Building Impact Startups

I run a community for mothers tagged mumpreneur.ng, where I focus on helping moms thrive in business and careers without sacrificing the homefront. 

I do this through training programs, networking events, support, and advocacy. I also run a personal brand consulting business for mothers to help them gain visibility for their companies and/or careers.

My career path hasn’t always been a straight line. When I exited the corporate world in 2010 to start a business, I wanted to run a gift delivery business and be there for my family. But I soon realized I was ill-equipped and did not have the support system to thrive outside of the corporate world. 

However, I was determined to make it work. I wanted to be present for my family and earn an income while at it. This was the vision that drove me, and over time, it became the foundation for my business. 

The driving force for me remains my “why”. I simply want to be a present mum and to live life fully rather than just exist. I am motivated to work even harder at my goals and dreams when I think about this.

There is a saying that goes thus:

“Nothing prepares you for a business like being in business.” 

I started my business before I left my job, but three years into it, I was utterly burnt out. I had lost my capital, and everything was going badly. 

I got so frustrated and depressed, and that was when I started blogging. Blogging became my way out of depression. My blogging journey led to the birth of Mumpreneur.

Memorable Milestones

I still remember the very first person who paid me for a service. I felt so good that I even did a little happy dance. 

Another one was my first TV appearance on Moments with Mo in 2013. It encouraged me and helped validate that I was on the right path. 

Also, in 2018, I was a panelist at the African Students Business Event of Georgetown University in Virginia, USA. And then, in 2020, I got to train over 4,000 women across five communities in Lagos on branding their small businesses. I did this is in conjunction with Karis and Eleos foundation and the Coca-Cola Foundation. 

Lessons Learned

I have learned that there is no such thing as overnight success. Success comes with lots of failures along the way. But with hard work, everything eventually falls into place. 

It is also important to stay visible. You can easily go into obscurity if you are not well represented online. This cannot be underestimated, especially in this global era where people have access to the internet and can verify claims and people online. 

My Spark

The spark in me is my ability to show up consistently. I believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult it might be, showing up is one virtue that is needed the most. 

I have always believed that I can overcome any challenge that comes my way. Even when I don’t have a clear picture of where I am going, I keep moving, and over time, the ideas evolve and take shape. 

Another thing that has gotten me this far is the ability to grow and adapt constantly. I do not give up. Even when I stumble and fall, I get back up and keep going.

On Women Empowerment

I am passionate about creating a level playing field for women because all my experiences as a woman and mother point me in the direction of the challenges women face every day. 

When I resigned from the corporate space, I struggled a lot until I got into a mentoring program for women sponsored by IBM. It was there I realized how powerful having a support system, as well as the need to connect with other women in creating equal opportunities for all.

If I had the power to do one thing to close the gender equality gap, I would remove the emphasis on gender in schools, churches, mosques, workplaces, politics and society as a whole. I would do this so that the focus will be on what each person brings to the table as a human being rather than based on gender.

Finding Her Spark

Connect with your inner self and become the woman you were meant to be. 

It has yet to be figured out ultimately. You just have to decide to take charge of your life. 

I know that life is in times and seasons, and we must all just learn to embrace it as it is. 

Don’t beat yourself up over decisions you were unable to make. If it works out later, it will work out later.

As the Country Director for Empretec Nigeria foundation, a United Nations conference for Trade and Development programs on Entrepreneurship across thirty-six countries, and the Chairman of the Child Survival and Development Organisation of Nigeria, I am passionate about business sustainability.

I bring out the spark in Business Sustainability as I teach business owners how to run their businesses, make a profit and still make an impact.

Starting Out

 In 1999, the National Agency for the control of AIDS, NACA, pronounced Cross River as the state with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. However, because of their firm belief that mass awareness is the best approach to health education and intervention, I put together a couple of women who went across the states educating the populace about this scourge. 

I had to create projects in three states for orphaned and vulnerable children. Our efforts paid off, and within 18 months, the prevalence of the rates of HIV/AIDS dropped from 12.5% to 6%. This earned usy a recommendation from the World Health Organization and also attracted a grant from the World Bank. This experience grew into my dream, and I was able to appreciate extremely well the co-dependency that people have towards each other and the environment.

As a result, I could register three non-profit organizations on the same day. Twenty years down the line, all three are very successful and of international standards. 

Understanding Business Sustainability

Sustainability is the fulcrum on which everything we do rests. I approach almost everything I do from that lens. Come to think of it, by the beginning of creation, we were created on planet Earth. By the very nature of man, we assemble to live together. It is that essence of living together, of identifying the needs that each other has, and trying to meet those needs that developed into businesses. 

To run a sustainable business as an entrepreneur, it is essential for your stakeholders, your customers, and the business environment where you’re operating to see you as a business that solves a social problem or an environmental problem.

It is also important for the sincerity and integrity to be evident in your value statement. The sense of justice that you bring to your business is also key. You do not want your customers to doubt you, lose their confidence in you, or be suspicious of your intentions. There are certain things that enhance customer retention. Seeing yourself as being personally responsible for your business is very important and serves the common good for everyone.

The Triple ‘P’ Perspective

I have emphasized the necessity for every business that wants to be sustainable to approach it from the triple P perspective – People, Profit and Planet. I try to balance it on that lever. I know that it is important while running a particular business that I carry along all of my stakeholders as well as employees. So one key quality I had to quickly cultivate over the years is resilience. I had to also ensure that there was trust and integrity while ensuring that I kept the business going.

Lessons Learned

From running three non-profit organizations, I have learned that the social impact made on the communities they’re operating out of is significant. But, beyond that, profits matter too. Except a business is sustainable, in a short while, everything would crumble, and the company would go under; that’s why sustainability is so vital. Therefore, for entrepreneurs, to ensure the sustainability of your business, please continue to remember that inventing, reinventing, imaging, and re-branding your product’s image is very key. You must emphasize the need for you to continue to innovate your business.

Your Role As An Entrepreneur

If you are to continue and stay in business. You must remember that sustainable business operation is not a destination; it’s a journey — continuous. Perhaps the easy way to start is to start today and do it incrementally, which means reinventing and innovating constantly. However, what is essential is that you are constantly improving on whatever product or service you’re offering.

Also, I want to encourage every entrepreneur to never underestimate their organization’s power or capability to stay focused, believe in sustainability, and develop sustainability practices.

To assure the sustainability of any business, it is key to pay close attention to the supply chain process and this is because irrespective of how careful the internal processes might be if there is a challenge or a shortcoming in the supply of raw materials from the suppliers’ end, that could tarnish the quality of the end product.

Conclusion

The future will be brighter for business sustainability because there’s a lot more awareness now about the need for companies and organizations to run their affairs and operate sustainably. A lot of attention has come into play, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. This has made many organizations, big and small, realize that they have to be more environmentally conscious and anticipate any change in the market.

A young, vibrant, and energetic travel blogger and consultant with a voracious passion for promoting tourism in Nigeria,

I gathered data on needs across rural communities while touring Nigeria. This fostered the accessibility of data to Individuals/Organizations that can provide solutions to such needs in relation to SDGs. 

I am leveraging my extensive travel experiences to bring social development to rural areas in the country.

This travel blogger’s story is evidence that fun can lead to purpose and change.In the beginning, I had no concise plans for my adventures. I only did all I did as way of escape. But, as time went on, things began to change. I started to understand the industry better, seeing grey areas that I could exploit and make something out of. I decided to take it upon myself to make a change in the Tourism industry. 

I saw the need to work on changing the narrative of tourism in Nigeria, creating safe travel platforms for ladies to travel alone, and also demystifying the stereotypes about tribalism that run rife in our society.

To push and achieve this vision, I picked myself up and did a nationwide tour. I traveled to all 36 states in Nigeria and lived with the locals from different tribes and cultures, trying to understand how they live and also see life from their points of view. It took me a couple of months after starting out to see what the after-start bigger picture was. It has been an 

interesting ride, but I must say I’m proud of all that I’ve been able to achieve so far.

Driving Force

A strong determination to make a positive impact in my country has always been the driving force for what I do. 

During most of my trips, one thing I always notice is how most local communities are in such bad shape, and even do not get to receive charitable donations or aid, mostly because there is no proper database to guide philanthropic support. 

This fired me up to build something to tackle this problem. I want to be the bridging gap between the “haves and the haves not” across the country; helping provide the ‘haves’ with data and resources to truly bring about sustainable development. 

Memorable Milestones

I’ve had quite a few amazing milestones. For starters, I was interviewed on BBC Radio after my feat of completing the thirty-six states movement. I was also interviewed on Rubbin’ Minds, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and aired on Channels TV. Then, I got my first magazine feature in the reputable Genevieve Magazine.

I was recognized as the Best Travel Personality of the year in 2020 at the Nigerian Tourism Awards. I was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Tourism Promoters in Nigeria.

Then, for Social Impact, I have been able to leverage my deep-rooted experience in Travel & Tourism to help social development focused on organizations and philanthropists bring positive impact to communities I have explored.

I was able to help facilitate a water project for a community, and get scholarships and school materials for kids in schools in 

Lagos State. Most of these were made possible by the support of organizations such as The Purpose Foundation and the Black Kintsugi Foundation. So, I’m giving a huge shout-out to them.

Lessons Learnt

One major lesson I have picked up over the years is that determination and consistency are very critical to growth and accomplishments. I have also learned never to undermine anybody. You never know who is watching. 

On Women Empowerment

“A woman with a voice is by definition, a strong woman.” – Melinda Gates.

I am passionate about creating a safe space for women to travel without being scared. I want women to be able to challenge the narratives and go for it a hundred percent. This is why I created a space to enable young women to travel with me for a short period of time on a fully funded trip just to inspire them to know that they can start little and ignite their passion.

For me, I am an Advocate for Gender Equality. To achieve this, I believe opportunities should be provided equally, regardless of gender. The opportunities shouldn’t be based on biological constructs but rather on capabilities. 

I know women who excel in the so-called fields dominated by men, so every woman can go into any industry and make a difference. 

My Spark 

My ability to break barriers and achieve what I set my mind on is my spark. I can cross rivers, jump through burning flames, and climb the highest rocks just to get something done. I can literally travel and break barriers.

#FindingHerSpark

I tell women to find something that they’re passionate about, keep their interests locked in it, and remain consistent. 

It is really in the little doings. Start from where you are and with the little you have. I was a girl from a downtown ghetto in Lagos but look how much I have grown.

I run a community for mothers tagged mumpreneur.ng, where I focus on helping moms thrive in business and careers without sacrificing the homefront. 

I do this through training programs, networking events, support, and advocacy. I also run a personal brand consulting business for mothers to help them gain visibility for their companies and/or careers.

My career path hasn’t always been a straight line. When I exited the corporate world in 2010 to start a business, I wanted to run a gift delivery business and be there for my family. But I soon realized I was ill-equipped and did not have the support system to thrive outside of the corporate world. 

However, I was determined to make it work. I wanted to be present for my family and earn an income while at it. This was the vision that drove me, and over time, it became the foundation for my business. 

The driving force for me remains my “why”. I simply want to be a present mum and to live life fully rather than just exist. I am motivated to work even harder at my goals and dreams when I think about this.

There is a saying that goes thus:

“Nothing prepares you for a business like being in business.” 

I started my business before I left my job, but three years into it, I was utterly burnt out. I had lost my capital, and everything was going badly. 

I got so frustrated and depressed, and that was when I started blogging. Blogging became my way out of depression. My blogging journey led to the birth of Mumpreneur.

Memorable Milestones

I still remember the very first person who paid me for a service. I felt so good that I even did a little happy dance. 

Another one was my first TV appearance on Moments with Mo in 2013. It encouraged me and helped validate that I was on the right path. 

Also, in 2018, I was a panelist at the African Students Business Event of Georgetown University in Virginia, USA. And then, in 2020, I got to train over 4,000 women across five communities in Lagos on branding their small businesses. I did this is in conjunction with Karis and Eleos foundation and the Coca-Cola Foundation. 

Lessons Learned

I have learned that there is no such thing as overnight success. Success comes with lots of failures along the way. But with hard work, everything eventually falls into place. 

It is also important to stay visible. You can easily go into obscurity if you are not well represented online. This cannot be underestimated, especially in this global era where people have access to the internet and can verify claims and people online. 

My Spark

The spark in me is my ability to show up consistently. I believe that in every situation, no matter how difficult it might be, showing up is one virtue that is needed the most. 

I have always believed that I can overcome any challenge that comes my way. Even when I don’t have a clear picture of where I am going, I keep moving, and over time, the ideas evolve and take shape. 

Another thing that has gotten me this far is the ability to grow and adapt constantly. I do not give up. Even when I stumble and fall, I get back up and keep going.

On Women Empowerment

I am passionate about creating a level playing field for women because all my experiences as a woman and mother point me in the direction of the challenges women face every day. 

When I resigned from the corporate space, I struggled a lot until I got into a mentoring program for women sponsored by IBM. It was there I realized how powerful having a support system, as well as the need to connect with other women in creating equal opportunities for all.

If I had the power to do one thing to close the gender equality gap, I would remove the emphasis on gender in schools, churches, mosques, workplaces, politics and society as a whole. I would do this so that the focus will be on what each person brings to the table as a human being rather than based on gender.

Finding Her Spark

Connect with your inner self and become the woman you were meant to be. 

It has yet to be figured out ultimately. You just have to decide to take charge of your life. 

I know that life is in times and seasons, and we must all just learn to embrace it as it is. 

Don’t beat yourself up over decisions you were unable to make. If it works out later, it will work out later.

Many phrases — social developer, lawyer, human and gender rights activist, director — come to mind when you hear the name Naomi Nwokolo. She is, in fact, a potpourri of business and sustainability, and more.

As Executive Director at the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria,

I am big on social development and sustainability. Lately, a massive shift has occurred in how businesses now conduct their operations. Unlike previous decades, for-profit organizations are now deep into Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance impact and sustainable development. They no longer leave the responsibility to not-for-profit organizations, as businesses are finding their place in the responsibility.

Also, sustainability has grown beyond the walls of environmental issues.

It is now a way of saving the future, our future.

I focus on the “S” (of the ESG), which represents Social Norms. This choice is influenced by my passion for the respect of human rights and just institutions. I founded the Women Rights Protection and Rehabilitation Center and co-founded AOP Legal Practitioners.

The UN Global Compact is the Netflix of sustainability. We help businesses align their vision with the ten universal principles in human rights, labor, environmental, and anti-corruption.

Furthermore, we encourage business owners to take responsibility by taking action to promote the Sustainable Development Goals, in line with the twenty-one years old vision of Kofi Annan.

It will be impossible for the government to achieve the 2030 goals independently. Private businesses have contributions to make.

Organizations often want to get involved but must learn how to do so. But through the academy — Action Platforms and Global Impact Initiatives — we help businesses embed sustainability in their core operations and educate them on making the global goals their local business.

Her Spark

I consider myself a humanitarian. I don’t like to see people suffer or be bullied.

Over the years, I have learned to build capacity for whatever I am praying or hoping to get.

And that preparation is key to social development. So, when advocating for gender equality, we put plans for capacity building and mentoring.

So that when these women get roles, they can deliver a hundred percent.

It is also vital to learn from others and be confident.

On Women Empowerment

The best way to help women is to contribute to their growth of women. Supporting women contributes to the development of business and the economy.

Women bring a different spice to an organization; we bring empathy and knowledge.

The UN Global Compact is at the forefront of driving gender equality in the Nigerian corporate sector. We use our Target Gender Equality Programme to help businesses implement women empowerment principles and increase female board participation. We encourage companies to support women by removing biases that clip women’s wings.

Milestones

It didn’t all start today. It started as far back as when I was practicing law as a human rights and criminal defense lawyer.

I saw to the release of over twenty innocent inmates and litigated various civil and criminal cases.

And even now as an under-30 individual, I am one of the youngest Executive

Directors of The UN Global Compact‘s 71 Local Networks (country offices) worldwide. I look forward to making more impact.

FindingHerSpark

To find your spark, think about what drives you. What are the issues that will give you satisfaction in a positive light?

You will understand “The Spark” in you when you identify these. Think of yourself as a problem solver at all times.

May your spark impact the world.

At the beginning of my career, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. I just knew that I wanted to do it well, whatever I was working on. I wanted to do impactful work that would matter and solve large-scale problems for people. 

I went to a Catholic boarding school, so there was always a specific time and schedule for everything. It was initially difficult for me to adjust to what I thought to be a prison, but I’ve now realized that having a plan makes you more organized and efficient. 

My career started at the University of Lagos, where I was studying for my bachelor’s degree. In my second year, I started writing, editing, and working as a virtual assistant to professionals. 

So when I completed my degree, I decided to register my company (Independent Personal Assistant) which provided skilled virtual assistance to C-level professionals in Nigeria, the US, and the UK. I was running my clients’ lives so they could focus on what mattered to them.

I’ve always believed that I would be successful. I got this quiet self-assuredness from my mom. 

She’s deceased now, but she was a very confident, enterprising woman, and that rubbed off on me. So I always thought if my mum could do so and so, I could definitely do it too because I am my mother’s child.

My Driving Force

I have always wanted to solve large-scale problems and do the best I can no matter the role or position. I have served in different capacities in my career so far, and my mantra is to help people and processes work better than they already do. When I make career decisions, small or big, it’s always after I’ve filtered it through my mantra. So on days when I don’t have the zeal to work, I remind myself that my work is essential and it will help make someone’s life easier or better.

Memorable Milestones

The first memorable milestone for me was founding my company. At the time, I was getting a bachelor’s degree in music; I was a voice major and played the violin and piano as minor instruments. In my first year, I was convinced I was going to be a famous musician and even recorded a song with a friend of mine. 

But by my second year, I wanted to try something more “profitable.” I didn’t want to make mainstream music, my sound is more indie/alternative, and I didn’t want to change my sound to appeal to more people. 

I thought, “What else do I do well?” and picked up writing for money. I used to write short stories for my enjoyment during prep in secondary school. I garnered a small readership in my class at the time too. That is how I started writing for money through university. After a while, I expanded my product offerings to include editing, project management, calendar management, and other virtual assisting services. 

So, founding a business right after university with no prior experience or education in business management was a significant milestone for me. Another milestone I remember was getting local and international clients for my business. As a first-time founder, I was able to land clients in Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom. That was a massive feat for me. 

Other milestones include working at reputable organizations like Paystack and Kuda Bank, occupying senior positions, and impacting many.

Lessons Learnt

Building, scaling, and maintaining a career requires continuous effort. The first lesson I learned was asking questions. No matter how silly you think, the questions are, always ask questions. You shouldn’t be afraid of being the most stupid person in the room. There are different reasons for you to ask questions;

– for clarification

– to improve knowledge

– to provoke thinking about solving a problem

– to get what you want

No one can read your mind and give you what you want. You have to vocalize and be confident enough to ask for it. The worst answer you’ll get is a ‘no,’ and the best solution you’ll get is a ‘yes.’ 

Another important lesson I’ve learned is to always improve myself and the quality of my work. There’s always a better and more efficient way to do most things. So, I always seek to improve myself by reading and learning more about my industry. 

That way, I can hold valuable conversations with people in the industry and learn new ways to improve my work. That mindset is one of the reasons I am where I am today career-wise. 

On Women Empowerment

It’s important to create a level playing field for all women because women make up about half of the world’s population. It’s only fitting that we are accorded a seat at the table and have a say in how the world’s systems are run. It just makes sense.

I help empower other women by directly having one-on-one conversations with women who want to get into tech and are unsure about how. 

I have conversations with them to get a sense of their strengths and goals. That way, when I find opportunities that match, I recommend them for those positions. 

If I had the power to, I would hire more women, and get more women in positions of power, in politics and across many industries. When I ran my business, 

women made up 80% of IPA’s workforce.

At some point, I hope to set up a scholarship scheme for women to learn and gain relevant skills they need to get into whatever industry they want. I am now also looking to invest in women-run companies. I am signed to FirstCheck Africa is a fund that invests in women-led early-stage businesses. I am excited by what the FirstCheck founders are doing. Women are over-mentored and under-financed. I want to make more money, so I can put my money where my mouth is (figuratively speaking).

Furthermore, I advocate for more women to be hired at my current job and other jobs I have had in the past. If we hire more women into influential positions where I work, that is a win for the ecosystem. 

And it also means there will be more women in the tech industry. 

The Spark

My Spark is how hard I work and how driven I am to help tech companies solve big problems. 

My mission statement to help people and processes work better than they already do drives me to take on the projects that I do and the companies I apply to work at. 

Finding Her Spark 

Take up space and be extremely good at whatever you’re doing. Always record your achievements and speak unapologetically about them. 

Also, do not shy away from the spotlight because by being more visible, you’re encouraging the next generation of women also to take up space and achieve their 

aspirations without fear.