Author: luminouseditor

BIO

Mojisola Owotogbe-Akinbobola, popularly known as Mo, is the visionary founder of MoBeautyBar — a premium salon brand built on excellence, structure, and transformative beauty experiences. The “Mo” in MoBeautyBar is inspired by her name, a reflection of the personal passion and intentionality she has infused into the brand from day one.

Based in Lagos, Nigeria, Mo has carved a niche for delivering flawless frontal and closure installations, precision styling, and elevated client service. But beyond artistry, she is recognized for her commitment to professionalism and operational structure in an industry often driven solely by creativity. Her approach blends skill with systems — ensuring that beauty and business thrive side by side.

Under her leadership, MoBeautyBar has grown into more than a salon; it is a structured beauty enterprise with expansion at its core. Mo is currently developing an all-in-one management software tailored for salon owners, designed to help beauty entrepreneurs streamline operations, manage teams efficiently, and scale sustainably.

Driven by faith, resilience, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence, Mo continues to redefine standards in the beauty industry — proving that when creativity meets structure, a lasting legacy is built.

“Grace may open the door, but hard work is what keeps it open.”

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Q: I understand that you are the founder, CEO, and the visionary behind MoBeautyBar. Could you tell us a little about yourself? At Luminous, we are very passionate about spotlighting women who are building meaningful lives and intentional businesses, so today’s conversation is really about celebrating your story.

Mojisola:

I’m Mojisola Owotogbe-Akinbobola, the founder and CEO of MoBeautyBar. I like to describe myself as a beautypreneur — someone who is passionate about building experiences and opportunities through beauty.

Over the years, what started as a passion for hair and beauty has grown into a brand that focuses not just on looking good, but helping people feel confident and cared for.

Beyond beauty, I’m also a wife and someone who enjoys building things that impact people’s lives. As my journey evolves, I’m expanding my interests into other spaces like food and podcasting, because I believe entrepreneurship is about creating meaningful experiences in different ways.

At the core of everything I do is the desire to build, serve, and leave a positive impact through the brands and ideas I bring to life.

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Q: What would you say inspired you to start your business in the early stages? What was the spark that led you to begin?

Mojisola:

Honestly, entrepreneurship has always been part of who I am. I can’t point to one single moment that pushed me into business — it has always felt natural to me.

Even as a child, I loved the idea of creating value and earning my own money. I remember being very young and already selling small things like Tom Tom and chewing gum to visitors in our home. Looking back now, that instinct to build and trade was always there.

As I grew older, that same spirit stayed with me. During my university years, I explored different small businesses, even when it wasn’t always encouraged. But the truth is, I genuinely enjoy building things and seeing ideas turn into something real.

Starting my business was really an extension of that passion. I saw an opportunity in the beauty space to create something meaningful, and I followed that instinct. What started from a simple passion has grown into a brand and a journey that continues to evolve, and I’m grateful for how far it has come.

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Q: How did you define your vision and values, and how do they guide your daily operations and long-term strategy?

Mojisola:

For me, the vision and values behind the brand have always been centered on excellence, consistency, and the overall experience we give our clients.

From the beginning, I wanted to build a business that people could trust — where quality, professionalism, and attention to detail are never compromised.

Those values guide our daily operations in very practical ways. We focus on maintaining high service standards, listening to client feedback, and continuously improving our processes so that the experience remains consistent no matter who walks through our doors.

In the long term, those same principles shape our strategy for growth. As the brand expands, the goal is to ensure that the standard of excellence remains the same across every location and every team.

For me, growth is not just about scale — it’s about protecting the quality and reputation that the brand is known for.

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Q: Was there a defining moment or experience that shaped the direction of your business and gave you clarity on where it was heading?

Mojisola:

Yes, there was a moment in my life that deeply changed the way I approached both my work and my business.

When I lost my father, it was a very difficult time for me emotionally. In the midst of that grief, I needed something that could give me focus and purpose, and I found myself pouring more of my energy into the business.

What started as a way to stay busy and channel my emotions eventually became a turning point. I became more focused, more consistent, and more intentional about building something meaningful.

That season pushed me to invest more of myself into the business, and over time I began to see the results of that dedication.

Looking back now, that period shaped my mindset as an entrepreneur. It taught me resilience and showed me the power of consistency.

Sometimes the most difficult moments in life also become the moments that push us to grow and build something greater.

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Q: What strategies do you use to maintain strong relationships with your customers, and how do you ensure they remain engaged with your brand?

Mojisola:

For us, everything starts with how we make our clients feel.

Hair is personal, so we focus heavily on creating an experience where every client feels valued and heard. From the moment someone walks in, we want them to feel cared for, not just serviced.

We prioritize strong customer service systems — our team checks in with clients, listens to their feedback, and ensures we consistently deliver quality.

We also stay connected with our customers through follow-ups, social media, and personalized communication so they know their experience matters even after they leave the salon.

What has helped us build long-term relationships is that we never assume we’re too big to listen. We pay close attention to feedback and continuously improve the experience.

When clients feel seen, appreciated, and confident in the service they receive, they naturally stay connected to the brand.

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Q: Looking back on your journey, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting and growing the business, and what helped you overcome them?

Mojisola:

Like every entrepreneur, I’ve made my fair share of mistakes along the journey.

In a service-based business, sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned — there may be moments when a client isn’t fully satisfied or when a process doesn’t work the way you expected.

Over time, I’ve learned to see those moments not just as mistakes but as opportunities to improve.

Every challenge has pushed us to refine our systems, strengthen our training, and become even more intentional about the experience we deliver.

What’s important is how you respond.

Instead of ignoring problems, we address them, learn from them, and put better structures in place.

That mindset has helped us grow stronger as a brand and continue to raise our standards.

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Q: Looking ahead, how do you see MoBeauty evolving in the next five to ten years?

Mojisola:

In the next five to ten years, I see MoBeauty growing into a truly global beauty brand.

The vision has always been bigger than just one location or one city.

My goal is to expand the brand into multiple cities and countries, creating MoBeauty spaces where people around the world can experience the same level of excellence, care, and professionalism that we are known for.

I would love to see MoBeauty operating in places like the UK, the US, Canada, and beyond.

Beyond expansion, the focus will also be on building a strong beauty ecosystem — training talent, creating opportunities, and continuing to elevate the beauty experience for our clients.

Ultimately, the vision is for MoBeauty to become a globally recognized brand that represents quality, innovation, and empowerment in the beauty industry.

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Q: How do you create a work environment that is positive, where your team feels valued and motivated, especially when managing skilled workers like artisans?

Mojisola:

Maintaining a positive team culture is something I take very seriously because the strength of any business lies in its people.

I’ve been fortunate to build a team that is dedicated, consistent, and reliable, and that doesn’t happen by chance.

I believe in building genuine relationships with the people I work with. It’s not just about hiring people to fill roles — it’s about creating a sense of belonging where everyone feels they are part of something meaningful.

When people feel respected and appreciated, they naturally become more committed to the work they do.

That culture of trust and respect is one of the reasons many of our team members have stayed with us for years.

When people feel valued, they don’t just work for a business — they grow with it.

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Q: What were your biggest challenges, and how were you able to overcome them?

Mojisola:

One of my biggest challenges was creating structure within the business as it began to grow.

In the early stages, I was handling almost everything myself, which naturally slowed things down and made it harder to operate efficiently.

As the business expanded, I realized the importance of building proper systems and teams.

Over time, we introduced dedicated departments, including a customer care team, an admin team, and specialized stylists.

Implementing technology also played a huge role in helping us stay organized — using tools for scheduling, invoicing, and salon management helped streamline our operations.

While we’ve made significant progress, I believe growth is a continuous journey.

Each challenge has pushed us to build better systems and stronger teams, and that has been key to moving the business forward.

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Q: When hiring new team members, especially people from different backgrounds, what qualities do you usually look for in a person before bringing them into your team?

Mojisola:

For me, the most important thing I look for is character.

Skills can always be taught, but attitude and character are what truly determine whether someone will thrive in a team environment.

I pay attention to a person’s energy and how they carry themselves — are they calm, respectful, and willing to learn?

In a service-driven business like beauty, the way someone treats people matters just as much as their technical ability.

I believe that when someone has the right mindset, discipline, and humility, they can grow into any role.

That’s why I focus more on the person than just the skill set.

When you build a team with the right values and attitude, you naturally create a culture where excellence and professionalism can grow.

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Q: Do you have any quotes or words of wisdom that you personally love and live by?

Mojisola:

One verse that deeply resonates with me is 1 Corinthians 15:10, where Paul says, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

What I love about that verse is that it doesn’t stop at grace — it also speaks about the effort and work that followed.

For me, it’s a powerful reminder that grace and hard work go hand in hand.

I believe strongly in God’s grace, but I also believe that we have a responsibility to put in the work and give our best in whatever we do.

That balance of faith, grace, and diligence is something I carry with me in both my personal life and in building my businesses.

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Q: What would you tell your 18-year-old self?

Mojisola:

I would tell her, “Keep going — you’re on the right path.”

At 18, you often have big dreams but you’re not always sure how everything will unfold.

Looking back now, I would reassure that younger version of myself that the vision, ambition, and determination she had were not misplaced.

I would tell her to stay confident, stay curious, and not be afraid to take bold steps.

The journey may not always be perfect, but every experience will help shape the person and the entrepreneur she is becoming.

Most importantly, I would remind her to believe in herself and enjoy the journey, because the dreams she carried back then are slowly becoming reality.

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Q: Do you read books or listen to music?

Mojisola:

I have a very boring social life — I mostly read the Bible.

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Q: Do you prefer coffee or tea?

Mojisola:

Tea. I like sweet things, lol.

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Q: Morning or night?

Mojisola:

Night. I can be up until 3 a.m. working.

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Q: What legacy do you want your brand to leave behind?

Mojisola:

The legacy I want MoBeautyBar to leave behind is excellence.

I want people to hear the name MoBeautyBar and immediately think of quality, professionalism, and a standard that stands out.

Beyond the beauty services themselves, I want the brand to represent a culture of care — where clients feel valued and where the team behind the work feels proud of what they are part of.

For me, excellence means paying attention to every detail, from the service we deliver to the experience people have when they interact with the brand.

If, years from now, people remember MoBeautyBar as a brand that consistently delivered beauty with excellence and integrity, then I would feel that we have truly achieved our purpose.

BIO 

– Myesha K Banks has had a passion for self-empowerment and motivational speaking for as long as she can remember.  From her earliest roots growing up in Brooklyn New York, to attending school at Virginia State University and now living in Atlanta Georgia, Myesha has always gravitated toward helping others. Over the course of over a decade working in the Criminal Justice System in various roles including Domestic Violence Prevention and School Safety, Myesha gained a great deal of experience assisting troubled individuals overcome emotional trauma and hardships. As a result of her own adversities and personal struggles along the way, Myesha founded “Time to be Established” a multifaceted corporation designed to give people the tools and abilities to conquer their weaknesses and become more successful.  Time to be Established or simply TTBE, was built from the ground up and not only provides services such as Keynote Event Speaking, Small Group Lectures and Life Couching, but it can also be found on every major social media platform including Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Myesha has even produced numerous podcasts including series such as “Blackout” and most recently “Tap in Podcast by TTBE”. Anyone who truly knows Myesha would consider her a visionary as she is constantly dreaming of the next project. She is never satisfied to be content and is always striving to find another platform to share her message. Driven by her desire to succeed in every undertaking, Myesha has even published a book titled Spiritually Busy and has just created a line of TTBE products for sale.  As Myesha’s voice continues to spread across the globe and reaches new audiences, it only seems natural that her message of overcoming obstacles and finding success will continue to change people’s lives for the better.

What inspired you to start your business and what inspired you in the early stages?

I started my business out of necessity and purpose. I was inspired by my own journey—navigating uncertainty, setbacks, and moments where I felt unseen yet deeply called to more. In the early stages, what inspired me most was the desire to create something meaningful from pain, to turn my experiences into a platform that could uplift others. I didn’t begin with perfect clarity or abundant resources; I began with conviction. I believed that if I could help even one person feel less alone and more empowered, the work would be worth it.

Can you share a significant turning point in your business that shaped its direction?

A major turning point came when I realized my message was bigger than my comfort zone. I stopped trying to fit into what I thought success should look like and leaned fully into authenticity. That shift—from performing to purpose—reshaped everything. I began speaking, writing, and creating from lived experience rather than polished perfection. That decision aligned my business with impact instead of approval, and it’s when my work truly began to resonate with people on a deeper level.

How do you define your brand’s mission and values, and how do they influence your daily operations?

My brand’s mission is to empower people to rise—especially in seasons where life feels uncertain or unkind. At the core of my values are authenticity, faith, resilience, service, and integrity. These values guide every decision I make, from the content I create to how I engage with others. I operate with intention, ensuring that what I offer is honest, encouraging, and rooted in purpose. I believe impact is created when values are lived daily, not just stated.

What strategies do you use to maintain strong connections with your customers?

Connection is built through consistency, transparency, and listening. I prioritize showing up authentically, sharing real stories, and engaging directly with my audience. I don’t just speak to people—I speak with them. Whether through conversations, feedback, or shared experiences, I create space for my audience to feel heard and valued. Trust is cultivated when people know the brand sees them as humans, not transactions.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a business owner and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been navigating doubt—both external and internal—while building something without a traditional blueprint. There were moments of financial uncertainty, emotional fatigue, and waiting longer than expected for results. I overcame those challenges by staying anchored in my purpose, surrounding myself with encouragement, and choosing persistence over fear. I learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about continuing to rise in the middle of it.

Can you describe a mistake you made in your business and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was trying to do everything myself. I believed that working harder meant working alone, and that mindset led to burnout and delayed growth. I overcame this by learning the power of alignment—seeking mentorship, setting boundaries, and trusting others to support the vision. That shift taught me that sustainable success isn’t built on exhaustion, but on collaboration and clarity.

How do you see your business in the next 5 to 10 years?

In the next five to ten years, I see my business as a global platform for empowerment and transformation. I envision expanding into media, live events, digital education, and publishing—creating spaces where people can grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. More than scale, I see impact: stories changed, lives restored, and communities strengthened through purpose-driven content and experiences.

What legacy do you hope to live with your brand?

The legacy I hope to leave is one of courage, authenticity, and hope. I want my brand to be remembered as a reminder that rising is possible—even in the middle of adversity. If people walk away believing more in themselves, embracing their story, and choosing resilience over fear, then the legacy has been fulfilled. My brand isn’t just about success—it’s about significance.

How do you foster a positive company culture and motivate your team?

I foster a positive culture by leading with transparency, empathy, and purpose. I believe people perform best when they feel seen, valued, and aligned with a shared mission. I encourage open communication, celebrate progress—not just outcomes—and model the same standards I expect from my team. Motivation comes from reminding everyone that the work we do matters and that each person plays a vital role in the bigger vision.

What qualities do you look out for when hiring new team members?

I look for integrity, teachability, and alignment with purpose. Skills can be taught, but character, work ethic, and mindset are essential. I value people who are self-motivated, solution-oriented, and willing to grow—not just professionally, but personally. Most importantly, I look for individuals who believe in the mission and understand that the work we do is about impact, not just output.

Drop 5 quotes that you love and you live by.

1. “You don’t rise by avoiding the storm—you rise by learning how to stand in it.”

2. “Purpose will always demand more of you than comfort.”

3. “What you survive can become what you serve.”

4. “Consistency will take you where motivation cannot.”

5. “Delayed does not mean denied.”

What will you tell aspiring brand owners and entrepreneurs that are just starting out?

Start before you feel ready and stay committed when it gets uncomfortable. Don’t wait for perfect timing, perfect resources, or perfect confidence—clarity comes through action. Protect your vision, learn from mistakes, and remember that building something meaningful takes time. Growth is rarely loud in the beginning, but consistency compounds. Keep showing up.

One thing you’d tell your 18-year-old self?

Trust the process, even when it doesn’t make sense yet. You don’t have to rush becoming who you’re called to be—growth takes time, and every delay is developing something in you that success alone never could. Keep going, even when you’re unsure. You’re not behind.

A book or song that changed your life.

The Alchemist — This book reminded me that purpose is a journey, not a destination. It taught me to trust intuition, honor the process, and understand that what’s meant for you won’t miss you—even if the road there isn’t linear.

Q: When the titles are set aside and the classroom lights are off, who is Professor Robbin?

Professor Robbin:

At my core, I am a teacher. That is something I pride myself on saying. I am also a youth mentor and a convener of impactful youth and societal events.

Professionally, I am a Professor of Languages and Literature, Dean of Faculty at the university, University Orator, and staff adviser to about six university associations. I have also served as Head of the Department of Languages and Literature, as well as Head of Performing Arts and Film Studies.

Beyond academia, I am a YouTuber. My YouTube channel focuses on communication and everyday living. I also convene several major events that I have developed over the years.

One of them is the Lead and Leap Workshop, where we bring veterans from the arts and humanities together for interactive sessions with young people. I also created Dinner Theatre, which was the first of its kind at the university, bringing performance and theatre into a dinner setting.

I am also the CEO and Lead Consultant of Leon Vine Consult, an educational consultancy where I teach communication skills and public speaking.

So yes, I am involved in quite a lot of things, but at the heart of everything I do is teaching, mentoring and creating opportunities for people.

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Q: You also founded the Omoge Asa Cultural Beauty Pageantry. What inspired that initiative?

Professor Robbin:

Omoge Asha came from my belief that our culture needed to have a stronger place in the lives of young people.

I realized that younger generations were gradually losing touch with cultural values while becoming increasingly focused on contemporary ideas of physical beauty. I wanted undergraduate students to have a platform where they could proudly showcase their culture.

I also wanted to challenge the idea that pageantry should be centred solely around facial or physical beauty.

The idea was to celebrate young people who were culturally grounded, intelligent, talented and entrepreneurial. To participate, contestants needed to have a talent or entrepreneurial skill connected to culture. We call them culturepreneurs.

It could be bead-making, chanting, traditional fashion, shoemaking or another culturally rooted skill.

The pageantry started within universities in South-West Nigeria, but after the first edition, we received interest from polytechnics and colleges of education as well. For the second edition, we expanded.

We received over 100 entries and eventually shortlisted contestants from about 16 institutions across the South-West.

The project has allowed us to empower young entrepreneurs, celebrate culture and give young people something positive to aspire to without having to rely on nudity or conventional standards of beauty.

For me, one of the greatest achievements of Omoge Asa is that it has helped produce entrepreneurs and young people who are much more confident in themselves.

They are given a platform and exposure that they might never have received if they had simply remained in the background because they did not fit society’s definition of contemporary beauty.

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Q: Looking back, was there a pivotal moment or influence that shaped the path you are on today?

Professor Robbin:

Growing up, I felt there was something missing.

There were many young people who were multi-talented, but there were very few people they could confidently approach to discuss how to channel all those different abilities.

Mentorship often focused only on academics, rather than the totality of the individual.

I realised that whether someone was an A student or an F student, they still needed guidance and a platform for expression.

That influenced the way I approached teaching.

Even when I was a graduate assistant and a very young lecturer, I was already creating drama groups, working on university magazines and finding different ways to keep young people positively engaged in the things they were naturally good at.

I always tell my students that an A student who is not careful may eventually be employed by a B, C or even E student.

Academic grades alone do not determine your future.

What matters is recognising your abilities, developing your skills and becoming exceptionally good at what you do.

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Q: What part of your personal journey has shaped the way you show up in your work today?

Professor Robbin:

A major influence was recognising that gap in mentorship when I was younger.

I wanted to become the kind of person young people could approach — someone who could help them channel both their strengths and weaknesses into something positive.

Another major influence was my father.

My father was a disciplinarian, but he strongly believed that everything was possible. He taught us to start somewhere, reach for the stars and get the very best out of life.

Most importantly, he never believed there should be limitations placed on women.

To him, whether you were a man or a woman, you could reach the very top and achieve whatever you set your mind to.

I am very grateful that I was raised with that mentality because it helped shape the woman I became.

I also realised that our society is not naturally a very open or communicative society, particularly when it comes to young people.

There are many things parents and adults are uncomfortable discussing.

That is one reason I use my platforms to speak about issues that people may sometimes prefer not to talk about.

Someone has to say these things so that young people can learn.

I don’t believe we should judge young people for making wrong decisions if we never gave them an opportunity to understand the better decisions they could have made.

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Q: What has the classroom taught you about purpose, people and even yourself?

Professor Robbin:

The classroom has taught me that it is a gold mine.

Every new class contains a diversity of people with the potential to change the world.

Whenever I receive a fresh class, I believe I have been given enough human potential to move the world from one point to another.

It has also taught me never to judge a book by its cover.

I have seen students whom people might easily overlook, only to discover extraordinary greatness, resilience, focus, dreams and ideas within them.

A relationship with students should therefore be a combination of being a teacher, a mentor and sometimes even a friend.

Every student who enters a classroom deserves respect and recognition.

As teachers, we live in the reality of never knowing what a student may eventually become.

I have been teaching for over 20 years, and I have seen students achieve things you could never have predicted when they first entered the classroom.

The classroom has also reinforced my belief that working with young people is part of my calling.

Through mentorship, I have been able to help many students discover things within themselves and build lifelong relationships with them.

Even as a Dean, I still teach around five undergraduate courses.

People sometimes ask why I teach so much when I already have the administrative workload of being Dean.

My answer is simple: How can I mentor students if I am not in the classroom with them?

Being Dean is temporary.

Being a teacher, for me, is permanent.

Teaching is a discovery zone.

I remember a student coming to me after a creative writing defence. As she was about to leave, she turned around and asked if she could speak to me about an idea she had.

That single conversation eventually developed into something much bigger. A year later, she was hosting a Girl Child Day event where we were able to invite the former First Lady of Oyo State.

It all began with, “Can I talk to you about something?”

That is why I believe every teacher should try to harvest the greatness within every classroom.

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Q: Is there a central truth or question that your work keeps bringing you back to?

Professor Robbin:

Yes.

I keep coming back to the question of why our society does not give children, young people and young adults enough room to communicate.

They need a platform for expression, equity, understanding and self-discovery.

We are not raised in a naturally open environment where people are encouraged to express themselves freely.

In a typical African society, people hold a lot inside.

But if you don’t express yourself, how can someone know what you are going through?

I often tell my students, “I’m not a witch. How will I know if you don’t tell me?”

When someone speaks, you can begin to understand them.

You can identify where they are, where they need to go and how you can help them get there.

One question we ask contestants during the Omoge Asa camp is simply: Why are you doing this?

That question alone has helped me discover so much about young people.

Once they explain their reasons, we can brainstorm about their businesses, skills and aspirations. We can connect them to people who may help them, encourage collaboration and show them how to move forward.

Being young and having energy without focus can be dangerous.

Energy needs to be channelled.

And when young people channel their energy negatively, we cannot simply condemn them if nobody has shown them a positive path.

I believe history can be rewritten through mentorship.

But we must allow young people to lead us into understanding who they are.

We cannot simply impose on them what they should become.

We have to communicate with them, understand them and then guide them.

I often tell my students that this is actually a very difficult time to be young.

There is an overwhelming amount of information available.

You need to be extremely careful about the decisions you make, how you spend your time and what you invest your energy in.

Every day, you should put something — even something small — towards your future.

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Q: In a world overwhelmed by information, how do you guide students towards wisdom and not simply knowledge?

Professor Robbin:

I think the best way to guide a young person is not simply to say, “Don’t do this.”

You need to explain the pros and cons of the decision they want to make.

They need to understand why something may or may not be good for them.

Another thing I do is mentor with my own life.

I tell them about my mistakes.

I tell them about my errors, the decisions I regret, the experiences I have had and the lessons I have learned.

Recently, there was an issue involving some departmental executives who had broken into different factions.

During our meeting, instead of simply telling them what they had done wrong, I shared lessons from my own experience in leadership — my mistakes, the things I wish I had done differently, how I have evolved, and how I have learned to accept criticism.

By the end of that conversation, some of them were crying and hugging one another.

That is the power of allowing people to see your humanity.

Young people respond differently when they do not see you placing yourself on a pedestal or pretending you have never made mistakes.

I also recognise that I don’t have all the answers.

Sometimes a young person brings something to me that I cannot resolve myself, so I connect them with someone who can help them better.

I am not the custodian of all knowledge or wisdom.

A teacher should not necessarily be feared.

A teacher should be respected, but also seen as a companion on the journey of life, rather than simply the person who gives grades and awards scores.

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Q: If you could sit down with your younger self — or with a young student who silently looks up to you — what would you tell them?

Professor Robbin:

Start now.

The best time to start anything was yesterday.

The next best time is today.

By tomorrow, you have already delayed it.

Whether it is self-development, advancement or pursuing your goals, take the bull by the horns and start.

There are so many things I would have started earlier in my own life if I had not delayed.

The second thing I would tell my younger self is this: when you have greatness within you, people will sometimes make you feel like you are doing too much.

Ignore the “you are doing too much” syndrome.

Do too much.

In fact, keep telling yourself that you are not doing enough.

Don’t let anyone make you second-guess yourself or reduce your ambition.

There are things I am achieving now that I probably would have achieved much earlier if I had not slowed myself down because I was worried that people would think I was doing too much.

Maybe I would already have become a Commissioner for Culture and Tourism by now!

So I would tell my younger self two things:

Start earlier, and never allow anyone to make you feel that your ambition is too much.

Go out there and achieve your goals.

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Q: When you think about legacy, what do you hope your life and work will echo in the lives of others long after the lessons are over?

Professor Robbin:

Impact.

I want my life to echo impact.

Impact that leads to self-actualisation.

I want people to be able to say that because they met me somewhere along their journey, their lives moved in a different direction.

I want to leave an impact in academics, careers, culture and tourism, communication, soft skills and every other area where I have had the opportunity to work with people.

Whenever I come into contact with someone, I want there to be some level of positive impact, no matter how small.

I want my students, 20 or 30 years from now, to look back and be grateful that our paths crossed.

I would love someone to be able to say:

“I probably would not have achieved this if I had not crossed paths with that woman.”

If I can be remembered for impact, then I believe I have done something worthwhile with my life.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. Who is Mariah beyond the business?

Mariah:

My name is Mariah. I am a Canada-based tire technician and the co-founder of DAMA Mobile Tire Shop. I am also a wife and a mum to the most adorable boy in the world.

I would describe myself as someone who takes risks. I am spontaneous, determined and, above all, I love living life.

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Q: How did DAMA Mobile Tire Shop begin, and what inspired you and your husband to build the business?

Mariah:

My husband and I own the business together, and it really came from our shared passion for cars. Before we moved to Canada, my husband was involved in buying and selling cars.

When we moved to Canada in August last year, we essentially had to start our lives again from scratch. My husband got a job as a tire technician with a company, while I started working from home in customer support.

Starting over was difficult. After about six months in Canada, we began thinking seriously about how we could change our situation. We sat down together and started discussing different business ideas.

My husband initially suggested opening his own tire shop and renting a physical space. We immediately started searching for somewhere to rent, but the prices were far beyond our budget.

That sent us back to the drawing board.

I remember saying to him, “Why can’t we make it mobile?”

I asked whether all the necessary tire machines could operate from a moving truck, and he told me it was absolutely possible.

That same week, we got the truck and the machines we needed.

That was how DAMA Mobile Tire Shop started. Instead of allowing the cost of a physical location to stop us, we found another way to make the idea work.

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Q: What happened when you officially launched the business?

Mariah:

On the day we launched, I posted the business across our social media platforms, but my main focus was TikTok.

Within less than 24 hours, we received three bookings.

For me, that was enough confirmation.

I resigned from my work-from-home job that same day and decided to put my energy into supporting and building our business.

I also decided that I was going to learn the technical side of the job.

A lot of our customers find it interesting or amusing when they see a female tire technician. I continued documenting the journey on TikTok, and as I kept posting, more customers started coming in.

Social media became a very important part of our growth.

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Q: What is at the heart of DAMA Mobile Tire Shop?

Mariah:

Our mission is to provide excellent service with transparency.

The kind of work we do affects people’s safety. People’s lives can depend on whether a tire has been fitted or repaired correctly, so we cannot afford to be careless or make unnecessary mistakes.

The other important part of our mission is convenience.

We wanted to create a service where customers do not have to drive to a tire shop and wait for long periods of time.

We come to you.

We provide tire services from the comfort of our customers’ homes and at a time that is convenient for them.

That convenience is really at the heart of why we made the business mobile in the first place.

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Q: What has helped you build trust and loyalty with your customers?

Mariah:

One thing that has worked very well for us is following up after a job has been completed.

Usually, within 24 hours, we call or text the customer to ask whether everything is okay with the tires and whether they have experienced any issues.

We genuinely appreciate the feedback.

Customers also appreciate the fact that we check back with them. It makes them feel that we care about what happens after they have paid and the job has been completed.

That approach to customer service has resulted in a lot of referrals for us.

People recommend us because they remember how they were treated.

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Q: What has been one of the biggest challenges of running a mobile tire business in Canada?

Mariah:

The weather!

It is definitely one of our biggest challenges.

Canada is cold for much of the year, and because our work is mobile, a lot of it involves working outside.

You can imagine how difficult it can be working outdoors when the temperatures are extremely low.

We prepare ourselves as much as we can, but honestly, I don’t think working in that kind of cold is something you ever completely get used to.

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Q: Looking back at your previous business experience in Nigeria, is there anything you would have done differently?

Mariah:

I wish we had used social media more when we were involved in buying and selling cars in Nigeria.

The business was doing very well, but looking back, I believe digital marketing could have taken it much further.

I would have made greater use of social media and things like Google Ads.

Seeing what digital marketing has done for our business in Canada has completely changed my perspective.

It has helped us tremendously.

Today, a lot of our bookings come through the advertising and online marketing we do, and there are times when we are completely booked because of the ads we run.

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Q: Where do you see DAMA Mobile Tire Shop going from here?

Mariah:

I see us expanding.

I see us having more trucks, employing more people and eventually moving deeper into tire sales as well.

There is so much more that we want to build.

The mobile tire service is the beginning, rather than the end of what we envision for the company.

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Q: Beyond growing the company, what does success ultimately mean to you and your family?

Mariah:

We hope to build generational wealth through what we are creating.

But we also want our journey to motivate other young people.

We want people to look at our story and understand that it is possible to start again.

We moved to another country and had to build ourselves up from scratch. We didn’t necessarily have everything we needed at the beginning, but we worked with what we had and found a way to move forward.

I want young people to understand that they can accomplish so much when they truly put their minds to something.

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Q: You and your husband are not only married but business partners. How do you separate marriage from work?

Mariah:

When we’re working, the business comes first.

We don’t operate as husband and wife while we’re on the job.

I am still learning from my husband on the technical side of the business, so when we’re working, my responsibility is to focus, listen to his instructions and learn as much as I can.

We try to leave the “married” part at home and behave professionally when we are working.

I also think it helps that we were friends first.

There is already a level of understanding between us, so working together feels quite natural.

That friendship and understanding help us navigate both the business and our relationship.

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Q: As the business grows and you eventually build a larger team, what qualities will you look for in the people who work with you?

Mariah:

We are not currently hiring, but when we do, two of the biggest things we will look for are honesty and professionalism.

This is a business built around trust and people’s safety, so those qualities are very important to us.

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Q: What are five lessons life and entrepreneurship have taught you so far?

Mariah:

1. Information is key.
2. To make it in life, you have to be disciplined.
3. You learn from your mistakes.
4. Never stop trying.
5. Love wins.

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Q: Finally, what would you say to someone who is afraid to take a chance on themselves?

Mariah:

Believe in yourself.

And remember that you are allowed to make mistakes.

Mistakes are part of learning, growing and becoming better. Don’t allow the fear of getting something wrong to stop you from trying in the first place.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

I’m hair, beauty and aesthetics sales coach, wife and mum of two. I help businesses owners to increase their income through advance marketing strategies and the use of sales psychology.

What inspired you to start your business and what inspired you in the early stages?

I was a hair extension technician who grew my salon very fast and then when I got into teaching I also grew very fast so I decided It made sense to help others do the same. I had a bad investment deal and ended up having to give my whole business to my business partner and start from scratch so I thought it would be a good time to show how fast I could grow again and take many others with me.

Can you share a significant turning point in your business, that shaped it’s direction?

I started from zero at the age of 37 after being bullied out of my own company by an investor so I really wanted to prove to myself that I didn’t need any help from anyone to progress further.

How do you define your brands mission and values, and how they influence your daily operations?

I believe everyone has a chance at success if they get the right guidance and have the right work ethic thats why we respond to all Dm’s that we see and make everyone feel valued as well as having low level and complimentary masterclasses regularly.

What strategies do you use to maintain a strong connections with your customers?

I attend as many in person events as possible because you cant beat a face to face conversation. I also try to show up with my authentic personality and realness!

What’s are the big challenges you have faced as a business owner and how did you overcome them?

Cash flow used to be a big struggle. I gained knowledge in money management and put strict processes in place. I also go a coach and grew my income. More income always helps!

Can you describe a mistake you made from your business and how did you overcome it?

I brought too many shiny objects before investing in knowledge. I had to rewire my behaviours and have self discipline. Recognising it was a problem was step one.

How do you see your business in the next 5 to 10 years?

I want to be in product distribution with a property portfolio with only passive coaching products if any!

What legacy do you hope to live with your brand?

Anyone can do anything! Strive to be a high achiever

How do you foster a positive company culture and motivate your team?

we provide solutions we don’t entertain problems.

What qualities do you look out for when hiring new team members?

Self starter, goes above and beyond to do the best job. Constantly ready to learn more.

Drop 5 quotes that you love and you live by.

Action takers are money makes Work smarter not harder YOLO Consistency is key Hard work ALWAYS pays off

What will you tell aspiring brand owners and entrepreneurs that are just starting out?

Lean on the shoulders of giants! Don’t try to do it all on your own.

My name is Beatrice Onose Olajide, creative director Sweetmarble cakes in Nigeria

Inspiration

I love and have passion for anything food related. It gives me the opportunity to create delicious treats and show love through my craft.

Significant turning point in my business that shaped its direction was the learning phase.

I kept learning and learning till I was satisfied and that was when i knew it was time to start creating yummy cakes for my clients.

Business Operations

Mission – To showcase my creativity through cake making and providing top notch quality cakes for my customers.

Vision– To have a loyal customer base that cherish and love my brand. To also have global recognition in the cake industry and impact lives positively 

Strategies to maintain a strong connection with clients

– Providing the best product they love – From baking with high quality ingredients, to decorating with so much creativity. I love to give my clients the best.

– Consistency- making sure they get the same quality and service each time they order from me.

– Asking for reviews each time they order a cake and 

– Making sure they are well appreciated

– Follow up on social media

Biggest challenges 

Limited to my clients and referrals from them. Not enough social media visibility 

Mistake made and what did I learn from it

– Having to do it all by myself. Get help when needed to help you work with ease ao you can deliver a greater product.

Future vision

How do you see your business in the next 5-10 years

Global recognition, having a huge community to impact baking knowledge , creativity and positivity 

Legacy 

Creating a brand that is consistent with same high quality and have great impact in the society.

Team and culture

– Work with your heart and so much love

– correct your team with love and show them how to work smarter.

Qualities to look for when hiring

Passion , problem solving skills, and creativity.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. Who is Yewande Williams?

Yewande Williams:

Hello, I’m Mrs. Yewande K. Williams, but my friends and associates warmly call me Miz Wandey.

I have a deep passion for creativity and am proud to be a wife and mother to three beautiful children — one daughter and two sons.

As a devoted Christian and the CEO of Dreams Music Hall, I am dedicated to guiding and analysing creative projects from conception to completion.

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Q: What inspired your journey into music and eventually led to the creation of Dreams Music Hall?

Yewande Williams:

From a young age, I aspired to be a performing artist, but I often felt uncertain about how to pursue that dream.

Through perseverance and a commitment to learning, I began to understand the intricacies of the industry. This journey inspired me to create a musical educational system designed to guide aspiring artists on how to realise their dreams in the world of music.

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Q: How did Dreams Music Hall begin?

Yewande Williams:

Dreams Music Hall originated as a production company specialising in both live and digital studio sessions, established alongside my husband, Mr. Bolaji Williams, one of Nigeria’s top sound engineers.

Together, we recognised that information is power and felt a strong obligation to reshape perceptions about the craft.

Our mission is to create quality over quantity, elevating the mindset of the average Nigerian regarding the music industry, which ultimately led to the birth of Dreams Music Hall.

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Q: What is the vision behind Dreams Music Hall, and what values guide the way you operate?

Yewande Williams:

At Dreams Music Hall, we strive to be the premier music platform that supports talented individuals by leveraging the latest technology and innovative methods to advance their careers.

Our core values — integrity, respect, innovation, teamwork, and a love for humanity — drive us forward.

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Q: How do you create opportunities for your students and showcase the work being done at Dreams Music Hall?

Yewande Williams:

We are constantly brainstorming ideas to showcase our business and its offerings.

With the support of the government, we raise awareness through various media opportunities, ensuring that all our students and staff are involved in meaningful creative projects within the industry, allowing them to earn while they learn.

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Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in building Dreams Music Hall?

Yewande Williams:

One of the significant challenges we face is helping people understand the value of musical arts.

Many parents perceive this field as lacking morality, so we actively work to broaden their perspectives.

We highlight the diverse career opportunities available within the industry, such as working with advertising agencies, radio stations, and other creative organisations.

There are so many legitimate and meaningful career paths within music and the wider creative industry, and part of our responsibility is helping people understand that.

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Q: What is one of the biggest lessons entrepreneurship has taught you?

Yewande Williams:

I learned a valuable lesson during the early days of my business: relying solely on others to execute my vision can be a mistake.

I discovered that when you truly desire something, you must take the initiative to make it happen yourself.

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Q: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Dreams Music Hall?

Yewande Williams:

By the grace of God, I envision Dreams Music Hall becoming a sanctuary for creative individuals — both young and old — where they can safely express their creativity.

I aspire for our institution to be fully accredited by the federal government, providing parents with the reassurance that their children will receive a quality education in the arts.

Upon completing our programmes, students will leave equipped to identify and seize opportunities in their creative careers.

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Q: What kind of impact do you want Dreams Music Hall to have on the people who come through its doors?

Yewande Williams:

My brand will focus on enhancing the quality of life for those who pass through our doors, ensuring that every individual feels valued and empowered in their creative journey.

I want people to leave Dreams Music Hall feeling more confident in their abilities and better prepared to pursue opportunities within the creative industry.

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Q: How do you create a healthy and positive culture within your team?

Yewande Williams:

I prioritise the importance of setting boundaries and respecting each other’s opinions within our team.

I promote collaboration and cooperation among our staff, making it a point to celebrate our achievements — no matter how small.

Fostering self-esteem, effective communication, and high moral standards are essential pillars of our culture at Dreams Music Hall.

Together, we are committed to building a vibrant community of creatives who support and inspire one another, paving the way for a brighter and more expressive future in the arts.

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Q: Is there a quote that reflects the way you approach life?

Yewande Williams:

“I am not what happened to me; I am what I choose to become.” — Carl Jung