Okiki Podcast: Making Inspirational People Known- Finding Your Purpose and the turning points that Propel You to Success

Betty Mutwiri, PCC PhDc is a professional coach, consultant and facilitator passionate about maximizing the potential of individuals, teams and organizations.

Betty leverages her experience as a senior leader in the public sector for the last two decades to provide insightful coaching and consulting on talent development, change leadership and EDI.

Betty is currently the CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer) of BM Leadership Coaching and Consulting Inc., a boutique firm that partners with leaders to maximize their impact, navigate complex team challenges and increase engagement.

She was the catalyst for Black Women Leaders SK, a diverse group of thirteen women who have co-authored a book entitled: " Courage, Change, Faith, Leadership: Inspiring narratives from Black Women Leaders"

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackwomenleaderssask/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackwomenleaderssask

Twitter: https://twitter.com/blkwomenleadsk

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-women-leaders-sask/

E-mail: [email protected]

Gala Event- https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/black-women-leaders-sask-book-launch-gala-tickets-509790114957

Key Takeaways:

1. Know your strengths - When working with a large group of women and coordinating on one project, it is important to understand your values and make sure you all stay on the same page. Betty expressed the importance of being clear with one another. She shared that finding their values and purposes was not difficult. What was more challenging was understanding how they can all work together with the fact that they were all interesting and diverse people. They worked under collective leadership. They talked about collaboration, respect, professionalism and focus. People stepped up based on their strengths.

2. Adjust yourself based on feedback - The writing process required a lot of writing and rewriting. When talking about your personal stories within a limited amount of pages it is important to condense information and be precise.

3. Share your stories - Betty noticed a lack of leadership stories being told by black people, more specifically black women. Along with her team, she decided that they should be the ones to tell their own stories. It is important not to let other people tell your story for you, because they don't have that same lived experience. You need to share your own story in your own words.

4. Your experience matters - Through the book, Betty hopes to ignite conversations. She wants people to reflect on the impact they wish to leave in the world. She wants people to be inspired to find their voices, take their space, and lead from a place of strength. Experiences should not be diminished, we need to share them. We all need to be more understanding and have more empathy. Afterall, we share the same universe.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki

Ashley is an energetic and ambitious Girlboss who quit the corporate 9-5 world to pursue her love of Crypto, travel, and empowering others. She's on a mission to help others create generational wealth through Crypto. With over 8 years of experience in Business and Direct Sales, she has built a global brand with The Crypto Strategy Academy.

She is Leading the industry as one of the top Crypto Educators in Canada and is the co-founder of Crypto Babes, a community for women learning, working and building in Web3, which has over 22,000 members. Ashley is also the author of "The Crypto Strategy Workbook" and "Crypto Workbook for Youth". She has spoken at countless conferences around the world and works to highlight under represented communities.

Ashley's Resources: https://thewrightsuccess.com/

Key takeaways:

1. Care less about what other people think - Ashley got into the tech space regardless of what other people thought. In 2016 she was in school learning about HR and marketing. She only heard about bitcoin through her parents and began doing some research. She started by investing $300, which turned into $900 within three months. She got really excited about it, and joined the space regardless of the fact there were not many women, much less women of color. But she had motivation and determination and took no interest in what other people thought.

2. Be comfortable with uncomfortable situations - Ashley pushed herself into uncomfortable positions purposefully. She went from a place where she was completely unaware of tech, into a tech space. It had an extremely different dynamic than what she was used to. The one thing that drove her was motivation, and her understanding of the timing. Despite being alone in the tech space, she understood that they were in the beginning stages in the adoption of the technology. She put herself in a position where she was ready to learn a lot and take advantage of the situation she was in.

3. Keep up with trends - one of the obstacles of being an entrepreneur are the moments when you ask yourself what it is exactly that you are doing. You see a lot of successes which slowly start to die off with time. You need to find a way to pivot and find new strategies that work and build consistency. There are moments where you come up with something but soon after peop;e quickly move onto another thing. You need to constantly be pivoting and staying up to date with the trends. Ashley tries to remain unique and let people know that she has been around for a long time and has a lot of knowledge in the field, while also planning revamping.

4. Some obstacles might actually be advantages - Ashley is a woman, and a woman of color. There are not a lot of people like that in the tech space. Rather than thinking of it as an obstacle, she uses it as an advantage. Since she is the only one doing what she does, she uses it as a tool to attract people and convince people like her that it is possible and doable.

5. Change your perspectives - In order to succeed in starting your own business, you need to change your perspectives on how you understand money, and how you understand failure. Failure is mandatory in order for you to be successful. Failure allows you to understand what you need to do to achieve success. You need to understand what does not work in order to understand what does. Environment and support are equally important. You need to have supportive people around you to aid you in staying on your feet though the journey.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki

Charles is a multi-award-winning lawyer and the CEO of Calgary's Osuji & Smith law firm. He was chosen as one of Calgary's Top 40 Under 40 and one of the top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada.

From law school in Nigeria to law firm CEO in Calgary, Charles' rise to the top has been swift—only seven short years—earning him a LEXPERT Rising Star recognition for Canada's Leading Lawyers Under 40. With over 45 local and national recognitions and awards in the last few years, he is now leading one of the fastest growing mid-sized law firms in Calgary. At an age when most lawyers are busy learning their craft, Charles is doing that plus ensuring he is providing mentoring and leadership for his staff of associate lawyers, legal assistants, and articling students.

Graduating at the top of his class with his Bachelor of Laws (LLB, magna cum laude) from Imo State University started it all. In 2010, he was called to the Nigerian Bar after graduating with honours with a Barrister-at-Law (BL). In 2014, he had the privilege of articling at Osuji & Smith (then Smith Law Office) and was admitted to the Alberta Bar. Only two years later, he became a Partner in the firm, and in 2017, he became the sole owner of Osuji & Smith.

Charles' fast journey to success is proof of his dedication to helping clients achieve a resolution to their matters through quick, cost-effective, and thoughtful negotiation, mediation, and litigation. Responsive communication, practical legal advice, and thoroughness are priorities in his practice, which includes employment law, family law, real estate, litigation, business law, personal injury, wills and estates, and foreclosures.

"Charles is extremely clear with his advice. Every time he takes on a case, he gives a part of himself and his heart. He is honest and works very hard to add value to his clients' lives. His client reviews speak for themselves"

Being a lawyer in Calgary after starting his law career in Nigeria has allowed Charles the privilege of combining his passion for law with his enthusiasm for mentorship and leadership within Calgary's newcomer population.

Outside of his practice, Charles spends his time mentoring other young professionals, running a free legal clinic that primarily serves Calgary's newcomer population, and volunteering with his church. He also enjoys being with family and friends, playing piano, playing and watching soccer and other sports, and reading.

1. 2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Best Lawyers)

2. 2020 Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in Canada (Canadian Lawyer)

3. LEXPERT Rising Stars, Leading Lawyers under 40

4. 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Lawyer to Watch

5. 2021 Avenue Calgary Top 40 Under 40

6. Canada's 2021 Top 40 Under 40

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki

Taheera is the founder of Tula CPA, a forward looking firm whose focus is to support financial management and profitability through strategy consulting, fractional CFO services and monthly group coaching. She is passionate about supporting visionaries with missions that promote the wellbeing of both the people and the planet.

Taheera obtained her CA in London UK, at KPMG LLP, working with a diverse set of clients ranging from medium sized to large corporate enterprises. While at the firm, she developed a passion for providing quality customer service and delivering value to her clients. Following this, she spent four years in Toronto working at McCain Foods Limited on their global finance team in a number of different roles. ​Taheera's unique global corporate experience results in a skill set that allows her to understand her clients' needs and provide optimal solutions for their success.

Outside of work, she is a proud mother (superhero) of two young children. She love exploring the planet's diversity and has travelled to over 35 countries. She is a lifelong student of the spiritual teachings of yoga and holds a 200-hour training certificate. And last, she has been a bookworm for most of her life and she loves nothing more than a good piece of fiction.

Key Takeaways:

1. Find what you enjoy and start working towards it- Friends and family suggested to Taheera that she should start by working on what she knew she could offer, get some clients, and then work up from there. This advice was helpful to a certain degree. She started with traditional accounting and then moved towards a slightly different route. She realized that she enjoyed the business packages rather than traditional accounting. So she let go of the fact that a lot of people were doing that and instead focused on what she enjoyed.

2. Have a plan- Taheera shared a quote by Benjamin Franklin which said: if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. With any goal that you have in life, you have to plan it out. A majority of people want to make more money in their businesses, but without focusing on that idea, it cannot happen. When we understand that, the next step is to create a detailed plan.

3. Set aside time to look at your finances - Keep your books up to date. Set aside time to get all your data together and then analyze that data. Look at the statements of profit and loss. You need to face the data whether it is good or not. Then you can start to set goals for the next year because you have data on the things that worked and the things that didn't work.

4. Understand your relationship with money - a lot of us have negative experiences with how we've interacted with money in the past which shapes our behavior. In our society, money is a very sensitive topic, and it has caused trauma for many people. With these past negative experiences, we no longer know how to deal with money or possess the skill set. Due to this alot of people focus on figuring out every other business aspect first, and figure out the money after. That is simply not possible. The only way to be successful is to understand and deal with the money.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki

Merin's career path came with a steep incline at a young age. By the age of 28 she was the Regional Manager of Shaw Communication's Saskatchewan Division. By 35, she had almost a decade of experience serving on corporate boards, including SGI, SaskPower, and the Saskatoon Airport Authority. Merin credits her success to tapping into the power of confidence, aligned with a strong sense of personal vision at an early age. She shares her passion for inspiring clarity through her flagship program, "My Personal Vision." This is for women at a CAREER CROSSROADS who seek clarity in their path forward & want to LIVE + LEAD WITH GUILT-FREE CONFIDENCE.

Merin currently runs a consulting and advisory practice out of Calgary and works with clients throughout the prairies in the area of strategic planning and business value acceleration. She is committed to helping leaders, and business owners find personal and professional clarity to live and lead confidently.

Merin's Resources: https://mailchi.mp/mypersonalvision/vision_journal

Key Takeaways:

1. Learn to say no - During the midst of the pandemic, Merin started applying strategic planning on herself. She found a sense of clarity on who she was, and what she wanted to do. It is important to understand how you want to impact the world and the people in it. When you do that, you will be able to narrow down what you want to do, accept opportunities that arise in line with that, and reject opportunities which do not. Sometimes we are faced with very attractive opportunities which do not align with our goals, and understanding our values aids us in saying no with confidence and without guilt.
2. Be prepared to be vulnerable - It's okay if tears are shed. Dealing with certain obstacles requires digging deeper underneath the surface level issues to find the root beliefs which have been negatively affecting you and manifesting in self sabotaging behaviors. Once you notice these, a lightbulb goes off. Acknowledgment of these patterns could help you understand yourself better and maybe even provide an opportunity to hit reset and then start looking at strategies to move forward from there.
3. See the bigger picture - In order for goals to be effective, you need to understand what you are in pursuit of. If you're not clear on the future you're trying to create, it becomes easy to give up on goals because they're just written on paper rather than being tied to something bigger that takes root in your entire being. Rather than focusing on physically accomplishing a goal, think about the details and the habits that need to be built in order for it to be successful. The bigger picture that the goal is tied to, how you personally define success, and how you structure your goals create habits which will lead to accomplishment.
4. Embrace the journey - Spend time thinking about what you love. What do you do in your free time? What are the things that you're really good at? Getting second perspectives from friends, family, and teachers can help give you insight. Where do your passions and skills intersect? Once you know these things, it is easy to make a choice on where to begin. But remember that life is a journey, and nothing is permanent. If one choice doesn't work out, see it as an opportunity to make a new choice using the things you've learned from yourself.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki

EVAN UNGAR

Evan Ungar is a Guinness World Record Breaker, Amazon bestselling author in "Goal planning and success", Real Estate Developer, Entrepreneur, and Communications professional. Evan has built companies in various industries such as Financial, Health Care, and Real Estate.

I have been in business my entire life. From lemonade stands to multimillion dollar projects. My passion is building relationships and adding value in every endeavor.

When you meet me, you will feel my enthusiasm and you will certainly remember my energy. When I'm at the table I'm there to close so keep your pen in hand.

Real Estate:

Partner at Tuk Developments, a real estate development corporation with holdings across the Greater Toronto Area.

Partner at Choice Renovations Canada, Renovation and construction company servicing the Greater Toronto Area to Niagara.

Investor/ lender, Licensed mortgage agent, Creative financing planner.

Business consultant - Sourcing investors and raising capital for business ventures / projects.

Health and Wellness:

2x Guinness World Record holder for highest standing jump. Certified personal trainer. Training Director for a team of 35 staff. Top sales consultant with annual training sales of over 3 million dollars.

Direct sales:

Top 5% worldwide Built organization across multiple countries. Networking is my passion.

I'm a big believer in "your network determines your net worth" so reach out to me today and tell me how I can provide value to you!!

EVAN UNGAR Resources: https://evanungar.com/

JORDAN KING

Jordan Alexander King is one of the leading businessmen of this generation. This versatile entrepreneur offers his expertise and talent as a financer, real estate developer and start-up investor. He is the man behind AK Enterprises, a holding company, and the parent company of a handful of other businesses.

One of the biggest labels under AK Enterprises is TUK Capital. TUK Capital is a Consulting firm that has advanced in creative financing and turnkey development project. They offer venture capital funding and private lending for all your real estate needs.

Another important name under Jordan King's list of ventures is TUK Developments. TUK Developments is an 8-figure real estate holding company. It has been operating for more than 3 years and has made big news in the real estate market. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, TUK Developments has properties all over Ontario. This includes the Niagara region, (Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Port Colborne) Hamilton, Brantford, Oakville and as far north as Sault Ste. Marie. King hopes to expand TUK Developments to the US and build a repertoire for community projects with affordable housing.

JORDAN KING resources: https://jordanalexanderking.com/

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Use your personal strengths to succeed - Evan has always been competitive and was involved in sales. He was interested in financial growth as well as personal growth. Him and Jordan are both very driven and competitive people who have naturally extroverted personalities and therefore large networks. They started TUK capitals by connecting people who had money with people who were starting projects.

In order to have a goal, you need to find your passion - A lot of people ask the same question, wondering where to even begin! Evan suggests that knowing what you're passionate about is incredibly important in order to have a goal to move towards. Have a passion and chunk down on that idea.

Set realistic goals, and break them down - Pick a big goal and then set a realistic date to achieve that goal. You need to break down your goal into a doable timeline. Plan the smallest details and allocate the time required to achieve that goal. It is important to understand that there is a time for planning and there is a time for execution. Through the execution process there shouldn't be any guessing. The small details need to be focused on, that will lead to the big final result. Throughout the process it is important to stay motivated!

Your greatest test will be your greatest testimony - Having been a young millennial in his mid twenties when first starting TUK capitals, Evan experienced negative stereotypes tied to his generation which proved to be an obstacle. He needed to be building rapid rapport and showcasing credibility with people a generation or two older than him. He was constantly in a state of offense to ensure he was making a name for himself and creating the brand that they were the hardest working in the industry. The obstacle led towards the greatest reward.

Learn how to expect and anticipate failure - Evan shares that he and Jordan always talk about "failing faster". Failing faster would allow you to get through those negative situations quickly and allow you to learn and grow through them. It is important to try and see the positive in every negative and to not be afraid of failure. No matter the industry there are always going to be bad situations. The most important thing would be how you handle those situations.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki

Wakanda and Afrofuturism may not be in the distant future thanks to companies like ShorEbricks.

Run by CEO Joshua Uwugiaren, ShorEbricks is a luxury construction company based in Lagos, Nigeria. They are pushing the boundaries of design and excellence when it comes to building, execution and customer service in the construction industry in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. They are even getting commissions for luxury buildings from clients overseas.

ShorEbricks is a construction company that has been in existence since 2017 with over 5 years of working experience in the construction world. A private company with a well selected team of goal oriented and professional employees who are experts in their various fields. We have been recognized in the areas of design, construction, renovation and sales of creative, top notch luxurious projects.

Website: https://shorebricks.com

OUR SERVICES

• Designing Services

• Building Homes

• Home-Remodeling

• Construction Management

• Real Estate

OUR VISION

To be the industry benchmark for designs and finishing in Africa by 2030.

OUR MISSIOn

To design and build properties that inspire the creative, excites the community and meet standards unrivaled by the industry.

OUR CORE VALUES

T. I. Q TRUST

Our word is our pride. We are accountable. We make commitments responsibly and live up to and exceed your expectations.

INTEGRITY

We are a honest and reliable brand that practice openness in all aspects and areas of our business. Our transparency is what has made us gain the trust and honour of our clients.

QUALITY

Our goal is to be the benchmark in the industry in terms of performance. As such, we actively pay great attention to every detail and procedures, work processes and final project result. This enables us to deliver superior project results on time and within budget.

ShorEbrick's Links

IG: @Shorebricks

Twitter: @Shorebricks

LinkedIn: @Shorebricks

Investment Limited

Key Takeaways

1. Find a partner who complements your skills - Joshua and his partner met in university and started out as friends pursuing complementary paths (Joshua pursuing construction and his partner pursuing Facility which focuses on end-to-end project management). The two became a couple and decided it would be perfect to form a construction company "ShorEbricks."

2. Landing your first client is all about proving yourself - For any new business, finding your first client is often the hardest. Not only do you need to convince them you can do the job, you have to prove it to them. For ShorEbricks, they took a massive pay cut to get their first client on board. This resulted in a loss financially for the company but after showing off ShorEbricks' skill, it proved to the client and all future clients that ShorEbricks is a trusted construction company that knows what they're doing.

3. A good company culture is vital - ShorEbricks had many 6 month contract workers working for their company during the summer. Despite being such a short duration of time, they took the time to train and integrate new workers into the company welcomingly. Building a strong rapport with workers, even ones that are only here for a limited time, is important to have a loyal and hard-working team that will uphold the quality of work you want your company to represent.

4. Client opinion matter - ShorEbricks specializes in high-end and luxury home designs. Although they have a certain style, when building a dream home, ShorEbricks always deeply inquires and communicates with clients on what they want to be built. To satisfy customers each time, ShorEbricks ensures that all the needs and wants of the client are fulfilled.

5. Advice for upcoming entrepreneurs - Don't stop dreaming. Even if you feel like it's impossible to start your entrepreneurial journey due to the factors in your life such as your environment, finances or time-constraints, push forward if you are truly passionate. ShorEbricks' founders took the idea and turned it into a legitimate and successful business. Joshua and his partner went from chasing their dreams to helping others achieve their dreams by building their dream homes.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki

Driven by a passion to create narratives that inspire change, Toluwani Obayan has made tangible contributions to the creative space through writing, directing, and editing as seen in projects like her short film "Heart & Might" dedicated to fallen heroes, "This Lady Called Life" a 2020 film for which she received the Best of Nollywood 2020 Award for Best Screenplay, and an AMVCA nomination for Best Writer, and "Explore the World With Tindel" for which she and the team received the ITFF Africa 2019 award for Best African Film in the documentaries section. She has also found creative expression through her published academic article "Audience Perception of Nollywood's Recurrent Themes as Agents of Socio-cultural Development", narrative articles such as "The Tale of a Disgruntled Pair of Nigerian Flip Flops" (a satirical protest against child abuse), and her book "Becoming a Spectacular Woman" (2017). She has a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications and a Masters Degree in Film and Television Studies.

Tolunwani's Projects and Links:

This Lady Called Life: Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNGTHKbDmU

Ponzi: Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6G7HxlvPsg

Heart & Might: Short Film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUsX54iKuH4&t=205s

Green. White. Black: Short Still Photography Film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUsX54iKuH4&t=205s

Book: Becoming a Spectacular Woman

Company Name: Storystory Village (Social Enterprise) and Toluwani Obayan Works (Sole Proprietorship)

Podcast Name: Once Upon a Dreamer (Anywhere you get your podcasts)

Website: toluwaniobayan.com

Social Media handles: @toluwaniobayan (Instagram and Twitter)

Key Takeaways

1. It's okay to change your direction and retry - Toluwani first pursued architecture but found herself not enjoying the science and mathematics elements of the field. The only aspect of architecture she enjoyed was the drawing element. Toluwani failed math and had to repeat the year, which gave her the chance to go down the path she really wanted: the arts. Toluwani found herself much more content in the arts and she began to excel in school. Mathematics, the subject she initially struggled with, became a subject she mastered and taught others on.

2. Getting your dream job takes time - Toluwani worked as an intern at a big production firm in Nigeria for two years where she edited films day in and day out. Toluwani was aware that her two years working as an intern wouldn't automatically grant her the chance to write a screenplay. She did this to get herself involved in the film industry and slowly worked her way up for 6 years to be able to partake in the directing and writing she dreamed of receiving recognition for it. Often, the path to where you want to be isn't linear. It takes time, consistency and effort.

3. Get to know the people around you - One of Toluwani's colleagues from her intern days went on to become a big name director in Nigeria. They had both worked as film editors which allowed them to get to know each other. From this connection, Toluwani was able to collaborate with him on several projects and break further into the industry. You never know where someone will end up or who they will become. Be kind and become acquainted with the people around you, regardless of your position or theirs.

4. Be selective with the things that matter - Toluwani learned to watch the trajectory of the people who want to work with her. Just because they paid her to write a script doesn't mean they'll turn it into a production. For a screenwriter's resume, scripts that have been made into productions carry far more weight and will be more impressive. Toluwani always considers when production will occur and how the product will be distributed before she signs onto a new project.

5. Do what you love for you, not for others - The need for external validation is an internal weakness that can stunt the interest and passion we have for doing what we love. Toluwani has always wanted her screenwriting to help others but she realized she was relying too heavily on outside approval and had strayed from her initial purpose. It's okay if some people don't like your work. Don't shun failure- keep moving forward and practice to get better. Be ambitious and stay true to yourself.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Ekow Nimako is a Toronto-based, internationally exhibiting LEGO artist who crafts futuristic and whimsical sculptures from the iconic medium. Rooted in his childhood hobby and intrinsic creativity, Nimako's formal arts education and background as a lifelong multidisciplinary artist inform his process and signature aesthetic. His fluid building style, coupled with the Afrofuturistic themes of his work, beautifully transcend the geometric medium to embody organic and fantastical silhouettes.

His large scale public installations include the monumental Cavalier Noir (Nuit Blanche, 2018) which features a seven-foot Black rider atop a dauntless Black unicorn. Conceptualized in collaboration with Director X, the piece subverts the dominant imagination of public monuments and centres Black narratives.

Nimako's installation To Feed the Village, the Young Must Grow debuted at Berlin's Urban Contemporary Art Biennale (Urban Nation Museum for Urban Contemporary Art, 2019) alongside other internationally renowned visual artists. The touring group show Brick by Brick features several works from his Building Black Mythos series and opened in 2019 (20-21 Visual Arts Centre, UK, 2019).

Nimako's medieval Africa inspired series Building Black Civilizations opened in 2019 at the Aga Khan Museum. The architectural and imaginative pieces explore the untold narrative of sub-Saharan Africa during the middle ages, with detailed references to architecture, Islamic civilizations and Afrofuturism. The anticipated sequel to this exhibition, Building Black:Civilizations II, premieres at Dunlop gallery in Regina in the fall of 2022.

Nimako's latest body of work Building Black AMORPHIA presents artworks that thread together elements of West African mask making traditions, fauna and organic forms to create an amorphous and fantastical tapestry. This wall-mounted series displayed at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto from January to June 2020. Exhibition plans for AMORPHIA II opening in London are currently underway.

Nimako's work has been featured in media outlets and publications such as NOW Magazine, CBC, CBC Radio, Global News, TorontoLife, VICE, Toronto Star, BlogTO, Hyperallergic and the Globe and Mail. He is a published author of Beasts from Bricks (Quarry Books, 2017) an instructional LEGO book featuring miniature sculptures of rare and beautiful animals with an elevated aesthetic.

Key Takeaways

1. Talent and passion can sprout from a young age - Ekow always wanted to create for as long as he could remember, exploring creative avenues like drawing, music, and sculpture throughout his life. As a young child, he wasn't even aware of the term "artist" but those around him recognized his talents and informed him of what he was.

2. Think outside the box - Ekow wanted to dedicate his time to art that was specifically for Black people so he turned to sculpting with LEGO and became a LEGO artist. From a LEGO box, not many people would think of creating the type of LEGO sculptures Ekow creates. With his artistic vision, he and his team pour in 100 to 1000 hours making entrancing sculptures from black LEGO pieces.

3. Recognition comes gradually - 2014 is the year that Ekow cites as the year his career started to take off. He received a grant which allowed him to create without the constraint of cost. Throughout the years, Ekow has been growing his Instagram page and working hard. His work has gained recognition both in Canada and internationally. In addition, Ekow just recently secured a formal deal with the LEGO Group!

4. Advice for aspiring artists - Get accustomed to solitude, as being an artist is time consuming. The majority of your time is going to be spent alone with your art. Be realistic- think about whether you want to pursue art full-time or go after another route while keeping art as your main passion. Consider the fact that you might need to balance the time spent on art and the time spent on other activities to ensure you have enough to get by. Be aware about art production and your desired artistic journey. Know what art you want to create and the medium it uses. Certain mediums allow for faster art production which could bring more short-term success. On the other hand, carving out your niche could bring more long-term success.

5. Tradeoffs can pay off in the end - For many years, Ekow worked a job he didn't enjoy, listened to his boss and dealt with racism in the workplace to make enough money to survive. He spent time and energy on his job that could have been put into his art. However, the money he earned allowed him to continue pursuing his true calling on the side. This tradeoff was made until it was no longer necessary and Ekow finally had the freedom to live off his work, dedicating everything he had to his creations. The freedom that comes with Ekow's position as a renowned artist is what he is most grateful for today.

Ekow's Resources

Website: https://ekownimako.com/artwork/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekownimako/

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Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

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Mr. Yinka Ogunleye (Yinka) is an adept and passionate leader in Strategy and Planning with over two (2) decades of experience; dedicated to driving innovation and results across multi-company structured organizations in the Energy, Oil and Gas industry. He has proven ability with broad exposures to manage strategy and planning processes, nurture the growth of business through development of company objectives, targets and performance aspirations. He has exposures covering Oil Exploration, Oil Production and Gas Businesses in the upstream and midstream sectors.

He started his career as a Database Administrator, Financial Systems with Pan Ocean Oil Corporation Nigeria Limited. His career had since traversed Information Technology, Business Development, Technical and Commercial functions. He had the coordinating role of Strategy Development across six (6) business arms of a Group, spanning upstream Oil and Gas, Energy development, Pipeline, Gas Processing and Monetization. He joined Amazon Energy Group in 2020 as Vice President New Ventures, and Group Head Strategy and Planning. In these roles he was among several functions coordinating the Strategy and Planning programs and initiatives for incubating projects through creative commercial arrangements; developing new business opportunities and partnerships; and superintending over the Group's corporate strategy, planning and performance program.

Yinka holds a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and a Master's Degree in Computer Science from the Lagos State University, Ojo. He obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Information Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. He also obtained an MBA from the Lagos Business School, and was on exchange program to the IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain where he earned a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Competitive Strategy. He is a certified Project Management Practitioner, Balance Scorecard Professional and Performance Management Practitioner. He has been doing his Doctoral studies where he is currently researching on Innovation and Responsible Leadership at the Gordon's Institute of Business Science, South Africa. He holds a Certificate Business Analytics at the Harvard Business School.

Yinka is an entrepreneur. He is the founder of a start-up called Riba-x(www.riba-x.com), a Search, Connect and Communities platform for small businesses and communities of shared interests. He also runs AtriumData Solutions and Services Limited, a Strategy and Project Consulting company Yinka is also currently into Agri-business, where he is developing a Palm Oil plantation and Pig Farm.

Key Takeaways

1. You can still reach your end-goal even if you're traveling a different path - Yinka was always passionate about IT growing up. He had a computer scientist father and learned coding languages like C++ and worked with databases. He wanted to pursue a degree in Computer Science but unfortunately, didn't make the cut. Yinka instead pursued a degree in Zoology yet he still managed to land a IT role post-graduation.

2. Don't be afraid to branch out - After learning Zoology, specializing in genetics and working various roles in the IT field, Yinka went to pursue an MBA in Business and tackled his entrepreneur side. Exploring your interests and diversifying your knowledge is a great way to live a fulfilling life.

3. Mentor and mentee relationships can have different forms - For Yinka, the mentor-mentee dynamic involved his mentor asking questions and probing his (the mentee's) thoughts rather than providing advice directly. This pushed Yinka to either mull over his mentor's prompts or provide an answer to his mentor's questions, causing him to engage in deep thinking. Today, Yinka and his mentor are as close as brothers.

4. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey - Entrepreneurship can be extremely gratifying but it also comes with its ups and downs. Yinka founded "Dago" with his good friend, now turned business partner. Unfortunately, the company hit a brick wall and the business relationship between Yinka and his friend fell apart. Today, Yinka repackaged the idea of Dago and turned it into a new project called "Riba-x."

5. Ensure you derive pleasure from what you do - Whether it's through your job, hobbies or relationships, make sure that what you are investing in brings you joy. If you pursue things that you derive pleasure from, you're more likely to feel content with it despite any drawbacks. Applying this to a career, if you are doing something you love every single day, eventually money comes second to your happiness.

OKIKI RESOURCES:

Need Video Content or Personal Brand Photos? Book Here

Join the Okiki Video Content Bootcamp Today!

https://www.okikiconsulting.com/okiki-video-bootcamp

ABOUT FIYIN:

Fiyin Obayan is the founder of Okiki Consulting, where she helps business owners communicate their personal brand or company brand stories through video content, in order to communicate to their target audience.

Contact Fiyin:

Website: www.okikiconsulting.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (306)716-0324

Instagram: @Okikiconsulting and @Okikiconsultingmedia

Facebook: @Okikiconsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fiyinfoluwaobayan/

Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/okiki