Search
Home Blog Page 2

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

VIctor Akinwale
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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
-
0
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.

The Future of Work: How to Stay Relevant in the Age of Automation

VIctor Akinwale
-
0
The Future of Work: How to Stay Relevant in the Age of Automation

Lessons from Dr. Fei-Fei Li

Dr. Fei-Fei Li is one of the most influential voices in artificial intelligence. Born in Beijing and raised in the United States, she is a computer scientist, Stanford professor, co-founder and CEO of World Labs, and co-director of the university’s Human-Centered AI Institute. Her work has shaped how the world understands artificial intelligence not just as a technological breakthrough, but as something deeply connected to human values and ethics.

Her career offers a blueprint for thriving in a world transformed by automation. From leading the creation of ImageNet, a project that accelerated AI’s growth, to championing ethical and human-centered innovation, she teaches that the key to staying relevant is not to compete with machines, but to work intelligently alongside them.

“The question we must ask is not what machines can do, but what humans can do with machines.” — Dr. Fei-Fei Li

This perspective reframes automation from something to fear into something we can use to expand creativity, empathy, and lifelong learning. Below are five key lessons from her approach to staying valuable and future-ready in the age of automation.

1. Learn Continuously and Curiously

Adaptability has become the most valuable skill in today’s workplace. She often highlights that curiosity and learning are essential to being human:

“Curiosity and learning are the essence of being human.” — Dr. Fei-Fei Li

In practical terms, staying relevant means cultivating the habit of continuous learning. Professionals who keep updating their knowledge, through online courses, research, or experimentation, position themselves for long-term success. Instead of relying solely on formal education, treat every project, book, or conversation as an opportunity to grow.

Curiosity and learning are the foundation of relevance in an ever-changing world.

2. Build Human Skills That Machines Can’t Replicate

Artificial intelligence is fast and accurate, but it lacks empathy, creativity, and moral reasoning. Her human-centered approach to AI reminds us that the most valuable skills are those that remain uniquely human.

Communication, emotional intelligence, ethical thinking, and cultural awareness are becoming even more important in an automated world.

“AI needs human values at its core.” — Dr. Fei-Fei Li

Building these skills helps professionals remain relevant, regardless of how advanced machines become.

Empathy and ethics will always outperform algorithms when it comes to human impact.

3. Collaborate Across Disciplines

Her success did not come from technical expertise alone. It came from understanding how technology interacts with psychology, culture, and human behavior. This approach highlights the importance of multidisciplinary empathy, the ability to see problems from different perspectives.

In practice, this means learning to work effectively with people from other fields. Engineers can benefit from understanding design; writers can explore data literacy; health professionals can learn from technology innovators.

Collaboration will define the next generation of innovation, not competition.

The future of work favors those who can bridge disciplines and bring diverse insights together.

4. Use Technology as a Partner, Not a Threat

Automation is often viewed with fear, but she encourages a more balanced perspective. When used thoughtfully, technology can enhance creativity and free people from repetitive work.

“AI can free us from repetitive labor and allow us to focus on creativity, compassion, and higher-order thinking.” — Dr. Fei-Fei Li

Professionals who embrace digital tools, rather than resist them, position themselves ahead of the curve. Learning to use AI-driven platforms, automation software, or analytical tools can make everyday tasks easier and create space for more meaningful work.

Technology becomes empowering when it is seen as a partner, not a rival.

The goal is to integrate technology purposefully, not fearfully.

5. Ground Innovation in Ethics and Empathy

Her philosophy emphasizes that technology must always serve humanity.

 “AI is not magic. It’s created by humans, designed by humans, and it must serve humans.” — Dr. Fei-Fei Li

Ethics and empathy are not optional; they are what sustain relevance in the long run. Whether you’re building systems, managing teams, or developing ideas, keeping people at the center ensures that progress benefits society rather than harming it. In the workplace, that mindset builds trust, accountability, and purpose.

Innovation without empathy is progress without direction.

Final Insights 

The future of work will not be defined by machines, but by how humans choose to use them.

Automation will keep advancing, but the essence of human contribution remains the same, the ability to think deeply, learn endlessly, and innovate responsibly. The most valuable professionals will not just adapt to technology; they will shape how technology serves humanity.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons. 

Paystack’s Co-Founder Shola Akinlade: A Journey of Vision, Purpose, and Impact

VIctor Akinwale
-
0
Paystack’s Co-Founder Shola Akinlade: A Journey of Vision, Purpose, and Impact

Shola Akinlade is our Inspire Monday personality for the week, a visionary whose story embodies the power of vision, consistency, and purposeful innovation. From co-founding one of Africa’s leading fintech companies to establishing a football club that empowers young people, his journey is a masterclass in innovation, reinvention, and impact.

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Shola Akinlade studied Computer Science at Babcock University, where his passion for technology began to take shape. He started his career as a software developer, driven by a desire to create solutions that made life easier for people and businesses. That passion would eventually lead him to co-found Paystack in 2015 alongside Ezra Olubi.

Paystack started as a simple idea, helping African businesses receive payments online with ease, but it quickly evolved into one of the continent’s most transformative fintech companies. (Click to read our previous article on Paystack for a deeper dive into its journey and impact.) In 2020, its acquisition by Stripe made global headlines, marking one of the biggest success stories in Africa’s tech ecosystem. Yet even after achieving what many would consider the pinnacle of success, Shola’s focus remained clear: to build and to empower. 

Despite the challenges that come with breaking new ground in Africa’s fast-evolving tech space, from navigating regulatory hurdles to earning public trust, Shola never lost sight of his purpose. His resilience and commitment to excellence have not only earned him global recognition but also inspired countless young Africans to dream beyond limitations. In 2022, he founded Sporting Lagos, a football club with a heart for community development and youth empowerment.

Through Sporting Lagos, Akinlade has shown that building isn’t limited to technology or profit, it’s about creating opportunities, nurturing dreams, and inspiring a new generation. His vision for the club goes beyond football; it’s about using sport to unite, inspire, and transform lives. Today, he continues to mentor young entrepreneurs and tech talents, guiding them to turn ideas into impact and challenges into stepping stones. His efforts have been recognized with several awards celebrating innovation, leadership, and his contribution to Africa’s digital growth.

From his story, we find timeless reminders about building with intention:

  • Start with purpose. Every great idea begins with a desire to solve real problems and add value to others.
  • Let your success serve people. True leadership is not about how high you climb, but how many people rise because of your work.
  • Stay grounded. Even after global recognition, Shola continues to lead quietly, showing that humility keeps success meaningful.
  • Keep building. Whether in fintech or any other field, the goal remains the same, to create systems that empower others and last beyond you.
  • Turn your gifts into service. The best legacy is using what you know to make life better for someone else.

Shola Akinlade’s journey reminds us that purpose doesn’t end when success begins, it grows with every step we take to help others move forward.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons. 

Building from the Ground Up: What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Daymond John’s Journey

VIctor Akinwale
-
0
Building from the Ground Up: What Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Daymond John’s Journey

Every great business begins with a problem, a person, and a plan. Daymond John’s rise from sewing hats in his Queens neighborhood to building FUBU “For Us, By Us” into a global apparel brand, and later mentoring entrepreneurs on Shark Tank – illustrates that principle.

He began with a clear idea: to design clothing that represented his community. Through persistence, strategic partnerships, and a sharp understanding of customer needs, he transformed that vision into a thriving enterprise.

His journey provides actionable lessons for entrepreneurs determined to build from the ground up. Here are a few key principles behind his success and how they apply in today’s business landscape.

1. Start Small, Test Fast

Great ventures rarely begin with perfect conditions. Success often comes from starting with what is available and learning directly from real feedback. Early testing helps you understand what the market truly values and minimizes the cost of mistakes.

2. Make Your Brand Say Something

A brand is more than a logo or product. It is the message people remember and the emotion they connect with. The strongest brands stand for something specific and meaningful, aligning with customer identity and purpose.

“Your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room.”

3. Use Relationships as Your Growth Engine

Strategic relationships can accelerate growth faster than advertising. Partnerships rooted in authenticity and shared goals expand reach and build credibility. Collaboration creates leverage that individual effort cannot.

“Align yourself with people who complement you, not compete with you.” 

4. Be Resourceful with Limited Capital

Resourcefulness often matters more than capital. When funding is scarce, creativity and persistence become your competitive advantage. Many great companies began with time, effort, and vision rather than money.

“You don’t need money to make money. You need the right mindset.”

5. Control the Narrative: Own Your Story

Perception drives opportunity. Entrepreneurs who define their own narrative shape how their brand is seen and remembered. Storytelling builds trust and positions your brand as intentional, not accidental.

“If you don’t tell your story, someone else will.” 

6. Build Resilience: Patience Paired with Urgency

Growth takes time, but urgency keeps progress alive. The most successful entrepreneurs are patient with results but decisive in action. They know that steady momentum compounds over time.

“An entrepreneur must be willing to work like no one else today so they can live like no one else tomorrow.” 

7. Give Back and Multiply Influence

Success grows when it is shared. Teaching others reinforces what you know and attracts new opportunities. Mentorship and contribution expand your reach and deepen your credibility.

“The more you give, the more comes back to you.” 

Applying the Lessons

Daymond John’s story proves that entrepreneurship is not defined by resources but by resourcefulness. Every principle that shaped his success; starting small, building a brand with meaning, nurturing relationships, and staying resilient, remains relevant in today’s business landscape.

The most effective entrepreneurs are those who act on what they learn. Begin with one small step, test your idea in the real world, and refine it through feedback. Over time, consistent action compounds into growth, credibility, and lasting impact.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.

Soaring Beyond Limits: The Inspiring Story of Jessica Cox, the World’s First Armless Pilot

VIctor Akinwale
-
0
Soaring Beyond Limits: The Inspiring Story of Jessica Cox, the World’s First Armless Pilot

On a bright afternoon, somewhere above the Arizona desert, a single-engine airplane cut through the clouds. Behind the controls sat a woman who, by every conventional measure, shouldn’t have been there. But she was confidently steering, adjusting the throttle, and gliding through open skies. Her name is Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless pilot, and her story is one of courage, adaptability, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Jessica was born without arms, a rare condition called bilateral congenital limb deficiency. For many, that would sound like a life sentence to dependence or limitation. But for Jessica, it became a lifelong invitation to reimagine possibility.

From a young age, her parents made a defining choice: to raise her as normally as possible. That meant she would learn to eat, write, dress, and even tie her shoes, not with prosthetics, but with her feet. What seemed unusual to others became ordinary for her. “I was never taught to see myself as different,” she once said. “I was taught to see myself as capable.”

That mindset would become the cornerstone of everything she later achieved.

Learning to Fly With Her Feet

When Jessica first told her flight instructor she wanted to learn to fly, his response was polite disbelief. “How?” he asked. But Jessica had learned long ago that how is just another way of saying try me.

It wasn’t easy. She spent three years training, working with multiple instructors and experimenting with different planes to find one she could control with her legs. Her biggest challenge wasn’t just technical, it was psychological. She had to convince not only others, but sometimes herself, that it could be done.

In 2008, her persistence paid off. Jessica Cox earned her Light Sport Pilot Certificate, becoming the first person in history to fly an airplane using only her feet. Her story spread across the world, not because she was an armless pilot, but because she was a fearless dreamer who refused to let circumstance define her ceiling.

The Power of Adaptability

Flying wasn’t Jessica’s only achievement. She also became the first armless black belt in the American Taekwondo Association and learned to drive, type, surf, scuba dive, and even play the piano, all with her feet.

But her message goes far deeper than her accomplishments. Through her book Disarm Your Limits and her global speaking engagements, Jessica shares one timeless truth: adaptability is strength. Life will not always come with the tools we expect, but we can always build new ones.

In her words:

“Fear is the biggest disability of all. It paralyzes us more than any physical limitation ever could.”

From Adversity to Advocacy

Today, Jessica travels the world as a motivational speaker and advocate for people with disabilities. Through her nonprofit, the Rightfooted Foundation, she works to promote inclusion and inspire others to overcome self-doubt and discrimination.

Her story is not about flying planes or breaking records, it’s about transforming pain into purpose. It’s about refusing to let the world’s definitions of “normal” shrink your potential.

She often says:

“If I can fly an airplane with my feet, what else is truly impossible?”

Reflections to Rise With

1. Mindset is everything.
You can’t always choose your circumstances, but you can choose how you see them. Focus on what’s possible.

2. Adaptability is strength.
When life shifts, adjust your sails. Growth begins where comfort ends.

3. Persistence pays off.
Progress takes time. Stay consistent, small steps still move you forward.

4. Courage conquers fear.
Fear says stop; courage says start. Every bold step expands your limits.

5. Purpose gives life meaning.
Turn your story into strength. What you overcome can inspire others.

6. Limitations are beginnings.
Every “can’t” can become a “can.” The only barrier is the one you accept.

Jessica’s story reminds us that success is rarely about the resources we have, it’s about the resilience we develop.

Maybe your “limitation” is not physical, maybe it’s fear, finances, or a lack of support. Whatever it is, you have the power to rise above it. Start where you are. Adapt. Persist. Keep learning. Like Jessica, you don’t need perfect conditions to take off, you just need courage to lift your wings.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.

123...25Page 2 of 25

Get Featured

Contact TBN

Home

About TBN

At TBN, we're here to inspire and equip you to live meaningfully, grow holistically, and thrive in every aspect of life.

TBN Pulse

Tap to join our 20,000+ Community and stay ahead of Inspiration, stories, and insights for a life of purpose and impact, delivered monthly.

Socials

©The Brief Network 2025 | A DIgiCommLab Project.