APPLY FOR THE ROAD TO WOMEN’S BUSINESS GROWTH PROJECT

The Road to Women’s Business Growth project is a unique initiative which will build the business skills of women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

The project aims to increase women’s access to financial services and markets and empower them to grow profitable and sustanable business, ultimately promoting their long-term economic independence.

There is no registration fee. However, please note that participants are requested to cover travel/transportation costs to the project’s training centres located in three cities: Lagos, Abuja or Uyo.

Project Structure

The project will focus on providing support to women entrepreneurs through its two phased approach:
Phase I

500 small business owners will be trained in financial literacy and investment readiness over six (6) weeks, including two classroom workshops and four weeks of e-learning (January – March 2016).
Phase II

100 top performing women entrepreneurs (out of the 500) will receive intensive business support in the form of tailored business training and services and ongoing mentoring over six months (from May 2016).

To be eligible for this program you need to:

1. Own a business in Nigeria.

2. Operate a business in a high-growth sector.

3. Have 3 – 49 staff.

4. Have an annual turnover of N3-20 million.

5. Have English language fluency

6. Have a business which has generated profit for at least 2 years.

7. Have a strong desire and commitment to grow your business.

8. Have basic computer literacy

9. Have a need for additional investment and have had no previous access to formal financial services

Application Process

The deadline for application is 5pm on 10 December 2015. Applications will be evaluated as they arrive, and selections will be made on a rolling basis. Places will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Selection results will be announced in January 2016

APPLY NOW

For questions please contact Lola at Lfalokun@pau.edu.ng or call 08174583173.

Want to be a change agent? This conference is for you!

Discover your full potential with Funto Ibuoye, Bola Balogun, +Tosyn Bucknor , Omoyemi Akerele and others +Titilola Tewe at the Becoming Conference

In a bid to create a new generation of young women leaders,trailblazers and change agents who will be an inspiration to others, The Beautified Network, a faith-based initiative founded to inspire young women to discover and fulfill their God given purposes as well as empower them to live their best lives, is set to organize her flagship conference tagged Becoming.The conference is focused on inspiring young women between the ages of 18 and 30 to live up to their full potentials as they discover and become all they were created to be, regardless of their circumstance or background.

According to Funto Ibuoye, the Convener of the annual Conference,: “Our purpose for organizing this conference is to bring together women who have achieved a great level of success and significance in their respective endeavors.The speakers will share the stories of their journey to success as they inspire the younger women. The Woman is an irreplaceable element in social transformation,there is no better time to empower her than now.

The speakers for this year’s edition of Becoming conference includes:
Tosyn Bucknor - OAP and CEO - The TosynBucknor Company.
Omoyemi Akerele - CEO Style housfiles and Founder, Lagos Fashion and Design Week.
Bola Balogun - CEO Glam Brand Agency.
Titilola Tewe - Founder, The Father's Girls.

The conference will also feature a panel discussion titled Can Women Really Have It All?

Stylish women will also be treated to a mini fashion show.

Date: July 18, 2015
Time: 10am
Venue: Terra Kulture, Plot 1376, Tiamiyu Savage, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island‎, Lagos.

To register for the conference, kindly visit the link below-
http://thebeautifiednetwork.uregista.com/forms/287

For more information or sponsorship, please call-
Deborah- 0807034298496
Mary Jane- 08075553939

51 Ways Ordinary People Reached World-Class By Robin Sharma with comments Part 1

Hi guys, as usual, when I see an article that strikes me, I decide to share with most of the thoughts running through my head as I read. It's  been a while yea? I completed my first online program on Coursera - Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies: The First Step in Entrepreneurship! Yaay me!! I also got me a verified certificate for the course that I am so proud to share, hehe - https://www.coursera.org/signature/certificate/UMLUJGTPRV Yes ke!! The day you stop learning is the day you die.....

Back to the matter.... Fasten your seat belts, this is going to be mighty long. I'll try not to lose you.

51 Ways Ordinary People Reached World-Class
By Robin Sharma
#1 bestselling author of The Leader Who Had No Title

With comments from Mofolusade Sonaike...

1. Know what you want. Clarity is power. And vague goals promote vague results.
   As simple as this sounds, knowing what you want is one of the toughest hurdles to cross in life. Things as basic as what to wear, whether to relax your kinky nachi hair and give up the nachi hair crusade or no (yea, that's where I'm at right now).
2. Remember that every problem has a solution. Maybe you just can’t see it. Yet. 
   I know right, the wait time or search time is just so tiring. You keep thinking, where's this solution already!
3. In this Age of Dramatic Distraction, the performer who focuses the best wins the most. 
   Focus, Focus!!! In this world of #mimirod and #kardishian sex tapes (scandalous sumtins!), instagram flexing and the hard pursuit of wealth, we need God himself to help us focus in this generation. Lord help us.
4. Before someone will help you, you need to help them.
   Yea I agree. You can't expect to just call someone out of the blues to ask for help when you haven't been there for them ever! It doesn't always have to be monetary, sometimes all people need from you is some empathy.
5. Become the most passionate person you know. It’ll be contagious. 
   Passion speaks for itself. If you really want to make a difference in your chosen field, you have to be passionate about it.
6. Know more about your craft/the work you do than anyone who has ever done the work you do…in the history of the world. 
   Omo! More than anyone in the history of the world ke!! Mr.Robin, this one go hard small sha. Chai. To achieve this, one would need far more than Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hours of practice! Pleeenty of work! Wheew.
   
   But seriously, nothing good comes easy.
7. Join The 5 am Club. Your most valuable hours are 5am-8 am. They have the least interruptions. 
   Before I started raising kids I was such a sleeper! I loved sleep and hated my bank job because I had to wake up early. My cousin and I would fight because I always made her late. Nowadays though, I am up without an alarm clock by 5, sometimes 4:30, life! lol.
   
   I have read in so many books and articles that one of the habits of most of the successful people is rising early. Why does this make a difference? It's easy to get sucked into a daily routine that does not add value. The way you start your day makes the difference in how your day goes. Commit the day to God's hands, exercise (it makes you sharp! seriously), then plan your day in order of priority. You achieve more this way. Thank me later.
8. Devote yourself to learning something new about your field of mastery every day. Success belongs to the relentless learners. Because as you know more, you can achieve more.
   Nothing beats continuous learning.
9. Remember that when you transform your fitness, you’ll transform your business. 
   Aha! I didn't even know this would make the list when I mentioned exercise earlier. I hear the Dutch are really fitness crazy, they ride to work most of the time - so says my friend who works there. They must be super productive, I imagine. We on the other hand are so lazy that even to visit a neighbor within the same estate we drive! SMH. Since I heard the gist about the cycling Dutch, I made a mental note to get me a bicycle. Yes! I can. (only on the good roads though, which is within my estate pretty much, lol!).
10. Don’t check your mobile when you’re meeting with another person. It’s rude. And rude people don’t reach world-class. 
    Er.... I knew drawing up a list of 51 could not be that easy! That's how come "and rude people don't reach world-class.....because they check their phones" makes the list. It just sounds funny Mr. Robin. Not that it's not rude to check your phone when in a meeting but....
11. Every time you do what scares you, you take back the power that you gave to the thing that scared you. And so you become more powerful. 
    Very true this!
12. A problem is only a problem if you make the choice to see it as a problem.
    Easier said than done, but true. Many battles are first won in the mind.
13. Stop being a victim. Your business and personal life was made by you. No one else is responsible. To make it better, make better choices. And new decisions.
    Think about this one deeply! Many times we wallow in self pity and blame everyone else but ourselves for our problems. Truth of the matter though is, where you are today is a result of the seeds you sowed yesterday - the relationships you formed or didn't, the books you read or didn't, the choices you made! Trust me, it's all YOU!! If you want a change, the change has to start from you.
14. You can lead without a title. Don’t wait to get a position to stand for excellence, peak quality and over delivery on every expectation. There are so many empty titles around us..... I bet you know one or two. Try not to carry one of them on your head. Has any of you seen the official houseboy of the federation one?!
    
        Seriously, it's a real title. Lol.I saw it and was like huh?!! Only in Nigeria!
15. Find your own style. Be an original. Every superstar differentiated themselves from The Herd. And marched to their own drumbeat. Its so much easier to follow the herd/crowd. Want to be successful, you have to follow your inner voice. There's really no other way to say it.
16. Understand that when you play small with your success, you betray your potential. And the birthright you were born under. 
    Hmmm, this one is a bit lost on me..... help somebody!
17. Eat less food and you’ll get more done.
    Hahahaha!! As funny as this sounds, I bet you agree that it's so true. Overeating makes you less active and creative. Try eating eba at 7pm and attempt to study that same night. Even the sleep that you try to sleep will be a restless one. 
18. As you become more successful, stay really really hungry. Nothing fails like success. Because when you’re successful, it’s easy to stop outlearning+outOverDelivering+outthinking and outexecuting everyone around you. (Success is Beautiful. And dangerous). 
    Don't think you have arrived just because you hit your target. Celebrate the success, but set new targets and keep moving or else you'll fall back.
19. If you’re not overprepared, you’re underprepared. 
    Wooow!! This is a hard truth. That little extra crossed 't' and dotted 'i' is the difference between a strong second class upper and a first class.
20. The only level of great manners to play at is “Exceedingly Polite”. In our world, this alone will make you a standout. And differentiate you in your marketplace. 
    We need more "Exceedingly Polite" people in Nigeria, what we have mostly is "Exceedingly rude" people. I was at shoprite yesterday waiting in line to pay for my goods, only for the lady at the counter to walk away without a word to those of us waiting! I was livid. When we confronted her, she said she was looking for change and she said this rolling her eyes! Gosh. Some people are so so rude here.
21. Remember that the moment you think you’re a Master, you lose your Mastery. And the minute you think you know everything, you know nothing. In simple terms, humble yourself...... I know this saying has been over-flogged, but "Pride goes before a fall". Remember that.

I have to break it at this point. The list is so long it should be digested in parts. Will post part 2 in a bit.

Have a great day guys! Cheers.

See more at: http://www.robinsharma.com/blog/04/51-ways-ordinary-people-reached-world-class/#sthash.DdZkNmD7.dpuf

Hposh Diaries...... No more free Jobs! We have bills to pay

I didn't get the email but my mentor told me:

"I'm sorry! You were not shortlisted to receive the 50k."

She tried consoling me.

Thank God it was a BBM chat. That made it easy for her not to see how my face expressed what I felt within me.

During the six months impasse between the Federal Government and ASUU, I had enrolled for the Global Entrepreneur's Week 50K challenge.

After submitting my essay, I made it to the pitch presentation.

It was at the pitch presentation that I had been hinted that my business plan doesn't reflect how money would be made immediately.

I understood better when I read the email.

Mine was a long term profit making business, they were looking for a short term investment.

Since I got into business, I've been disappointed mostly by those whom I had wholly trusted.

Rather than quit, I remain dogged and returned to my drawing table, only to come out bigger, better and stronger.

As at the time I made my pitch presentation, the website I represent had 15,000 daily views.

My number one goal this year is to make the site have at least 200,000 daily views before December 31, 2014.

The second goal was to make a profit of at least #100,000 per month. This implies, we must make over that amount monthly.

I had so much faith that I would get the 50k and use it to support my brand for expansion but after I failed I had to restrategize.

January was a boring month but I looked forward to February.

It's February 6, our daily views is now an average of 30,000. We've been able to get jobs half of the target we set for ourselves this month.

Apart from the supernatural force - God who I know has so much to do with this success, my team and I have been inventing and reinventing ourselves. We've been creating ideas and have started looking at the business side.

I told them, "No more free jobs. We have bills to pay. We have projects to launch. We have staff to pay. We have jobs to create. We have corporate social responsibility to fulfil etcetera etcetera.

Still wandering what my bottom line is? There is no limit to what you can achieve except the one you set for yourself.

The solution to that problem is within you. Uproot it!

See ya l8r....

Hposh

Hposh Diaries...... What you have to do, do now!

Hposh...

Don't get stuck in a rut, break free.........

How many times did I call you?

Stop giving excuses for failure.

Procastination is the hallmark of failure.

You should have written this article some days before now.

But you kept pushing it forward.

Can you count the number of outstading books you are yet to read.

6 months ago, you purchased over ten books.

In your 'serious mind' you would read them all before school resumes..

*yimu*

You are just in chapter 3 of El Rufai's 'The Accidential Public Servant'.

You stopped reading 'The Purpose Driven Life'.

The list is endless.

You promised yourself to write every single day of the year...

You should bury your head in shame now.

Remember you had the idea of Miss OAU and Most Beautiful Girl in OAU in 2008 before you even gained admission into OAU Pre-degree in 2009.

SMH for you Mr. Man.

How did you feel when somebody successfully staged the Miss OAU beauty pageant last year?

I guess you were fulfilled when someone else told you he is planning the Most Beautiful Girl in OAU show this year.

With the posters out and auditions date fixed for February 8th, it is certain the event will hold.

Have you published that book you had in mind?

Have you made that trip you were planning?

Have you written those business proposals you wanted to send to companies.

Have you asked that girl out?

How long will you wait till tomorrow to do what you can do now? *Emphasis here now*!!
Time waits for no man.

The best time is now.

Use it wisely.

#Gbam P.S Have you submitted your youwin application? 31st is here o!!!!

Hposh Diaries...... Welcome to 2014

Happy new year fam!

I am super excited to be seeing another year. As far as resolutions and plans go..... guess what? I haven't done none of that! I have been stuck in last year. The last few weeks of the year up till last week were craaazy! Good crazy though, but still. One thing I learnt, if a printer says to you, the sky is blue, please go and confirm, even though we all know it is! Chai. They have nearly turned me into a mad woman. This is story for #inthelineofduty.

Meanwhile, Nanny Mcphee showed up today oo!! Halleluyaaaa. I had already activated a search for a replacement. The challenge with that though, is the learning process for the replacement, me and the kids! Who wants to keep going through that every year? Ain't nobody gat time for that! So when mama showed up today, I almost hugged her even though I had to do small shakara. Inside me I did like ten backflips!!!! Whoop Whoop!

Let the new year begin! Cheers to 2014.

This is a post from last week. Hposh's new year message.

Enjoy....

Hposh Diaries.......

Love and respect him without condition. Hehe

Less than 24 hours ago (I know this is not true anymore,*covers face*), we bade farewell to 2013 and ushered in a new year 2014. Let me join others in wishing you a happy and prosperous new year.

Back to work...

I know most of us have new year resolutions. The sad or interesting part of it for me is that I have no new year resolutions. No raised eyebrows please. I just want to leave each day at a time and solve one challenge then move on to the next.

As the new year starts to run, I'll share some useful tips with you. I hope you find them helpful:

1) Place value on your time

Be accountable for every second, minute, hour and day of your life this year. Ensure, you focus your energy productively on things that'll take you a step closer to the realisation of your dreams.

2) Place value on yourself

Nothing kills a man more than inferiority complex. God has fashioned all of us in a unique way that we have something exceptional to contribute to the growth and development of the world. Ever asked yourself why only you have your kind of fingerprints? You have a purpose to fulfil, don't brood over past failures, challenges or strained relationships.

3) Talking about relationships - don't be a hermit. Network! 

Meet people. Care for people. Lend a hand. Support a charitable cause. Spend quality time with family and friends. Share your dreams with people of like minds. You'll be shocked how much contribution they can make to your life. Don't use people. Bear no grudges against any man. Humans, in their mortality will disappoint and hurt you, just let it go. It's one of those things.

4) Be money wise

You just don't have to buy everything you see or want. Set your priorities right. Invest your money wisely and manage it well.

5) Give - Give! Give! Give!

Give without expecting favour in return. Give to someone who cannot reward you. Make someone smile. Motivate and inspire someone each day.

6) Act now - don't procrastinate

It steals away time. Do what is right at the right time, in the right way and at the right place.

7) Respect God 

That doesn't need too much of talk. Respect God!

Till I come your way next week, I say, have a blissful new year celebration. #peace

Hposh Diaries...... The year 2013

Hposh Diaries.....

When I pinged my mentor yesterday to thank her for her support so far, she was embarrassed. I pinged my best female friend to thank her too, she was shocked. There was one person I did the same to who asked me what I wanted, I told him nothing. He too was amazed. It wasn't a Blackberry broadcast. So this made it kind of creepy.

I also appreciated some of my clients and my team members. It was the least anyone expected. Most of them didn't understand why I did that. It wasn't like I wanted something from them. But once in a while I do some soul search. I've been keeping it for too long but I just felt I should let it out. I love you all. You mean a lot to me. This year has been my best year ever. I don't know how I got here.

2013 started on a very rough note. I resumed school with little or no pocket money. It was so hard keeping my dreams alive. I had bills to pay, materials to buy, a team to lead, a vision to accomplish. 'How would this ever work out?'. I thought. We launched my online magazine in June 2012 and it's been challenging and interesting ever since.

Apart from my parents my friends became my caretakers. They provided accommodation for me, since I spent all my money on starting a brand. They gave me food to eat because I didn't have much to spend on that. They defended me, believed in me and till today still stand by me.

For over 4 months, I was without a smart phone. I couldn't work. My sponsor of life came to my rescue. He has invested so much in me. He's been my pillar of support no matter how challenging finances are for him when I make my requests.

My comedian uncle, his friends and family have always been behind me. My parents and my family too played their role efficiently and effectively.

The turning point came in June 2013 when I met her. She subscribed to our monthly PR plan which we handled to the best of our capabilities. You need to know what #5,000 meant to me. It covered something reasonable.

At last, I heaved a sigh of relief that I was a businessman adding value. For someone to pay us for a service, I felt so good. After the first semester exams, I wasn't planning to go home for our supposedly 2-weeks break.

Things got a new twist when she asked me to work with her. I was to stay with her for the 2 weeks but ASUU in all their majesty turned it to over 5 months. The last few months have been my best ever.

Having someone believe so much in you and not dictating what you should do for you. While I used her internet, car and other resources for free she still paid us for doing PR for her. She referred us to the best clients ever, introduced me into the business world, the challenges, the tactics and the networking.

You are awesome boss.

Did I mention her family? God bless them for me.

I've met so many people this year and they made this year count.

To all of you I say a big thank you.

When I finally get to my promise land, I'll write my autobiography and mention your names including the influences you've had on me.

Oh! How can I forget to mention my godmother of life. She's a newscaster at a popular TV station. I harass her everytime I'm broke. I am always...because I spend money on so many investments. I pray they yield rewarding dividends soon.

Then my uncles...you guys are great.
To those who still think I'm joking. I still hold my dream of being the richest man in the world.

...Emotions, feelings, love, relationships. I've had a lot of them.

Shout out to anyone I've ever dated. I'm sorry I let you go. Despite not giving you so much attention, you still had faith in me.

To those who broke my heart...you've taught me that life is full of shxx...what matters is how we respond to it.

I love you all.

I owe you so much.

If not for anything but for you, I'll make my dreams come true.

#bless

Hposh Diaries...... Top lessons from Mandela's life

Hposh has done a good job of highlighting some of the key things to note from the life that the man, Mandela lived. Short and sharp, no need for story. Enjoy!

Oh and while you're at it, I'm looking for a funny caption for this picture I stumbled on!! hahaha. Who's going to give it a go and take the prize?

Hposh diaries..... 

I don't want to talk about myself today. I want to pay my own tribute to former South African President and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela who died at the age of 95 last Thursday 5th December 2013. You all know his history so I won't bore you with any more of it.

To say that Mandela changed the world is an understatement. Madiba came, he saw and he conquered. While speaking with someone recently he said "After Jesus the greatest person on earth is Mandela" (you have the right to your opinion). What kind of man goes to jail for 27 years under those inhuman circumstances without breaking? He suffered emotionally, mentally, financially and healthwise. Never the less, he remained undaunted. After his release, he became South Africa's first democratically elected President. He refused to run for a second term and there was no record of him paying back his former oppressors in their own coins. He not only forgave, he also forgot. What a man!

Just examining Mandela's life, I have discovered some secrets of success in life.

Some of the are:

1) Hold on to your dream, no matter what happens.

2) Be prepared. Everyday you witness the rising of the Sun, make sure you are better than the person you were the day before. Get more skills, read more books, listen to more tapes, build your character, nurture positive relationships. Success is when opportunity meets preparation.

3) Stay focused. Distractions will come but do not give in. Failure comes when we take our eyes off the goal.

4) Make sure your dream is worth dying for. If all you dream about is to make money, you are doomed to fail. Nothing is more important that adding value, making an impact.

5) Never Give Up! Challenges will come. They should make you better not bitter.

6) Your destiny is in your hands. "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Whichever way, you are right" - Thomas Edison. People will desert you. Resources will fail to come. Those close to you will lose faith in you. When things get rough and tough, remember that you are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.

7) Be positive! Say only things that are right. Speak life, wealth, hope, happiness! Nothing works better than the power of the mind.

Hposh Diaries...... Part 1

Hi guys, we have a new guest blogger for Wednesdays. Let me introduce to you, Hposh. 

He has dreams to take over the world, to be the world's youngest billionaire. Can he? Will he? Only time will tell..... In the mean time, he shares his thoughts and actions with us as he works everyday towards realizing this huge dream!

Hposh diaries..... Part 1

source - http://www.discoveryfinance.com/millionaire-billionaire-club.html

For a while now, I've been yearning to write. I've stored several poems, proses and articles in my head but refused to pen them down. Sometimes I read other people's articles online and I'm like 'Oh My God! That should be my article.'

My favorite brand slogan is "Just Do It" by Nike. Many a time, we all know what and who we want to be. I want to be an actor. I want to be a writer. I want to be an Engineer. I want to be a business man. I can't imagine how long you've been trying to be what and who you want to be.

Come to think of it, what would have happened if Thomas Edison didn't invent the electricity bulb? How would we have traveled across several oceans and mountains if the Wright Brothers had not built the first airplane. Let's bring it back home. How would Lagos have been if they had not constructed the third mainland bridge? Now you get the point?

Every human being on this planet is blessed with at least one unique talent. It's up to us to discover our potentials, hone our skills, market our products, solve a problem and get enriched by it.

Poverty or wealth is a state of the mind. You see a lot of people nag about the terrible situation of the country, yet others are finding solutions to problems and getting paid for it. Rather than talking about things that are not right, find a way to do the right thing.

My name is Hposh (should I use my real name). I'm a writer, an actor, a creative thinker, and an entrepreneur. Every morning when I wake up, my mind tells me I owe the world a lot. I'm very ambitious and I want to be the richest man on earth one day. I owe the world best selling books, blockbuster movies (because I'll still go into film making), amazing scripts and stories, multinational corporations and many more. I have a dream and I know it will come true. What I don't know is how and when it will be fulfilled. One thing I'm sure of is I will be on FORBES list before I turn 30. It's going to be a bumpy road. Am I ready for it? Only time will tell.

Dreams come true. This is my dream. What is yours? The right time to start is now. Just do it! Join me on this intriguing journey as I share with you my past, my present, my future. An insight into my relationships, my dreams, my projects, my challenges and lots more. This could just be my autobiography.

This is Hposh Dairies...