan to back them up. If you have great dreams for yourself but you never get to see them in reality, the problem could be that you are being too vague with your dreams. So, If you really want to be one of the She’s Leading Africa in any area,  you need a plan. Have a plan! Prayerfully prepare your plan and know that plan like the back of your hand. Don’t have a plan yet? It’s not too late to create one.

Do something that brings you closer to your goals each day

‘Little drops of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and the pleasant sand.’

The nursery school rhyme above conveys a profound truth. Little consistent effort made everyday eventually become a great success story. If you are willing to start small and be consistent while you’re at it, it is only a matter of time before your success manifests. So, everyday for the rest of the year, do something that takes you closer to your goal.

 

Take a break when you need one

In the words of a respected mentor, “he that fails to rest will soon be laid to rest”. I know it is cool these days to brag about sleeping for less than three hours everyday, but apart from the health hazards that this may cause you, it also reduces your productivity levels. When you need rest, please do not hesitate to take one! After taking a break, your levels of productivity are heightened.

Extra Tip:
Be Prayerful!

Do you have any productivity tips that have worked for you?

 Let us know more about you and your story here.

From MIT to Harvard to McKinsey, Carolyne Njeri Gathinji Credits Her Success to God and to Going after her Goals with Undivided Attention

by Kerubo Wall

“God’s fingerprints are evident in the people He put on my path” says Carolyne Njeri Gathinji.

Carolyne is an MIT and Harvard graduate who currently works at McKinsey & Company. Njeri has excelled through life, whether it was at the Alliance High School in Kenya, a prestigious all-women boarding school, or at UBS after MIT. She is a consultant who loves traveling the world. Her best self-care tips? Same as Kerry Washington’s: getting her nails did. No wonder she is such a gladiator!

 

Who is Carolyne Njeri Gathinji and what gets you out of bed every day? Give us a brief tour of your life.

She is a simple, light hearted lady who is living a life she had never envisioned for herself. An optimist with a disproportionate share of joy, seeking positivity and positive energy. She is an extroverted introvert who enjoys bringing people together and forging connections. She is a Kenyan (from Nakuru) living in Boston and working as a management consultant.

Many people have been part of my journey. I could not get to where I am by walking alone. I am motivated by their belief in my strengths, their support along the way and the ability to inspire others. Secondly, my job gives me the opportunity to work with brilliant, ambitious and interesting people to solve clients’ problems. Getting to the solution becomes fun when surrounded by great teammates and clients.

I spend most of my time in Boston with one or two trips to Kenya every year to visit my family. I love traveling so I’ve also established a tradition for a week-long summer vacation trip. During the rest of the year when I am at work, Monday – Thursday are spent at the client site, working with them to solve the problem. Given most of my clients are not in Boston, I find myself away from home most of the week. I get back to Boston most weekends and spend the weekend relaxing and catching up with friends. I am also currently helping a local Boston business think about its growth strategy.

 

You are incredibly achieved – Alliance, MIT, UBS, Harvard, McKinsey- what’s your secret?

Is there really a secret? If someone has discovered one please share…

As I said earlier, it really has taken a village! I wish I could say all this was part of a master plan that I worked on, crossing one thing off the list after another. The only one of these institutions I really thought of for years was probably Alliance. I had that dream growing up, probably from the age of seven; given the caliber of strong women I knew who had attended the school.

MIT only became an option in 12th grade when my physics teacher prompted me to apply to American colleges, and about a year later, I was packing my bags and leaving my family at 18 and taking my first flight of the country to Cambridge.

 

Having said that, when I decided to go for any of the opportunities, I worked with undivided attention on the goals I had set and tried to leave no stone unturned.

In the moment, it was a lot of hard work and a matter of sacrifice, but if your eyes are on the prize, you barely feel it. In The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho talks about the fact that when you want something so bad, the universe conspires to make it happen. I believe this, but for me, it misses one crucial piece – the work you and the universe have to put in.

What I have found is that if you decide you will pursue something and put in the work, and make sure the relevant people in the universe are aware, they will work with you to make it come true. Of course, this presupposes that these relevant people are bought into your success and want to be helpful.

Although, I didn’t have the master plan, I believe someone did, and if I reflect on my entire journey, God’s fingerprints are evident in the people he put on my path, the strength and resources He provided and the favor upon my life. Steve Jobs said you can only connect the dots looking backwards, and even in my short life so far, I have had to trust that the dots will connect in the future and given my all to what is happening in the moment.

 

You travel a lot. What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?

Each place is different and I find that there are always unique experiences to enjoy and cultures to learn from. If forced to pick, I would say Thailand is at the top, because of the breadth of experiences it offers.

You studied Mathematics and Management Science in undergrad, do you apply what you learned in Math in consulting? Any advice for younger women looking to study in the field?

Even though I do not use most of the complex Math that I learned, logical and critical thinking skills gained are very applicable in consulting. Inherently, we are solving a client’s problem, which is what a Math major does daily. You need to break the problem into structured bit-sized pieces that lead to the final answer. You need to apply certain known theorems and assumptions along the way. That is what consulting is about. Additionally, we do a lot of quantitative analyses for which a love for manipulation of numbers fits well.

Advice: First, let no one tell you that you cannot pursue or do math…refer them to Hidden Figures! Secondly, think of how you want to use your Math degree. There are many ways you could directly use it; as a professor, statistician, actuary etc. However, there are many other professions that would value a math degree and you have to figure out if you need to pair the degree with another to pursue a career in that field.

I combined my Math degree with Management Science since I wanted to go into Finance. Once you decide to study Math, realize that some classes will be easier than others, seek professors’ help as needed and do not despair along the way.

I loved math, and it came naturally to me, until I went to MIT where everyone was a math whizz and things were moving too fast. I failed my first math exam at MIT and had to take a makeup test to at least get a C on that exam. I ended up getting an A- in that class but again, lots of hard work involved.

 

How do you thrive in a foreign land? What hurdles have you had to overcome?

It’s not easy, especially if you’re from most African countries with a strong sense of community. I have had to create my little pockets of community as I’ve gone through the different phases. Whether it was the African students clubs, advisers, co-workers, friends and families in the area, I had groups of people I could rely on.

I also got reconnected with my distant cousins in Virginia who I would visit for the main US holidays like Thanksgiving Day. As part of the Zawadi Africa Educational Fund, my fellow Zawadi sisters became my family away from home given we shared similar experiences.

Talking to family often was, and still is, my way of keeping in touch with what is happening back home. Technology has definitely made it better over the years.

Additionally, I had to deal with the reality of America, which Chimamanda Ngozi -Adichie so aptly describes in Americanah. The fact that race, a construct I had not thought much about growing up in Kenya, was one I needed to be conscious about. The fact that my hair would be difficult to take care of and be the subject of so many conversations.

 

Who is your role model and why? What books, or blogs keep you inspired?

I don’t have one single one. Generally, I find myself inspired by women who are pioneers, legends in their own right, who formed their own unique identities, having to withstand a lot of challenges to succeed. Wangari Maathai is one example.

I recently read a book on Sonia Sotomayor’s life (My Beloved World) and I am now reading Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s My Own Words, and I would include them in that list. In their own ways, these women are a big source of inspiration to young women and girls around the world. that they can go

Apart from biographies and autobiographies, I love good storytelling, and will get lost in anything that Chimamanda Ngozi Achidie and  Bikozulu (Kenyan blogger) write.

 

To go back home or stay in the U.S.? How do you keep engaged with Kenya/the continent?

I have thought about this a lot, especially recently, because on my maiden trip to the US, I had it in mind that I was going to stay for a maximum of ten years, which would be this August. At this point in my career, I think the breadth of experiences in the US offer the best learning opportunities for me.

However, I do believe the level of impact to be had on the continent outweighs what could do here, so I see myself making the jump at some point. How many years really? I’m not sure.

I visit Kenya at least once a year. When not in the country, I read a lot from local Kenyan newspapers and follow prominent Kenyans to understand the pulse of the country, I also ask about what’s happening on the ground whenever I talk to family and friends. Here in Boston, I also have a group of African friends who get together every so often and we discuss what is going on in the continent.

 

What’s your best self-care secret?

Physically, I would say mani-pedis do it for me. Sometimes you can even tell how I feel by looking at my nails.

But more importantly, I think it is what we feed our mind that really matters, especially today where most of what we are exposed to is negative.

Feed your mind and soul with what you want to grow. I personally watch comedy and have started a habit of writing at least two good things that happen every day. It could be different for every person, but still important to figure out what keeps your spirits up!

Do you aspire to become a management consultant?

If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.

Just Omomo Ibe: Rule as a Boss, Rock like a Mum, Slay as a Wife

by Gracious Ernest

Business strategist and work- life balance expert, Just Omomo Ibe, is helping women create a balance between their work and personal life, so they can chase their dreams and make money while at it. She also helps individuals identify the various opportunities in their business to make more profit.

Just Omomo Ibe has been in the banking sector for over seven years and is the founder of  The Just Ibe Network; thus living her dreams while been an employee. She is involved in speaking engagements, coaching calls, online courses and business consulting for SME’s.

Recently, she launched a Youtube show which focuses on motivation and strategies from experts in various fields, the channel is aimed at further helping her target market achieve success in their life and business.

 

It's an act of self sabotage to neglect your dreams because you have a job Click To Tweet

Tell us about The Just Ibe Network

The Just Ibe Network is a group of company that comprises our consulting firm, training and mentorship platform, it also includes an online training academy and media arm. At The Just Ibe Network we pride ourselves in delivering superior quality trainings, coaching and consulting for our esteemed clients both offline and online.

What market research did you carry out in the course of starting your business, and how did you go about it?

 

The first research was that of my competitors, I needed to find out what my competitors were offering and what gap they are not filling. This helped me make informed decisions as to how best to penetrate the market. A lot of businesses offer homogeneous products, therefore market research helps you understand how best to position your business in a way that not only meets the needs of your consumers but also positions your business as authentic.

Innovation keeps you in the business long after your competitors have gone Click To Tweet

What challenges have you faced so far in the setup of your business?

The greatest challenge I faced in setting up my business was creating time to actually execute my plans; creating and fine tuning strategies that would keep me relevant in the market place today and always. Innovation keeps you in business long after your competitors have gone, so you must constantly innovate.

What are your launch plans once your business registration is completed?

Honestly a business registration isn’t stopping any major launch of my business, as all facets of my businesses are in full gear at the moment. The registration  would just allow me operate a corporate account in the designated banks. So my take is it doesn’t matter if your business name is ready or not, keep adding value to your ideal clients and grow your business regardless.
It doesn't matter if your business name is ready or not; keep adding value to your ideal clients and growing your business Click To Tweet

What inspired the book ‘Rule as a Boss, Rock like a Mum and Slay as a Wife?

Rule as a Boss, Rock as a Mum, Slay as a Wife is a book dedicated to helping women create a work life- balance.
Last year I started my career in public speaking, leveraging on several online platforms and offline avenues, despite been a full time banker, wife and mum.
So people started asking me how I was doing all I was doing, so conveniently. I started documenting steps I have taken that helped me overcome my otherwise very tight schedule and results I achieved. This book is aimed at providing practical steps that can help women fully integrate all aspects of their lives, thus living a balanced and fulfilled life.

 What kind of investors and partnerships are necessary for your kind of business and what strategies are useful in achieving this?

Media investors are required for the talk show arm of my business, which is targeted at providing strategies that would help entrepreneurs succeed and grow in business. Corporate investors also play a major role, especially companies who have CSR projects, ours can successfully pass as a CSR project aimed at helping young and budding entrepreneurs.

Who is the one person from anywhere on the globe, you would love to interview and why?

 

The one person I would love to interview is President Barack Obama. He is the one person I look up to the most, because he is probably about the best public speaker that exists in this day and age.
If you can think it you can definitely birth it Click To Tweet

What quote resonates with your business and how does it inspire you?

We at The Just Ibe Network live by this mantra: if you can think it you can definitely birth it. So dear corporate ladies, your dreams are valid, they are your dreams for a reason, it’s an act of self sabotage to neglect your dreams because you have a job; the world needs you to live to the fullest.

Have you mastered the art of work-life balance?

Share your story, let us know more about you and your story here.

5 minutes with SheHive London 2017 speakers: brother and sister team Emeka & Ifeyinwa Frederick

by She Leads Africa

Chuku’s is the world’s first Nigerian tapas restaurant based in London, fusing authentic Nigerian flavours and the best of Nigeria’s West African culture with the world. Founded by sibling duo Emeka & Ifeyinwa Frederick.

On founding Chuku’s

The sibling duo’s idea to create a food company, offering a variety of small plates of Nigerian dishes, was born out of growing up in a Nigerian household, and having friends who loved their home meals. This lead them to explore Nigerian cuisine, by fusing traditional recipes with food from their travelling experiences, and their experiences of being part of the diaspora.

 

Running the operations at Chuku’s

Every day is different for this team, with something new to be learned and done each day. They note that creating a routine is one of their main goals in the short term. But, their weeks are broken up into:

  • Shopping days
  • Cooking preparation
  • Events and logistics
  • Administrative tasks
  • Strategizing
  • Marketing

This is one busy duo, as we can see!

Hear the Chuku's team speak at SheHive London 2017: https://sheleadsafrica.org/shehivelondon2017/ Click To Tweet

Long term goals…

Their long term plans include:

  1. Finding a permanent space to offer their food.
  2. Establishing a chain of mainstream Nigerian tapas lounges.
  3. To become a UK household brand name.

 

What trends keeping their eyes on…

  1. The evolution of technology in the food space and how it continues to evolve and disrupt the market.
  2. The rise of healthy meals and food, which their already onto, with their delicious tapa’s.

To learn more about the creative Nigerian foodie duo, get a ticket to our SheHive London event on the 24th of September.

5 minutes with SheHive London 2017 speaker: Minna Salami

by She Leads Africa

Minna Salami is a Nigerian-Finnish writer, blogger and commentator who has contributed to the popularisation of African feminism through her blog, MsAfropolitan. 

On woman empowerment:

At the risk of sounding too spiritual, or something, let me first say that I believe that if there is a purpose to life, then it is self-actualisation. Some might call this “becoming the highest version of yourself”.

 

Challenges facing professional women.

I would say, firstly, the absence of adequate constitutional rights. Secondly, the absence of a robust civil society fighting for adequate constitutional rights. The absence of both disturbs the smooth flow of a woman’s professional life.

 

Women feeling whole and complete.

We need to cultivate a culture where women feel the opposite of lack, namely a sense of wholeness. Women working in male dominant fields, as most women are, need to cultivate a sense of inner acceptance that they are enough just as they are, which will enable them to want the same for others.

Hear Minna speak at SheHive London 2017: https://sheleadsafrica.org/shehivelondon2017/ Click To Tweet

On Economic growth…

The question women should be asking is: How is the money they are contributing to the economy benefiting women? The system should work for us and not vice versa. Put it this way, gender equality is indeed necessary for economic growth, but economic growth is not the only reason we want gender equality.

 

African women and feminism.

It is in Africa that I have encountered women with the most dedication to the feminist revolution; women who do not pander to patriarchal narratives, and women who inject a deep humanism and criticism to the global feminist discussion.

To hear more from Mina Salami and her world changing creative pursuits, get a ticket to our SheHive London event on the 24th of September.

 

Jobs – SLAYbassador Intern

by Afua Osei
PR career

About the SLAYbassador Program

The SLAYbassador program is designed for devoted SLA followers who want to help spread the SLA vision and dream of a world dominated by Motherland Moguls. A SLAYbassador becomes an SLA voice when SLA can’t be there.

What SLAYbassadors do:

  1. Spread the word: Advertise and publicise SLA through conversation and interaction with our digital media.
  2. Act as a contact point between the SLA Team and our audience Give us feedback and new ideas.
  3. Connect with SLAYbassadors in their area and dominate their city

About the SLAYbassador Intern Role

The SLAYbassador Intern will take care of all things SLAYbassador! We need a team member who loves SLA, wants to share all of SLA’s inspiration and knowledge, grow our community and eventually help us take over the world!

Your job would be to take complete ownership of the SLAYbassador program, this includes marketing the program, managing all new SLAYbassadors, ensuring they are getting what we promised and helping with any problems that may come the SLAYbassador way.

Reporting Structure

The SLAYbassador Intern will report directly to the Head of Community through a check-in and check-out process.

Responsibilities

  • Ensuring that the SLAYbassador program runs smoothly and the numbers of SLAYbassadors continue to increase
  • Manage the new SLAYbassadors by onboarding them with their welcome e-mails and ensuring they are mentioned in the weekly SLA newsletter.
  • Ensuring that the SLAYbassadors receive all the benefits to the program promised
  • Continue to think of new and creative ways we can use the SLAYbassadors to help grow the SLA brand
  • Continue to think of new and creative ways we can keep the SLAYbassadors happy and wanting to help us grow the SLA brand
  • Help launch the SLAYbassador meetups in the cities with the largest number of SLAYbassadors
  • Continue to think of ways to we can advertise and promote the SLAYbassador program
  • Be the main point of contact between the partners of the program and SLA
  • Dealing with all issues that arise from the SLAYbassador program (this includes technical issues)

Requirements:

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Detail oriented
  • Good knowledge of the use of IT tools (Ms.Office etc.)

There are no location requirements for this role.

Submit your application here:

[typeform_embed type=”embed” url=”https://sheleadsafrica.typeform.com/to/FNvFRs”]

Submit the application by Friday, September 22nd 2017. Please note only those successful will be contacted for interviews.

 

 

Winifred Onyemaechi: I would like to be remembered as the lady who changed the face of farming in Africa

by She Leads Africa

Winifred Onyemaechi is a farmer and the CEO Nature’s Kitchen Limited. She has a background in Business Administration and Management from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu. Winifred has also earned a certificate in Entrepreneurship Management from the Enterprise Development center of Pan Atlantic University, Lagos.

With 8 years working experience in customer service and operations in the banking sector. Winifred recalls that when she was in banking, she barely had time for herself. This lack of time affected her food choices negatively. Often not having time to go source fresh meat to be slaughtered and cooked.

This dilemma gave Winifred some insight into a gap in the market; fresh meat/ poultry which is easily accessible to families and people in the hospitality industry. This is how Nature’s Kitchen was born.

She cites her major strength as her tenacity. “I don’t take no for an answer” in addition that she believes her other strengths include her ability to multitask and plan ahead.

when making decisions, I choose the option that scares me the most Click To Tweet

Who is Winifred Onyemaechi?

Winifred Onyemaechi is a wife, farmer, agricultural entrepreneur and the CEO of Nature’s Kitchen Ltd. I worked in the banking industry for 8 years and then resigned to focus on Nature’s Kitchen.

 

What is Nature’s Kitchen?

Nature’s Kitchen is an agricultural business that produces and distributes meat/poultry to families people in the hospitality industry. We are dedicated to ensuring that our meat is processed under very hygienic conditions, compared to what is usually obtained in the local market/abattoirs.

How did you find a gap in the market for this business?

Nature’s Kitchen was born out of a desire to ensure that people /families buy and consume fresh agricultural products and bi- products, conveniently.

When I was in the banking sector, I barely had time for myself. I would always prefer to make my meals with fresh chicken. However, it used to take me about 3 to 4 hours to select the chicken and have it slaughtered at the local market. When I chose to go to the meat shops the chickens they sold were either stale imported chickens or locally grown chickens that have been stored for more than 2 months- therefore losing its freshness.

I saw this as a problem and started making enquiries about how people got fresh chicken and I realized that a lot of people faced the same problem as I did. So, when it was time to resign from the bank I decided I would in my own little way provide fresh chicken to families and individuals. We have since evolved from poultry to goat and snail meat as well.

 

How do you make sure that your meat/poultry is of the highest standards?

There are a number of things we do. We mainly conduct continuous staff training, because we aim to ensure that the highest hygiene standards are followed; from rearing to packaging of products. We have checklists that guide our processes.

 

What are the three key business lessons you have learned since running Nature’s Kitchen?

Patience: this is an important virtue in business. I allow my business to grow organically; business is like life- it has a natural flow to it. I have learned to have patience with staff, customers and suppliers, and even with the business holistically.

Being involved: an agricultural entrepreneur has to be hands -on. One does not just invest money, delegate and supervise remotely. Learn and know the nitty gritty of it all. Our business requires our time.

Courage: face whatever it is that seems like the hardest decision to make. For instance, when making decisions, I choose the option that scares me the most. That works for me.

 

What are two main business challenges you have overcome while running Nature’s Kitchen?

Debts from family and friends: in typical African, society, family and friends have an entitlement mentality; hence being able to get payments for services rendered is normally a challenge. I used to face this challenge as well among my extended family and friends. However this has been overcome as I have learnt to keep business and family separate.

Handling pressure: I have learnt how not to be overwhelmed with the myriad of obstacles which emanate from both internal and external factors that impinge on the business daily.

 

What is your three year growth plan for Nature’s Kitchen?

Primarily, we want to quadruple production and distribution, both in terms of number and variants offered.

In addition, we want to be a household name/brand in meat (especially poultry) production in the whole of Nigeria.

What inspires you each day to keep running your business?

In spite of the daily challenges we face, the daily feedback from satisfied customers on how our services help impact their lives positively keeps us going.

 

In one sentence, how would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered as the lady who changed the face of farming in Africa.

Facebook: @nature‘s kitchen limited

Instagram: @naturezkitchen

Do you aspire to be in the farming business?

Let us know more about you and your story here.

Jobs – Finance Associate

by Yasmin Belo-Osagie

The Role:

She Leads Africa (SLA) is looking for a Finance Associate who will be responsible for our company’s accounting related functions. SLA is a premium media company for female entrepreneurs and professionals. We’ve built a community of 350,000 digitally engaged women across Africa and we are one of Africa’s fastest growing startups with features in Forbes, BBC Africa, Financial Times and CNBC Africa.

Our ideal candidate is someone who is a self-starter and can thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

This role is located in  Lagos, Nigeria and reports to the co-founders whilst liasing with other departments.

Job Responsibilities:

Responsible for developing and leading all aspects of the company’s financial management and financial reporting.

  • Managing and generating invoices
  • Making payments to 3rd parties;
  • Following up on receivables;
  • Managing vendor applications and banking processes;
  • Managing our banking relationship;
  • Preparing invoices and receipts to send to our accountants;
  • Supporting our accountants to manage payroll process;

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will be exceptionally organized with experience using data management tools like excel. An accounting/ finance background is a plus. A desire and interest in building a happy and healthy team environment is key

  • Degree in Accounting or related field;
  • 1-3 years work experience;
  • Advanced Excel proficiency is a plus*;
  • Detail oriented and organized;
  • Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments and priorities.

Application process:

[typeform_embed type=”embed” url=”https://sheleadsafrica.typeform.com/to/UWJlOl”]

Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, we will not be able to contact everyone who applies. We will not be able to answer additional questions via email.

3 key questions to ask when looking for the right banking partner in Africa

by She Leads Africa

Finding the right banking partner in Africa

Home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, Africa has an abundance of attractive investment opportunities. Emerging market and developing economies are anticipated to grow 4.1% – far faster than advanced economies, according to the recently released Global Economics Prospect report, who also cite Ethiopia, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal as some of the fastest growing economies on the continent, and in the world.

Tapping into the opportunities that come from that growth – whether as an individual or entrepreneur – will likely leave you in search of a dedicated financial services provider. But how do you go about finding a stable partner? We suggest asking these 3 key questions:

What’s their strength & expertise?

You need to assess whether they can they provide the required products adapted to Africa’s need, and if they have the financing to support your development if you’re coming to them as an individual or entrepreneur.

What asset class do they work with and what segment do they service?

Do they offer equity, mezzanine, or debt finance?

The answer to these will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your business. It’s imperative that you feel confident in the stability and sophistication of their systems to manage any requirements your business might have. Assess the strength of their balance sheet – the stronger it is, the more likely they’re able to take on your project.

Where are they located?

Glocalization is key. You want a partner who has a global outlook, but with local expertise. Assess their footprint in Africa – and find out how expansive their presence on the ground is in the country you’re interested in. This extends to regional presence too if you’re looking to engage in cross-border transactions.

Do they have an extensive network of bank branches and ATMs for you to access across the country or countries you plan to operate in?

That physical presence means they’re likely to have a better understanding of the local landscape – with 54 countries in Africa, each environment is unique, and you want a partner who is able to help you navigate through it.

 

 

How accessible are they?

Embracing the digital revolution is no longer an option for financial services providers, with online banking playing a critical role in delivering innovative products within the globalised business environment. While not all banks have adopted a digital first mindset, most offer basic electronic facilities that allow you to access your accounts online, whether personal or business.

But what about more advanced business needs –  are the systems efficient enough to bank manage complex transactions like managing liquidity across a range of local and foreign currency bank accounts?