Often times though, we hear about the achievers, successful women in business and in the professional world, how they started and became successful which is really great and very inspiring. However, there are women who are in the process and seldom looked at. I set out to highlight some young Nigerian women who are still in the process but making dramatic impact. Against all odds these women set out to pursue their dreams, it was not an easy journey for them, it was not all rosy, but they remained steadfast and committed. Together, these women represents an up-and-coming entrepreneurial generation, proffering innovative solutions in their fields. It is my desire that many young women will be inspired by the experiences shared here to go the distance. It is very okay to dream big, you can be the receptionist in a company and aspire to be the MD, You could innovate something entirely new and create a business around it, you could create a system around an existing business, you can do anything you desire, it only takes hard-work, determination, passion, time, resilience, strong will and a 'can-do' drive. It is not easy but it is worthwhile.
Meet three inspiring young Nigerians in business;
Résumé: An over achiever with a university degree. Her craving to organise people's outlook fashion wise launched her passion as a designer/image consultant. And today she has helped so many young women look even better.
Path to the Top: Her flare for fashion and style started at age 15 and she never believed in the word 'impossible'. While in the university Damilola went into modelling, and did jobs for companies like LG Slim, MTN, Coca-cola, Collectibles, Starcoms but to mention a few, she even won the Miss Festac Town beauty
pageant. At age 16 she started her business and her defining moment was when she succeeded in styling most of the girls in school. According to Damilola, she knew she had more to offer so upon graduation she went on to acquire more experience by working with companies like Insight advertising, Sound city and Vlisco. These working experiences helped her grow her business stronger and better.
Recommendation: "Who says you cant wake up to be the person you dream to be! The you in you makes you the you that you are. Move! Dream! Achieve!.....don't sit and sleep, act!"
Résumé: Obianuju is the CEO Hongel Ltd, a customer based company that specilaizes in wellness and beauty product distribution. She is also the co-founder of UOC Foods Nig, a food supply chain, catering to the stomachs of so many busy individuals. With her experience in health and food, and also thanks to her husband who's a medical doctor she facilitates seminars on healthy living.
Path to the Top: Like many other graduates, Obianuju set out to get a job, but while she worked full time she started a small business that she managed only on weekends. However, with a burning desire to manage her time given that she's married with two kids, and to discontinue building other peoples dream she decided to resign from her job in 2011 and according to her she took a 'daring step' and launched out Hongel, her health and wellness business which is something she desired so much. She stated that being in the business environment and acquiring knowledge and skill helped in setting up her business. With the rate of economic growth, and people getting busier and busier by the day finding less time to shop or cook, Obianuju saw the need to create benefit and so decided to diversify in 2012 when she co-founded UOC Food, starting out with hygienically packed groceries, then progressed to making home cooked meal services.
Recommendation: "There are many challenges on the way but i don't let them deter me. Sometimes even a 'NO' from a client spurs more interest in me."
Résumé: This ambitious young lady manages her cake making business and is fast becoming a brand. She bakes exquisite cakes of all types, and very creative. This experience has accorded her the opportunity to participate and win cash prizes in various cake baking competitions.
Path to the Top: First it started with the desire to just make some money and she attended a catering school, but as she trained she realised she developed a strong love for making cake and became very passionate about it. After completing a six months course in cake making together with loads of inspiration from Buddy Paulo of Paulos she set out to establish Cakeville in 2010. According to her its been a wonderful experience watching cakeville grow irrespective of the challenges she dealt with.
Recommendation: "The number 1 secret to making your business grow is 'PASSION'. You have to love what you do and be dedicated time wise and financially."
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