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Bellafricana published in Articles

Be Successful: 6 Pieces of Life-Changing Advice from Mark Zuckerberg

Life is a journey and in the end, we all aim for success regardless of what we do or where we find ourselves. Mark Zuckerberg, being one of the richest man in the world has been one of my greatest inspiration of all time because he started something small that turned into a global success at a very young age.

He also showed me that it is very important to surround yourself with people who share the same goals because social bonds are critical in achieving success and any wrong move can affect your success.

I came across this 6 Pieces of Life-Changing Advice from Mark Zuckerberg, put together by Evan Carmichael and it inspired me so much that I decided to share this advice; with the intention that it inspires you too.

Do you need any form of inspiration to keep you going? Need some life-changing advice in order to push you towards achieving your goal? Or you are simply a Mark Zuckerberg fan like I am? If “yes”, this is for you!

Keep reading to find out how you can transform your life and achieve your goals.

Image result for mark zuckerberg
Photo Credit: Stanford.edu

6 Pieces of Life-Changing Advice from Mark Zuckerberg

1. Make Mistakes: To him, you should not bother trying to avoid making mistakes because mistakes are inevitable when you start a business. Make these mistakes but learn from them and keep going because nothing is impossible; just do not give up!

According to Zuckerberg, he has made a lot of mistakes in the course of running Facebook for example, choosing HTML5 for developing the mobile app instead of using the native approach in 2012. Despite this mistake and many others, Facebook has grown and expanded.

2. Create Change: Zuckerburg’s main aim for creating Facebook was to connect people, create a community and give everyone a voice, even before he thought about building a company out of it.

His passion for creating this change kept him going because he wanted to build something that would last for a long time and thus, build the change he cared about.

If he had started Facebook with the sole aim of making money, he probably would not be as successful as he is now but, because he wanted to create a change in the society, his passion for this mission was what drove him to create something that ending up becoming a global success.

3. Just Get started: At 19, in the university then (with very little software), when he sort out to start Facebook, he had very little idea of what he wanted to do as he knew nothing about connecting people; but as he started working on it, the ideas became clearer.

He built Facebook with little knowledge just to connect people in his school and from there, he expanded to other schools as well as other places beyond school.

He didn’t wait to have everything in order or have all the ideas at the palm of his hand because, in his words, “waiting to have it all together prevents you from starting” so, just start!

4. Be Proud of What you do: Zuckerberg’s aim was to enable connection between people all over the world and give them a voice.

Although, this voice is being misused now by many in the form of communicating hate speeches, etc, he has not lost sight of the positive things because through his tools, more and more people keep getting a voice, small businesses/companies use his tools to hire people, jobs are being created through these tools and, small businesses are getting a voice that previously, only big companies had.

In 2007, he became the world’s youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 23. Time Magazine named him among the 100 wealthiest and most influential people in the world, alongside its “Person of the Year” award in 2010.

Also, in 2010, he was named number 1 on on the Top 100 Most influential people of the Information Age by Vanity Fair Magazine and was ranked number 16 on The World’s 50 Most Influential figures in the New Statesman’s annual survey.

Mark Zuckerberg
Photo Credit: Time Magazine (time.com)

He also ranked number 10 on Forbes list of The World’s Most powerful people in 2016 and in 2018, he became the only person under 40 in Forbes Top 20 Billionaires list, and the only person under 50 person in  Forbes 10 Richest People list; just a name a few achievements.

5. Take Risks: In his words, “the biggest risk you can take is not taking any risk”. Zuckerberg took lots of risks in the course of running Facebook without knowing what the outcome would be because to him, if you do not make the necessary changes and you remain stagnant, you will fail.

Years after he started Facebook, 2006 to be precise, Yahoo offered to buy it for a billion Dollars and although Zuckerberg turned down that offer which at that time was a big risk to take, and which people around him saw as a mistake, he took the risk regardless and now, has gained over 70 billion Dollars so far with an average of 6 million dollars per day.

6. Take on Big Challenges: Zuckerburg’s mission was just to connect a few people but, he ended up connecting people all over the world. Following Facebook’s success a few years later, in 2006, it had 100 million users.

In 2011, it had over 350 million users but, as some point, Zuckerberg aimed for creating a software to accommodate up to a billion people.

It seemed impossible at that time as it had never been done by anyone but, he took the challenge and now, Facebook has over 2 billion active users worldwide.

That is it! I hope you learned a lot and found some inspiration to keep you going with whatever you are doing.

Remember, it will be hard at some point, there will be mistakes, there will be moments of self doubts and disappointments but, you have to keep going because if it were easy, there would be no Mark Zuckerberg! He is proof that hard work, determination and passion pays off in the long run.

Watch the video below:

[embed_video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au9pGuVQd5U[/embed_video]

 

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Bellafricana published in Travel

Travel Destinations: Vacation Spots in Africa

Vacations are like a break from school, work, or the stress of everyday life but whenever we think of vacation spots, we usually think Paris, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, etc but we never really talk about vacation spots in Africa. 

Africa is actually one of the best travel destinations and vacation spots in the world regardless of how it is viewed by outsiders. From her wildlife to exotic cultures, delicious cuisines, crystal clear beaches, history and artifacts, Africa is one of the best places to be.

Are you planning a vacation but you cannot think of the best vacation spots in Africa to explore and unwind? I have come up with a few top vacation spots in Africa for you to visit, explore and have a wonderful time. Keep reading to find out these magnificent places.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia.

Vacation spots in Africa: Victoria falls
Victoria Falls. Photo credit: Trip Advisor

Victoria Falls, shared by Zimbabwe on the south and Zambia on the north is the largest sheet of falling water, the largest waterfall and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world!

Everything about this place already sounds so amazing as it is actually one of the most beautiful places in Africa! Known as “the smoke that thunders”, it is one of Africa’s greatest wonders as it can be seen over 40 kilometers away; a perfect place for an extraordinary, safari vacation.

Spending your vacation here, you can go swimming in the Devil’s Pool which is naturally formed pool just on the edge of the fall, witness the lunar rainbow that appears under the light of the full moon; one of Africa’s most distinctive sight.

You can  also witness the Victorian Falls Rainforest on the Zimbabwean side which is actually the only rainforest in the world where it rains every single day (I never knew this was actually possible).

During the day, you can go for a walk with rhinos (sounds interesting), go bungee jumping between Zimbabwe and Zambia, or go on micro-light flights above the fall.

Also home to elephants, lions, Buffalos, zebras, kudu, the rare rhino, cheetahs, hyenas, Eland and so many others, you get to witness exotic wildlife in Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls National Park or the Zambezi National Park.

There are just so many extraordinary things to do here and you would leave with so much memories, stories to tell and let’s not forget, amazing pictures! Now I’m eager to take a trip to Victoria Falls!

Luxor, Egypt.

Vacation spots in Africa: luxor Egypt
Temple of Ramsesses III, Luxor. Photo credit: Forbes

Egypt is actually on the list of Africa tourist attractions, and it is also one of my favorite countries of all time. If you are a lover of culture like myself, then this is for you. There is so much history, artifacts, deep rooted culture and captivating stories all in one place! Not to mention that it is a perfect travel destination for a vacation due to the adventure and wonders of this ancient world that awaits you.

Located on east bank of the Nile River, the city of Luxor, also known as “City of the Sun” is packed with history, temples, pyramids, tombs and let us not forget, the longest river in the world, River Nile, which is a must-see.

To start your vacation tour in this “outdoor museum”, you can enjoy a bicycle ride through the villages; along the bank of the Nile, go camel riding (take some sunscreen with you), or enjoy a leisure cruise by the Nile. You can visit the Karnak Temple which has many gigantic monuments, reducing you to the size of an ant when you go to witness the gigantic colossal statuary.

The Valley of the Kings is also another beautiful place to visit not just because it was a resting place for the Kings but, also because of its main attraction; wall paintings (there is a story behind it so you will just have to find out when you get there).

Other notable places to visit are Luxor Temple, Tomb of Nerfertari, Medinet Habu, Luxor Temple, Tombs of the Nobles, Ramesseum, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Abydos, and so on. The list goes on because Egypt has it all! You can spend your vacation touring through this city and you would never get tired because there are so many things to see! 

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Vacation spots in Africa: Serengeti
Photo credit: Serengeti-national-park.com

I doubt Tanzania came to your mind as a vacation spot but, Serengeti National Park, also knows an “The Land that Moves on Forever”  is an extravagant place to visit; and one of the safest cities in Africa.

Due to natural abundance of wildlife, it is home to the worlds’ greatest wildlife like wildebeests, giraffes, elephants, lions, and buffaloes.

Consisting of sunrises and sunsets, plains, sausage trees, swaying grasses, hills, crocodile and hippo-filled rivers, acacia trees and a significant amount of wildlife roaming around, this is the perfect safari destination to unwind and Anjou an “out of Africa” experience.

During the day, you can enjoy some safari game drives, bird watching, balloon rides to get a birds eye view of Serengeti, tour the Maasai tribe village to learn about their rich history and culture, walking safaris or nature walk to see the wildlife on foot, wildlife drive to feast your eyes on so many wildlife and you can spend the night in a camp that allows you feel at one with nature as you listen to the sounds of the wildlife whilst you sleep.

You can also visit the Moru Kopjes, Retina Hippo Pool, and Seronera River Valley.

There you have it! Some of the best vacation spots in Africa to visit for your next vacation and enjoy a memorable time. Have you visited any of these countries, or any other African country in particular? Do you plan on visiting any of these countries for your next vacation? What is your best vacation spot in Africa? Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below!

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Bellafricana published in Life Style, People & Culture

10 Reasons Why The World Is A Global Village

We are in the 21st century and the world is already being recognized as a “global village”. The world is now almost connected by telecommunications as well as the internet/media; as everyone now has access to any information they want, they can learn anything, contact anyone, carry out business transactions, even build their very own business brand; and all from the comfort of their couch. Looking back at the olden age, all these privileges we enjoy were not available in the 1800s or early 1900s by our ancestors, so to say, as they lived in a time where everything was backwards and underdeveloped, Africa especially.

For your keen knowledge, the word “Global Village” was a phrase coined by Marshall McLuhan in 1964, which he used to describe how the world is connected as a result of modern communication; thus linking everyone in the world. The idea of the global village is that everyone, just like one extended central nervous system is connected by telecommunications, the media and the internet as a whole. Looking at how things are today, we can all testify that we can’t do without the internet or our gadgets (not even if we tried) because they’ve become an important part of our everyday lives; whether we’re working, reading/learning something new, disseminating or gathering information, or just for the fun of it.

Why then is the world a global village? Why didn’t we just remain in the olden era and live as our ancestors did? Well, the world became a global village because a lot of things needed to change, there was a need for development and a need to bridge the gap between people of the world. Here’s why the world decided to become globalized and what gaps needed to be bridged:

  1. Cultural Barrier: 

Before globalization, the internet and telecommunications, the biggest problem the world had were cultural differences and misinformation. Looking at how Joseph Conrad portrayed Africans in his novel “Heart of Darkness”, there was a misconception on his part due to lack of information as he saw Africans as barbaric, uncultured animals but, now, thanks to the internet, Africa is being seen as a vast cultural nation with talents, creativity, culture, beauty and so on.

CULTURE
Ethiopian cultural clothes

Living in the world as a global village, everyone can now learn a lot about different countries as well as their culture without having to travel there. For example, through the use of the media which connects everyone in the world, people have learnt about and even travelled to witness Calabar festival, Dubai shopping festival, Paris fashion week, Lagos Fashion and Design Week, as well as other events around the world thus, breaking the barrier of cultural misconception.

  1. Information:

Information wasn’t widely spread as it is now. Back then, it would take days or even weeks for information to be spread among states but now, thanks to globalization which first brought newspapers, radios, televisions and then the world wide web known as the Internet and social media, information can be spread across the world in a couple of minutes. We no longer miss anything (no need for newspapers either) and we’re constantly updated 24/7 about what’s happening on the other side of the world without being there and, we can easily share our views and opinions, all thanks to the media. Although television is still in use, our phones especially have become an easy means of having “information with you on the go” as you can check for anything online anytime and anywhere (explains why I’m always on my phone).

  1. Communication: 

Just like it was with information, it was also very difficult to communicate with one another in the olden era, especially with someone in a different country. Before the invention of the post office, you’d have to pay a visit to whoever you wanted to communicate with; so long as they were in the same town with you (thankfully that’s over) but now, the internet has practically changed the world and has impacted communication thus, enabling everyone to communicate easily regardless of the distance (you just have to pick up your phone and call or send a message to anyone anywhere in the world).

Globalization first brought to us phones and then the internet/social media which has made it easier to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world even without calling thus breaking the communication barrier (video calls have also made it easier for you to feel like you’re there with your loved one, it’s super exciting). Almost everyone in the world now has access to a gadget or the internet, which has become the main mode of communication.

  1. Trade:

Trade by barter was what existed back then but now, I certainly wouldn’t want to trade my shoe for a bag when I can buy the bag anywhere (I can have my cake and eat it). I also wouldn’t want to go to the market to buy something when I can easily order it online, from the comfort of my home, and have it brought to my doorstep. Globalization has changed the conventional ways of trading (buying and selling) and has transformed the physical market into an online market/ platform like Bellafricana, as more shoppers use the internet to buy goods daily and also, most offline markets are now taking their business to the internet as it is easier to reach a vast audience in a short while (the internet is everything!). Thus, increasing capital, and making trade between countries easier.

  1. Transportation and Travel:
TRAVEL
A view in the Chad desert.

Back then, the mode of transportation was either through walking, canoe, or the use of animals (before bicycles were invented of course), despite the distance. Thankfully, now, we no longer have to walk a long distance like the people of Israel did because transportation now connects us easily through fast and effective means of transportation. Globalization helped us conquer time and distance through the use of cars, trains and planes which runs on fuel/diesel rather than manpower. Now, you can easily travel anywhere around the world (you no longer have to walk thankfully) for any reason whatsoever without any hassle.

  1. Creative Awareness:
Nigerian Textile Industry rise, African Culture, Africa, fashion, fabrics, Tatase Lagos, Bellafricana
Ndop fabric used in an art and culture exhibition

Back then, though people were creative geniuses, they had no means of showcasing their talent. Thanks to globalization now, you can create an artwork or a piece of art, post it on the internet and have it seen by people around the world (even sell it) and, just about anyone can use and access the internet from any device. Africa for example, being a vast country full of people who are highly creative can now showcase their talents, indigenous arts and culture to people around the world.

  1. Job Opportunities:

I think we can all agree that it’s now easier to find a job online than it was years ago when you had to go around with your CV looking for job vacancies (it was really frustrating). Now, there are online sites you can search for job opportunities and easily send your CV without moving an inch. Not to mention that you can even start your own business online, promote it and make your own income. All these weren’t possible then but now, globalization has made life a bit easier as it opens our business market to a whole new world.

  1. Improve Standard of Living

Like I said earlier, globalization has made life a lot easier and has improved our standards of living as consumers now have more opportunities to pick quality items at the right place for the right price with no restrictions on the goods. Also, everything can be done from the comfort of our homes now without much stress, improving the standard of living for people across the world.

Standard of Living

 

  1. Togetherness:

Globalization has brought people of the world together even during trying times. The good side of globalization is that it has connected people such that we’re aware of the sufferings, attacks, war and bad things happening around the world such that we come together to fight for a good cause, lend a helping hand as well as spread peace and love to everyone affected. For example, during governmental oppression of the masses, protests are done on social media against the government to raise awareness and put an end to it.

  1. Modernity and Diversity:

Globalization has brought about modernization in countries like India, Nigeria, etc that were economically backwards and has also increased diversity in all fields, which has brought about different opinions as well as solutions to problems that weren’t seen.

A lot of barriers that hindered growth and development needed to be broken, which was what brought about globalization, turning the world into a global village connecting everyone around the world. Globalization broke the barrier of distance, communication, buying and selling, travelling, and so on, turning the world into a small, developed, modern village. As such, the world as a global village has successfully brought everyone around the world together irrespective of their race, gender or tribe.

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Bellafricana published in Clothings, Fashion

Fashion in the Work Place: Spice up your Office Outfits

Wearing the same outfit to the office can get boring at some point; not to mention that we sometimes run out of clothes to wear, and having to decide what to wear again, every single day from our conventional office outfits can be frustrating. As a 9-5 worker myself, I just want to throw my hoodie on a nice pair of comfortable shorts, wear my slippers, cross my bag and head to work. Unfortunately, that’s a poor choice of outfit and I would probably lose my job.

The office isn’t exactly a place to show off your fashion skills and dress over the top but when you work in a big organization, you’re required to dress your best and look as presentable as possible. It’s worthy to note that fashion at the work place isn’t for females alone, as we love seeing our men dressed in a nice two or three piece designer suit.

Take away the conventional skirt, blouse/blazer and pair of flats for women, as well as the conventional black, brown or jean trouser, button-up shirt and boring polished shoes for men, you can take your office outfit from normal to creative whilst dressed in pure African made clothing, looking as elegant as possible.

So then, how can you spice up your office outfit without looking like you are going for a James Bond movie premier? I have selected a few office-worthy outfits from verified Bellafricana members for both  men and women to give you that office outfit inspiration.

WOMEN:

I don’t know if it’s just me but there’s something “normal” about seeing female office workers dressed in skirt/pant suit, a blouse/blazer (usually black/navy blue), matched with a pair of flats. I mean, normal is boring and we see/wear those outfits everyday! You don’t have to be an American or work in America to dress like a fashion guru to the work place, and you don’t need to break the bank to do so either. You also don’t need to overdo your outfit to get compliments or turn heads at your work place; and that’s why I am here, to transform your office outfit.

Two-Piece Suit:

Female two piece suit, Fashion in the Work Place fabric made by Adire lounge bellafricana verified

I know, suit again, but this isn’t the conventional, dull looking office suit, thankfully! Fabric Made by Adire Lounge, this two piece suit is everything! It is super stylish, classy, and don’t get me started on the fabric. From the color assemble which is actually my favorite thing about this outfit to the V-line details, the pocket details and the button with that fluffy design, this outfit will certainly be my go-to to brighten my Monday and revamp my office wardrobe.

Best part is that this suit is a mixture of different colors so you have so many color options when deciding to pair it without looking too colorful and, regardless of your age, you can rock this suit to your office and still look classy. I would pair this outfit with a black inner like she did, a red shoe, minimal makeup with red lips to stand out, and probably a blue bag/purse to pull the whole look together.

You can also decide to add a few accessories like a silver dropping earring or bracelet, but go for minimal, less flashy accessories as the suit is colorful enough.

Shoe:

Female shoes by k aspen bellafricana verified

Push your flat shoes to the curb; heels at the office is a big yes for looking elegant and classy; just make sure to keep it below 4 inches. Pump’s are perfect for the work place because they’re not “party-like” or too flashy so you’ll still look work-ready and classy at the same time.

I actually love that this pump, made by K. Aspen is a mixture of two simple colors (mustard yellow and red), so this makes it office-ready and at the same time, you can turn it from a day-to-night shoe; probably for dinner. This pump also has similar colors as the two piece suit so its a perfect pair for it…outfit inspiration!

Wear your designer two piece suit, paired with this pump and you’re good to go for that jaw-dropping look once you arrive at the office. You can as well pair this shoe with a black, lace fitted gown to beautify the outfit, a yellow jumpsuit or whatever you’d like; the options are endless.

Bag:

Women bags, insipre by pine tree bellafricana verified

Going to work without a bag? I didn’t think so! Bags are every woman’s best-friend; they’re where you keep makeup, accessories, books, even cats. Everything goes into your bags as they keep you organized on the go and are also made to complement your outfit, which is why just any bag can’t be pick when heading out.

Most people choose big bags but, I am transforming your office wears into something elegant and that includes bags; so no more gigantic bags. Small, purse-like bags are the new “it” because they keep you more organized than big bags which leaves searching for one thing or the other.

A black bag would be good but you need to add a little bit of color, which is why this Biro blue bag by Inspire by Pine Tree with a touch of Ankara is perfect. The color on its own is bright and beautiful and as such, it can complement any outfit, the bag is small, portable and chic. What’s not to like?

MEN:

The only thing more attractive than a man who dresses well is a man who smells nice; but let’s talk about your outfit instead, and not your perfume. Your perfume can smell so nice but a good perfume on an ugly outfit is a big no! Button-up shirts and black/brown trouser is no longer in vogue, and it’s pretty boring now.

Not to mention that well dressed men are considered more attractive than women because of their masculine physique and strong facial look. As a guy, you don’t have to wear too much to look good; simplicity is key for men. Here’s how you can transform your office outfit:

Suits:

Men suits

We’re not talking about the traditional suit but rather, a fashionable designer suit. Away with the ugly, grandpa suit and in with the modern James Bond suit! This suit by JZO Fashion is fashionable, simple and classic all in one; it’s also bright but not too flashy at the same time so it says “hello, notice me”.

This Biro blue suit with a touch of woven black by the waist pocket and plain black by the breast pocket, along with black pants is enough to create a bold look for any man, any day, anywhere. I love that there’s a distinction compared to other male suits as the jacket doesn’t end on the same line when you button it, and it has a touch of “Africa” with the noticeable detail on the waist pocket. Pair this outfit with a nice pair of wristwatch and a leather shoe, and you’re good to go. Best part is that you can take this suit from a day-to-night outfit as well so you get to turns heads both in and outside your office.

Shoe:

men shoes

Shoes are a necessity for every outfit and although most men wear sandals or sneakers to work, for an elegant office look, I prefer more of a premium, designer footwear suited for the office (not Nike sneakers; that’s for a day out). Looking at this shoe by Morok Xpression, it is breathtaking! There is no way you will wear this and not feel comfortable, everyone would even have their eyes on you because this shoe is a bold statement meant to pull together any look.

Sure, it is black but it is a shiny black made of high quality leather, and the fabric hanging halfway down from the buckle is another noticing detail. It is not an everyday shoe you will buy from the market which makes it the perfect choice of shoe. Your sandals will feel ordinary but pairing this shoe with a statement suit is sure to transform any boring office outfit into something elegant.

Choosing an outfit for the office can be a bit daunting; especially when you have worn everything you possibly own but when you have the right, elegant outfit and you know what to buy as well as what to pair it with, you will never run out of what to wear. Now that I’ve shown you how to transform a conventional office outfit to something elegant and classy, ditch that old pant suit, those button up shirts, old blouse or whatever it is you have and revamp your wardrobe by getting new, statement office pieces.

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Bellafricana published in Articles, bellafricana, Exclusive Interviews, Health & Beauty, Meet The Founders

Meet The Founder Of Ovelly Naturals – Exclusive Interview

In this exclusive interview, I had the privilege to learn about the brain behind Ovelly Naturals, and how she started an amazing natural skin care brand here in Nigeria, that  caters for the African Skin and protects it from dangerous chemicals. Olubukola birthed her business while on a quest for safe and non-toxic skin care products.

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Bellafricana published in Events

Pike and Hawley Presents The Leap Masterclass With Debola Williams

The Leap Masterclass is a branding and networking masterclass for CEOs, top level managers, sales executives, HR leads, and millennials, with Adebola Williams, popularly known as Debola Lagos.

Adebola (debolalagos) Williams is the Group CEO of RED For Africa. A pioneer at the intersection of media, democracy and social change. He co-founded and runs RED For Africa, Africa’s largest portfolio of youth media brands engaging the continent’s youth with leading brands like Red Media Africa, StateCraft Inc, The Future Awards Africa, YNaija.com, amongst others.
Popular for his work as a political strategist, he’s been Profiled by Forbes
and CNN as the man who helped elect a trifecta of three incumbent Presidents in Africa. In 2018 he was bestowed Marketing Edge Innovative Leader In PR and Image management award.
Adebola’s work re-engineering society through youth development earned him the Mandela Washington Fellow and British Council global change maker. He’s been named by Forbes as one of Africa’s best entrepreneurs under 30, recipient of the CNBC Young Business Leader of the Year award, in 2017 he was named The African Young Achiever by EMY Ghana and same year  named by the as one of 100 Most Influential People of African Descent under the United Nations international decade for people of African descent. Also awarded an ArchBishop Desmond Tutu Fellowship in South Africa and Oxford Business School, in 2019 he was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Adebola credits a big part of his success to his ability to network and connect opportunities. He’s also built one of the most formidable brands of this generation.
Come and learn how exactly you can convert your network to your net-worth, create new relationships and build a brand that attracts opportunities.
Reservations: ‭08094780099‬.
Limited seats available.
Event details are as follows ; 
Date : June 22nd 2019
Time: 10am
Venue: Ikoyi, Lagos
Bellafricana is a partner for the Leap Masterclass.
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Bellafricana published in Articles, Events, Fashion

West Africa’s Biggest Leather Fair Is Back!!!

The third edition of the Lagos Leather Fair will hold on the 7th and 8th of September 2019, and will bring together, under one roof, the major stakeholders along the leather value chain. Over the two days, leather designers of handbags, footwear, furniture and small leather goods will congregate to showcase their products to a discerning audience.


The last two editions have succeeded in creating incredible exposure for the creators and designers of finished leather products, and has helped shed light on an industry which has been described as the ‘next gold mine’. The Fair has proven that by showcasing Made-in-Nigeria products on a continuous basis can only increase visibility and access to market, drive job creation and positively impact revenue. There is a need to provide an enabling environment that will help create dignified employment, build and increase capacities that will gradually bring about commercial-level production.

This year, the fair, themed, ‘ADVANCING THE CONVERSATION’, is all about a call to action. Steps must be taken to enhance the creative efforts of practitioners across the value chain, and aggressively upscale the skills of artisans within the industry. It has become obvious that there is a need to provide an enabling environment and invest in everything necessary to build capacities across the supply chain in order to achieve commercial-level production and well finished, higher-value exportable products, and in so doing, create dignified employment. The time has come to advance the conversation so that the Fair’s objectives of growing a skilled workforce, aspiring to global standards and achieving enhanced marketability can be met

The event will feature masterclasses and creative workshops by a host of industry experts, and delight our audience with amazing catwalk presentations. Apart from the leather designers, tannery owners, manufacturers of finished leather goods, suppliers of machinery, tools and equipment, and suppliers of accessories and components will also be present. Finally, retail experts, and branding and marketing professionals will be in attendance to share their knowledge and expertise.

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Bellafricana published in Fashion, Meet The Founders, Textiles

Meet The Founder Of Asologe Fashion House

One part of my job I love the most, is being able to connect with amazing entrepreneurs and founders of unique, Afrocentric and indigenous brands. It is truly an honor to be able to hear their stories directly from them, as they take you through the journey of why they started, how they started, and how far they have come.

Today’s interview feature is about an amazing young lady, who founded the Asologe Fashion House. AFH produces uniquely designed hand-dyes Adire fabrics that give your outfit a contemporary edge. Read our interesting conversation below. I know you will enjoy it.

  • Please introduce yourself and your background

HI…… My name is Bibire Fawehinmi, from the famous “Fawehinmi” family in Ondo town of Ondo west local government, Ondo state. Born into a family of a High court judge and an entrepreneur (fabric seller) with 2 siblings; an elder sister and a younger brother.

Lived all my childhood and teen years in Ondo with my parents. I studied Mathematics Education in the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife in Osun state where I finished with an upper class.

  • Tell us about your work. How did Asologe Fashion House start?

I am a full time African print manufacturer and seller. Asologe Fashion House is a brand name I coined from my love for fabrics in general, maybe because I was born into it. I had always dreamed of owning one of the most luxurious fabric stores. Asologe which means ‘CLOTH IS FASHION’ simply explains itself.

  • How did you come about the name and what does it mean?

I love to call my business, Asologe, for a short………asides my love for prints, I got to know more about Adire while in camp in 2017 in Akwa Ibom during the one-week SAED training (smiles). My very first teacher goes by the name Pst Abiodun, then after the camp, I redeployed to Lagos but that didn’t stop me from learning more, I had a one month training with my teacher via WhatsApp. YouTube too was(is) a great teacher too.

  • What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?

With this little knowledge from my boss, I started and I can boldly say that sustained me for more than 8months in the business. Later, I would go through some pages on Instagram and keep wondering how they dyed a particular design, then i knew I was obsolete and I needed new (fresh) knowledge and that was when I furthered and had another one month training with my boss 2 at Surulere, here in Lagos state.

  • Where do you get the inspiration for your products?

For me, I get my inspiration from some kind of fabric I see around (Ankara) and I’m always like, we can replicate something like this on our Adire and that’s it.

  • Can you remember one of the first products you made? What makes it memorable?

My very first client asides (families and friends) was (is) a Nigerian in the London. He purchased 100yards of Adire, which now, I will say are very basic Adire (smiles) and he paid me 70% before I started the work. Upon completion, the remaining was paid before I took to NAAN at ikeja. For me, that was a great way to start and part of what keeps me going.

  • What are some of the challenges you face in your business?

Hmmm, challenges though, for me, the first will be sourcing for fabric and getting them at the needed time. Sudden increase in amount of dyes and chemicals. Also, man-power, because the higher you go, the more hands needed, which I will say are not so willing and ready…………….

  • Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?

But still, I don’t have any regrets venturing into this business at. All………

  • What is your most popular product?

Hmmmm, most popular product, I can’t say because all product has its season and time. January, we might have more sales from Adire lace……. Next month might just be hundreds of scarfs………

  • What are some of your short term and long term goals, both in your business and life in general?

I believe all dreams are valid and I see Asologe becoming a household business name with proper and operational manufacturing systems in play.  I just don’t want to have dyeing pit. I want to have a manufacturing plant where we can manufacture our dyes and chemicals, workers that are ready and totally in sync with the company’s vision.

  • What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I cherish family so much and for that, one of my goal is to keep my family as the priority above all.

  • What profession would you be in if you weren’t in the Fashion industry?

I am a big lover and die-hard fan of bread (smiles)…….and I hope to have a mini bakery someday.  For profession, I can’t think of any really……… but maybe an investment banker.

  • If you could give one piece of advice to anyone who wants to start their own business in your industry, what would it be?

My first advice will be, ensure you have an extra stream of income. Be ready to meet an entirely new people. Be patient.

Asologe fashion house sells and produces adire fabrics and outfits bellafricana verified Asologe fashion house adire fabrics textile bellafricana verified

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Bellafricana published in africa, Articles, News

NEPC restores AGOA visa stamp to exporters

The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has re-introduced the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Visa Stamp to exporters to ensure that they participate and benefit more from the Act before it expires in 2025.

AGOA is an act of parliament passed by the United States Congress in 2000. Also referred to as Trade and Development Act, it was meant to assist the economies of sub-Saharan Africa and improve economic relations between the U.S and the region.

AGOA is currently in act until 2025. After completion of the initial 15-year period it was extended by one more decennium, including newly added products. The products newly covered by the legislation include items such as:

  • Agricultural products
  • Apparel and footwear
  • Motor vehicle components
  • Chemicals
  • Wine
  • Steel

So why is this act interesting for you as exporter? AGOA provides Nigerian exporters with numerous attractive advantages in doing international business:

  • Duty-free access for eligible products to USA
  • Significant competitive tariff advantages over non-AGOA countries
  • Encouragement of regional integration and production sharing among beneficiary countries
  • Security of the act ensured until 2025

To be duty-free eligible under AGOA, US customs requires a certificate of origin and an AGOA stamp on a commercial invoice. These documents are needed in addition to the always required documentation for imports. You cannot apply for AGOA certification in the US. It must be done by yourself in Nigeria.

If you want to benefit from AGOA, contact the regional NEPC-office in Lagos via, email [email protected]  or [email protected].

Speaking at the NEPC workshop on AGOA Visa Stamp utilisation in Lagos, the agency’s Executive Director, Mr. Olusegun  Awolowo, said AGOA was also meant to forge stronger commercial ties between Nigeria as well as other qualified African countries and the United States.

Represented by the Deputy Director, National Office on Trade, Mr. Saave Nanakaan, Awolowo said AGOA was meant to help integrate Nigeria and other African counties into the global economy.

 

He said the extension of the scheme to 2025 was because many African economies such as Rwanda and Uganda performed better than Nigeria under the scheme.

Visa Stamp, which was introduced on January 18, 2016, took effect from February 8 of the same year. It was another step to further simplify U.S market access of textiles and garments from AGOA-eligible countries.

Under the process, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has directed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to permit importers to submit electronic images of appropriate export visas when claiming preferential treatment for textile and apparel products under the Act.

Textile and apparel goods from an AGOA beneficiary country will only receive preferential duty treatment once a visa arrangement is established. Visas are issued by the government of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries.

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Bellafricana published in African Food, Events, Exhibitions, News

African Food & Products Conference and Exhibition 2019 by NACC

The Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) is set for its Annual Exhibition & Conference. The 3rd African Food and Products Conference and Exhibition (AFPE) themed ‘Sustainability and Innovation; Pathway to Business Success for SMEs’ is scheduled to hold on Friday 24th May and Saturday 25th May, 2019 at the Grand Ball Room, Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island. Lagos by 9:00 am.

The Exhibition which is aimed at promoting the development of trade, commerce, investment and industrial technological relationships between the public and private sectors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Africa and the United States of America will witness the presence of industry expert speakers, market leaders, Trade Promotion Agencies, Venture Capitalists, Seed Investors, Export Houses, Business Clinics, Policy Makers, Franchisors, Franchisees, Produce Merchants, Analysts and Research Professionals, Startup Hubs, Government Regulatory Agencies and will have in attendance the Presidency, Federal Ministers, State Governors, CEOs of Leading Nigerian and Multinational Firms, Captains of Industries, Agencies of the United States Mission amongst others..

The AFPE 2019 will attract SMEs, Start-up business owners, MSMEs, International & local manufacturers, suppliers & distributors of food, beverage, agro commodities, apparel and fashion products, chain stores, independent sellers, business service providers, key decision and policy makers from leading Nigerian, African and American companies showcasing their products/service offerings to visitors, with a view to further promote their products and services to visitors and buyers and increase export sales by maximizing the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

In 2018, the Event had over 1500 attendees with about 90 Exhibitors from within Nigeria and the United States. This year, over the 2-day period of the event we expect to have over 2,500 attendees from across Nigeria, Africa and the United States, thus presenting a viable opportunity for exhibiting companies to grow their sales, showcase their products to a target audience and strike million dollars international deals.

The 3rd African Food and Products Exhibition will feature a conference session with seasoned industry experts and leaders sharing their knowledge and experience on scaling up productivity, driving profitability and positioning SMEs for sustainability and global competitiveness.

Attendance to the Conference and Exhibition is FREE but registration is required.

Visit afpe.nigerianamericanchamber.org to register.

More information on is available on the event’s website.

afpe.nigerianamericanchamber.org

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