‘Why I am passionate about mindset makeover for young enterprenuers’

Mrs Oyenike Adeleke is the initiator of the Ibadan Enterprenuers Network which is fast becoming a hub for young entrepreneurs around the country. She recently spoke to ROTIMI IGE on reasons why she will be bringing renowned motivators; the ‘Catalyst’, Lanre Olusola and Jimi Tewe to Ibadan soon.

You are passionate about encouraging entrepreneurs in and around Oyo State especially youths. What prompted the idea?

I got sick and tired of seeing unemployed graduates and non graduates, who have potentials to be employers of labor but didn’t know it. Ignorance is putting them at a disadvantage. So, I decided to create a platform for them to discover who they could be and what they can become. I decided to help enlighten then to recognize the fact that instead of looking for jobs, they can create job opportunities and become employers instead of employees. Everyone already has what they need to become whatever it may be. Entrepreneurs are born, not made.

How has the journey been?

It has been interesting. I have seen the height of self discovery and talents in operation. Suddenly they realize that they have what it takes, to get what they want. The most important part that I make obvious is the fact that being an entrepreneur gives you the opportunity to contribute your quota to economic development.

Tell us about some of the projects your Ibadan entrepreneurship network has accomplished?

The Ibadan Entrepreneurs Network (IEN) has been able to identify, showcase, celebrate and educate entrepreneurs in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. As part of our plans to accomplish our vision, we have organized some events specifically made for entrepreneurs. Some of our events include an exhibition cum town hall meeting aimed at giving entrepreneurs the ability to learn in conference format how to benefit from the Bank of Industry (BoI) credit facility for business owners, how to take advantage of the CBN/Entrepreneurship development training in improving their business acumen and thus improving their eligibility for CBN-assisted loans targeted towards SMEs. Also at the event, entrepreneurs were able to learn the rudiments and procedures of business name registration and incorporation, trained to understand basic tax returns procedures for businesses and business owners etc.

Also, The Ibadan Entrepreneurs Network was part of the producers of The Ibadan Count Down Festival where we produced the Business and Networking day last December. It was a network/exhibition event where existing entrepreneurs were able to share their experiences with the upcoming/ start ups. There were mentoring sessions, books keeping and social media training for entrepreneurs at the event.

The Ibadan Entrepreneurs Network also has a functional skills acquisition training school and we have successfully trained over 200 people. We have also pioneered several initiatives such as skills acquisition training for the physically challenged as well as creating alternate sources of income for students and teachers in Oyo State.

You also encourage aspiring entertainment entrepreneurs. Seeing that the entertainment industry is booming and has the potential to becoming a mega industry, how do you see upcoming artisans tap from the wealth of the industry?

I believe that entertainment entrepreneurs are able to harness the great wealth of the industry if only they can learn the business part of the industry. Every entrepreneur is capable of creating wealth and establishing a sounding business in their field. There is a part of entertainment that is an art and there is another where business acumen will be put into play. The business part of the industry, if well understood will get more wealth than the talents itself.

You have an event coming up tagged ‘Mindset Makeover’ featuring celebrated mentors like Lanre Olusola, Jimi Tewe, among others. Tell us about this event.

The ‘Mindset Makeover’ holding on March 18, came from a yearning to change the mindset of entrepreneurs in Ibadan about some certain beliefs that were sold to us about doing business in Ibadan. Ibadan has the potential to produce thriving entrepreneurs as long as we can see it. We have businesses that are thriving here in Ibadan and it’s not because they are better but because they have changed their mindset about the city. Our brown roofs are not a thing of shame but a legacy that should be celebrated. Until we are proud to celebrate what we have and use it to our advantage, none other will see us or relate to us as such.

This event is aimed at changing our mindset in Ibadan. Not shying away from the facts, but making visible the mistakes in our daily operations as business owners and channeling the course to a greater tomorrow. The historic heritage of the city and the brown roofs of this great city also present the obvious challenges of Ibadan dwellers. We are glad that these now pave way for new businesses and opportunities for the daring few.

We are optimistic of the results to proceed from the programme, having understood what this dare needs from hundreds of entrepreneurs in Ibadan. The quality of the facilitators resounds globally and their vast experiences, competence and passion for development and economic empowerment make them suitable and qualified to execute this task of mindset diagnosis, reprogramming and fortification for top performance always.

What do you mean by ‘Mindset makeover’, especial as regards the present generation of youths.

There is the saying that ‘Whatever you call your basket, that’s exactly how people will call it’. An average startup business owner in Ibadan has challenges doing business here because of the response they get from customers/clients. But I believe that the only reason they get such responses is because of these major facts; Presentation, branding, customer service to mention a few. Our attitude to business must change. We need to be more aggressive and take the bull by the horn. The only reason people will prefer products or services from neighboring states is not because they are better than us, it’s simply because they have a different approach to business. They are more aggressive, they understand the importance of branding and advertisement, their presentation is top notch and they are confident about whatever it is they do. They constantly update themselves, they are quick to respond, apt to teach and be taught, they understand the importance of good customer service and they don’t under estimate the importance of trainings and networking. These are the mindsets that should be embraced by Ibadan Entrepreneurs.  This is the mind set shift that we need to become who we are – The PACE SETTER!

What potential do you see for the entrepreneurial economy of Oyo State, in what industries/sector and how can it be harnessed?

Every sector has the full potential to bring about economic empowerment and development. The only thing we need to do is for us to identify our individual strengths/potential and stay with it and become the best at it. We need to understand that the only reason anyone can do well in any sector is if he/she has an inbuilt passion for a specific trade. The problem we see every day is everyone wanting to do a particular thing because it’s ‘in vogue’. Not asking whether there is an inbuilt passion for that thing.

A lot of youths are lured by the entertainment industry, what other sectors could potentially offer them better investment and returns?

The entertainment industry is a fantastic industry but it’s not meant for everyone. It’s an industry where fame and luxury is showcased and everyone wants to become rich over night. Not knowing that there is a lot of hard work and sacrifices to be made. All people see is the life of an entertainer and they want to become one overnight. What I will say is this, discover yourself, identify your own strengths and develop it to the point where many will come and celebrate you. Never live another man’s dreams. Always be confident and be ready to give your best in your field. And the truth of the matter is this, once you identify your talents and potential, you will realize that you won’t be struggling to be it. It will come naturally, and with such, success is sure. It’s like a fish swimming in the ocean. But if the bird tries to be a fish because it likes the way it glides, it will surely drown. Identify your strengths and stay with it, your investments will yield returns.