“You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.” ― Steve Jobs
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson
This week on Whoot Africa’s best advice series, we share words of wisdom, a thought of hope, and inspiration in our own little way
Here are some CEO’s and inspirational personalities sharing with us this week…. Stay inspired, dream big and work towards winning.
Audu Maikori, CEO, Chocolate City Group
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received came from my mentor and the chairman of my company, Hakeem Belo-Osagie. I had gone to hang out with him alongside Jude Abaga (MI) and at some point MI jokingly asked for a few wisdom nuggets he could walk away with on our way out. He said – “Never give up, be persistent” and then he went on to tell us the story of how Etisalat got its licence. They applied the first time, second, third and the answers were no, no no! The fourth time they applied, he was almost certain the answer would be another no and that was when they actually got the licence to operate what we now know as Etisalat. Another interesting story is President Buhari. I look at how many times he contested for office before he finally became the president of Nigeria and I ask myself, how many things have I tried at least three times before giving up? So I decided from this point, I would have to get at least four noes before I quit anything I try to do.
Dikko Nwachukwu, Aviation Professional and Business Executive
My best advice is short and simple –
“Refuse to Lose.”
Ozoz Sokoh, Chef and Creative Director of KitchenButterfly.com
The best advice I ever received was from a lady who later became my mentor. Her name is Jolanda and we worked together in the Netherlands. I remember wanting to attend a women’s conference in Paris called “Women in networking,” an amazing international conference. I needed a sponsor to attend, but I had also had two people already turn me down. I went to Yolanda and I said ‘I really want to attend this conference, there’s one more person I want to ask, should I ask?’ And she was like ‘Of course you should ask’. She said ‘Ask for what you want; you just might get it’. Ask for what you want; before you ask, you already have a NO, but asking can actually change the dynamic. When you ask, you increase the odds and you end up with a 50/50 percent chance of a yes or no. Asking actually opens up your options. A lot of the time we are actually scared to ask and we lack the courage to ask, but guess what? I asked someone and she agreed to sponsor me, and that conference changed my life.P
Princess Adebisi Sarah Sosan (OFR), Educationist, Businesswoman and former Deputy Governor of Lagos state
My Best Advice –
First and foremost, believe in yourself that you can make it, and then launch out. Be principled, and entrust everything into God’s hands. Stand by what you believe in, don’t let anyone intimidate you. Don’t be easily influenced into doing wrong because when you finally get there, they will use these things against you. Be truthful; your integrity should speak for you, because the value system in the world we live in today has broken down, but your integrity will always speak for you wherever you go. A woman needs to be determined from the beginning and consciously remind herself every day of the greatness she carries and how she doesn’t need to be immoral to achieve anything. What you have in your mind, God’s help will get you there. It may be long but it will surely happen for you. Be steadfast, be consistent; if you don’t get it, try and try again.
Tiyan Alile, Chef and CEO, The Culinary Academy Lagos
Best Advice –
Educate yourself! It’s all about learning, it’s all about knowing what you are doing before you jump right in. understand what it is you are selling so that you know how to sell it better, understand what you are teaching so you know how to teach it better. Educate yourself and stay consistent, it’s not an easy road, but it could be a fun and rewarding journey and experience. So stay consistent.
Henry Bassey, CEO, Digibrands Nigeria
The best advice I ever received was from my dad, and it was when I was starting my career – he said to me, “never ever think that you are indispensable.” That advice has kept me grounded, and clearly recognising that I am there by the grace of God. This literarily also makes me give my very best at anything that I touch because I need my impact to be felt. It is nice to do good work, but it is even nicer when you leave and they say wow! We miss him because his work spoke for itself.
