Florence Olumodimu, a Marketing Communications expert, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife, Osun State, and a Master’s Degree in Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Southampton Solvent University, United kingdom. She is a member of Toastmasters International, Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW). The Chief Executive Officer of Life Developers Network (LDN) shares her story with SEGUN KASALI.
What informed my choice of career
I am somebody that does not like monotony and things that are very boring. You would agree with me that marketing is very dynamic. That is basically one of the things that made me opt for marketing. I am someone that is very bubbly and love life and of course, I love to speak. So, I think that is also part of it.
My role models
If I am to talk about international role models, a lady like Oprah Winfrey is a major role model because she has been able to do a lot of things that had impacted a lot of people’s lives and she has been able to take herself from little to something amazing and she is admired all over the world.
My motivation
It’s just God-given energy and passion. I am clear of what I am passionate about. I am very passionate about women issues and the youth, so, I do a lot of things that impact them. And then, I have my commercial life and social life. So, I am very passionate about bridging the gap of what we have in the community; hence I give a lot of my time training women and youths.
The most defining moment of my career so far
There are so many, but I can remember working on a project that really broke a world record. That was an amazing one. My team worked with brand Guinness, Diageo during the African Nations Cup where Nigeria came first.
Combining the home front with my career
You have to maintain a balance between the career and home. Fotunately, my sons are now 14 and 16 years old, so, it’s easier. But when they were younger, they were practically working with me. They will wake up early, and eat breakfast while we were driving to school.
Secret of your success as an entrepreneur
It is simply God’s grace and dedication. I am somebody that is very creative. Rather than sit down and wait for business, I sit down and think of concepts and ideas. You can’t continue waiting for the business to come along. You have to be someone who is an idea factory and solution provider.
What people can do to survive recession
To survive recession, you must be ready to think out of the box and you must be ready to diversify. So, whatever things you are doing, you should be able to do other things in addition.
Advice for young women
I want women out there to have a changed mindset. I want women not to have a defeatist attitude. I want women to know themselves. First and foremost, it must start from you. You have to see yourself as a first class citizen and that you are not someone that is weaker sex. You have to be ready to stand on your own. You have to be someone that brings value to the table in the family, in your community and in your nation.
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