Interviews&profile Archives

In Interviews&profile January 20, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#PROFILE | MEET TOLA ADENLE, THE WOMAN WHO CREATED THE FIRST WOMEN MAGAZINE IN NIGERIA

Emotan Magazine, a woman bi-monthly magazine was founded in 1977 by trail-blazing Mrs Tola Adenle, a wife, mother of four, grandmother of six, who turned 70 in April.

Mrs Adenle’s career in journalism started when she was serving the mandatory National Youth Service at The Daily Sketch Newspaper. She went on to start, Emotan, A Woman’s Bimonthly which ran from 1977 to 1985.

From 2002, she contributed weekly essays to The Comet on Sunday, and she continued writing till December 26, 2010.

Emotan Magazine which was sold for 50kobo at the time, covered many women related issues including politics, sports, fashion, and opinions.

In her Editorial Note in the July/August 1978 issue, she described Emotan as ‘Nigeria’s First Quality Women’s Magazine’

She also wrote about being a female publisher;

I remember when people used to ask when they would see my boss!… Well, do you blame those male ch……? I’m a most unusual publisher, I agree…. I did succeed even with all these men despite my quarter-inch afro which I have grown back.

“The tiny African girl with the big afro” was how one of her bosses described her when she worked at the World Bank in the early to mid 1970s.

Interestingly, Mrs Tola Adenle has kept the memories of her magazine alive through blogging and she has been doing this since 2011.

After she was introduced to blogging by her youngest daughter, she decided to digitize her old newspaper weekly essays as well as write on other subjects that are of interest to her.

She considers her blog, emotanafricana.com, as a free time hobby to keep her busy.

One of the subjects she loves to write about is the Yoruba’s Aṣọ Òkè, which has attracted over 12,000 viewers on her blog.

Because of her followers love for the subject, she created a different category on her blog for the topic while she wrote a book on the subject titled, “Aso oke Yoruba: A Tapestry of Love & Colour, A journey of Personal Discovery.”

Although it took her so much effort to get people to read the blog when she started, the 70-year-old woman has now been blogging for five years.

Credit: woman.ng , emotanafricana.com

In Interviews&profile January 19, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#INTERVIEW | “IF YOU ARE NOT DETERMINED, YOU WILL NOT SUCCEED IN NIGERIA” – QUEEN MARTINS

Queen Martins is the founder of Twenty5wishes, an initiative that supports 25 people with training, exhibition and investment opportunities to run their businesses. In this interview she spoke on the project, the motivation and why entrepreneurs should be supported.

Inspiration behind Twenty5wishes initiative

Twenty5wishes is an initiative poised to annually bring into reality the dreams of young people in Nigeria. Committed to developing the human capital of the Nigerian youth, the initiative presents a platform through which dynamic individuals are groomed into successful entrepreneurs through mentorship, with industry influencers and the opportunity to receive tools and funds that facilitate their business endeavours.

To kick-start this process, referrals and personal requests are forwarded to us. Our wish team screens these referrals and requests on their merit, and in order to be eligible, individuals must have demonstrated passion in the particular field, where they desire intervention.

This year, our wishers have shown great interest in various industries, including photography, fashion, makeup, shoe-making, events planning, media, e-commerce and filmmaking. These wishes will be granted in three phases: Training, talent showcase, and business setup with tools.

The ultimate goal of the Twenty5wishes initiative is to set up an endowment fund and build an entrepreneurship training institute with global standards of learning, modern facilities, training equipment and facilitators, which the Nigerian youth can access to develop and broaden their creative talents and sharpen their skill set. We believe the multiplier effect will, overtime, positively impact lives, families, communities and by extension, the nation.

For the training, we reached out to industry leaders and they partnered with us to offer training and across the different phases of the project. For instance, in the field of fashion, we partnered with OFB Fashion School, as well as Africa Fashion Week Nigeria. With regards to photography, we partnered with Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Jide and Morayo Odukoya and an institute, including organisers of Lagos Photo Festival.

In the area of media, we partnered with Beat FM. For make up, we partnered with House of Tara. And for event planning, we partnered with Funke Bucknor. So, we partnered with quite a number of organisations and individuals.

How many people showed interest in the first pitch?

Quite a number of people. We had over 100 people from which we shortlisted. This is in spite of the fact that we did not really make a lot of noise about it. It actually started during my birthday. I was going to turn 25 and I decided to just do something that would be impactful, but it got to a scale that I knew I had to formalise things. That is how we evolved into a full fledge initiative.

What prompted that line of thought on your birthday?

Beyond just celebrating my birthday, there was also a personal conviction as to the reason I am where I am today, and the roles that people have played in getting me there. I know there are other people who have potentials as well, but just do not have the right platform to showcase their skills; they are not in the right network.

Also, there are a lot of people who have good ideas, but not very well skilled in being able to put proposals together to articulate those ideas. So, what we do is try to cut through the red tape and give these people opportunities that they need, help and nurture them that they are able to earn the income they deserve.

Feedback like from the first phase of the training?

The feedback was mostly good, but another thing I learnt through the first phase was the fact that sometimes it is not enough to have the skill, you also have to be business savvy, and know how to run a business. The good thing is that because of what we have been able to do and people are following on the social media, a lot more people have decided to come on board to help out with the different phases and mentor people. In all, the feedback has been good.

What was your reaction and experience after the completion of the first phase and the commencement of the second phase?

It is basically picking lessons from the first phase and inputting those in the next quarter of wishes, so that it could be better structured, as well as get more in terms of impact. Of course, there was also the challenge of partners that could come onboard, especially when you are doing something for the first time.

But now, we have the benefit of having done something and we are looking forward to partnering with larger corporate bodies, because the more partners we have, the more wishers we can bring on.

Moving forward, what is the projection?

For the first one, we are able to get partners, and they are not small-scale organisations. So, it is about closing up on what we have already and of course setting up our own training facility, as well. This is so that we are able to conduct some of the trainings within our facility and basically increase the scale. Instead of 25 wishers, we would be looking at 25 people each from different industries. What we have now are 25 people across different industries.

For the last stage, when the wishers are to start practising their wishes, are you giving cash to start their businesses?

After the training, and in the process of getting ready for their exhibition, they go through business seminar, so that they understand what it takes to have a business plan, because they need to have projections. You could give somebody money, but if they do not know what they are going to do with it, it would be a waste.

Therefore, we get them to prepare their business plans, and then pitch such to the angel investors, and based on how convinced the latter are, the trainees would then invest. Already, they had received free training, so they need to know that this is worth fighting for, and not a walk in the park. Succeeding in business demands a lot. You need to go out there, do your market survey, identify your unique selling proposition (USP) and it is only after this, that you have the chance of excelling, and one way to do that is having a business plan.

Has it been a rosy experience?

It has not been entirely rosy. You might be able to accomplish something without money, but to really make impact you need money. Of course, we need money, but I thank the Lord for some of the support we have received. Though it is not financial, but we have received a lot of partnership for some of the things we need.

Another thing is to want to help people and they are able to envision and focus on where they are going and not be distracted by anything along the way. We have had one or two cases of people not following through and it is almost like a waste because somebody else would have benefitted from the wasted slot. Overall, however, we thank the Lord.

What is the motive behind this?

The truth is that there are so many jobs available right now, but with the number of graduates that we turn out daily, there is not enough room in offices. So, people need to look inward and start to think of how they can earn an income. Otherwise, we are going to have a lot more criminals on the roads, as people need money at the end of the day. And if they were not able to earn it, they would look for a way to get it out there.

If we were able to create entrepreneurs, who are passionate about what they do and think on a large scale, we would reduce the number of unemployed graduates, as well as reduce the pressure on corporate organisations to employ all the graduates. And not everybody is cut for office work anyway. There are people who are good with crafts, so all they need is the right platform to earn an income.

Are you looking at partnering with government agencies supporting entrepreneurs?

We are also looking at those organisations, but right now, we have not established partnership with them. However, we are looking at approaching some of them for the next quarter of wishes.

Is the project limited to Lagos?

For the first phase, we had entries from outside Lagos, but we tried to keep it to Lagos for now because we are just starting. As we increase the level of partnership and are able to cater for the needs of people outside Lagos, we would consider entries from outside Lagos.

Do you think the Nigerian environment encourages entrepreneurship?

It promotes dogged entrepreneurs. If you are not determined, you will not succeed in Nigeria because the terrain is not for the light minded. You have to be tenacious and not give up at the first obstacle.

However, people should not give up on their dreams. Though they might have tried to do one project or the other and failed, they should not give up. They should just keep trying, using different approaches, get more counsel, somebody good in that field, to guide and counsel them and they will definitely make a breakthrough.

Source: Guardian.ng

In Interviews&profile January 18, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#WCW | CELEBRATING SALAWA ABENI, THE QUEEN OF FUJI MUSIC

Salawa Abeni Alidu born on May 5, 1961, is a well known Nigerian vocalist. An Ijebu Yoruba from Ijebu Waterside, in Ogun State, she started her expert vocation in waka music when she discharged her presentation collection, Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, in 1976, on Leader Records. It turned into the primary recording by a female craftsman to offer over a million duplicates in Nigeria.

Abeni kept recording for Leader until 1986, when she finished an association with the record label owner, Lateef Adepoju. She wedded Kollington Ayinla and joined his record name rather, remaining with him until 1994.

She was delegated “Queen of Waka Music” by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi in 1992. Waka is an Islamic-impacted, customary Yoruba music style, promoted by Batile Alake; it is a much more established kind than jùjú and fuji.
She is tagged a heroine to many women because of her lyrics, which are highly critical of the way they have been treated by their men. She is said to have popularised a new style of Yoruba music, heavily influenced by traditional songs and dominated by thunderous drumming, which of course never swamps her even more gutsy vocals.
She is highly respected for finding her grounds and becoming relevant in a men-dominated industry in the 70s. How can we not crush on her?

In Interviews&profile January 18, 2017 By Women of Rubies

#PROFILE | TITI ADELEYE : THE ARCHITECT WHO IS TOUCHING LIVES

Titilayo Adeleye has been able to exhibit her prowess in the architecture field in Nigeria. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Eden Group, Lagos and the immediate past Vice Chairman, Nigerian Institute Of Architects, Lagos Chapter.

The first decade of her life was spent in the most loving family. Her parents, Chief and Chief Mrs. Ade and Olufunke Iluyemi were loving, supportive pillars of strength, icons of good character and epitomes of faith and fortitude.

“I had a very strict upbringing. Dad and mum instilled the virtues of responsibility, honesty, consistency, diligence, accountability and confidence very firmly in my siblings and me,” she recalled. “It was never a question of whether you passed in school or you topped the class. Most times it took just a look to make us align our ways to their expectations.”

She continued: “My parents were Christians and very conservative. They ensured we got the best possible training. Even when sometimes I think I should be a bit mischievous, I really can’t because of the way I was brought up. They taught us the ways of God, which has been the biggest influence in my life. The constant pride they expressed in us gave us the wings to soar. Even when it was the norm to celebrate male children over female ones, they never did that because they had four girls before the two boys came along and they celebrated and nurtured us to become the best we could be. My siblings and I have excelled in our various careers as engineers, medical doctors, architects and teachers.”

She explained that she made the choice to become an architect and her sense of adventure was curbed by the heavy demands the choice entailed.

“The exploratory years in the University were fun and went by in a flash, as I earned my masters degree at the age of 21. Before graduation, I made up my mind to work with top architectural firms, where I could learn the basics of the profession. It is actually after leaving school that you learn a lot of things. After graduation, I served at ABDT Partnership in Ibadan and worked with Majaro Partnership, Lagos before setting up my own company in 1996. I have also done a lot of trainings,” she said.

Working with those firms taught her a lot of things, which include dealing with clients, working in an office, interpersonal communication, writing proposals, organising projects and negotiating, among others.

“My former bosses, Arc. Tunji Bolu and Arc. Charles Majoro affected my life positively, because they taught me how to be professionally creative achieving a good work life balance. I also look up to Arc. Bola Ogunbiyi. Outside my profession, I admired the late Dora Akunyili, because she went all out to achieve and made her mark. Outside Nigeria, I admire Hillary Clinton because she’s a woman, who has been successful in her various roles as a wife, mother and career woman. I see her as a strong woman, who, when she believes in something, goes for it. I also admire Michelle Obama, because she is a courageous woman and stylish. Despite all the negative things said about her, she was able to hold her head high,” she said.

So, what makes architecture fun for her? She replied excitedly: “Architecture is fun for me because I am a very creative person. I try to create something out of what exists. It is not that regimented because it helps me to express myself in my designs and bring my ideas back to life. Looking back, I think it’s been very exciting. As an architect, conceiving a work in your mind and seeing it becoming a reality is so gratifying.

“Part of our success story is being able to groom younger architects and seeing them mature to mentor others. We have done projects for Lagos State government, governors’ offices and other great projects. When clients commend you for a job well done and refer you to others, it is another success story on its own. People think that architecture is a male dominated profession, but this is no longer so, because there are a lot of women doing exceedingly well in the field. I think women are naturally creative and I always tell women that in every profession, you have to put yourself out there.

“When your male colleague does 10, you have to do 20. And when he is doing 50, you have to do 100. You just have to double your effort and let your signature be excellence. When a work is excellently done, it becomes immaterial whether a man or woman did it. So, let your work speak for you. Avoid pushing the fact that you are woman in the face of everybody; rather, try to prove your mettle. Whatever a woman does, she should do it diligently, then being a woman becomes an added advantage.”

Adeleye sure knows how to balance work and family life effectively. “I prioritise a lot and ensure my family and work do not suffer,” she said. “I have formed the habit of always making lists. I have short-term list, medium-term and long-term list. I always tick out things I have not done and because I am always doing that, it has helped me to organise my time and things I need to do. I make up my mind on the things that are important and the ones that are not. I am grateful to have a wonderful family that has encouraged and supported me all the way.”

Aside work, the architect has a church ministry, where she ministers and mentors teenagers and youths.

“On various occasions, I have listened to these young ones pour out their minds and observed that they need direction, as a lot of them are confused. I sat down and thought to myself that they need someone to put them through in life and nurture them. When you listen to them, you are amazed at how much confusion and stuffs going through their minds. You also see that a lot of them are at crossroads. The formative years are the most important part of our lives. It is during this period an individual makes decisions that will shape the rest of his/her life. I realised that if these young ones are directed, then we can launch them out in life without fear.

In Interviews&profile January 18, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#PROFILE | CELEBRATING HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVIST DR. JOE ODUMAKIN

Dr. Joe was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, but grew up and schooled in Ilorin. Her passion for defending people’s rights started way back as a child. Growing up as a teenager, she decided to be a Nun, this decision was influenced by the Catholic educational environment she was groomed in but the fear of her father disowning her took away that zeal.

While schooling, she met with a lecturer who had keen interest in her because she was very intelligent. She was exposed to materials to read about Martin Luther King and other people like Karl Max, Malcom X. Quietly, a fire began to kindle with her very young mind.

In 1985, the position of secretary for Women in Nigeria, Kwara State branch was vacant so she applied alongside other women that had applied for the position. She won the hearts of many when she stepped out to declare her manifesto, after which she was accepted for the position.

Joe’s motivation came from all the books she read while she was in school and other interesting biographies of international activists who gave their lives to struggle for the right of people. It was then she looked within and saw that an opportunity to do the same was wide open in Nigeria, during the military dictatorship of late Abacha and Ibrahim Babangida.

Much later, fate and optimism brought her close to late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, who at that time was the President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights. Her relationship with him, brought her closer to late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and the Afro-juju singer, Fela Kuti. Together they gallantly clamoured for change and democracy. She was always at the forefront of rallies held against military dictatorship, and she was detained severally in prison while she suffered bruises from severe beatings. It was during one of her many detentions that she met with Comrade Yinka Odumakin, and they got married later.

After the military era, she kept on fighting for the rights of minorities in the nation, particularly women who were constantly abused in the society. She also participated in various rallies protesting for free and fair elections in Nigeria, particularly the Save Nigeria Group [SNG] campaign.

With over 25 years experience in human rights work in Nigeria, Dr. Joe Odumakin keeps showing exemplary leadership qualities, undying commitment to grassroots development, and selfless service to humanity. She has been honoured with so many awards both in Nigeria and in other countries.

In Interviews&profile January 16, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#PROFILE| MEET MAKY BENSON, THE ECONOMIST TURNED PARENTING BLOGGER

Maky Benson was born Chiamaka Araraume into the household of Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume of Imo state, Eastern Nigeria. She is a graduate of Energy Economics and a chemical engineer.

She is happily married to Yomi Benson and the duo is blessed with two children, Micah and Eliana. Recently, the economist turned lifestyle and parenting blogger (www.makyscorner.com) published her cook book titled ‘ Micah’s meals’. Micah’s meals is a book which contains several recipes for babies, toddlers and beyond. Her book was inspired by her decision to feed her first child, Micah home-made and healthy food.

Maky (@makybenson on IG) is also the host and co-founder of The Little Foodie Sessions, a series of cooking sessions where you learn everything you want to know and more about how, when and what to feed your little ones.
We celebrate you, Mama Micah and Eli as she is fondly called, here at women of rubies.

In Interviews&profile January 14, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

I WANT TO SEE GOVERNMENT ENACTING LAWS THAT WILL GIVE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS – YETUNDE TANIMOMO

A graduate of Mass Communication from the Nigeria Institute for Journalism, Yetunde has worked in various sectors including Construction, Manufacturing and recently resigned from a bank to focus on her passion to care for girls and women with special needs.

After several meetings with Founders, Executive Director Foundations, NGOs, and government agencies, Miss Tanimomo and her team are convinced that a change in peoples’ perception of what they term ‘disability’ will help in pushing for policies that will create an environment that would foster proper care for people with special needs.

Early Preparation

Initially you feel nothing did but I have come to realise that our past prepares us for what lies ahead. Because we do not see the future we tend to feel the present is just passing by. However, I have come to understand that we are shaped by experiences for what is to come. Losing my dad showed me what it means to be needy, having children around me brought out the love and care. Both attributes are necessary for what I am doing.

Meet Me!

I am Yetunde Tanimomo, a graduate of Mass Communication from the Nigeria Intitute for Journalism Ogba. I have worked in various sectors including Construction, Manufacturing and banking. I am also deep into Interior Decorations.I have a passion for Children and women with special needs. A passion specifically targetted at care for girls and women with special need

Inspiration behind Miss Ability Pageant

I saw a very beautiful young lady. She was strikingly beautiful and though she had special needs I noticed what I saw first wasn’t how she was? For several years that face never left me and I kept thinking about how to showcase such beauty to the world starting from home of course. That is what gave birth to Miss Ability Pageant.

Future Plans

I intend to work with other NGOs, Foundations to advocate for a better living condition for people with special needs. This will involve a lot of public sensitization on Mass Media, Social Media and the likes. We intend to hold seminars for parents with children or loved ones with special needs.

Leaving banking for social work

I wanted to stop talking about my passion and start to do something about it. I needed time away from ‘work’ to be able to face the project. So at that point it was the right move. I will get back to working. I need the time to lay a process in place for the foundation. To put structures in place. I believe I will need to work to also fund the project. I don’t want to rely on Government, organisations and other individuals alone.

Giving Up

Giving up for me is never an option. Whatever I take up I give all I can to see it through. I won’t deny the fact that there haven’t been times when I felt overwhelmed when I look at how huge the task is. For this I have been able to assemble people who share the passion so it’s easier to share ideas and strategize for upcoming programmes and the next move.

Another challenge is that you have to manage people who already have a set mind concerning people with special needs . Many of them are dumped in trash heaps. Some are probably terminated before birth because of the stigma associated with having a child with such needs. It will take some time but pretty soon we will get people appreciating them.

Challenges

Many folks are ashamed of their children or ward with special needs and as such they keep them locked up away from society. It’s hard to reach such children or persons.

People feel a sense of pity. They go ‘eeyah’ whenever they see anyone with special needs. They do not need pity but encouragement and love.

Getting Government and corporate organisations to support the move is proving a bit difficult. So many promises. Do you know what can be achieved if corporate organisations start to get people with special needs as brand ambassadors? Let them start with the Paralympians who have done the Nation Proud at the Olympics. That single feat will encourage others can and start to change people’s perception of ability in what they term disability.

Nigerians compassionate enough to kids with special needs?

Compassionate? yes, enough? No. What they need is not pity. They get a lot of that. But encouragement, empowerment and a chance like they give to everybody else. I want to see people with special needs having equal opportunities at getting jobs like the other folks. I want to see government enacting laws that will give enabling environment for people with special needs to move freely and have access to facilities like others. Look at virtually all public and commercial buildings, only few have parking spaces or entrances for people on wheel chairs and the blind.

Advice to women in same field

It’s all about passion driven by love and care. So do not look at how huge the task is. Just start one step at a time. Keep the passion fire burning. Get people who can help you. If a dream requires only you to carry it out then the dream is small.

I am a Woman of Rubies

I refuse to be limited by situations and circumstances. I have chosen to devote time to loving people with special needs especially girls and women. I want them to know their life shouldn’t necessarily be determined by what society thinks about them. They are worth much more. I intend to empower them so that society will view them differently and help out.

In Interviews&profile January 12, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#INTERVIEW | I DON’T FOCUS TOO MUCH ON CHALLENGES,IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME AND ENERGY – OLATORERA ONIRU

29 year old Olatorera Oniru is one of Nigeria’s most assiduous and ambitious young entrepreneurs. the founder of Dressmeoutlet.com, a Lagos-based e-commerce startup that retails fashion products sourced from across the globe. She strongly promotes made in Africa goods with the goal of retailing only the best 20% African designers. In 2016, she was named in Forbes’ list of “30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs In Africa. In this interview she shares with us her passion and inspiration behind her projects.

Childhood Influence

I would think so. I believe our past moulds our future to create history someday. My past is significantly a part of who I am today. Not sure I can decipher one incidence or action in particular but my entire experiences in life from family, friends, career and decisions have contributed to what I do now.

Meet Me

I’m Olatorera Oniru, Chief Executive of Dressmeoutlet.com, Forbes-mentioned Fashion Amazon of Africa dispatching fashion, beauty and home-goods from Africa to the world. I love life and I’m very passionate about all things Africa.

Discovering My Passion For Fashion

We all love to look good and feel good and so do I. Fashion is art, creativity, innovation and so much more combined. I had worked in the technology space during the course of my career and thus it made sense to combine my experience in technology with my passion for fashion to drive ecommerce in Africa.

Inspiration behind Dressmeoutelet

Dressmeoutlet.com is very customer-centric and quality-focused. We aim to please and serve. We are inspired by the thousands of creative geniuses producing great brands within the fashion, beauty and home-goods space across Africa. We have come across the most unique products from natural skin care to leather bags to runway jewelry. All of excellent quality and proudly made in Africa, ready to be dispatched to homes worldwide. Dressmeoutlet.com continues to source for the very best of this products to retail only the best to our customers at the most affordable prices possible.

It’s all about Work and Family

Career-wise, I am generally occupied with relationship building, growth forecasting, business development and sales maximization for Dressmeoutlet.com. At Dressmeoutlet.com, we have 2 programs we are currently pushing, the Style Champions Program and the Creative Entrepreneurs Program. The former is sales related and the latter is supply and manufacturing related. Outside of work, my family means the world to me.

No fear of failure

There is no giving up here. At least not any in sight or mind or analytical forecasts at the moment. Mainly because I thoroughly enjoy what we are doing at Dressmeoutlet.com and we are deriving results from our hard work. Nonetheless, I do not have a fear of failure or of giving up. If some day, somewhere, somehow I get to feel like I want to take a break or give up, I will. Life’s too short to be stressed out or to do anything that doesn’t bring you joy. It’s important to be passionate about one’s ambitions. Only then can we really drive change, growth and development. I’m happy doing what I do and thus cannot fathom giving up at the moment.

The Awards keep rolling in

I think it’s the amazing awards that do not stop rolling in. We just got invited to Mauritius this month to receive a Young Achiever Award. This year alone, we have been nominated and presented with up to 10 awards and recognitions globally from Most Innovative Company to African Achievers Awards to Top 5 young entrepreneurs in Africa and many others. That’s the greatest aspect of pushing our dreams at Dressmeoutlet.com. Let’s not forget the hundreds of amazing customer testimonials we have amassed. The partnerships and potentials for scalability of Dressmeoutlet.com are significant and we look forward to even more growth ahead.

Focusing on performance & Results

I don’t focus too much on challenges. It takes a lot of time and energy to recount challenges. We all know there are significant setbacks in Africa but the good news is that each and every setback can be eliminated and we can grow and become a greater continent. I’d rather focus on performance indicators, on scaling up and on generating results.

Advice to young Female Entrepreneurs

Know your passion, drive your passion, be your very best in all your undertakings and excel. Africa needs you to be great. We all can be great but first, you will have to push. Push your dreams. Grow beyond everyone’s imaginations, innovate and conquer the world.

I am a Woman of Rubies

I want everyone to be successful. I want to see men supporting men, women supporting women and humans generally supporting humans. I want to see Africa blossom into one of the world’s greatest continents with poverty significantly alleviated.

Woman, Push your dreams!

“Push your dreams! Don’t let anything stop you from doing anything great for the world. The world wants to see you shine while making the world a better place.

In Interviews&profile January 12, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

TALE ALIMI : MY JOURNEY TO FINDING MY NICHE

Every time it is my birthday, I spend time reminiscing and this particular birthday I look back in gratitude on the journey to getting where I am today. For some people, they always knew what they wanted to do and become. For me, it was not straight forward. It took many years of stumbling, exploring, failing and trying again and again until it finally became clear. The journey to find my niche saw me stumbling through different careers, businesses and professions. From working in an Asset management company, to moonlighting as a makeup artist. Then I worked at a telecommunications company working in a department called financial systems that utilized my Accounting and Technology skills. What was supposed to be a dream job was actually my most boring work experience and I found succour when I escaped to do an MBA which has proven to be a good move till date. I fell in love with the retail and fashion case studies such as Kate Spade and Tory Burch during my MBA and decided I was going to start my own fashion brand. From running a fashion brand for a few years that I had to walk away from to working with a consulting firm where I got to support SME’s, I began to get a clearer picture of what I wanted to do with my life. The journey to finding my niche took me over 10 years of failing, trying, stumbling and making mistakes. I lost relationships, friendships and business partners along the way. I finally realized why people would rather stay safe than go on such an arduous journey to find their path and I made up my mind that when I found the way, I would help other people do the same. People ask me regularly ‘how do I know what business to start?’ or ‘how do I find my niche?’ Some even ask ‘how do I know what I am meant to do on the earth?’ I decided to find answers to the questions by interviewing various inspiring people from different sectors and industries who have found their way. You can watch the inspiring video trailer. https://youtu.be/K978EIMcNxI My goal is to document this process and make it easy for someone who is seeking to find their own niche or path in life. I also decided to take it a step further and create the ‘Find your niche challenge (www.talealimi.com/findyournichechallenge)’. This is a free 5 day virtual challenge which will take place in a private Facebook group. Where I will give the participants daily tasks and exercises to help them identify their niche at the end of the 5 days. If like me, you have been stumbling and trying to figure out what your niche is so you can get fulfilment doing what you love and getting paid for it, I will like to invite you to participate in this challenge. To participate, register at www.talealimi.com/findyournichechallenge and get started on the journey to find your niche in 2017.

In Interviews&profile January 11, 2017 By Esther Ijewere

#PROFILE | MEET THATO KGATLHANYE, 22 YEARS OLD SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS PUTTING SMILES ON FACES OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA

Thato Kgatlhanye is a social entrepreneur, author, speaker, and founder of Repurpose Schoolbags. She has a B.A in Brand Leadership Management from Vega School of Brand Leadership.

She is also the CEO of Rethaka (Pty) Ltd, a woman-owned business based in Rustenburg, South Africa. She started Repurpose Schoolbags at the age of 18, after studying and discovering that most of the school children in her community carried plastic bags to school. She designed a new set of school bags using recycled plastic shopping bags, and integrating solar technology and batteries to provide light for studying after dark, as the bag charges during the day.

Thato runs the company with 17 employees and numerous plastic bag collectors. She has been featured on CNBC Africa and Forbes. She has also won the ELLE International Impact Award.

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