Introduction: 

My name is Ore-Oluwa Ekanem Solana, a trained Pharmacologist turned entrepreneur. I run a series of businesses under my company, Bedazzle Innovations Multi-Services Limited and also own a budding personal brand as a business coach/strategy planner. I currently work part-time as Head of Strategy and Business development at Kentparse consulting, a marketing firm based in Lagos, Nigeria. I am married; Christian and totally in love with all that I do (Business is fun!). In my not so many spare times, I sing, dance, watch movies, read, and travel and host a few mini-get-togethers. 

How did you come about the decision of what you currently do/a brief history of your career choices that have led you up to this point? 

My current career path borders around strategy planning and business development and I’d say this career path chose me. Years ago, I was fresh out of school with a degree in Pharmacology and a passion for events planning and fashion designing. I had picked up my interest in fashion long before going to university and learnt to cut and sew from a seamstress; my interest in events management on the other hand sprung up while planning my department’s customary week-long events/activities when I was in my third year, at that point I knew I wanted to become an entrepreneur. I decided to make good use of my time while awaiting my National Youth Service Corps posting, so I took classes in both events management as well as fashion designing and afterwards started my business. As the years went by, my business interests evolved. I had to leave events management to focus solely on fashion (more like fashion took over); fashion further evolved from us making ready-to-wear African outfits to full blown, custom-made/personalized outfits embellished with rhinestones. My company further evolved in its fifth year when we launched 4 other projects cut across various other industries (asides fashion). One of these projects exposed me to a lot of aspiring and start-up entrepreneurs; and helping them solve business problems with the knowledge and experiences I had acquired (as explained above) launched me into my present career path. I strongly believe that as I get better at this, I’ll be open to more and more career paths in my entrepreneurial sojourn. I am at the point in my entrepreneurial life where I am no longer afraid of launching any business idea, failure isn’t new to me, I’ve learned that it’s just part of the process.

 What inspires or drives you? 

I draw my greatest inspiration from God, getting to know Him personally has empowered me greatly and gives me the confidence that “impossible” doesn’t exist. Therefore, I am able to look beyond obstacles and see possibilities and I am driven to strive for more and more……and more.

I also draw inspiration from autobiographies and works of seasoned entrepreneurs home and abroad: Richard Branson, Warren Buffet and our very own Sam Adeyemi, Ibukun Awosika, Folorunsho Alakija and Bukky George. The fact that they succeed against all odds and are still waxing strong gives me a great deal of hope and encouragement.

I do what I do because I love it, I am extremely good at it and it makes me very happy.

I am at the point in my entrepreneurial life where I am no longer afraid of launching any business idea, failure isn’t new to me, I’ve learned that it’s just part of the process. Oreoluwa Solana

What skills or habits did you develop along the way that helped you get here and helps you in keeping up with the demands of what you currently do?

I have a personal habit of continuous improvement. I do not rest on the knowledge I have gained, rather I stay updated by buying and reading business books. When I got tired of reading books, I switched to audio books. I also use my travel/commute time as my study time and even on international flights, I listen to audio books instead of watching a movie or sitcom. I also attend a lot of seminar/training on entrepreneurship, some free, some paid for. I am a knowledge junkie and I utilize this knowledge I obtain to run my business. This quest for knowledge broadens my world view especially regarding entrepreneurship.

Asides technical skills, it is important and highly necessary to acquire business skills. Anyone can have technical skills; however the one with business skills is the true entrepreneur. Oreoluwa Solana

I do not rest on my oars, I strive to get better at what I do every day and I have learnt that asides technical skills, business skills are important and business principles are generally the same everywhere, the only real difference is the choice of product and/or service. Therefore, if I master the principles, any product/service I plan to launch can be “plugged in and played”.

I had to learn to be prudent, to keep my expenses as low as possible. I learnt how to keep proper books. One habit I cultivated from the onset was to treat my business as an entity. This meant that the business’ money was BUSINESS MONEY and was in no way Ore’s money. From time to time, Bedazzle (the company) and I have loaned each other money and have always paid back.

I have had a law firm on retainer from the onset and as years went by, also hired an accounting firm on retainer. Working with these professionals helped set the growth phase foundation of my company.

 I draw my greatest inspiration from God, getting to know Him personally has empowered me greatly and gives me the confidence that “impossible” doesn’t exist. Oreoluwa Solana

What other things/area of your life do you have to juggle with your work and how do you find a balance? 

Family life, spiritual (Church) life, work life, these three pretty sums it for me. Balance takes discipline and some sort of determination. I work round the clock but I am only accessible to customers from 9a.m to 5p.m on weekdays. My office phone stays on for 24 hours (even on weekends), However at 5pm every week day, it goes on silent mode so I can ease into family time. Missed calls get returned with apologies as I reiterate that it is an office line with no one to tend to it after official hours. Church life is governed by family time. Sometimes work extends past official hours and into weekends. When this happens, I figure out the best way to balance everything by apportioning time frames to each one or I just focus on one per time; family first (chores, meals etc) and then work until it’s done.

I have a personal habit of continuous improvement. I do not rest on the knowledge I have gained, rather I stay updated… I do not rest on my oars, I strive to get better at what I do every day. Oreoluwa Solana

What is the most challenging thing you have to deal with in your work or business and how do you tackle it? 

Company Law and taxation, both are so broad. I tried to read up on some of them but ended up more confused, so I hired a law firm and an accounting firm on retainer and have them explain the confusing terms and policies to me in layman terms in addition to handling all legal and accounting needs of my company. I recommend getting specialists to deal with areas or aspects of your business that you do not have the technical expertise to handle.

Do you have a spiritual practice? If so, has this influenced or helped you in your work or decisions in anyway? 

Absolutely, knowing God has helped me in more ways than I can count. He floods my mind with ideas and concepts and strategies that I no longer need to ask questions like ‘why’ or ‘how’; I just act on each one as I catch the Rhema. I pray every day and read a daily devotional. I trust God with my business (He is the CEO; I am the COO) and He always shows up when I need Him. Most times I act on the ideas/concepts/strategies God gives me not knowing what I am doing, only to end up at business mixers/workshops/seminars and hear seasoned entrepreneurs teach about these things and I am just left amazed. I have no formal business training (my Degree is in Pharmacology) asides a Certificate in Entrepreneurial management yet the wisdom I have acquired in my 7.5 year entrepreneurial sojourn could not have been revealed by flesh and blood. I owe it all to God.

I have learnt that asides technical skills, business skills are important and business principles are generally the same everywhere, the only real difference is the choice of product and/or service. Therefore, if I master the principles, any product/service I plan to launch can be “plugged in and played”. Oreoluwa Solana

Other extracurricular, social or philanthropic enterprise:

I facilitate skill acquisition trainings at the Yes I Believe Academy, YIBA, Lagos and have spoken at four United Nations youth programs in Lagos, three of them on entrepreneurship at the World Youth Skills day and the fourth one was on science at a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) event to celebrate the world’s day for women and girls in science.

I also currently run one-on-one advisory sessions for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and micro and small businesses. I brainstorm on their ideas with them and help them carve a clear path for their business.

In October 2017, I helped raise funds to support women with breast cancer in Nigeria, under the platform of Cancer Aware and currently donate monthly to the organization’s SupportHER project.

I can be very Margaret-Thatcher-y yet quick to lend a helping hand.

I trust God with my business (He is the CEO; I am the COO) and He always shows up when I need Him. Most times I act on the ideas/concepts/strategies God gives me not knowing what I am doing, only to end up at business mixers/workshops/seminars and hear seasoned entrepreneurs teach about these things and I am just left amazed. Oreoluwa Solana

One more thing you intend to do or are working towards:

I am working hard to get my company to the level where we can partner with investors from major markets outside the country looking to get into the Nigerian Market. I am also looking to consult for more strategy and business development teams of start-ups and SMEs. Investing (time and funds) in scalable start-up ideas and getting a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship are also on my list.

I recommend getting specialists to deal with areas or aspects of your business that you do not have the technical expertise to handle.  Oreoluwa Solana

Other insights or words of wisdom/encouragement you would like to share with the readers?

You do not start living until you free yourself of stereotypes and labels. Embark on a journey of self-discovery, know the real you and be true to thyself. Do what makes you happy always.

Forget labels, don’t wait to name or understand an idea; JUST DO IT, the name will come forth someday.

Do not be afraid to fail; in business, failure is good. It shows you are on the right path; you just have to check for what component is bad, fix or tweak it and forge ahead. Oreoluwa Solana

No one ever got rich overnight…….except they won the lottery. Be prepared to work hard

Asides technical skills, it is important and highly necessary to acquire business skills. Anyone can have technical skills; however the one with business skills is the true entrepreneur.

Never leave God out of the equation. He loves you and wants to be involved in every aspect of your life. Strive to get to know Him better as each day goes by and learn to live your life like it depends entirely on Him. He will so show up for you in more ways than the human mind can phantom.

Be kind.

You do not start living until you free yourself of stereotypes and labels. Embark on a journey of self-discovery, know the real you and be true to thyself. Oreoluwa Solana

Thank you

Ore-Oluwa Solana