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7 Signs Your Sleep Is No Longer Restorative And How To Improve It

VIctor Akinwale
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7 Signs Your Sleep Is No Longer Restorative And How To Improve It

Sleep is one of the body’s most essential healing processes. It regulates memory, mood, hormonal balance, immunity, and overall wellbeing. Yet many people go to bed each night and wake up feeling no better than when they slept. This happens when sleep becomes light, fragmented, or disrupted, preventing the brain and body from completing their restoration cycle. Medical practitioners often describe restorative sleep as sleep that leaves you mentally alert, physically energised, and emotionally balanced when you wake. When these outcomes are missing, the body sends early warnings.

Here are seven evidence based signs your sleep is no longer restorative, and practical steps to help you regain healthy rest.

1. You wake up tired even after 7 to 8 hours of sleep

Quality matters more than duration. According to sleep specialists at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, restful sleep requires the body to complete several stages, including deep and REM sleep. When stress, late night screens, or irregular sleep patterns interfere with these cycles, you wake up drained.

What You Can Do: Establish a consistent sleep routine. Sleep and wake at the same time daily. This trains your internal clock and improves sleep architecture.

2. You struggle to fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes

Difficulty initiating sleep is often linked to overstimulation, anxious thoughts, or poor sleep hygiene. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that delayed sleep onset can significantly reduce the time spent in restorative stages.

What You Can Do: Create a calming pre-sleep ritual. Reduce screen exposure, dim your lights, stretch lightly, or read something relaxing.

3. You wake up multiple times during the night

Interrupted sleep fragments the deep and REM cycles your brain depends on for memory, mood regulation, and physical repair. Common causes include stress, caffeine use, a hot room, or underlying sleep disorders.

What You Can Do: Keep your sleep environment cool and quiet. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals at least four hours before bed.

4. You experience morning headaches or facial tension

Sleep experts note that poor sleep quality can cause muscle tightening in the neck and jaw, low oxygen levels, or teeth grinding, all of which may lead to morning headaches.

What You Can Do: Maintain proper room ventilation, sleep on supportive pillows, and consult a clinician if headaches persist. You may also explore relaxation exercises before bed.

5. You feel mentally foggy or struggle to focus during the day

Cognitive fog is a classic sign of non restorative sleep. Lack of deep sleep affects concentration, memory, and decision making.

What You Can Do: Prioritise daytime habits that support sleep. Get natural light exposure in the morning. Engage in physical activity. Avoid overstimulation close to bedtime.

6. You experience mood changes, irritability, or emotional fatigue

Psychologists and sleep physicians highlight that inadequate restorative sleep affects the prefrontal cortex and emotional regulation centres of the brain. This leads to irritability, anxiety, and low emotional resilience.

What You Can Do: Reduce psychological stress before bed. Journaling, gentle breathing exercises, or quiet reflection can help the mind release tension before sleeping.

7. You rely on frequent naps to function

Short power naps can be healthy, but depending on naps to make up for lost night sleep indicates poor nighttime rest. Long naps may also disrupt your internal clock and worsen sleep quality at night.

What You Can Do: Limit daytime naps to 30 minutes and avoid napping late in the day. Focus on improving nighttime rest instead of compensating for it.

In Conclusion:

Restorative sleep is not a luxury. It is a foundation for mental clarity, emotional balance, immunity, and long term health. By paying attention to the signs and adopting healthier sleep habits, you give your body permission to repair, reset, and function at its best. Improving sleep begins with small, consistent changes that support calm, comfort, and stability.

From Lawyer to Global Artist, Laolu Senbanjo’s Journey of Creativity

VIctor Akinwale
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From Lawyer to Global Artist, Laolu Senbanjo’s Journey of Creativity

Few would have imagined that Laolu Senbanjo, trained as a lawyer, would become one of the most sought-after artists from Nigeria. Today, he is recognized globally as Laolu NYC, creating art inspired by his Yoruba roots and the values he learned as a human rights attorney. He is also a musician whose songs reflect his heritage.

Born in Ilorin, Nigeria, Laolu grew up under the influence of his Yoruba roots. He studied law at the University of Ilorin, earned his degree in 2005, and went on to work for several years as a human rights attorney with Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission. During that time, he focused on issues like the rights of women and children, traveling to schools and villages in northern Nigeria to educate and advocate. 

But even as a lawyer, Laolu never let go of art or music. As he once told BellaNaija, “it’s always been art first for me… my law degree has helped a lot, understanding legal issues around intellectual property.” He also pursued music alongside visual art, crafting songs that honor his Yoruba heritage and the rhythms of African music he grew up with.

In 2010, Laolu made a bold decision. He left his legal career behind and founded his own art gallery in Abuja. He didn’t abandon activism, in fact, his art began to reflect deeply on social justice, identity, and spirituality. His philosophy? “Everything is my canvas.” 

Three years later, he moved to Brooklyn, New York, to fully pursue his artistry. It was in New York that his vision expanded, not just in scale, but in ambition.

Laolu’s signature style is called Afromysterics, a term he coined to describe “the mystery of the African thought pattern.” He works mostly in charcoal, ink, and other textured media, creating intricate patterns inspired by Yoruba cosmology and ancestral mythologies. 

One of his most powerful contributions is what he calls The Sacred Art of the Ori. In Yoruba belief, Ori refers to a person’s inner essence or spiritual intuition. 

His art isn’t confined to traditional canvases. He believes in leaving his visual signature everywhere – walls, buildings, shoes, clothing, and human skin. His work caught the world’s attention in a landmark way: Beyoncé invited him to paint body art for her dancers in the visual album Lemonade. His creative canvas extends to celebrated figures including Serena Williams, J. Balvin, Burna Boy, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys, and others.

He has worked with global brands like Nike, Bvlgari, and Belvedere, creating limited editions and even using bottles and sneakers as canvases.  For Laolu, this is more than just commercial success, it’s cultural storytelling and reclaiming the narrative of African heritage. 

He also speaks about his responsibility as a global cultural ambassador. In interviews, he explains that his art is not just for admiration, but for sharing Yoruba culture, correcting stereotypes about Nigeria, and building bridges of understanding. 

The Inspiration

Courage to Choose Passion Over Stability: Laolu left a stable legal career to follow his calling, a reminder that fulfilling work often demands risk.

Creativity as Identity: His art is deeply tied to his Yoruba heritage, showing how cultural roots can be a powerful source of innovation.

Art with Purpose: He uses his talent not just for beauty, but for activism and storytelling.

His journey from law to art and music shows that pursuing passion requires courage, patience, and faith in one’s vision. His story is a reminder that following your calling can transform not only your own life but also the lives of those your work touches.

For anyone striving to turn passion into purpose, Laolu’s path proves that dedication, authenticity, and cultural pride are the foundation of lasting impact.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.

Lessons from Olugbenga Agboola: How He Built Flutterwave into Africa’s Fintech Powerhouse

VIctor Akinwale
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Lessons from Olugbenga Agboola: How He Built Flutterwave into Africa’s Fintech Powerhouse

In the world of African fintech, Olugbenga Agboola stands out as a visionary leader. Known for his vision and leadership, Agboola transformed an idea into Flutterwave, one of the continent’s most influential payment platforms. His journey from early curiosity about technology to leading a billion-dollar company is a roadmap for entrepreneurs seeking to turn ambition into impact.

Agboola grew up in Lagos, where the energy of Nigeria’s entrepreneurial culture shaped his early thinking. From navigating small challenges in local commerce to understanding how businesses operate, he developed an eye for solutions that could scale. These experiences, combined with a strong interest in technology, set the stage for his future ventures.

After earning a degree in computer science from the University of Westminster and completing an MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management, Agboola gained experience in some of the world’s leading tech companies, including PayPal and Google. He also worked with Andela, helping train software developers across Africa. Each step refined his technical skills and leadership abilities, preparing him for the bold move that would change the fintech landscape.

In 2016, together with co-founders Iyinoluwa Aboyeji and Ife Orioke, Agboola launched Flutterwave with the goal of making payments across Africa seamless for businesses and consumers alike. The platform enables companies to accept payments from anywhere in the world, removing the barriers that once made African commerce cumbersome. Under his guidance, Flutterwave expanded across dozens of countries and partnered with major international brands, establishing itself as a trusted fintech powerhouse.

The growth of Flutterwave under Agboola’s leadership has been remarkable. The company has handled billions of dollars in transactions and, in 2021, Flutterwave reached unicorn status, a $1 billion valuation, earning recognition from organizations including being recognized as the “Best Technology Platform” by The Asian Banker and listed among the “Top 100 Fintech Firms.” But beyond accolades, Agboola has focused on mentoring young entrepreneurs and advocating for greater diversity in technology, ensuring that his impact extends beyond his own company.

Lessons from Olugbenga Agboola’s Journey

1. Solve Real Problems

Agboola identified a critical gap in Africa’s payment infrastructure and built Flutterwave to address it. The lesson is simple: great businesses are born from solving problems that matter to people.

2. Start Small, Focus, Then Scale

Flutterwave began by helping businesses process payments efficiently. By perfecting one solution before expanding, Agboola ensured sustainable growth. Focus on mastery first, scale later.

3. Innovation Must Serve People

Technology alone is not enough. Flutterwave’s success comes from understanding customer needs, creating solutions that genuinely improve lives. Empathy drives meaningful innovation.

4. Collaboration Beats Competition

Agboola built partnerships with banks, startups, and global brands. His approach shows that working together often achieves more than working alone. Your network can accelerate your growth.

5. Integrity and Vision Sustain Success

A company’s long-term impact depends on ethical leadership. Agboola demonstrates that vision provides direction, but integrity gives the foundation to grow sustainably.

Conclusion

Olugbenga Agboola’s journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. From his early days in Lagos to leading a billion-dollar company that links Africa to global markets, his story demonstrates how vision, focus, innovation, collaboration, and integrity drive lasting success.

For anyone looking to create impact, Agboola’s path serves as inspiration: pursue your ideas with determination, start with clear purpose, and develop solutions that truly improve lives.

Angélique Kidjo: A Voice, a Mission, a Life That Inspires

VIctor Akinwale
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Angélique Kidjo: A Voice, a Mission, a Life That Inspires

Meet Angélique Kidjo, one of Africa’s most powerful voices in music and advocacy. She has sung across languages, crossed cultures, and carried the rhythm of Africa to the world’s biggest stages. Beyond the spotlight is a woman who uses her art to make people listen, learn, and rise.

She was born in Benin to parents who valued tradition and education. From her mother’s theatre group, she discovered that music could be more than sound. It could express truth. It could heal. It could give people strength. What began as small performances in her hometown grew into a global journey of impact.

Kidjo moved to Paris as a young woman. She performed in small clubs and worked to be noticed. She stayed true to her roots. Over time, her talent and style earned her international recognition.

Today, Kidjo is a five-time Grammy Award winner and a 2023 Polar Music Prize laureate. She is also the first Black African artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Each achievement reminds the world of what is possible when purpose leads talent.

Kidjo is known for her energetic Afrobeat, Afro-pop, and world music. She also blends jazz and funk into her sound, creating music that is both rooted in African tradition and globally resonant. Her albums like Djin Djin, Eve, and Oyo showcase this vibrant mix. She sings in Fon, French, Yoruba, Gen, and English. 

“Music is our shared language. It helps you put humanity in contact with other humanity without fear.” – Angélique Kidjo

Her songs connect places and people. From Benin to Paris. From Lagos to New York. Each song becomes a bridge.

Her influence goes far beyond music. Angélique Kidjo founded the Batonga Foundation to empower girls across Africa by supporting education and leadership development. She also serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for the rights of children and women.

“Telling my story is to empower people to believe in their own power.” – Angélique Kidjo

Her work reminds the world that talent finds meaning in service.

Kidjo’s creativity has taken her to every corner of the world. She has performed with Alicia Keys and reimagined Talking Heads’ Remain in Light with African rhythm. Her music celebrates identity and culture. Her art teaches that heritage is strength and that our voices can build change.

Let her story remind us that our gifts are meant to serve others. True impact is found in action, purpose, and the courage to lift lives.

Lessons from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

VIctor Akinwale
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Lessons from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey remains one of the most influential books on personal growth and leadership. More than a guide to success, it’s a roadmap for building character, nurturing relationships, and leading with purpose.

His approach is rooted in what he calls principle-centered living, the idea that true success begins from within, not from external achievements or shortcuts. As he writes,

 “Private victory precedes public victory. You can’t invert that process anymore than you can harvest a crop before you plant it.” – Stephen Covey

This philosophy lays the foundation for the seven habits, each one guiding us toward a balanced life built on responsibility, growth, and meaningful impact.

1. Be Proactive

Life doesn’t simply happen, it responds to our choices. 

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”

To live proactively is to take responsibility for your life, to rise above circumstances, emotions, or blame, and act from values rather than moods. Growth begins the moment we stop reacting to life and start creating it.

2. Begin with the End in Mind

Every meaningful life starts with a vision. 

“If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster.” – Stephen Covey

This habit invites us to pause and define what truly matters. When we are clear about the kind of person we want to become, the kind of legacy we want to leave, our daily actions begin to align with that vision.

3. Put First Things First

“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey

This is the discipline of aligning time with purpose. It’s the courage to say no to distraction so we can say yes to what truly matters – growth, faith, relationships, and rest. True productivity is not about doing more, but doing what matters most.

4. Think Win-Win

“Win-win is a frame of mind and heart that constantly seeks mutual benefit in all human interactions.” – Stephen Covey

This principle redefines success as something shared, not seized. It invites us to operate from abundance, to see others not as competitors but as collaborators. In a world often built on self-interest, this habit teaches that integrity and empathy always create better outcomes.

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen Covey

The heart of communication lies in empathy. When we listen to understand, not to argue, defend, or impress – we make room for connection and healing. Understanding someone else’s story is often the beginning of peace, both in relationships and within ourselves.

6. Synergize

“Synergy is not about sameness; it is about celebrating differences.”

This habit is a celebration of teamwork and diversity, the belief that differences, when respected, can produce better results than uniformity ever could. It’s the magic that happens when individuals bring their unique strengths to a shared purpose.

7. Sharpen the Saw

“Preserve and enhance the greatest asset you have – YOU.” – Stephen Covey

This final habit is about renewal, caring for the body, nurturing the mind, deepening the spirit, and strengthening relationships. Effectiveness fades when we are drained; growth is sustained only through intentional rest and reflection.

Stephen Covey leaves us with a truth that never fades: change that endures begins from within. The seven habits are more than ideas to practice; they are values to live by. They teach steadiness, integrity, and purpose, the quiet virtues that give life its real strength.

Have you read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? If not, this might be the perfect time to catch your copy here and start the journey within.

On the Lagos Runway: African Designers Weaving Culture into Global Fashion at Lagos Fashion Week

VIctor Akinwale
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On the Lagos Runway: African Designers Weaving Culture into Global Fashion at Lagos Fashion Week

From October 29 to November 2, 2025, Lagos came alive once again for the 15th-anniversary edition of Lagos Fashion Week, themed “In Full Bloom.” For five days, the city pulsed with colour, rhythm, and reinvention, a celebration of how far African fashion has come and how confidently it now stands on the global stage.

Fifteen years on, Lagos Fashion Week has grown into a cultural movement. What began as a platform to showcase local designers has become a meeting point for creativity, sustainability, and heritage. This year’s theme, “In Full Bloom,” captured that journey perfectly, symbolizing maturity and the flowering of a fashion ecosystem that has taken root and is thriving.

Among those who defined this year’s runway moments were designers whose artistry continues to shape African fashion’s evolving identity.

FIA presented a collection that embodied understated sophistication. Known for its clean cuts and soft tailoring, the brand celebrated femininity with restraint and confidence. Each look carried the elegance of everyday women whose strength is subtle but undeniable.

Fruché offered a vibrant take on modern Nigerian style, merging traditional influences with a playful edge. The brand’s bold fabrics and expressive tailoring reflected both heritage and individuality, staying true to its Lagos roots while embracing global appeal.

Hertunba, founded by Florentina Agu, delivered a collection defined by poise and simplicity. Her use of clean silhouettes and earthy tones reflected a quiet confidence that felt both modern and grounded in African elegance.

Ywandelag brought a refreshing sense of sensual minimalism to the runway. Her silhouettes were fluid yet intentional, balancing ease with precision. The collection radiated quiet confidence, the kind that defines modern African femininity.

Imad Eduso stayed true to her architectural style, blending structure with movement. Known for her ability to make bold colors look timeless, she delivered a collection that was both polished and deeply emotive, rooted in Lagos’s rhythm and energy.

Bloke, founded by Faith Oluwajimi, delivered conceptual pieces that explored identity through texture and proportion. His work walked the line between art and design – introspective, emotional, and deeply personal.

From Ghana, Ajabeng continued to merge streetwear with high design. The collection, built on clean tailoring and subtle layering, celebrated fluid masculinity and pan-African modernity. Ajabeng’s presence reminded everyone that African fashion is not confined by borders; it’s a shared language of creativity.

Babayo showcased cultural heritage through intricate embroidery and structured garments that paid homage to traditional craft while speaking to a global audience. It was a dialogue between past and present, handled with quiet sophistication. 

Cynthia Abila brought her signature vibrancy and power to the stage. Her designs combined bold prints with sculptural tailoring, celebrating women who lead with both grace and authority. Every piece felt intentional, full of movement, energy, and confidence.

And from Senegal, Adama Paris added a diasporic layer to the week’s celebration. Her collection bridged continents, merging African aesthetics with global flair. Known for founding Dakar Fashion Week, her appearance in Lagos was symbolic, representing unity within Africa’s creative renaissance. Adama’s fluid silhouettes and confident cuts captured the elegance of the modern African woman whose identity is rooted yet expansive.

Beyond the runway, the 2025 edition of Lagos Fashion Week underscored its role as a cultural and economic driver. Conversations around sustainability, digital innovation, and the future of African textiles ran alongside the shows. The event has matured into a hub where business meets artistry, and where creativity is treated as both heritage and industry.

The show closed on a high note as Ciara, stunning in a red dress by a Lagos designer, graced the finale. Her presence captured the spirit of the week, global attention meeting African creativity in full bloom.

Fifteen years on, Lagos Fashion Week stands as proof of what happens when artistry, culture, and conviction come together.

When Women Lead: Lessons from Namibia’s Groundbreaking Leadership Trio

VIctor Akinwale
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When Women Lead: Lessons from Namibia’s Groundbreaking Leadership Trio

History has witnessed many nations rise and redefine leadership, but Namibia just did something the world has never seen. For the first time ever, one country now has women occupying its three highest offices: the President, the Vice President, and the Speaker of the National Assembly.

This is more than a political milestone; it’s a turning point in the story of governance, equality, and purpose-driven leadership. 

Namibia’s historic moment is no coincidence. It reflects years of deliberate progress toward gender inclusion, a culture where competence, not gender, defines leadership. And It signals the dawn of a new era, one where inclusion is no longer symbolic, but structural. 

Meet Namibia’s Trailblazing Trio

At the helm of this new chapter is President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah, a veteran diplomat and long-time advocate for equality. Her decades of service in government and international affairs have been marked by an unwavering commitment to integrity, national unity, and the empowerment of women.

Alongside her is Vice President Lucia Witbooi, whose journey from educator to national leadership-figure offers a story of service and community-rooted leadership. Her commitment to elevating women and youth to positions of influence reinforces the principle that leadership arises from impact, not privilege. She put it plainly: 

“True progress can only be achieved when women and men walk hand in hand, share resources equitably, make decisions together, and support one another in building a better future for all.”

Completing the trio is Speaker of the National Assembly, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, Namibia’s former Prime Minister and a reform-minded economist whose leadership today reflects a deep respect for dialogue, democracy, and institutional reform. She reminds us that governance must be inclusive and responsive, saying:

“Let us work together to ensure equality is not just a constitutional principle but a daily reality in every household, in every school, and in every workplace.” 

Together they form more than a historic first: they represent a shift toward leadership grounded in competence, service and accountability. 

Lessons to Learn 

1. Leadership is about values, not gender.

Namibia shows that real leadership goes beyond labels. Empathy, integrity, and accountability are not male or female traits, they are human values that define how power is used and how people are served.

2. Representation shapes what’s possible.

Seeing women in power doesn’t just inspire; it changes expectations. It tells young girls that leadership is within reach and challenges societies to imagine new forms of strength.

3. Collaboration is power.

Great leaders listen, include, and build consensus. That’s not weakness; it’s wisdom. Namibia’s trio reminds us that unity and shared vision build stronger nations.

4. Progress is never accidental.

This milestone didn’t just happen. It reflects years of deliberate effort to educate, empower, and include women. True progress comes from intention, and when that happens, everyone rises.

A Lesson for Us All 

This moment is bigger than Namibia; it speaks to what’s possible for Africa and the world. It calls on nations, institutions, and individuals to rethink the kind of leadership we nurture and applaud.

Do we celebrate those who shine the brightest, or those who serve the deepest? Are we drawn to visibility, or to vision – the kind that builds, unites, and uplifts?

In the end, history will not remember whether the leaders were men or women. It will remember the depth of their impact and the lives transformed. 

At The Brief Network, we believe leadership finds its true meaning in purpose, service, and the will to create change.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.

Grace Wales Bonner: The First Black Woman to Lead a Luxury Menswear Division, Weaving Heritage into Luxury

VIctor Akinwale
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Grace Wales Bonner: The First Black Woman to Lead a Luxury Menswear Division, Weaving Heritage into Luxury

Grace Wales Bonner stands at the crossroads of culture and craftsmanship. Through her designs, she has brought a new depth to modern luxury, one that honors heritage, intellect, and identity.

Born in South London to a Jamaican father and an English mother, her world was shaped by two histories, two rhythms, and two ways of seeing. From an early age, she became fascinated by how style could express belonging and difference at the same time. That quiet curiosity became the foundation of her work.

While studying at Central Saint Martins, the London-based arts and design university, she began shaping her vision of fashion as a dialogue between Africa and Europe. Her graduate collection, Afrique, earned her the L’Oréal Professionnel Talent Award in 2014. The collection celebrated the beauty of Black masculinity, introducing a new narrative of sophistication rooted in African heritage.

That same year, she launched her eponymous label, Wales Bonner, a brand that has since become synonymous with cultural storytelling. She often draws inspiration from literature, music, photography, and archival materials, treating her creative process as both study and expression.

Her thoughtful approach soon began to attract global attention. In 2016, she received the LVMH Young Designer Prize, one of the highest honors in fashion. In recognition of her cultural impact, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2022.

Her label, Wales Bonner, has also maintained a long-standing collaboration with Adidas Originals, reimagining classic sportswear through an Afro-Atlantic lens, blending heritage with contemporary design.

Recently, Grace reached another defining moment in her career when she was appointed Creative Director of Menswear at Hermès, becoming the first Black woman to lead a luxury menswear division. It was a historic milestone, one that reflected not only her brilliance but the quiet power of representation.

Grace Wales Bonner’s story is a reminder that purpose refines talent, and heritage deepens creativity. Through her journey, she shows that when art is guided by truth and rooted in identity, it transcends fashion, it becomes legacy.

How Olamide Olowe Built Topicals into a $10 Million Brand and the Powerful Lessons Every Entrepreneur Can Learn

VIctor Akinwale
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How Olamide Olowe Built Topicals into a $10 Million Brand and the Powerful Lessons Every Entrepreneur Can Learn

Building a brand from scratch isn’t glamorous. It’s relentless, exhausting, and often invisible work. Yet for Olamide Olowe, the founder and CEO of Topicals, every challenge became an opportunity to learn, grow, and build a brand that truly connects with its audience. Her journey not only redefined what it means to create with purpose but also made her the youngest Black woman ever to raise $10 million in venture funding.

In her recent conversation, she spoke candidly about the realities of entrepreneurship, sharing honest lessons for anyone daring to build something meaningful.

1. Build Community Before You Build a Brand

Community is the heartbeat of Topicals’ success.

“You have to earn everyone’s trust,” she explained. “Community building and inclusivity are everything. You have to know your community to hit the right chord.”

From early campaigns to interactive quizzes, every initiative was designed to listen to and serve her audience. The lesson is clear: a product alone isn’t enough. You have to understand the people you’re creating for.

2. Know Your Audience Like You Know Your Vision

Topicals’ early success came from deep empathy and insight into its audience. She recalled launching a quiz called Skin, Sun, and Stars, which combined astrology and skincare advice. With a $300 budget, it attracted 10,000 participants in a month.

“People didn’t want to aspire to be someone else. They wanted to aspire to be the most confident version of themselves.”

Her lesson:

“When you know your customer, you can build for them. So many people waste time on marketing or products that don’t resonate because they didn’t ask their audience.”

3. Turn Storytelling into Strategy

Storytelling is another pillar of her approach. She insisted on campaigns that felt cinematic and memorable, even for simple products.

“Do the things everyone thinks you’re crazy for doing, but that elicit happiness and excitement for you and the person buying the product.”

Storytelling, when intertwined with your product, transforms a purchase into an experience.

4. Create Products that Feel Personal

Effectiveness matters. She described her top-selling products – the High Roller Ingrown Tonic, the eye masks, and the Faded Serum – not as products, but as solutions that genuinely improve lives.

“Intertwine your product with the experience people are having. If your product works and your community feels connected, it’s a win every time.”

5. Balance Business with Creativity

Building Topicals required more than creativity. It required a strategic, business-minded approach.

“You must be Type A ambitious. You have to have a creative business mind. Don’t chase money. Focus on building something incredible, and the money will follow.”

Balancing art and commerce, she emphasized that creativity alone isn’t enough; it must be paired with a deep understanding of business mechanics.

6. Scaling and Sustainability

Rapid growth can be deceiving. Olamide explained that even successful brands can collapse if their spending outpaces their growth.

“Even if you’re doing well, if you’re spending more money to do well, you have to constantly watch that cash balance.”

She also cautioned that

“If you build too fast, you can also go down fast. Businesses that grow too quickly often die too quickly.”

In her view, scalability isn’t about speed but about structure, making sure growth is sustainable, not explosive.

Her approach to scaling Topicals is rooted in control, pacing, and smart reinvestment. It’s about building a business that lasts, not one that burns bright and fades quickly.

7. The Reality Behind Valuations and Funding

When it comes to raising capital, numbers on paper can be deceiving.

“My first round, I went with the lowest valuation of all the offers we got because it had such friendly terms… it didn’t have things that were going to rinse me.”

Many founders focus on high valuations without realizing the trade-offs. Sometimes investors get multiple returns before the founder sees any profit, and control over the board can be limited.

She emphasized the importance of mentorship and learning from others’ experiences.

“So many people want a high valuation, but what people don’t know what that means is that if you have not made enough revenue to make sense of that valuation by the next time you need capital, you’ll be doing a down round… which means you’re losing more equity.”

Her advice?

“A lot of people who are raising this money, are you actually running a real business? If you’re just funding using the funding to cover issues, then fundamentally you’re not running a business. It’s an expensive hobby.”

8. Lead with Empathy and Empowerment

Being a CEO isn’t just about vision. It’s about helping your team thrive.

“Being a CEO is about helping people be the best version of themselves through the work they do with you. Learn how to speak to people, get the best out of them, and help them feel calm even when it’s rocky.”

Leadership, she says, is a delicate balance of driving performance while fostering trust and inclusivity.

10. Start Small, Perfect Fast, Grow Wisely 

For founders seeking to launch a brand, she advises starting with one product and perfecting it before expanding.

“Start with less. That one product should feel like you took the customer’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and wrapped it into a solution.”

Pair that with compelling storytelling, and you have the blueprint for a brand that resonates.

10. Generosity and Self-Compassion

Her philosophy extends beyond business strategy. Generosity and self-kindness are critical.

“Be generous to other founders, your team, your customers, and yourself. Give yourself tenderness because the world won’t.”

Sustaining ambition without compassion risks burnout, and she stresses that taking care of yourself is part of the journey to building something lasting.

11. Do Too Much – And Be Proud of It 

Finally, she reflected on the criticism she received early on for trying to do too much. Her response?

“By being too much, I’ve created this life. I love that I’ve done too much because why would I want to live my life being less than who I am or what I was called to be? More of this. More of this.”

Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple and powerful: try hard, do more, be generous, and be unapologetically yourself.

“Death to nonchalants. Find what you’re good at and do as much of it as possible in lots of different ways. Trying hard is everything, it makes everything happen.”

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Founders

  • Build a community first and earn trust through inclusivity and authenticity.
  • Use storytelling to create emotional connection with your audience.
  • Intertwine your product with the experiences people are having.
  • Combine creativity with strategic business thinking.
  • Start small, perfect one product, and expand thoughtfully.
  • Lead your team with empathy, clarity, and accountability.
  • Practice generosity and self-compassion.
  • Understand your customer deeply, it’s the foundation of everything.
  • Don’t chase money; chase meaning and mastery.
  • Embrace ambition unapologetically, doing too much can be to your advantage.

Source: Interview with Olamide Olowe – “How Olamide Olowe Became the Youngest Black Woman to Raise $10 Million” (YouTube)

If you missed our previous feature on Olamide Olowe’s inspiring journey, you can read it here.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.

Stephen Wiltshire: The Autistic Visionary Who Redefined Creativity

VIctor Akinwale
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Stephen Wiltshire: The Autistic Visionary Who Redefined Creativity

Stephen Wiltshire is an artist and autistic savant, born in London in 1974. Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, he didn’t speak until around five, and for a long time, the world misunderstood his silence. Yet within that quietness, a rare kind of brilliance was unfolding, one that would later redefine the boundaries of creativity and perception.

For most people, memories fade with time. For Stephen Wiltshire, they become art. As a young boy with autism, he began sketching buildings and cityscapes with an accuracy that defied belief. He could look at a city once, then draw every window, every street, every shadow in its exact position. What started as a childhood habit became a lifelong testament to how human potential can flourish in the most unexpected ways.

That gift carried him from obscurity to global recognition. By his teenage years, Stephen had already published a book of sketches. Later, he would travel across the world, invited to capture the skylines of cities like New York, Tokyo, and Rome after viewing them just once from a helicopter. His art became proof of something deeper than talent, it was evidence of what focus, patience, and perception could achieve.

Stephen’s journey challenges the conventional understanding of intelligence. His art shows that creativity is vast and uncontainable. His life reminds us that sometimes, the things that set us apart are not obstacles but open doors to new forms of expression. Autism did not silence Stephen; it gave him a unique way of seeing the world, one so detailed and profound that it speaks to all of us.

In recognition of his exceptional contribution to art, Stephen Wiltshire was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). His work has also been featured in many international exhibitions, museums, and private collections, celebrated for its precision, emotion, and extraordinary perspective.

Reflections from the Life of Stephen Wiltshire

• Embrace your uniqueness

Being different is not a disadvantage. Stephen’s autism, once seen as a limitation, became the foundation of his genius. What makes you different might be your greatest strength.

• Value patience and discipline

Stephen’s art demands focus and time. Each cityscape takes countless hours to complete. Patience and consistency are the real paths to mastery.

• Reimagine potential

Stephen’s journey challenges the idea of “normal” success. He reminds us that brilliance can take many forms, in art, in thought, in memory, or in compassion. We are not defined by what society expects of us, but by what we choose to nurture within ourselves.

• Find purpose in silence

Stephen once communicated very little with words, but his art spoke volumes. His story encourages anyone who feels unseen or unheard to keep creating, learning, and expressing. You don’t have to be loud to be impactful. Sometimes, the quietest lives leave the deepest impressions.

Stephen Wiltshire’s story is a masterpiece in itself, a reminder that true creativity transcends boundaries.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.

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