My Journey
Each milestone as an adult taught me to look forward by reflecting on the past, guiding me with purpose and wisdom.
My Life's Purpose: My journey, rooted in my name, Oluwafunmilayo, is dedicated to bringing light, joy, and hope to my family and society, aligning with my ultimate life goal.
80s
A product of the 80s, when neon was fashionable.
Grew up in a colossal family with more kids than you can count! We were 14+x children.
Embarked on my educational journey at the tender age of 3.
Oh, and did I mention I had bow legs? Yep, we've all had our quirks! (lol)
Childhood
I was a Brownie at the ripe age of 5, diving headfirst into the world of service and honor.
With all the energy of an extrovert, I jumped from one club to another every year, until I hit the grand old age of 8.
By the time I was 7, I'd already become a newscaster in my school's press club – the spark for my passion for public speaking was ignited!
My first taste of team sports came in the form of a three-legged race, where I proudly clinched 3rd place at inter-house sports.
And at the ripe old age of 9, I took center stage, leading a school play as the Narrator – it was my transformational moment in building confidence and honing my public speaking skills.
Pre-Teen & Teen Life
My junior secondary school years in Catholic education were nothing short of remarkable.
It was during this time that I found my faith, becoming a devoted Christian.
My etiquette and manners? Well, I owe those to the Catholic Reverend sisters who did an exceptional job shaping me.
Ah, those teenage years – a constant tug-of-war between what I wanted and what I was told to accept. Eventually, my desires emerged victorious, thanks to a multicultural experience at a Federal Government Girls College.
I took the lead in a teenage Christian dance group, and in doing so, forged friendships that have stood the test of time – most of them remain dear to me even today.
In 2007, my friends and I spent three transformative days at the United Nations Oru Refugee Camp in Ogun State. There, we empowered the last batch of refugees with vocational skills and informal business training. This experience ignited a deep-seated passion for economic empowerment.
University
During my first year at university, I organized a captivating music and dance concert. It was here that I discovered the immense power of music to stir the soul.
I kick-started a meaningful project, mentoring a group of 5 low-income pre-teens in arts and crafts. We sold their creations to fund their education, and it was deeply fulfilling.
In my second year, I confidently entered the race for Vice President of my faculty's student body, only to face defeat. It was a hard-hitting lesson in politics and the intricacies of navigating the court of public opinion.
I showcased my oratory skills and cracked the top 10 in the university's largest oratory competition, the Superbowl. Once again, the art of public speaking captured my attention.
Undeterred by past losses, I ran for the position of General Secretary in my faculty's student body. This time, victory was mine.
To leave a lasting impact at the university, I founded the faculty's first debate society. It was a way to help others discover their voices and passions, and it felt like the perfect conclusion to my time at the university.
Life Beyond University: Charting My Course as an Adult
My post-university journey began with a role as a Treasury Analyst at Financial Derivatives Company, where I immersed myself in understanding the Nigerian money market.
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) beckoned, placing me in Standard Chartered Bank with my Economics degree. I embraced the challenge, proving my mettle as a local girl with big aspirations. My tenure spanned customer experience, compliance, and banking operations at my branch.
Amidst this, I tackled a significant fear of heights by completing a heart-pounding sky-jump at 829 feet above the Las Vegas strip. The adrenaline rush lingered for days.
Returning to work, operations remained my forte as an ESTJ enthusiast, but I uncovered a passion for sales. Venturing into sales, I had a remarkable experience helping high net worth individuals maximize their financial returns. In just one year, I doubled my customer base.
While finance felt like home, education tugged at my heartstrings as a noble act of service. I dedicated five years to managing a campus of a prominent private school, overseeing administration from Pre-school to Pre-University levels. During this time, I impacted over 500 families and established a network of partner schools, collaborating with around 200 institutions across major Nigerian cities.
My stint in education rekindled my love for community service. I pursued a master's degree in Development Finance at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town. Subsequently, I co-founded Radiant Futures with a group of friends and volunteers. Through RF, I'm shaping the landscape of education support and economic empowerment for low-income women and micro-entrepreneurs. We've disbursed over $13k in grants, connected more than 30 women to capital, and funded the tertiary education of two teenagers, thanks to the support of friends and partners.
Post private education administration, I ventured into the realm of edtech in Nigeria. Embracing the startup world, I navigated the rollercoaster ride and emerged stronger. Technology illuminated a path to create a borderless impact. My focus now is helping visionaries build processes around their visions, people, and values, all while crafting products with tangible economic and social benefits.
The greatest
Amidst these significant milestones, the most profound for me is the union with a remarkable man who envisions the very best version of who I can be and tirelessly labors to transform that vision into reality. Equally paramount is dedicating precious time to nurture and raise my children, for they represent the most sacred and pivotal mission in my journey as both a mother and a woman.
Each day, I unveil something novel—a newfound plant I adore or a belief that warrants cultivation or dismissal. In this ongoing journey, I've grasped the immense might of choices and opportunities. Through it all, I've been the fortunate recipient of grace, love, and favor. This is why I proudly call myself a Catalyst and Crusader. Stay connected with me.
