Temi Ajibewa is a foremost home business coach in Nigeria focused on helping women who are stay-at-home mums or housewives to start, grow and profit from their home businesses by helping them open their minds to opportunities around and within them, especially their God-given potentials. Her passion to empower housewives came about when she herself began a home business that propelled her into 7 figures from the comfort of her home within four short months. Hence, she became an evangelist and mentor, helping more women to achieve this feat.

She is the founder of The Millionaire Wife Business Academy, an online hub with over 10,000 membership strength, for women who are looking to build profitable businesses. Temi shares her story in this interview.

Growing Up

To a large extent, yes. I grew up with a very entrepreneurial single mother as an only child. My mum was an opportunistic business woman in the sense that she practically conjures money-making ideas from needs around her. By the time I was age 10, I had known my mum to have ran about 5 businesses successfully. At age 9, I hawked plantain chips before heading to the secondary school. By the time I was in the University, I just couldn’t resist making money off people’s needs. From laundry to registration processing, to selling bread, pure water, noodles, etc to catering breakfasts for corporate events. I did just about anything to make money and it wasn’t because I was starving or needed to make a living for myself per se. I found out that I just always had the knack for seeing wealth in problems. I see opportunities in needs and until I meet those needs, I don’t rest.

I can say, I got this from no one but my mum and this, to a very large extent is what I coach other women to do now. I teach them to take advantage of opportunities around and especially within them (such as their passions and God-given talents) by meeting needs and getting paid for the solutions they provide.

Meet Me

I was born and bred in Lagos, Nigeria as an only child of my single mum.I schooled in Lagos for the most part of my educational life. I studied English language at Lagos State University and went on to University of Lagos the same year I graduated from LASU.I’m happily married to the most supportive man there is with 2 children.I’d say I’m a pretty passionate woman with so much fire to help people discover themselves and their potentials especially as it relates to financial freedom. I hate to hear or see lack around me and so I do my best to empower individuals with information on how they can fish themselves rather than always give them fish to eat. One word that describes me is ‘tenacity’ which makes me incurably optimistic. No matter what happens to me, I do my best never to cry over split milk. This makes dogged with a life-long belief in the saying ‘where there is a will, there is a way.’

The Millionaire Wife Business Academy

Sometime in late 2014, I started a small telecommunications business with N10,000 from the comfort of my home on my mobile phone while I nursed my new-born son and under 6 months, grew the business to over a million naira. This was a great feat for me and from there, I began to train other stay-at-home mums how they could do the same and that was how I got The Millionaire Housewife title actually.  From there, other home business opportunities began to open to me and I taught even more women in closed BBM and WhatsApp groups.

Then I began to teach financial management. I had to get more trainings and coaching, one of which was Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) where I became a certified Results Coach, Performance Consultant and Practitioner of Neuro-linguistic programming. Things got bigger my mid 2016 and the need to actually have a support/mentoring group for the women who had gone through and those who would like to go through my trainings came up.

Facebook group as a solution

The Millionaire Wife Business Academy started out as as a result of this in order to be an online business support group for housewives who wanted to start and grow their own home/online businesses from the comfort of their homes but has gone on to grow far beyond that to now empower women (professionals and business owners likewise) who want to start and build highly profitable and fulfilling businesses around their areas of expertise, experience, passions and God-given abilities.

 What and who inspires you?

What inspires me is this deep knowledge that the world needs me. I don’t know where, when or how I came about that knowledge but there is just this thing inside me that gets restless whenever I know I have a message or a service I need to deliver to someone that will either liberate them or propel them to the next level of their financial freedom. Another thing that inspires me is the transformation I see people go through after encountering me.There is this glow that burns deep within me when I hear someone say because of me, something positive happened to them.

At the very beginning of my life, my mother was a great inspiration to me. Her hardwork and doggedness is second to none. Having to take care and train me by herself since she was pregnant with me till she passed away when I was just 21 years old. The several great women who have risen against all odds inspire me as well. First of who is Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija. Then I have Mrs. Ibukun Awosika and Mrs. Tara Fela-Durotoye both of whom I’ve been privileged to meet and been mentored by.

Challenges

Personally, having to juggle family life and business hasn’t always been easy for me even though I work from home (hey, I’m the millionaire housewife). Sometimes, I get so consumed with work that I neglect my home duties and only have to rush through them at die minutes (soft laugh) while some other times, I just lazy about the house with no energy to do any work.However, specifically in doing what I do, my major challenge is the mindset of majority of women.

Another level of challenge I face as a business coach is the mindset of ‘get-rich quick’. Most people who at least try to start a business are often in a hurry to start making money from it and to make matters worse, rather than work hard at the business and nurture it to maturity, they give up too easily. I find this very very challenging than anything else.

Projects and Activities?

As a trained lawyer with flair for corporate law, I do a lot of Corporate Affairs Commission registrations and compliance consulting. As a serial entrepreneur, I’m involved in real estate, network marketing and several online businesses.

As a results coach, I help people move from being frustrated to being fulfilled no matter the area of their lives concerned. I do this by taking them through my 5-step formula which I call the ‘Fulfilment Formula’ – mind work, vision-work, daily-work, net-work and capacity-work.

For charity, I’m involved in back-to-school projects for the less-priviledged children and also start-up contributions for women.

I’m also involved in public speaking, consulting, writing and facilitating corporate trainings.

No giving up

Severally. But only at the beginning. After a while, all the hardwork began to pay off and I just began to tell myself ‘you were born to do this, Temi.’ So now, I can say giving up is not an option. There’s too much at stake. (Laughs)

What makes you a woman of Rubies?

I think the fact that I do not only do well in my businesses but also help other women do the same makes me phenomenal.

Final word for women all over the world

I’d say women need to know and constantly live in the consciousness that we are the pillars of the society. We are the mainframe that holds it all together and the earlier we start living in that consciousness, the better for us. We can do so much than we can and there is no point hiding all that awesomeness from the world.

Our fears are not real and if only we would face these fears and receive the help available to us, we would live a more optimised life.

Women also need to place a premium on self a development rather than vanity-buyings. With the aid of the internet, anything is learnable right from our mobile devices. We should give premium to developing our minds through the use of available information online.

As the pillar of the home, we need to raise our children to become the best of themselves and there is no better way to do this that to show these kids how we are becoming the best of ourselves daily.

Finally, there is no point in being competitive with one another. Rather let’s collaborate and support one another so that the womenfolk will progress.

Childhood

I am from Edo State and I grew up in a loving family. I didn’t know that I was going to become a professional musician. My mum used to sing a lot and I loved to sound like her. In fact, she was my first motivation for doing music. There was a day she was supposed to sing in church but she lost her voice. Because of that,  I had to stand in for her. Our pastor heard me sing and he advised me to do something with my voice because it sounded beautiful. That’s when my dad decided that he would work with me and take it to the next level.

Education

I had my elementary education at Starfield Nursery and Primary School. For my post-elementary education, I attended Cayley College. I studied English Language at Redeemers University.

Stardom

I don’t feel like I became famous too early.  If I didn’t start singing when I did, I may never have taken singing as a profession. I had a bit of preferential treatment when I was in school; there were times that I had to go for shows and the authorities were understanding. Sometimes, classes and tests were rescheduled for me. My experience also taught me that when I have my own kids, I need to encourage them to go after their dreams at an early age.

Transition

I don’t agree that I wasn’t able to transform from a child star to an adult one. I took a break at a point because when I got into the university, a lot of things changed. I went to a private school and their curriculum was different from what I was accustomed to. I decided to focus on my education and give it all my time.

Music

I’m a gospel artiste and I’m working on gospel songs, which is what I will be putting out there. As a gospel artiste, there are lots of messages that I can share through my music.

Father’s influence

My late dad was my manager and he was the one who discovered and nurtured my talent. He had worked with great musicians such as Onyeka Onwenu, Felix Libarty, Chris Okotie and Sunny Okosuns, among others. It is definitely not an easy thing to lose someone who believed so much in my gift and ministry. I cannot tell you that I’m fine now but I’m glad that he managed me. He had such a strong impact in my life that I would never forget. I will continue to sing gospel music because it is something my dad was very passionate about. A song like Osemudiamen, which remains my biggest, was co-produced, marketed and distributed by him. He did all the legwork and he did not rest until the single became popular. I will also miss the plans and strategies he always had for every song that I released. More importantly, I miss a father who believed in all his children and nurtured them to greatness. Before he died, he made sure that all his offsprings were settled in their respective careers. I’m working with a new management now but I don’t know if anyone would be able to fill his shoes.

Role models

Vocally, I admired Whitney Houston because of the powerful way she sang. I also love Cece Winnans, Marvin Sapp, Tasha Cobbs, Jekalyn Carr, and a host of others. I appreciate diversity in music.

Challenges

A lot of people still see me as a kid singer. Though it is cute and sweet, I wonder why some people cannot see me as a woman now. Another challenge is that gospel artistes don’t get as much support as secular ones. It could be discouraging at times. We need more people to support gospel music because of the life-changing messages that we preach.

Marriage

Marriage has been beautiful and I thank God for that. I am especially thankful that my dad was alive to walk me down the aisle and give his blessings. I also thank God for the man He has blessed me with and we’re both learning every step of our marital journey. Most importantly, we have God as our foundation and it helps us to be more committed to each other; it couldn’t be more beautiful. My husband is a media entrepreneur.

Memorable experiences

One of my most memorable experiences was when I was invited to the Presidential Villa to sing at Nigeria’s 40th independence anniversary at Aso Rock in Abuja. I was invited by a former first lady, Stella Obasanjo. I was also very excited to perform at FIFA Under-21 World Cup (Nigeria 99). I was thrilled to sing before thousands of people at an international event and I’ve never forgotten that experience. Being the face of Caprisonne was also a big deal for me and it afforded me the opportunity to travel a lot outside the country. There are also times that I would go to buy things and the seller would give me for free because they are glad to meet me. These and some other experiences are memories that I will always cherish.

Relaxation

I listen to music a lot and I play the keyboard. I also visit cinemas with my husband. I hang out a lot with my siblings and I love to travel.

Fashion

I like outfits that are decent, simple, classy, comfortable, and not over-the- top.

Source: Punch

Gospel artistes have really ‘upped’ their game to meet up with the competitive and changing environment, which has seen corporate sponsors and promoters opting to support other genres to leverage their businesses.

This ‘upping’ has so revolutionalized gospel music that, save for the lyrics, it has received much criticism from people who feel that gospel music has been taken too far and too wide to a point that differentiating it from secular music is difficult.

They believe that the gospel industry is driven by the desire to reap profits and attract corporate sponsors at the expense of evangelism.

Beyond the criticism, there is no doubt that gospel music has been upped in terms of standard and professionalism like the secular’s – but despite that, there is little or no presence (at all) of endorsement deals or corporate sponsors and promoters, who incidentally, swarm on secular artistes like bees on honeycomb.

With these sponsors’ coldness to the gospel music, many gospel artistes are now finding it hard to survive or switching to other opportunities to eke a living – these are worrying signs indeed for the gospel music industry.

With a view to unravelling the reason for this dearth of corporate sponsorship, the Women of Rubies was privileged to run into the pretty ‘JUBILEE’ – a fast-rising gospel artiste, who just organized a successful gospel concert (IGNITE).

She talked on that and more….

Why Jubilee? Is that your stage name or real name? If it’s your stage name, what’s the concept behind it?

Jubilee is my stage name; my real name is Akinboboye Oluwafunmilayo Helen. Jubilee is a name God gave me few days to my 25th birthday. Then, I was thinking it was a name of a business but 5 years down the line, it became a burden and God used a brother for me to birth Jubilee.

Let’s meet you and your kind of music.

My name is Akinboboye Oluwafunmilayo Helen; I’m in my early 30s. I have an OND in Mass Communication. I am from Ondo town in Ondo State. I am the 2nd in a family of 4.

How long have you been in the music ministry (you know it’s a ministry and an industry altogether)?

I started singing in the children choir at the age of 8 and since then, have graced so many platforms. I once had the privilege of backing up Ron Kenoly, Sammie Okposo and a few other notable gospel artistes, but I started my ministry 4 years ago.

Have you released any album, or working on one? How soon do we expect it?

I have already released a single titled: MARVELOUS GOD. I have no album yet, but working one or two more single tracks this year with the help of God.

Are you a ‘performing musician’ or a ‘performing worship/praise leader’? Many people seem to get confused about both?

I am not a performing musician or a performing praise leader – I am a minister with God’s mandate to liberate, restore and inspire people of God to rejoice in spirit and in truth.

You recently organized a programme (IGNITE) – how would you grade the turnout and performance?

It was an awesome experience! God blew my mind with the success of that programme. I received several testimonies during and after the programme. The turnout was incredible. It was a confirmation that God is with me.

Has your music been favourable to you so far?

Yes, because God is with me always. He has got my back and performs everything He has spoken to me about the ministry. I am grateful to Him always.

What’s your assessment of the Nigerian Gospel music Industry so far?

We are doing well so far but people are not encouraging us. Sponsors are not forthcoming. So, we make use of what we have, to do what we need to do.

What is your genre of gospel music?

I don’t have any, sincerely. I talk to God per ministration and He gives me key songs to do. I do worship songs most of the time.

Are you on any label or under any management?

No, I am not. I am under God’s label and management.

If you where asked by a major recording company to do a collaboration with any Nigerian gospel artiste, who would that be?

That will be Wole Oni or Cobhams Asuquo.

Who is your most influential international gospel act?

Kim Burrel

There has been this misconception about gospel music and secular music, sometimes you get to listen to some gospel music and you be like “is this really a gospel music?”, some gospel songs are rap and some sounds very ‘worldly’ – what’s your definition of gospel music?

God knows who He has called. Heaven alone will judge. I don’t talk to judge others. I do my thing the way the Spirit inspires. 

The gospel music seem not to be capturing the attention of the corporate industry in terms of endorsements and brand modelling, what do you think is the problem and what do you proffer as a solution?

We are not doing things merely to attract their attentions. That is not our primary mandate. But gospel artistes also need to improve on the quality of their production, including video. Because it is gospel does not mean it shouldn’t be of excellent. This is one area I am hoping to make a huge difference. It is the only way we can get corporate sponsors to take us serious.

Are you married or in any relationship?

I am not married. I am relying on the direction of the Holy Spirit with regards to relationship.

You are a pretty woman, how have you been able to cope with advances from your male fans?

My male fans are a part of the people God has sent me to minister to. So, I consider every contact an opportunity to minister. I do not see advances from male fans as a problem or challenge. Rather I see it as an opportunity to fulfil the mandate God has given to every believer.

The Money or The Message? These days, if you don’t do music for the money, you do it for the fame. Did you also look at the fame part of it and the money and said “I will do it”?

Both are important. The message is more important than the money. I will never compromise the message for money.

What has been the biggest challenge so far?

Organizing IGNITE posed a lot of challenges. But I thank God for His faithfulness. I thank God because today I can testify to the success of the concert. I thank God for all the helpers He used to make the concert a success.

How can we get to follow you on social media platforms like facebook, Instagram and twitter etc?

JubileePraise on Facebook, jubilee_praise on Instagram and jubilee_praise on Twitter. I can also be reached on: 09058999082, 09098949690