In this solo episode, host Olawunmi Brigue addresses the question of how to set the right boundaries in one's career. Drawing from her personal and coaching experiences, Olawunmi discusses the ongoing struggle many women face in achieving work-life harmony. She shares her journey of starting her career as a single mother and learning to navigate a demanding profession while raising her daughter. 

Olawunmi emphasises the importance of identifying core values and understanding what drives you, whether it's career advancement or family priorities. She offers practical insights on different types of boundaries, such as time and responsibility, and the necessity of leveraging resources to achieve exceptional results without compromising personal life. 

This episode aims to provide actionable strategies for women to set effective boundaries that align with their personal and professional goals.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:58 Personal Story: Balancing Career and Motherhood

05:50 Early Career Challenges and Realisations

14:36 Setting Boundaries: The Mindset Shift

21:15 Types of Boundaries and Their Importance

Olawunmi Brigue, host of Women in Corporate podcast, is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at ⁠www.luminousmembership.com

In this episode, Petrina Akor shares her extensive career journey from her origins in Ghana, through living in multiple countries due to her father's diplomatic work, to her career in Canada. Petrina shares the influences from her upbringing, her shifts in career focus from aspiring diplomat to business analysis, and her eventual pivot into career coaching. She discusses the importance of executive presence, tailored applications, and building interpersonal skills. 

Through her experiences, Petrina highlights the necessity of visualisation and mindset in achieving career goals, and she offers valuable advice for new immigrants and professionals aiming to advance in their careers. The conversation underscores the power of intentionality and community support in fulfiling one's professional aspirations.

00:00 Introduction

01:34 Early Life and Influences

02:58 Adapting to New Environments

04:26 Pursuing Childhood Dreams

09:21 University Journey and Career Shift

14:32 Entering the Workforce

18:28 Advanced Education and Career Progression

20:32 Career Beginnings 

20:59 Career Pivots

21:46 Challenges Faced by New Immigrants

22:45 Importance of Soft Skills and Communication

26:05 Tailoring Resumes and Job Applications

27:34 Building a Career Coaching Consultancy

34:26 Visualisation and Achieving Goals

41:56 Future Aspirations and Conclusion

Olawunmi Brigue, host of Women in Corporate podcast, is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at ⁠www.luminousmembership.com

In this episode of the Women in Corporate podcast, Tosin Ajanaku shares her multifaceted journey from studying philosophy to becoming an influential HR practitioner. As a wife and mother of two, Tosin delves into how she balances career and family life, her strategic career moves, and the principles that drive her to always show up excellently and provide value. 

Tosin also delves into the challenges and rewards of transitioning to the U.S. job market, the value of obtaining relevant certifications, and her experiences at PepsiCo, highlighting her philosophy of showing up with excellence and staying grounded through supportive relationships and faith. The episode wraps up with insights on balancing professional ambitions with family life and the intentionality required to cultivate a supportive and fulfilling marriage.

Her story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of intentionality in career advancement and personal growth.

00:51 Meet Tosin Ajanaku: A Multifaceted Woman

02:09 Educational Journey: From Law Aspirations to Philosophy

04:56 Early Career Struggles and Breakthroughs

06:55 Transitioning to Executive Roles

17:25 Finding Passion in Human Resources

20:22 A Counter Offer from Microsoft

21:39 Moving to the U.S. and Pursuing Education

22:31 Starting a Career at PepsiCo

23:41 Adapting to Cultural Differences in the U.S.

24:48 Internship Experience and Full-Time Role

26:29 Going Above and Beyond at Work

40:33 Maintaining Work-Life Balance

44:32 Final Thoughts and Career Aspirations

Olawunmi Brigue, host of Women in Corporate podcast, is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at www.luminousmembership.com

In this solo episode, host Olawunmi Brigue explores the transformative impact of mentorship on her professional journey. She shares a personal story about an unexpected rejection for a promotion and how guidance from “accidental” mentors redirected her path to success. Olawunmi emphasises that mentorship can come in both formal and informal relationships, highlighting the importance of open mindedness in learning from informal or accidental mentors, who may not necessarily look the part. She concludes with insights on the benefits of mentorship and practical advice on how to connect with the right mentors.

00:22 Early Career

02:29 Facing Rejection and Battling Ego

04:05 Seeking Answers and Finding Guidance

06:34 The Accidental Mentors

11:57 The Power of Informal Mentorship

15:15 Understanding Mentorship

15:54 Benefits of Mentoring

22:54 Connecting with the Right Mentors

Olawunmi Brigue is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at www.luminousmembership.com

In this episode, host Olawunmi Brigue interviews Oyindamola Sosanya, head of change management in the UK. Growing up in Nigeria with a passion for reading and debate, Oyindamola initially planned to study law but ended up pursuing a degree in English due to unexpected academic barriers. This, in hindsight, turned out to be a serendipitous push in the right direction.

The interview delves into Oyindamola’s unique career path, tracing her journey from a chatty Nigerian child "destined" for law to a senior change management leader. It highlights the challenges, setbacks, and fortuitous events that shaped her career. Key themes explored include the significance of adaptability, curiosity, mentorship, and following one's passions, even in the face of societal and familial pressure.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

01:07 Early Career Aspirations and Setbacks

03:29 Pursuing a Degree in English

14:20 First Job

19:18 Moving to the UK

26:30 Navigating Maternity Leave and Career Path Decisions

27:56 Facing Redundancy and Career Crossroads

29:22 Taking Time Out and Self-Reflection

30:21 Re-entering the Workforce

31:26 Finding Support and Mentorship

32:07 Starting a New Career

34:26 Rising to Senior Leadership

41:43 Challenges and Opportunities in Change Management

47:04 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Future Goals

Olawunmi Brigue is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at www.luminousmembership.com

In this riveting episode, Olawunmi Brigue sits down with Bukola Jolubo, a remarkable woman whose career journey is a testament to resilience, faith, and unwavering dedication. Bukola opens up about her transformative path from humble beginnings in Nigeria to her evolving career in the UK.

She shares insightful stories, such as starting an innovative grocery and laundry delivery business in Lagos, transitioning from a Tesco checkout operator to a managerial position through exemplary dedication, and eventually becoming a proficient business analyst and user researcher.

Bukola's narrative is filled with valuable lessons on overcoming academic setbacks, adapting to new environments, embracing self-confidence, and the invaluable impact of mentors. Her commitment to her faith and passion for advocating for the boy child further enrich this compelling conversation.

This episode is a profound exploration of how personal values and perseverance can pave the way for extraordinary achievements.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:29 Bukola Jolubo's Background and Early Life

02:54 Overcoming Academic Challenges

11:46 Starting a Family and Early Career Ventures

17:48 Transition to the UK

23:29 Unexpected Promotion

24:53 Dedication and Values in the Workplace

26:56 Overcoming Racial Prejudices

30:13 Career Transition to IT

33:59 Navigating Career Challenges

36:23 Embracing New Opportunities

44:04 Future Aspirations

45:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Olawunmi Brigue is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at www.luminousmembership.com

In this solo episode of the Women in Corporate podcast, host Olawunmi Brigue challenges the stereotype that women are too emotional, arguing instead that women's inherent emotional intelligence is a valuable asset in the workplace.

The episode explores how women can leverage their natural emotional skills to overcome workplace challenges and maximise their potential.

Olawunmi discusses the strengths women have in empathy, self-awareness, motivation, and social skills, backed by various studies. She provides practical tips for women to enhance their emotional intelligence and emphasises the importance of embracing emotions as a unique advantage.

The episode aims to empower women to stop seeing their emotions as liabilities and to utilise them to stand out and succeed in their careers.

00:00 Introduction

01:31 The Power of Emotions in the Workplace

04:14 Understanding Emotional Intelligence

07:57 Research-Backed Benefits of Emotional Intelligence

11:15 Practical Examples of Emotional Intelligence

26:35 Developing Your Emotional Intelligence

35:26 Conclusion: Harnessing Your Emotional Superpower

Olawunmi Brigue is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at www.luminousmembership.com

In this engaging episode of the Women in Corporate podcast, host Olawunmi Brigue interviews Banke Ajayi, a Chief Marketing Officer for a FinTech company in the UK and a budding entrepreneur. Banke shares her inspiring journey from a curious child in Nigeria to a high-achieving professional in the UK. 

Despite facing personal and professional challenges, including losing both parents at critical points in her academic career, Banke demonstrates resilience, curiosity, and unwavering faith. 

Her career spans various roles in engineering, IT, and financial services before her transition into product management and her current role in marketing. 

Banke also highlights the importance of learning, persistence, and spirituality in her impressive ascent. This episode is a testament to the power of optimism and determination.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:07 Banker's Background and Career Overview

02:44 Childhood and Early Influences

04:44 Career Aspirations and Early Setbacks

13:24 University Challenges and Family Loss

14:18 Transition to the UK and Career Shift

21:14 Entering the IT Field

23:02 Discovering Financial Engineering

29:36 Facing Adversity with Courage

31:15 Navigating the Financial Crisis

32:51 Career Decisions and Interviews

34:49 Investment Banking Journey

37:00 Embracing Change and Learning

40:16 Starting a Business During an MBA

42:53 Digital Transformation and Career Shifts

48:38 Faith and Career Transitions

59:40 Future Aspirations and Reflections

Olawunmi Brigue is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at www.luminousmembership.com

In this episode of the Women in Corporate podcast, your host Olawunmi Brigue sits down with Eka Hart to discuss her inspiring career journey.

From studying electrical engineering in Nigeria to working as an asset integration specialist with public transit companies in Canada, Eka's story is filled with remarkable twists, lessons, and achievements.

Tune in to learn about her experiences, the challenges she overcame, and the wisdom she has gathered along the way.

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Early Education

01:34 Driving Change During NYSC

07:03 Post-NYSC Challenges and First Job

16:37 Career Advancement

16:56 Graduate Studies in the UK

21:01 Return to Nigeria and Career Acceleration 

17:32 Facing Professional Challenges

50:47 Moving to Canada

58:49 New Roles in Canada

01:06:01 Conclusion and Future Goals

Olawunmi Brigue is a certified executive and transformational life coach, and the founder of Luminous membership, a Personal & Spiritual Growth Hub for women who desire to build BOTH a highflying career and a wholesome family without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal fulfilment. Learn more at www.luminousmembership.com

Join Olawunmi Brigue, seasoned Executive and Transformational Life Coach on exciting journey with authentic stories and powerful insights from women in the corporate space that will inspire and empower your career journey. Coming 17 July 2024.