What is your name?
Foyeke
What do you do for a living?
Business Analyst
Do you do other things outside your work? Side hustle? Community commitment? Please list them.
Yes, I do. I have quite a few side hustles. I am an Event Project Manager and Event venue decorator/stylist. * Fabric Merchant * An Author * A songwriter and singer * A coach and speaker
Describe a typical day in your life
I love my sleep so I wake up just in time to get the children ready for school and then start work if I am working from home that day. Get on the system, check my calendar, and see what I am set for the day. Sometimes I try to utilize my break time to either advertise my fabric business or event business. I finish work around 3.30 pm most days and then spend time with my children and cook for my family. I go to the kitchen mostly every day but my husband does help sometimes. I am blessed to have him.
Are you married?
Yes
Do you have kids? If yes, how many?
4 great boys
How do you manage your day-to-day activities considering all your commitments?
Wao! That's a question that sometimes I wonder how I manage myself. But I am someone who likes planning. So after my planning, I execute my plans. I do what I can do if it goes to plan, otherwise, I leave it. I fit in anything I can if I have the time, otherwise, I do what I can do and leave the rest.
Firstly, I desired it, pray to God for it, Spoke to myself that I can do it and then I determined to achieve it. One of my Director friends said something during a work interview she said Believe it and achieve it and I think that's what I did. I am also resilient. For example, I decided to transition from Operations to Tech without any Tech background but I decided to upskill myself so, in 2016 I did my PRINCE2 and I passed. I reorganized my CV using all my experience as an Event Project Manager. Since I work in Fintech it wasn't too difficult to transit as the organization I work for encourages that. I applied for several roles and my CV got me to the interview stages. Some I passed but not enough marks to get me the job. But finally in February 2022 l. I got my first BA role. I was assigned a buddy and yes I have done quite a few projects successfully. Yes, the role comes with its challenges but keep moving, keep focused, and network. No one knows it all.
Were there any challenges or blockers on your way to becoming who you are now? If yes, what are those challenges?
Yes, loads of blockers. But because I was determined to achieve my next goal. I did not let it bother me. I kept on preparing extremely well for each interview until I got it.
The Challenges:
Giving Up!: Sometimes you feel like giving up, especially when you knew you did well during the interview and they call you to say sorry you didn't get the job.
Comfort zone: when you think why do I need to move, I am doing well where I am at the moment
Change: Ability to realize when the time to change is here, you need to embrace change
How did you overcome these challenges/blockers if any? Please share the practical steps you took.
All I can say is I was determined to change honestly. I was fed up with the position I was in. I was at the peak in my previous role, with nothing so much to learn, and no more Challenges. I refused to listen to negative advice or discouragement. Some of the people that nearly discouraged me from becoming a BA started applying for the same role after I got my BA role. If I had listened to the person, I would be angry for nothing now because the person is also a BA now..but it would have been my fault. So listen to your inner thoughts and work hard for it
Who is your role model and why?
To be honest, I have quite a few that have motivated me. Surprisingly MaryFash is one of them because I see a young lady full of passion to excel and work hard for it. 2. A friend who is a Director in the organization where work...a strong black woman in a strong post that is dominated by white. It makes me aspire to achieve a higher role.
Do you have a mentor or a coach? If yes, which one? if not, why not?
I do have both. Because I believe at this stage in my career in Tech, I still need both a mentor and a coach.
If you are married with/without children, how do you balance/align your home commitments with your career/side hustle workload?
I am married but I am married to a great man who is ever so supportive. Like I said earlier I plan well ahead and I know when work is work and when family time starts. I am someone who loves family time, chatting with my husband and my children, and laughing with them. So when I finish work, I finish work, and family time resumes. And I can fit in my other businesses and ministry (pastoral care work) in between.
What one piece of advice would you give to other women about them stepping into their power and purpose unapologetically?
Stand firm to what you believe and go all out in a good way to achieve it. Also, try and network with people of like mind. Reach out for help when needed
Thank you so much for your time Foyeke. We celebrate you today and always.
It is so great reading this. It is magical how you are able to balance work with 4kids. Your story is a great inspiration