Notes of a Girl Whose Dad Owns The World
Starting a small business is not a walk in the park, especially in Nigeria; a chat with any Nigerian entrepreneur will quickly reveal this. In spite of the many challenges, small businesses continue to spring up daily, and Connect Nigeria continues to support SMEs across Nigeria, recognizing the invaluable role they play in the economy.
Are you considering starting a small business? Have you identified the things that have held you back? Then ask yourself these questions.
Chioma Pamela Nwuruku studied Electrical & Electronics Engineering in the University of East London for her first degree and attained a second degree in Information and Business Systems Engineering from University of Surrey. In January 2016 she founded a Floral & Gift delivery company, Eleanor Des Fleurs, in Abuja. We chatted about her entrepreneurial journey HERE.
Olashile Abayomi studied Political Science at the University of Ado-Ekiti, and has professional certifications in oil and gas and also in HSE (Health, Safety and Environment). An alumni of the Pan Atlantic University where she bagged her professional certification in Entrepreneurial Management, this driven young entrepreneur is the founder of SoupAmarket. She talked to me about running a business and providing solutions in this interview.
Toks Bakare is the founder of asktoks.com. an organisation that provides developmental services to children with autism and other developmental delays.A trained Behaviour Analyst who has over a decade of experience in the field of developmental psychology, Ms Bakare is a specialist consultant who has relocated to Nigeria to fill a gap by providing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) services to children with developmental disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She talked to me about her motivation, being an entrepreneur, and what every Nigerian should know about autism in this interview.
Oluwatoyin Onigbanjo is a journalist, recipe developer, children food blogger, and the Founder of August Secrets Nigeria, a baby and toddler food solutions company. Toyin, who holds a B.A in English and Literature, and Masters in Public and International Affairs, gives a peek into her journey to entrepreneurship in this interview with me.
Ezinne Reginald-Okonkwo studied law at Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State and now runs Somre Foods, a healthy food and drink business. She talks to me about becoming an entrepreneur, doing business in Nigeria, and the power of faith in this interview.
‘The “aha” moment that led to the birth of Brief Essentials came in the year 2009 when I was looking to purchase high quality underwear at prices that wouldn’t cost the earth. At that point my husband and I realised that there were no major stores that focused on varieties of relatively affordable, good quality underwear that were conveniently available or accessible. Furthermore, e-commerce was just kicking off in Nigeria, and there was a desire for us to meet the need of Nigerians who had the same problems we had. The idea of Brief Essentials was birthed in 2011, making us the first full-fledged online focused store that revolutionised lingerie and underwear sale in Nigeria.’
Read my full interview with Seun Tayo-Balogun HERE.
Oluwaseun Olarewaju, an accounting graduate from the University of Abuja, is the Founder/CEO of SoapboxNg, a private label company that manufactures organic skincare products for skincare brands. She talks to me about entrepreneurship in Nigeria, and the private label structure she chose for her company, in this interview.
Itoro Okon graduated with a degree in Geology from Carleton University, Canada, and worked in both the mineral exploration and oil and gas exploration industries for 3 years before moving back to start her jewelry line, Jewelry by Itoro Okon. She talks to me about her inspiration and her entrepreneurial dreams in this interview.
Agency 106, which manages talents like Ireti Doyle, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Linda Ejiofor and Adesua Etomi, is run by Isioma Osaje, a graduate of medicine and surgery from Igbinedion University. She talks to me about her career, her talent management journey, and the Nigerian film industry, in this interview.
anafricandiva 