What is your name?
I am Adeola
What do you do for a living?
I am a Senior Scrum Master
Do you do other things outside your work? Side hustle? Community commitment? Please list them
I am the founder of Mete Insight Consultancy Ltd - with a focus on training experienced Scrum Masters as well as those seeking a career change to become an Scrum Master. I am the founder of ATA Coordinate Ltd - an e-Commerce business with a focus on Amazon FBA. I am also part of an amazing book club.
Describe a typical day in your life
My day varies and that's one of the things I love about it :-). My day usually starts around 5:30 am, when I do my morning prayers and meditations, followed by getting the kids ready for school. We usually leave home at 7:15 am at the latest to meet up with the school bus. After school runs, I return home where I resume my day job as a Senior Scrum Master from 8 am to 4 pm. Then after work, I do afternoon school runs. After school it's dinner, homework, chilling with the kids then dinner. Once the kids are in bed, I spend about 2-3 hours on the business before I head off to bed. I try to go to the gym 3 times a week also, I fit this in the evening whilst I have a babysitter look after the kids.
Are you married?
No
Do you have kids? If yes, how many?
Yes - 2 Boys
How do you manage your day-to-day activities considering all your commitments?
Strategic planning, having a routine, and asking for help! I have a babysitter that comes in most evenings. I have a cleaner that comes in once or twice a month I also have a caterer that does batch cooking for us, which we then divide into smaller containers and freeze
How did you get to the position of work you are in? Please provide practical steps you took to get to where you are now.
Training, personal development, and being committed to continuous learning. I was a Biomedical Scientist for about 12 years - my BSc was in Biomedical Science and my MSc in Blood Transfusion, got to the management level, but then decided to have a career change. I took a Scrum Master training course (as introduced by a friend) and did the Scrum Master certification. Since doing the initial course I've done many other accredited courses including Scrum Coach, Agile trainer, LeSS Practitioner, etc as well as unaccredited courses. I also try to network by attending meet-ups.
Were there any challenges or blockers on your way to becoming who you are now? If yes, what are those challenges?
Yes, the initial blocker was breaking into the IT industry! I had a lot of interviews before I got my 1st role, however, once I got in, it's been an awesome journey to the glory of God.
How did you overcome these challenges/blockers if any? Please share the practical steps you took.
I took some interview coaching sessions and had my CV reviewed, this helped me to get interviews and in getting the job also.
Who is your role model and why?
I don't have a role model - but if I have to pick one it will be myself, for what I've achieved so far and the great things that I know I'm still going to achieve by being a better version of myself than I was yesterday. I do have a lot of females and males that I look up to and am encouraged by their life journeys and achievements, this includes: - my Mum - Viola Davis - Joyce Meyer - Michelle Obama - Brene Brown - Oprah Winfrey - Lauren Currie - Sarah Jakes Roberts - Bis. T.D. Jakes - Joel Osteen - Barack Obama
Do you have a mentor or a coach? If yes, which one? if not, why not?
Yes, I have a business coach - MaryFash, and a Career coach - Esther A.Coaching. And I have other professional mentors also.
If you are married with/without children, how do you balance/align your home commitments with your career/side hustle workload?
I'm not married, but was, I'm widowed, and currently a single parent - I try to dedicate time for each of my commitments and stay present whilst doing that thing, without worrying about the others - so it's about trying to stay in the moment for me. I also now try to prioritize rest/sleep, because I've comprised my health in the past by not getting enough sleep/rest. I also ask for more help, outsource some things and say no to other commitments that I don't have the capacity for or that I know will stress me too much.
What one piece of advice would you give to other women about them stepping into their power and purpose unapologetically?
Go for it!! Do it!! Don't let fear stop you!! There are other people's destinies tied into you stepping into your power and purpose unapologetically. Also, "as we let our light shine, we unconsciously permit other people to do the same. As we're liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others!" One of my favorite poems by Marianne Williamson’s "our deepest fear"
Thank you so much for your time, Adeola. We celebrate you today and always.
You go sis. God will continue to lift you higher...