Elizabeth Akanbi: Make mistakes, learn, grow and do better
[bctt tweet=”We aim to reach women that have a passion to become game changers” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] If there’s something she’s known for, it’s adding value to other women’s lives. With over 7 years experience across different industries, Content creator and Marketing communications professional, Elizabeth Akanbi is Founder and Managing editor of For Working Ladies, an online career lifestyle hub for women. With a strong passion of understanding people’s journeys to success she uses this knowledge to inspire, empower and motivate individuals. Asides equipping women with inspiring and motivational content Elizabeth is passionate about sharing the African culture through art, food, music and social events. As such she co-founded a lifestyle brand, The Social Bloc which runs periodic social events in the UK to highlight the African culture. What inspires For Working Ladies? I have always desired a mentor, someone to tell me how to make decisions, someone to give me career advice, tell me the risks of starting a business, I’m sure you know what I mean right? But I have never been fortunate to have one. I would search the internet day and night looking for answers to my questions, read loads of articles, career profiles and then draw a conclusion on the topic. I knew I wasn’t the only person going through this and needed to create a platform where you could get career/entrepreneurship tips, read about other women that have taken your path and just daily lifestyle content. Why an online platform? Because the world is going digital and people are constantly on their phones so I saw this was the best place to share content and reach our audience. For Working Ladies is a career lifestyle hub for women created to motivate, inspire and give guidance. What kind of content do you provide and what women does your business aim to reach? Our content mainly focuses on career and entrepreneurship, however, we also share lifestyle content also. We aim to reach women that have a passion to become game changers, we want to equip them, motivate them and be that big sister that says we have your back. What innovations and future plans are you looking towards for your business? 2017 is the year that I hope to take For Working Ladies offline and create interactive events. Things are still in the pipeline; I am excited and currently looking for speakers and brands to partner with for our first interactive event. Asides from events we hope to start delivering content in new and fresh ways as the behavior of people are changing and they want more than just written content. Tell us about your greatest challenge as well as your greatest achievement so far? My greatest challenge has been creating content that is new, fresh and relevant on an ongoing basis. There is so much content out there that it is necessary to give people a reason why they should read yours. Luckily I have an amazing team of contributors who are constantly creating fresh and relatable content for women. My greatest achievement so far has been keeping this content-based site going for over a year, being the only editor, managing the digital marketing, overseeing over 15 contributors whilst working. It takes a lot of time and dedication; there have been times where I have gotten so tired of proofreading and writing that I just want to give up. I am working on building a team so that as a brand more can be achieved. What business tools have helped you in running your business successfully? My daily tasks consist of sending emails, a lot of emails! mainly to contributors and also to people I am interviewing. I am literally always stuck to my phone/Mac refreshing my inbox, it can be a headache but it has to be done. The best tool that has helped me in managing emails is Boomerang for Gmail, it allows you to schedule emails, receive notifications to follow up on an email and also receive a notification when they have read the email. It’s a really user-friendly plugin! There are so many great features, we have an article on our website about it. [bctt tweet=”Learn from every mistake, because every experience and encounter is there to teach you” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What personal values have guided you as an entrepreneur? Hard work and consistency. Results don’t just come; you must be intentional and put the work in. The first step is making the commitment but the next, which can be the hardest is consistency coupled with hard work. Also as Oprah said, “Learn from every mistake, because every experience and encounter, particularly your mistakes, are there to teach you..” It’s okay to get it wrong, it’s okay for that partnership to breakdown, it’s okay for that idea not to work out, but in all of that experience what did you learn? I try my best to analyse every experience I have had and learn from it. Without mistakes how would we learn? Make mistakes, learn, grow and do better! From your business name, it is safe to say you have nothing for the unemployed ladies? We have something for every female, whether employed or not. Our main focus is career and entrepreneurship, however, we touch on lifestyle, fashion and much more content that is relevant to all ladies. Everyone has something they want to achieve in life, a dream they want to pursue, something they are working on and we want to be part of that journey in inspiring, encouraging them that they can achieve whatever they set their mind to do. [bctt tweet=”Don’t allow the distance between where you are and where you want to be scare you” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Advice for entrepreneurs about to throw in the towel? Why did you start in the first place? Sit down and have a deep think. Remember your why at every low point and allow it to push you. Don’t allow the distance between where you are and where you want to be scare you,
Ifrah Arab: This is just not a joke for me
[bctt tweet=”We faced a lot of challenges being in a conservative community they weren’t ready to accept change” via=”no”] Ifrah Arab is only 20 years old, but she is on a mission to alleviate poverty and inspire more women much older than herself into enterprise. Through this effort Ifrah was a 2016 Anzisha Prize finalist and a 2016 Echoing Green semifinalist quite a mean feat. Ifrah grew up in Garissa town, a conservative community where women were never encouraged to have economic independence. In 2015, when her mother passed away, Ifrah felt the need to uplift mothers in her community. She founded SuperMom, a door to door distribution network that gives Kenyan women in disadvantaged areas access to quality and essential consumer products. Within two years of operation, she now has 50 women now selling products door to door earning an income and making household items accessible to thousands. Ifrah hopes to draw in 2,000 women in the next two years and double their incomes. How many commodities is SuperMom now selling door to door in Garissa County? We sell a whole range of products. Our main ones are consumer goods which include sugar, salt, flour etc. mainly basic everyday use consumer products, clean green energy, sanitary products and health products. Garissa has a relatively large Muslim population some of whom are conservative when it comes to women working. Has SuperMom encountered any challenges around this with the community? Yes, we faced a lot of challenges mostly because of, as you said it, being a conservative community they weren’t ready to accept the change. Most of them saw it as a breach of culture and all that and we faced a lot of opposition. [bctt tweet=”Ifrah Arab personally interacts with the women in her SuperMom network.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] How are you overcoming this challenge? We overcome this challenge by using a new tactic. We decided to first approach the community elders, religious leaders, local women groups and made them understand our mission. This made it easier for us to then penetrate the larger community because now we had people they trust endorsing us. You were a 2016 Anzisha Prize finalist, how has this experience improved your outlook and operations at SuperMom? I learnt a lot from the Anzisha Prize. I met different young people from Africa who shared the same vision of making Africa great. They were all young problem solvers aged between 15 and 22. It was wonderful being able to meet and build networks with people of the same mindset and share ideas. You were also a semifinalist in the Echoing Green Fellowship of 2016? What are some of the lessons you learnt from that process? I wasn’t able to make it to the finals for Echoing Green but the feedback they gave me after the selection process has helped SuperMom grow. We were able to take in all the advice we got from them and that was really great. What are some of the most successful pitching techniques you use when seeking funding for SuperMom? When I am pitching SuperMom I always make sure I am clear and the audience clearly understands what SuperMom is all about. I also make sure to always show traction. What we have done so far to earn that trust. I always give my story too. It makes people understand the reason why am doing this. That it’s just not a joke for me. [bctt tweet=”When I am pitching SuperMom I always make sure the audience clearly understands” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What keeps you going? I personally interact with the women in our network. Every time I hear any of the women talking about how SuperMom has improved her life it motivates me to do more. What big plans do you have in store for SuperMom? The problem we are trying to solve is not unique to my community. Several other marginalised communities in Kenya face the same problem. My vision is to expand and reach these other communities. We are also not covering all the products needed so also to form more partnerships so as to increase the number of products in our catalogue. What’s the one thing you would not leave the house without? My phone. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
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.
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.
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.
Aileen Hlongoane: I didn’t envision that our organisation would have such a great impact on the country
[bctt tweet=”The lack of sanitary pads is a human rights issue. It infringes on the right to dignity, education, health & privacy” via=”no”] Founder and president of Pledge a Pad SA, 28-year-old Aileen Hlongoane was born in Kwa-Ndebele in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Upon completing her high school with a distinction, Aileen enrolled for an LLB degree at the University of Pretoria. It was whilst volunteering at the institution’s Centre of Sexualities, Aids, and Gender that she discovered that young girls from underprivileged communities are forced to miss 3–4 days of school every month because they do not have access to sanitary pads. Aileen then established Pledge a Pad SA, a non-profit organisation that aims to educate young girls from lower income households about menstrual and reproductive health as well as provide them with sanitary towels in a bid to lower the high school- absenteeism rate of these young girls. SLA contributor Kutlwano Mokgojwa catches up with the 2015 Mail & Guardian top 200 young South Africans about challenging social myths and taboos surrounding menstruation, appealing to the Constitutional court to have provincial governments provide free sanitary pads to schoolgirls and increasing the access to sanitary pads across the country. [bctt tweet=”I figured that when faced with a decision between bread and sanitary pads, they’d always choose the former” via=”no”] Prior to Pledge a Pad SA, there were virtually no organisations founded for the sole purpose of affording schoolgirls from lower LSM communities to attend school during their periods. What triggered you to change that in South Africa? My tenure as a volunteer at the Centre for the Study of AIDS was my springboard. Whilst I was pursuing my LLB degree, I volunteered at the Centre for the Study of AIDS, at the University of Pretoria. We visited many orphanages and like places of safety, which houses many girls, yet have very little resources. I figured that when faced with a decision between bread and sanitary pads, they would always choose the former. Therefore, that “time of the month” would be a nightmare to the affected girls. The subject of menstruation is still very much a taboo what impediments, if any, did that cause for your organisation? Requesting donations from males and older women was difficult and sometimes impossible. Men think this is something that only women should talk about. The elder women feel disrespected when a young woman or a man speaks to them about anything that has to do with the menstrual cycle. [bctt tweet=”Requesting donations from males and older women was difficult and sometimes impossible” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Since the establishment of your organisation, other Non-Profit Organisations dealing with the same issue have been established. As of this year, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has started an initiative to supply schoolgirls from lower LSM schools with sanitary pads. Did you envision that your organisation would have such an impact? Why do you think the issue wasn’t tackled earlier? I really did not envision that our organisation would have such a great impact on the country. Not enough awareness was created on this issue and many people needed to be educated on the plight of young women and girls who cannot afford sanitary pads. The lack of sanitary pads is a human rights issue and it infringes on the right to dignity, education, health and privacy. Therefore there exist constitutional grounds to bring an application at the Constitutional Court to compel other Provincial Governments to provide free sanitary pads. There have been several petitions to have the South African government levy the tax on sanitary pads and tampons. What is your view on that? As Pledge a Pad, our main concern is the access to sanitary pad, therefore we support initiatives that will increase access to sanitary pads. You started the organisation whilst still studying, what effect did it have on what you initially wanted to do after school? How has running such an organisation affected your worldview and what has been the most gratifying experience you have had since the establishment of Pledge a Pad? I lost the interest in studying towards my LLB degree and I wanted to run Pledge a Pad full time and turn it into my career. I realised that the reasons we judge and discriminate against each other as people stems from ignorance and lack of education. Women suffer much prejudice just by virtue of being women; unless the status quo is dealt with, women will always lag behind compared to their male counterparts. What would you say is a skill that is essential in running a Non-Profit Organisation? A combination of business skills and care for people. [bctt tweet=”You need a combination of business schools and care for people to run a non-profit @Aileenhlongoane” via=”no”] What is the way forward for Pledge a Pad? Expand our operations and engage more state holders. Continue to advocate for women’s rights. What tasty food do you think would be disgusting over rice? Cake If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.