Zayzee Writes

One time, my former boss said a phrase that didn’t sit well with us the employees, even though none had the audacity to voice it. pix courtesy i.enkiquotes.com “When the desired is not available, the available becomes the desired.” He was referring to the staff he was saddled with, who weren’t exactly up to par with what he desired. What he desired, he couldn’t afford. Still, though we were available, we remained the ‘not desired’.

When Mofolusade Sonaike (@mofolusade) is standing in front of you and talking business, it is impossible not to listen. She wears quite a number of caps for the different businesses she is involved in. The path she has trolled to where she is today, is rich with experiences from which she shares lessons. Also known as the Mumpreneur, Mofolusade’s community of women entrepreneurs who support each other and grow together, is growing steadily. At the Boost your Business with Facebook event, I didn’t know what to expect. First to arrive at the venue, I had two intentions. One, sock in everything from the training and two, interview the beautiful facilitator, Mofolusade, for Drive Magazine - two birds with a stone. The second intention had to be shelved to give me a good reason to visit her soon, because Mofolusade is more than a likeable person. She is a wealth of knowledge and experience every entrepreneur should hang out with. That aside, she has a persona that pulls you in to her. ...

It seems just like yesterday when we were screaming Happy New Year. But here we are in the fourth month of the year. Can you take out your goals for the year and honestly tell yourself the truth? By the end of 2018, are you sure you will achieve your 2018 goals? What roles did January, February and March have to play in the achievement of your goals? Did the past three months bring you your desires? If they didn’t, there is a possibility you wouldn’t be achieving all your goals for 2018.   But it doesn’t matter. You might not get it 100% but you can still get it above 50% if you really get into those plans right now. What this means is for you to tackle it differently to cross that finish line. Innovation can be defined in many ways but it comes down to one thing, doing things in a different ways to achieve results as well as meeting needs. And that is what this edition is all about. Our cover girl, Adele Dejak, is an inspiration whose business today is successful for the cr...

When was the last time you gave yourself a gift? I don’t mean some new clothes, accessories or gadgets. I am talking about the kind of gift that would ensure you grow positively? During the last Christmas season, many of us reflected on the past months, where we got it right, where we got it wrong and where we could have done it better. As 2018 began, we promised ourselves change; especially in those areas we got it wrong. The good thing about reflection is that it enables us to plan a better approach of moving forward. We learn from what went wrong and with determination, we surge ahead believing the jackpot could be just around the corner.

  And finally, our last edition of Drive magazine for the year is out. ‘Growing’ is the theme for this edition. Even when things don’t go the way we plan, we should always be excited about tomorrow and the possibilities it holds. In this edition, we have not two but five interviews. Wow! On our Cover is Amina Turnbull, who has created a business out of her love for the Ketogenic lifestyle, and helping people lose weight and live healthy. We also delve into the business world of Rukky Ohiomoba, founder of Ruvero Designs. And newly introduced with this edition is ‘Drive Africa’, a section dedicated to entrepreneurs from around our beautiful continent, who are doing amazing works either in their countries or abroad. In this section, we meet the lady behind Maria Bradford Kitchen. … plus other entertaining and enlightening stories to make this holiday a good time to reflect and grow. Dare to dream to keep growing, no matter what! Don’t forget to connect with u...

Finally! After some months, Drive Magazine returns with the New Beginnings edition. Meet CEO of Bimbeads Concept. Her interesting story is a reason not to ignore the skills that come to us naturally. Read how she pushed herself to create one of the most recognised jewelry outfits in Nigeria, while waiting for the dream job. Our Entrepreneur feature is a young and hardworking lady who refused to be cowed when all she had got stolen in a beautiful economy recession. And, our columns are inspiring too. It is definitely new beginnings... Click here to read or download. Don't forget to share.

Chika Eunice Ani is the CEO of Esperanza Cakes and Bakes, a business outfit that was established in 2009. Since then, the entrepreneur who first trained at Lavina Concept before proceeding for further training at the Cake Mastery Institute and PME, both in the UK, has grown and expanded her business into Osogbo and Enugu, with Port Harcourt and Abuja, soon to join her branches. In this interview with UZEZI ADESITE, she talks about her motivation, challenges and strategy for success. Excerpts: What motivated you to setup your business? I have always loved being creative. So after school, I decided to look for what to do on my own. I then decided to go for what gives me pleasure; doing it not for the money but the fulfillment I get in doing it. Today, we thank God, it’s a success story and it's now yielding profit. Between 2009 and now, you have definitely come a long way. What types of challenges did you have to cope with? Yes, it's been a long way.  Initially the ...

Folayemi Agusto is the Chief Executive Officer of The Artisan Gift Company, an establishment that was registered in January 2014 to provide services to celebrants and event makers. As an entrepreneur, Agusto who was featured in the premier edition of GT Bank SME Market Hub ‘Merchant Monday’ programme, said her expectation when beginning her business is very different from the reality she has gotten. In this interview with UZEZI ADESITE, the graduate from University of Virginia, USA, discusses her business and issues in the event management industry. Tell us about The Artisans Gift Company? The Artisans Gift Company is a gift and favour business based in Lagos Nigeria. We sell a range of gifts and favours for all sorts of events like baby showers, bridal showers, weddings, birthday parties and also package corporate gifts. Why did you set up this business? I started this business because I am very into event management and planning. I have attended lots of events ...

Amina Adefala is the Head of Design and Chief Executive Officer of  Gidan Nodza, a business venture that is into the creation of bags and other fashion accessories. Her business, which was set up in 2004 celebrates and promotes the African identity in a way that blends with trending fashion. SMEMarkethub, an initiative of GT Bank, describes Adefala as 'a designer with an eye for meticulous detail and a vision to provide her customers with unique and well-crafted fashion accessories'. Products of Gidan Nodza are mostly made of dyed fabrics and leather to cater to men and women alike. In this interview with UZEZI ADESITE, she sheds light on her business operations as well as other issues associated with the fashion industry. Excerpts:                                             Before Gidan Nodza, were you employed? No, I was fresh out of Law school when we started ...

Though 21 and a Business Administration/Management undergraduate of the Yaba Colleges of Technology, Lagos, Nwafor Victoria Peace is a youth with a purpose and an author. She is the CEO of NVP Fashion World. The young entrepreneur, who started her business in 2013 is a future fashion magnate that will dominate the industry. Passionate about people development, she is constantly thinking about the youths and what more she can do to add value to their lives and reduce unemployment. In this interview with UZEZI ADESITE, she talks about her business, the challenges of being a young CEO, her future plans amongst others. Excerpts: Nwafor Where did you acquire the skill to make Ankara accessories? Well I will say it’s a 100% divine creativity because it is all God's grace working in me. I actually did not go to learn like others. I just desired to do it and suddenly the idea came on and ever since, I have been working and even better than some who learnt. I boldly tell peo...