Joshua Onyinyechi who hails from Ebonyi state is a final year student of University of Abuja
in the department of Biological Sciences.
Oyinye is an entrepreneur and CEO of Gift and Souvenir. She also runs a firm that connects prospective interns to their desired organizations. She shares her Ruby girl story with the team
1. Who is Joshua Onyinyechi Esther?
I’m an entrepreneur with extra sauce and grace, a strong and focused lady who believes I can succeed at anything I set my mind to do.
2. What is the inspiration behind Gift and Souvenir?
My passion for business. I’ve always wanted to have a business that has to do with problem solving.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Not living purposefully.
4. How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected you as a student and entrepreneur. What have you been able to learn from it?
As a student it affected me because I’m supposed to be a graduate by now but with the whole pandemic graduating this year is not feasible.
As an entrepreneur the pandemic affected sales, But I’m glad everything is coming back to normal.
I learnt to trust God’s plan.
5. What led to the birth of Internship opportunity?
Internship opportunity is a God given idea.
I noticed how graduates and undergraduates struggle to fit into the right place for interns, most graduate or undergraduate just apply for internship anywhere not minding if it’s in line with what they want to do, simply because they just want to get busy.
That was how interns was birthed, to help connect graduate and undergraduate with the right company that will allow them to grow, develop and advance their professional goals/career.
6. An accessory you can’t leave home without?
My phone please.
7. How has internship opportunity been able to help people with placement?
It has been helpful to people especially in this pandemic, graduate and undergraduate have gotten paid interns opportunity in different states via our platform.
8. What was growing up in a Nigerian home like for you? Did it in anyway contribute to everything you do now?
Growing up in a Nigerian home is one of the best though it wasn’t all rosy. Because I lost my dad at a very tender age, growing up was just with my mum and siblings..and yes it has contributed alot.
My dad taught me not to be dependent on anyone and it has helped me alot, I started having passion for business at age 9, when I return from school I joyfully hawk pure water and the likes in the market, which made me have a business mindset from early stage.
After secondary school it continued, but this time I applied for a job and I got it which also helped my marketing skills, people management etc today by God’s grace I have a business of my own and all I went through contributed to what I am and do today.
9. What are the challenges you faced when you started the gift shop and internship opportunity? Do you still experience them? And also how were you able to overcome them?
Challenges I faced when I started gift and Souvenirs was sales, before I started the business I had people who were like “oh wow I’ll be the first to patronize you,” but when I started all of them were no where to be found (japa).
I didn’t really make sales when I started, I’ll advertise for one week nobody will even ask me how much by mistake (laughs) but I don’t experience such anymore by God’s grace.
I was able to overcome through consistency, despite not making sales then I kept advertising Because I know people are watching and when they think of gift I’ll come to their mind first because I’m always advertising.
Challenges I faced when I started interns was looking for organizations seeking to engage the services to Interns to register on our website( www.internsopportunity.com) Registration and Job listing is free (Internship Only)
I still experience this, I’ve not been able to get lots of organisations as expected to register on our website, I’m putting more efforts to get them register.
10. If you were to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what would you change?
I’ll change the policy in hospital ( especially government hospitals) that says you have to pay first before doctors attend to you, all fingers aren’t equal and no one makes budget for sickness. Lots of people have been rushed to the hospital on emergency and probably don’t have money at hand to deposit first. Doctors will not touch you until you pay money, they won’t even attend to you to save your life first while your family members run around for money, at the end the person might end up dying.
As president l’ll make provisions too for that.
Secondly about NHIS card which is made available for only government workers will be accessible also to those who can’t fully pay their bills, the less privileged.
Provisions will be made for sickle cell warriors/people living with disabilities.
Good water and electricity will be fixed in some villages where people drink dirty water to survive.
11. Mention 3 women who inspire you and why?
My Mum, Mrs Nike Adekunle, Ma Esther Ijewere.
My Mum is a strong woman, she has a large heart, despite what life throws at her, she never gives up. I’ve seen her fight so many battles and still standing tall.
She trained my siblings and I right from childhood when we lost our DAD. Not all mothers can do that, some will just share their kids to different family members. But my Mum stood her ground, held us close we are what we are today because of God and her.
I’m grateful for her.
Mrs Nike Adekunle is a goal getter, she is so humble despite all her achievement. She gives listening ears always, she inspires me alot. She made walking in purpose for me easy. And I see myself in her always.
Ma Esther Ijewere is a strong woman, I admire her alot.
With her story she is still making impacts and touching lives.
I love her passion for humanity.
12. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Next five years, I see myself at the top controlling businesses, and owning a shoe line.
13. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of young females five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them? Not to let anyone pressure them, not even social media, they can succeed in anything they set their mind to do.
Be grateful for the small and big wins!
It’s okay to make mistakes, mistakes are part of success!
Never allow your background put your back on ground.
No matter what life throws at you please keep moving forward, lastly ever depend
on anyone financially.
