Kene Rapu is the founder and owner of the footwear brand, Kene Rapu in Lagos. Trained as a Lawyer, she left the law to follow her passion, describing it as something she ‘stumbled into’. In this interview with TOBI AWODIPE, she talks about her journey, her struggle as a woman in business and her plans for the future.
Tell us about yourself and your professional background I’m the founder/CEO of the eponymous footwear brand Kene Rapu. I have a law degree from the University of Bristol, UK; and a Masters in Fashion Entrepreneurship from the London College of Fashion, UK. I went into entrepreneurship upon graduation from Law School, and the rest as they say is history. Six years down the line, I can boldly say Kene Rapu is the No.1 Nigerian footwear brand, championing local production of durable, comfortable and stylish footwear for men and women.
When did you make the decision to venture into this field?
I started this journey in 2011. It did not start as an active decision; but something I stumbled into, when I discovered that there was a gap in the market for this and thus decided to seize the opportunity.

How did you raise capital to start out?
I did not raise capital to start. A myth about business is that you need capital to start, and this myth holds many potential entrepreneurs from taking the step of faith. I outsourced production for the first six years of running my business. This means, I had independent craftsmen I worked closely with, who with their own infrastructure, produced the slippers to my standards and specifications, and were paid per slipper, a cost that was covered in the retail price of the slippers. With little or no business overheads, outsourced production and a reasonable profit margin, we were able to bootstrap our way through the first few years, and save up capital. I worked from home for the first couple of years, doing everything and anything required to get my business off the ground. I remember desperately needing a website and my only option was to build one myself. I did some research and found that Google at the time had free seminars to teach entrepreneurs how to build websites. I went to City Hall, a clueless young lady, sat there for hours, and after that, took about two months to complete my first website. It was very basic, but did the job. When you do not have capital, you get creative. You use the tools around you and make them work to your advantage. My business has grown organically, and for me that is a testament, that willpower and hard work can get you far, until you absolutely need funds. Since launching in 2011, I got my first injection of funds in 2015 to set up a small store, and after that in 2017, six years later, to set up my factory. I have gotten seed funding from the private sector, for example from the Tony Elumelu Foundation. I was one of the 1000 African Entrepreneurs chosen in 2016, whose idea could “Change Africa”. I have also been able to raise some funds from the first port of call- family and friends.

What is the worst moment you have faced business-wise, what are the challenges you face and how are you overcoming them?
I have had many “worst” moments, but I thank God, none has been able to keep me down. Any businessperson can tell you that running a business is hard work. The odds are against us; more businesses are expected to fail than they are to succeed. Furthermore, running a business in Nigeria is particularly tough. From zero power supply, to dearth in skilled manpower, lack of consistency in production, to the costs and scarcity of materials, the list is endless. Moreover, as a female in business, sometimes there are unnecessary issues you have to deal with, that should not be the case. During my hunt for a property for my factory, I met a man who made it clear that he would never rent his property out to women. Nonetheless, challenges make you stronger, and when you jump past hurdles, it is a testament that indeed you are a survivor.

What has been the highlight for you so far?
I get the most joy when people come up to me and tell me how inspired they are by how far we have come, how many Kene Rapu slippers they own, how much they love our products and appreciate the quality; and how they cannot believe they are made in Nigeria. This gladdens my heart, because it shows us that the skill and attention to detail put into our production, and the decision to re-pioneer local manufacturing is worthwhile and appreciated. The support has been immense over the years, and I thank everyone who has given us a chance to prove that made in Nigeria does work.
What makes you different from other local footwear brands?
We are different because we are who we are. It’s like saying what makes you different from the person next to you. Your journey, your story, your experiences make you different, and that is your super power.
What do you like most about being a business owner?
Being able to impact the lives of other people, as an employer of labour is gratifying. I have a great staff at the moment and I am thankful to God for them. Also, being able to do things on my own timing definitely has its benefits.

Would you say you have achieved your set out goals businesswise?
I heard a wise and inspiring woman speak recently, and she mentioned how ladies especially, find it hard to celebrate their achievements, but instead are always on to the next thing. Having been that person, I’m now learning to celebrate milestones, both small and big, and realise that progress is being made. So I would say yes, setting up my factory this year, was definitely a goal smashed, and I am thankful.

In your opinion, do you think enough women are going down the entrepreneurial path and how easy is it for women to start up a business?
Yes, I know a good number of ladies involved in business, more now than when I started, and it is inspiring. It is certainly not easy for women in start-up businesses, but I believe surrounding yourself with the right company is helpful. I have female friends in business, and we spend time discussing how to resolve our common challenges. Having strong ladies in your corner certainly makes the journey easier.

In your opinion, do you think the present clime and policies is conducive for SMEs and start-ups?
I think there is an increasing support for SME’s from both the private and public sector, as of recent, however, there is still a lot left to be desired.
Who do you look up to and what keeps you going?
I don’t run my business with the mindset that it’s my business; I run it as a custodian of something handed to me by God. I put everything, every decision in His hands, and when you leave things in Gods hands, you see His hand in everything. I also have a strong support system, my parents are my biggest support and role models, without them pushing my siblings and I to be more, to do more, to walk in purpose and fulfill our destinies, we would not be were we are today. I also have a lot of support from extended family members, mentors and inspiring friends.

What would you tell anyone that intends going down this path?
Go for it. The road is not easy, in fact it is extremely difficult, but it is certainly gratifying when you begin to break through. It is humbling to know that something I started six years ago, as a clueless fresh graduate, has morphed into a business that employs people, exports to other nations and plays a role in promoting the local industry.

Where do you see yourself personally and professionally in the next couple years?
In the next few years, in my professional capacity, it would be running a business, which operates on a global scale. In my personal capacity, a woman walking in God’s purpose in every sphere of her personal life.
QUOTE: I outsourced production for the first six years of running my business. I had independent craftsmen I worked closely with, who with their own infrastructure, produced the slippers to my standards and specifications, and were paid per slipper, a cost that was covered in the retail price of the slippers

source: Guardian.ng

Currently, the children of undocumented immigrants who fled to the US in search of the ‘American Dream’ are now living something more like a nightmare under Donald Trump’s administration. With the situation as it is, these youngsters are struggling more and more to get into college.
Undocumented students know that even if they finish high school fair and square, they might still have a hard time getting accepted in any university due to their illegal status. That’s the challenge 26-year-old Mexican Stanford student and “Dreamer” Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca had to face herself.

An app for guiding “DREAMERS” living in the US
This struggle lead her to Silicon Valley where she developed a mobile app platform that helps undocumented students navigate the necessary resources to access higher education.

The app is called DREAMer’s Roadmap and has attracted so much attention that even Mark Zuckerberg has acknowledged its ingenuity. In fact, Forbes magazine has named Sarahi as one of the most influential young minds in the realm of education in its 30 Under 30s recognition initiative.

This tool supports users by providing a list of foundations/organizations dedicated to granting educational scholarships and loans to undocumented students who could greatly use the support.

According to the American Immigration Council, 65 thousand undocumented students graduate from American high schools each year, and most – if not all of them – have to deal with trying to maneuver through higher education in order to live a successful lifestyle. But with bright thinkers like Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca we can work towards eradicating these difficulties for thousands of people.

Source: Konbini

All over the world, women are shattering the glass ceiling, achieving their goals and making names for themselves. It is enormously important to publicize and celebrate women and their huge achievements, because it affects and inspires so many lives. So enjoy this gif.

We’re celebrating a super-remarkable achievement today. 24-year-old Second Lieutenant, Thokozile Muwamba, has just become the Zambia’s first female fighter pilot. For those of us not in the know, fighter pilots are military aviators trained to engage in air-to-air combat while in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft. Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting (close range aerial combat).

That’s what this boss lady just achieved and we are beyond proud. Lt. Muwamba joined the military in 2012, and she was selected as part of a Zambian Air Forces (ZAF) program to train female pilots to address the gender imbalance in the industry. Just last year, 19-year-old Besa Mumba, became Zambia’s youngest commercial pilot.

Besa Mumba (Photo: Proflight Zambia)
Besa and Lt. Muwamba are proof, as are many others, that when given a chance, women are just as good as, if not better than, men. Lt. Muwamba’s achievement effectively shatters the country’s air force glass ceiling, and the historic feat will undoubtedly inspire young girls and women in Zambia, and across the continent to follow their dreams, and reach for their goals.
Let women participate. Let women realize their abilities. Let women. Stop policing women. And finally, bow down, because women are not going anywhere. Congratulations, Lt. Muwamba!

Monica Tanee is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Univerity of Portharcourt, She was all over the news last week when she posted a picture of herself smoking cat fish on her Facebook page, a business she started while serving in Ondo state not minding the stress, humiliation and low patronage. She almost gave up on the business after her service year but later kicked it off with encouragement from her business partner ;Yinyegha Tiki who owns the firewood oven she uses in smoking fish. Monica’s biggest Inspiration is her late dad who passed away last month, in her words: “My dad didn’t have any formal education but he gave me my first degree, I will do all I can to make sure I don’t disappoint him”. The hard working orphan who also lost her mum 11 years ago shares her inspiring story with me in this exclusive interview.

Childhood
My childhood influence what I do today because my parents were seriously involved in buying and selling while I was young.
More about my fish business
I started my catfish business during my NYSC year, at 32 Artillery Brigade Barack Akure, Ondo state where I did my first primary assignment(ppa) . I studied how to trained fish, I trained some batches of catfish with a fellow youth corp members before my passing out. We harvested and took the fresh catfish to (TIkIFISH ) for his unique processing method, which is not common in Rivers state, that guarantees sand and smoke-free, tasty smoked fish. So I decided to partner with him.

I once had a fish pond…
The fish pond was in Ondo state, I rented it for a period. But because of the nature of thief and pest, I decided not to continue since I was done with my service year. it was really a wonderful experience

Challenges
The high rate of waybill from Ondo state, and poor rate of my customers not paying their debt at an agreed date. There are also series of harassment from male customers.

Other project and activities
I plan to attain professional certification in Chemical Engineering. I am also into beads making and accessories.
The reception so far…
It has been very fine and encouraging, I have a good relationship with my customers and they truly believe in my business and also refer people to me from all over the country.

On giving up
There have been times when I felt like giving up. For instance, when friends see me as a fishmonger after graduating as a Chemical Engineer. Last month, I lost my beloved daddy and I felt I already lost everything in life, living a life without parents that gave me inspiration. All the same, I thank God for everything.

How I market my smoked fish…
No, I don’t have a shop for now. I market my business through words of mouth to friends, family, neighbours and I also make use of the social media. I also go out to the market to network.

Inspiration
I got my inspiration from my dad, he is my role model in life. He was able to make it in life without higher education. He was able to give me my first degree. And I believe by the grace of God I can do better
through Christ that strengthens me.

I am a Woman of Rubies
As a Woman of Rubies, I believe in working with my hands to take care of my family, friends, and myself when there are needs. If I should throw the questions back to you.

Final word for young budding female entrepreneur and women out there
Self-determination is one major key they should work with. As for me, I told myself I’ll not stay idle after my service year, even though what I’m doing is not related to my field of study. My parents have tried a lot for me and it is high time I start doing something to take care of myself, so I can stop depending on them because my younger ones are still in school. At the point where I took the decision, I remember this portion in the Bible (2 Chronicles 2:27 and Deuteronomy 28:12). Secondly, let them rise up and be self-employed in any little entrepreneur’s skills they have. For those that are currently jobless, I’ll encourage you to pick a business or skill of your choice and start working on it, don’t be ashamed. Seriously speaking, hard work pays especially for a woman, you will gain respect from family, friends and even your husband. During a time like this, they will meet different kinds of person on their way up, some are ready to bring you down with discouragement and bad advice. Who you choose as a mentor and the people that give you
advice, matters a lot. Also listening to your spirit is one thing they should not overlook.
Lastly, they should not remove daily prayer in every ramification of their life, also payment of Tithe.

Hajia Bola Shagaya (MON)is a Nigerian businesswoman and fashion enthusiast. She is one of the richest women in Africa. She was born on the 10th of October, 1959. She is married to Alhaji Shagaya, a Kwara State-based transport mogul, and has four children. She had her secondary school education at Queens School, Ilorin, and her tertiary education at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Armstrong College in California, where she studied economics and accountancy.

She started her career with the audit department of the Central Bank of Nigeria before venturing into commercial activities in 1983. Her business experience started with the importation and distribution of photographic materials and she introduced the Konica brand of photographic materials into the Nigerian market and West Africa and that was the birth of another of her companies – Fotofair (Nigeria) Limited. Today, Fotofair is a leading photo laboratory company in Nigeria with over thirty laboratories spread across the nation.

Hajia Bola Shagaya is also the managing director of Practoil Limited, one of the largest importers and distributors of base oil in Nigeria, serving local lubricant blending plants.

Over the years, her oil and gas companies have operated as dealers and independent marketers of oil, petroleum products and gas, engaged in petroleum product sales, marketing, storage, haulage and transported oil, petroleum, kerosene and cooking gas. They have also acquired licence and engaged in oil and gas prospecting and exploration, acquiring or owning oil fields and also lifting crude oil and associated products.

Around 2005, she became the managing director of  Practoil Limited and in 2011 she founded another exploration company, Voyage Oil and Gas Limited.

Her businesses also includes huge investment in real estate, spanning across major cities in the country with over three hundred employees.

She is currently on the board of Unity Bank plc (formerly Intercity Bank) and has been for over eight years. She is also a member of the recently inaugurated Nepad Business Group – Nigeria. Hajia Bola Shagaya is a patron of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), and a fashion and art enthusiast who supports and encourages the fashion and art industry. She also loves sports, especially polo.

On 22 July 2010, she was awarded by the then President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR), the title of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

“Ogiriwoman” is a brand created as an expression of Ifeoma Uzoma, a woman whose unique style of selling Ogiri, a natural African spice, went viral after a customer put up her video on Facebook.

The viral video attracted comments and admiration from Nigerians, home and abroad. She quickly became synonymous with Ogiri woman in Google searches.  Mumpreneur.ng, a networking and support group for mothers who run businesses was one of the admirers of this woman. She was contacted and invited  to Lagos. A team led by Branded.ng was put together to build this woman’s brand and give her a platform to express her unique marketing talent in the field of cooking.

Ifeoma Uzoma represents hope for every Nigerian mother working hard with their heart and mind to support their homes. It’s a hope that whatever you set your mind to, you can achieve. It’s a hope that no matter how small your beginnings are; you can be big if you do it with your heart and stay with it.Maya Angelou had Ifeoma  in mind when she said: “You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated.” Here is my exclusive interview with the very inspiring and famous “Ogiri Woman”. Be Inspired!

Childhood Influence

Yes it did, now that I think of it. I am the first daughter of a family of five girls and so I was never allowed to be lazy. I worked so hard, my parents nicknamed me “Oshite” meaning the cook. I enjoy cooking and we were raised to live naturally. Healthy eating and living was part of us.

Meet Me

My name is Ifeoma Uzoma, I am a proudly Nigerian Ogiri seller. I am a happy go lucky person by nature. Right from my childhood, I was always one to cheer everyone around me. I have always been industrious.

Viral Video

I was surprised because I wasn’t expecting it until people started calling me to tell me. I really thank God for everything, because I was just doing my thing as usual.

Choice to hawk Ogiri

I was just using what was available to me in Imo state. The open market is the best place to sell things like that because people come in and out all the time. Also, I started the business with just 300 naira and was determined to make something out of it. My life philosophy is that Rome was not built in a day, no matter the circumstances I find myself, I do what I have to.

Life before hawking ogiri

I had tried several businesses that were moving very slowly. The last venture was nylon bags. It was when I stepped back to ask God what exactly I should do that he gave me the inspiration to take up ogiri.

The fateful day   Ugoma Rach recorded me

I am a very jovial person by nature, infact in the market where I sell, I was able to differentiate myself because of my unique style of selling with a song. People look forward to my coming with the usual “O.G.I.R.I Ogiri” song. On this day, I was in the market doing my usual selling when a customer Ugoma Rach (I remember her name) approached me to buy. In my usual way, we exchanged jokes and laughed so much that she said to me “I have to record this and put you in Facebook”. I didn’t think it was a serious thing, I let her record and forgot about it. She bought her Ogiri and left. About a month later, I started getting calls and messages from people who had watched the video. I even got orders from Nigerians abroad. I couldn’t believe that the simple video I did a month before had led to this. It hasn’t been the same since then.

Challenges

The smell of Ogiri is always an issue both in the market square, on the bus and in the home. But that’s the nature of Ogiri. Every good Ogiri has that smell that people say is awful. Sometimes, I get dropped off before my stop because of people complaining about the smell. Even when I take a taxi, it is the same reaction.

Secondly, hawking is not easy because of the hot sun and sometimes the rain, but in Imo the easiest way to get the product to those who need it fast is to hawk it in the open market square or rent a shop where there is footfall. However, shops are expensive and I don’t have a private car to do deliveries.

The other challenges are with the production process with limited equipment. I am stretched thin because, when I get orders, I am the one that produces, packages and I still have to go to the market to sell. It can be a lot sometimes, but I keep going.

“Mumpreneur.ng” Influence

I have been receiving calls from people who want to meet me and know me. This is one of the reasons why I am in Lagos on the mumpreneur.ng platform. Although I had to leave my family and Ogiri customers from the market where I sell, I see it as a temporary sacrifice to move my business to the next level. I appreciate Mofolusade Sonaike who is the founder of the platform for going all out to locate me after seeing my video and also bringing me to Lagos and rebranding me

Greatest reward

The greatest reward for me is peace of mind. I am at peace.

Reception while  hawking

One thing about me is my cheerful approach to life. Whenever I arrive at the market, I forget every worry I have and start to sing and sell my ogiri with joy. My unique style of selling attracted attention to me such that on days when I don’t come, people start calling and looking for me.

Balancing family life with hawking

Everything is placed in its priority. I do what I have to do when I have to do it. And yes my husband is in support of my work.

Who inspire you to be better

My strength is mainly from God. Also, the reactions of people that purchase from me, keeps me inspired because my ogiri is unique.

Rebranding process

It makes me want to sing “To God be the glory, To God be the honor, To God be the adoration Amen!” Who would have thought Ogiri will bring me here.

Instant Fame and What’s next?

I never saw this coming, so for me, I am not dwelling on the fame as you would call it, I see it as a charge to do more. I really was just doing what my hands found to do with all my heart. My dream is to increase my production capacity and set up what you would call a village soup kitchen, for native soups made with Ogiri. Ogiri is usually looked down on and when I got the inspiration from God to take it up, he reminded of a song about Ogiri that goes like this – “Onu ahun gboro Ogiri asu emecha ya roro ya ra” which means, “The mouth that spits on Ogiri, will later pack it and lick”.

Joy of knowing my video inspire many

It makes me want to keep going on and never stop till God says its over.

I am a woman of Rubies

I would describe myself as a Proverbs 31 woman, a woman who takes care of her family, works hard, builds her home and does not destroy it.

Final word for young budding female entrepreneurs who want to go into the biz

The advice I have for them is that quitters never win but winners never quit. Good, better, best, let me never rest, until my good is better and my best.

Not only does the exclusion of young people from the labour force perpetuate generational cycles of poverty, it also breaks down social cohesion and can be associated with higher levels of crime and violence among the youth.

In 2013, Misan Rewane along with other West Africans who were passionate about curbing the rise of youth unemployment, founded the West Africa Vocational Education (WAVE).

WAVE tackles youth unemployment by identifying motivated but underserved West African youth, training them on crucial employability skills and connecting them to entry-level job opportunities.

Admission and training in the WAVE academy is free, as they only charge a placement fee when they’ve secured their students with a job.

Speaking with The Guardian about her driving force, Misan said:

“I have been passionate about helping young people realise their potential for as long as I can remember.

From community service in secondary school to volunteering to tutor children in reading and math during my university years, most of my extra-curricular activities had involved working with children and youth.”

By 2019, WAVE aims to train 25,000 youth annually, having already trained over 50,000 youth in marketable skills – helping them reach their true potential and finding stable jobs.