Sarah Sanni is an inspiring young woman, a computer science graduate who quitted her job to chase her dreams.
“I wasn’t happy at my job, so I resigned thinking I needed a change of organization but in the process of applying to other companies and going for interviews- one day, I painted my room and my friend saw it and wanted something for her room. After designing hers, she posted it online and a couple of her friends saw it and requested wall paintings too. I did it and got paid even though it was peanut at the time but I felt overwhelming happiness and that was when I knew that this was what I wanted to do.”
She was born in the northern part of the country, grew partly in Ibadan before moving to Lagos much later. Her family are currently in support of her career,
“My mom was in total support from day one. My dad got into it after one or two of his friends called him from abroad that they’ve seen his daughter’s works at one place or the other. Some other family members did not think it was a viable business but everyone just went along with the dream and now it’s all full time support from everyone”
Her inspiration came from the northern tattoo used to adorn brides called Laali. While growing up as a child, she admired these designs and draw them on paper.. The Laali is a temporary henna tattoo used to adorn brides in the Northern part of Nigeria, particularly popular in the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups across West Africa.
She went on from Laali sketching to drawing cartoon characters, making comic books ancient artworks from the Old Bini Kingdom, as her appetite for drawing and art
To upgrade her skills, she got some books on arts. Now her core inspiration comes from anything around her,such as beautiful people, plants, lines and geometry, abstract patterns and cartoon characters for kids (Ben 10, Disney Princesses, Dora, Angry Birds, etc.).
She has worked with some notable brands and celebrity like, the Ice Cream, Molfix, Toke Makinwa and others.
“I would advice an artist who is just starting to be ready to work hard, to be strong emotionally because there could be some setbacks, to be persistent and consistent because it’s also very easy to give up. To be prayerful (I know they say Nigerians are too religious but prayer helps and it works). Lastly, to be passionate about the art – except, of course, it’s a hobby then you don’t have to take it too seriously” she advised.
Chioma Favour Uzoma is a fifth year Pharmacy student of the University of Benin. She is the first of three girls.
She is passionate about the future of Nigeria and improving its health sector which made her start a Health and Wellness website (MedBlogNigeria) where she is a content creator. She advocates for healthy living through her organization named The Medvocacy Initiative Africa (TMI Africa).
She is an entrepreneur at Dainty Cakes and Event. She is also a fashion and beauty enthusiast.
Let’s meet you. Who is Chioma?
Chioma is a fifth year pharmacy student of the University of Benin, the first of three girls. I am a Christian, content creator at MedblogNigeria, an entrepreneur at Dainty Cakes and Event, Founder TMI Africa @t.m.i_africa and Member of JCI.
Made by chioma
I am very passionate about the future of Nigeria, everything that goes on wrongly in this country affects me in a very strange way and I intend to contribute to scalable and sustainable impact in this nation, and in Africa at large.
Who and what inspires you?
The persons who inspire me the most are young Nigerian women who are doing exploits in their various fields. The likes of Toby Lordwilliams,founder of girlhub Africa, Dr Chioma,Cassie Akide, PharmOnyekachi etc., and older women who have conquered their spheres such as Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Bukky George and of course my Mum, She inspires me a lot.
I love these women so much, and whenever I feel discouraged, I simply look at their pages on Instagram, see what they are up to and sincerely, I’m pumped back up.
The desire to be successful in life also drives me.
One accessory you can’t leave home without?
My small bag of course.
Because I get to put all my tiny stuffs in it.
What is your biggest fear?
This Girl is fearless.
I believe God has not given me the Spirit of fear and this has kept me going.
You own a Health and wellness website (MedBlogNigeria) with pages on Instagram and Facebook (Medblog_ng) where you help inform people’s health decisions. What prompted you to start this? And what do you plan to do differently in the health sector through your website and other platforms?
Well, I actually started them because I love writing and I love searching for information (My friends literally ask me for details to any gist circulating online and I always have the details). I have been writing since my secondary school days and it has become part of me. Also, being a Pharmacy student, people naturally assume you know the answers to all their health problems, so they bombard you with questions.
It was only natural for me to incorporate my writing skills which is also a passion for me into my profession, hence the birth of MedBlogNigeria.
I also found it as a way to bridge the communication gap between health personnels and the general public. Now you don’t have to go to a Pharmacy or a Hospital to get certain health information, just turn on your data, ask a question, drop a comment and your questions are answered. We simply inform the health decisions of the general public which I think is a great idea.
Your best quote?
Do it afraid, do it unsure, do it uncertain but do it anyway!
You are a versatile young lady with so many things on your hands. You are also an entrepreneur who bakes and sells cakes also. How do you balance the demands of all of these with your academics?*
The truth is, it is not an easy task but I am someone who is very passionate about anything I do. Passion drives any human.
I’ve also learnt to manage my time, to do the right things at the right time, maximize my holidays, have the right support system and these have helped me thus far.
Which city/ country will you love to visit soonest?
That would be Paris. I studied French all through my six years in secondary school, I would love to practice my French speaking skills.
If given the chance to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what will you change?
Inasmuch as I think a day is quite too short to make any meaningful changes in a country like Nigeria, I guess I will quickly rewrite the national budget and present a more inclusive one where the basic needs of every Nigerian is prioritized, I would allocate more funds to the health sector which I think is at a pathetic state currently.
As a pharmacy student, you advocate for healthy living for individuals through an organization you run “The Medvocacy Initiative for Africa (TMI Africa).” Can you shed more light on TMI Africa? Its activities, aims and achievements so far?
TMI Africa is an organization of young medical advocates and volunteers. We encourage youths especially those who are medically inclined to actively promote health within their immediate environment and to the general public.
We engage in online health campaigns, dissemination of health information, health outreaches in schools through collaborations and partnerships.
Although we are just starting out, we engaged fully and effectively in the cervical cancer campaign online and it was very helpful to many as a lot of people became aware of the disease and tips for prevention.
We hope to achieve more in coming months.
What was growing up in a Nigerian home like and how did it contribute to the path you have chosen?
(Laughs) I think we all know what growing in a Nigerian home is like.
My home was a special case because my parents were really strict on my sisters and i due to fact that we were girls, they didn’t want us to “spoil.”
But we thank God because it is part of what has made me the woman I am today and I’m grateful.
Where do you see yourself/your brand in the next 5 years?
I am passionate about entrepreneurship because I believe that every economy that we admire has a viable private sector to boast of. If we are going to see sustainable changes in the Nigerian economy, the private sector has a huge role to play and I want to be at the forefront of that in the health and beauty space.
If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?
I would advice them to maximise their social media. I say this everyday that this social media thing we see is way under utilised.
My social media is one of my biggest influences. I follow smart, intelligent, purpose driven individuals who inform my everyday life. My Instagram account is really boring to an average youth because i follow more content than glam.
I would advice them to Cherish their relationship with God because ,he is the ultimate giver of Life, wisdom and prosperity.
Lastly, I will advise them to be focused. Most of the things we care so much about currently are so irrelevant. Focus on things that matter to your future.
Thanks alot, Rubygirls for this interview, I’m truly honored!
Congressional Rep. Ayanna Pressley got very candid in a new interview with The Root, where she revealed that she has alopecia, unveiling her bald head for the first time and confirming what we already knew, she is truly beautiful.
Pressley said she just became aware of her condition recently. “In the fall, when I was getting my hair retwisted, is the first time that I was made aware that I had some patches. From there, it accelerated very quickly,” she said in the interview.
The Democratic rep is known for her signature twists, a style that has become intertwined with her political brand, a symbolism of freedom for Black women professionals everywhere. She said she decided to come forward to the public about her condition because she “thinks it’s important that [she’s] transparent about this new normal.”
Alopecia areata, the condition Pressley has been diagnosed with, is described as an “autoimmune disorder that makes the body attack its own hair follicles, causing hair production to slow down to the point that hair growth may stop,” according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
I was completely bald. And in a matter of hours, was going to have to walk into the floor [of] the House Chamber … and cast a vote in support of articles of impeachment. And so I didn’t have the luxury of mourning what felt like the loss of a limb. I was missing [my mother]. I was mourning my hair. I was mourning the state of our democracy. I was mourning my mentor, Chairman Elijah Cummings. It was a moment of transformation, not of my choosing. But I knew the moment demanded that I stand in it and that I lean in.”
While she is still adjusting to her lived experience, Congresswoman Pressley is embracing this moment and is experimenting with different hairstyles and wigs. “One I call ‘FLOTUS’ because it feels very Michelle Obama to me, [and another] I call ‘Tracee,’ because it feels very Tracee Ellis Ross to me,” she said.
“I’m trying to get to a place where I give myself the space to be, to find joy in options,” Pressley said.
Thank you for your vulnerability and your transparency Congresswoman Pressley. We hope that you find support from this community, knowing that you have truly liberated others through your story.
Eniola Aluko has accomplished a lot in her life so far – both on and off the pitch.
A successful playing career saw her win 102 caps for England and four league titles, while taking her to World Cups, European Championships and an Olympic Games.
But far from being defined by her achievements in the game, Aluko is a published author, a qualified lawyer and a respected pundit.
Here we take a look at her journey to Aston Villa…
Taking the honours
Success has followed Aluko throughout her career since she broke through at city rivals Birmingham City in 2001.
Eight years across two stints as a Chelsea player provided the bulk of her honours, with Aluko’s goals firing the Blues to three Women’s Super League titles and two FA Cups.
The 32-year-old’s record of 68 goals in 158 appearances for the West London side means she remains their all-time top scorer.
A move to Turin to join Juventus in 2018 was the last stop in Aluko’s glittering playing career, and she duly finished with a flourish by winning Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
An England centurion
Born in Nigeria, Aluko had a choice to make when it came to her international allegiance.
Having moved to Birmingham at the age of one, she opted to become a Lioness, making her senior debut for England at the age of 17 against the Netherlands in 2004.
A year later, Aluko was selected to play for her country at UEFA Euro 2005. As the tournament clashed with her A Levels, she sat a history exam on the morning of one of England’s matches. Appearances at three World Cups resulted in two quarter-final exits and one third place finish, while she picked up a runners-up medal at UEFA Euro 2009.
Aluko finished her international career with a record of 33 goals in 102 appearances.
Football intelligence
Coming through at a time when turning professional was not a viable option for female footballers in England, Aluko has pursued interests outside of the game.
She graduated Brunel University with a first class degree in Law 2008 and worked as a trainee solicitor alongside her playing career until 2015 when she qualified as a sports and entertainment lawyer.
A successful broadcasting career, which began when she became the first female pundit on Match of the Day, has seen her work as a pundit at both men’s and women’s World Cups.
Aluko is also became a published author when she released her book ‘They Don’t Teach This’
Instagram has become a great place to get current news, latest celebrity updates and lifestyle hacks almost about anything. More people are willing to share about their personal lives daily.
As a mom, here are 8 amazing platforms on Instagram in no particular order, to get information about parenting, and to help you navigate the task of motherhood while seeking work life balance:
1.LagosMums
This an online community of moms, sharing parenting tips on how to raise your child. Yetty Williams a parenting coach, is the founder. They hold events and also have a review section for parents. They have broad contents from parenting to capacity building, events and workshops and networking. You can follow them @lagosmums
2. AugustSecrets
This amazing platform shares colourful meal plans and nutrition for your kids. It is owned by Toyin Onigbanji an award winning entrepreneur. Foods high in nutrient density are displayed in ways to spark creativity in mothers. Nutrition tips are also shared. You can follow them @augustsecrets.ng
3. Mummyclinicc
This platform is managed by child psychologist and certified child sleep expert and potty trainer; Temi Olajide, who shares tips on how to effectively interact with your kids and teaching them proper ways to behave. It helps moms to understand how children behave while sharing parenting tips. You can follow them @mummyclinicc
3. Mamalette.
The reality of pregnancy, and everyday parenting is shared here, most times using quotes a mother can relate with. Little babies and toddlers are the focus in this platforms. It was created by Anike Lawal who has over 7 years experience in Business Development and Management. You can follow them @mamaletteng
5. Motherhood Nigeria
This community shares resources for getting pregnant, when pregnant and how to nurture your children. It was founded by Abiodun Alabi a HR Pro and entrepreneur. Myths and facts are shared here and they are quite versatile. You can follow them @motherhoodnigeria
6.Pregnancy and Beyond
This is a fun, fact and tips sharing platform. They share personal experiences of other moms for motivation. It is filled with interesting contents on the journey of pregnancy and the beauty of motherhood. You can follow them @pregnnancybeyond
7. Lagos Housewives
This platform shares meal recipes, for moms to try, owned by Rayo Abe, a writer and a cook. There are also engaging contents displaying current happenings and activities.You can follow them @lagoshousewives
8.Imumzone
Real mom stories and baby issues are shared here. It was founded by Modupe Enyinla, a beauty entrepreneur. Pregnancy tips and all a mom needs for her motherhood journey are talked about. Products are also reviewed creating brand awareness. You can follow them @imumzone
Michelle Timberlake is the owner of the first and only Black, woman-owned beef jerky brand, Marjorie’s Beef Jerky, Black Enterprise reports.
“I raised my own money so that I am not controlled using someone else’s money.”-Timberlake
Michelle began in 1991 after a bad truck accident that was a threat to her job. She been very concerned about her welfare took it up in prayer. She states, “I didn’t know what to do. I had a 5-year old boy to feed, and I really could not see a way out so I prayed about it.”
Three days later, Michelle says she got enlightened with a vision to start beef jerky company. Immediately, she began her journey into making “the best tasting beef jerky on this planet!” She named the business after her late mother Marjorie Leona Dawson. Michelle comments, “My mother was my number one beef jerky fan. In 2010, she told me, ‘Michelle it’s time for you to put your beef jerky through. It is going to make you.”
She continues, “I said to my mom, ‘really?’ and she replied, ‘Yes, this beef jerky is going to make you! Only I won’t live to see it.’ I said, ‘Sure you will!’ but my mother replied, ‘No Michelle I will not!’ She then gave me this really serious look, and I told her that I am thankful that she gave me life and allowed me to be my own person. I told her that her picture will be on every bag of beef jerky that I sell in honor to the woman who gave up her life just to raise me and 10 other children as she put her own life on hold. My mother believed in me when no one else did. She died in 2010 shortly after telling me to put the beef jerky through. She knew that she was dying, and she died of stage 4 kidney failure and a heart attack. I was shattered! I feel her strength and her wisdom inside of me now.”
Michelle continues, “Often I have to deal with a people who say I should take the picture off the bag for fear of lessor sales because of my mother being a black woman. I say no way! I was even told that perhaps I should do an animated picture of my Mother just like they did for Aunt Jemima. Well let’s just say I no longer have that friend after 40 years of friendship. That’s why I worked hard and raised my own money and still trying to raise money by sales to build a warehouse and to provide jobs and offer dreams to the less fortunate so that they can feed their families. We want to also build a facility for child care for the single parents so that they can be close to their babies and take their breaks and check on them or eat lunch with them to keep the bond of closeness. I do all of this from the help of my friends from over 30 years who believe and invested in me. I raised my own money so that I am not controlled using someone else’s money. So the orders from our customers will someday allow me to give back to the community. We still have a long way to go for we are a work in progress being that we used our own resources. We welcome any donation but we would just prefer you to purchase at least one or two bags of beef Jerky per month. Where I live there is no minimum wage. The Employers can pay a person $5.00 per hour and some do. I don’t believe in sweat camps! How can a person pay their bills and feed their families being oppressed? Our ultimate goal is to someday own our own manufacturing plant without having to subcontract a manufacturer. This will allow me to keep the cost down having my own manufacturing plant. Without our own plant the cost will stay high for us.”
Timberlake often tells people to try her product even if they aren’t fans of beef jerky, because they often become new customers after tasting her version of dehydrated meat.
Three-time Olympian Dominique Dawes is set to open up a new gymnastics academy in Maryland, Black Enterprisereports.
She is a world renown retired gymnast, the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in women’s gymnastics.
The 43-year-old mother of four, said that empowering young people is her true motivation. “All four of my kids are my motivation! They will be active in the gymnastics and ninja programs and I couldn’t be more proud to build a community to empower and positively encourage today’s generation of gymnasts and beyond. Words leave a lasting impact on the self-esteem of a young child, which is why it’s beyond gold medals here at Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy. Every child that walks through our doors will know that they are valued. My amazing staff will understand that the most important kid is the one standing right in front of them,” she said.
“This is me leaving a lasting legacy in the sport of gymnastics. I know I was able to do it as an athlete. This is my way of doing it by creating a healthy, positive encouraging gymnastics community in this area, in the state of Maryland, that has been so supportive of me throughout my whole career,” she added.
When it comes to beauty so many believe its all to do with what you slather on your face – like cosmetics and make up products. Well, those could help for the moment but having a flawless beautiful skin and look, goes beyond that, and that’s what the Japanese women are known for. They’ve got an age defying beautiful skin that makes it difficult to tell their age.
Here are some little secrets of theirs:
1. Green tea.
This is a soothing beverage packed with antioxidant, antiinflammatory, this are necessary for a healthy body and skin glow. Green tea protects the skin from harmful UV rays therefore minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. It reactivates dying skin cells, improve skin complexion and fights cancer. This is one of their best secret.
2. Balanced Meal Plan
Their food contain low fatty meat, low sugar, less oils. They’ll rather eat more of fish which contains loads of omega-3 fatty acids, health-promoting, anti-aging molecules. They eat variety of food rich in fibres, vitamins and minerals in high quantities, variety good foods.
3. Rice Water
Rice is a food they consider special. They use the water it was boiled in, simply as a facial wash, or add it to their bath water. It contains the minerals that have left the grains during cooking and it also contains starch, a soothing substance for the skin.
4. Vitamin C.
Japanese women constantly take vitamin C through food, supplements, drinks, fruit and vegetables, and cosmetic products. It breaks down melanin, the natural pigmentation we get in our skin from tanning or aging. It’s the sunny vitamin that brightens and gives you truly natural and glowing skin.
5. Healthy Cleanser
They will use mild cleaners. Oils are also part of their cleansing routine because oils dissolve other oils and the “dirt” on your face, as well as the oil secreted by the glands in the skin.
6. Makeup Healthy
When it comes to cosmetics they believe your skin should complement the makeup, and not the makeup hiding it. “We value the beautiful and healthy state of the skin, rather than piling up a lot of makeup on. Sheer and natural foundation is more common than heavy coverage foundation,” said a Japanese beauty blogger.
These are some of their easy tips for anyone to try any where in the world. They still have more.
Note, makeup can weary the skin to age quickly if its on for too long and so, should be washed off before bedtime.
Jewel Burks Solomon, an Atlanta based tech entrepreneur, just became the first African-American to be named head of Google for Startups in the United States, Hypepotamus reports.
The newly created role at Google will help empower startup founders with products, connections and best practices, while also helping to diversify the startup landscape. In 2013, Solomon created PartPic, a company that utilizes visual recognition software to identify maintenance and repair supplies. From 2014-2016 Solomon worked for Google as an entrepreneur-in-residence for diversity markets, “helping underserved business owners grow their businesses online using Google tools.” In 2016, Amazon purchased PartPic, solidifying Solomon in the tech arena. Her new role will require her to put all of her expertise to use and continue to push the envelope on diversity in the startup community.
The Howard alumna spoke about her new position saying, “I am thrilled about the opportunity to do work I’m deeply passionate about, to help level the playing field in the startup ecosystem. I have a great opportunity to highlight the work of incredible startups here and in other markets that have historically been underresourced.”
Solomon, a Nashville native, is also a managing partner at Collab Capital, an investment fund group that connects African-Americans to the capital needed to launch successful businesses.
“Jewel’s background as an entrepreneur and investor gives her a deep amount of empathy for the founder journey and insight into what founders need to build successful businesses. Her experience allows the team to ensure our work is meaningful to startups and that the metrics of success are closely aligned with the startups we work with,” a Google rep told Hypepotamus.
With Solomon being located in Atlanta, the tech giant also sees opportunity for expansion outside Silicon Valley. “Google has been fortunate to call Georgia home for the last eighteen years. There’s amazing local talent in the area and a strong spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, which continues to attract companies, big and small to the area, and we’re proud to be a part of the thriving tech ecosystem,” they said.
Solomon said she is also excited to shake things up in the peach state. “The opportunity to bring the best of Google to startups in Atlanta and other key markets is incredibly exciting. Access to the right resources and people is critical to startup success, so I’m excited to be able to share these things with startups that need them,” she said.
Right here at Women of Rubies ‘WOR’ We love it when women own their crown and wear is proudly.
Delectable Bisola has this to say on her birthday:
As i Celebrate my birthday today, I am chanelling the Queen Amina in me. Queen Amina was a warrior, a leader, a defender of her people and one of the most successful traders in history. My fellow queens and princesses, the power in us is undefeatable and the light in us is undimmable, the conquest ahead of us is unstoppable. Happy Birthday Queen Biyesi of the world, your best is ahead of You”
The actress wrote on her Instagram Page this morning.
Bisola Aiyesola is not just an actress, she is a singer, an Mc and was a nominee for ‘Future Award Price for acting’. She starred in blockbuster movie Sugar Rush.
She adorned herself in a northern ensemble portraying Queen Amina.
She turn 34 today Queen! Because you know this just right.
