Real Stories with... Ojo Ajarat Motunrayo!

Lets meet you briefly.
My name is Ojo, Ajarat Motunrayo. I was born in the late 80s... 

I own a baking company called A-JAY'S CREAMY CAKE WORLD LIMITED. I ventured into cake baking and decoration in the year 2013 and so far, I give thanks to God because it's been a wonderful journey of fulfillment.

 What course did you study in school?
I studied Science and Technology from the Faculty of Electrical & Electronics Engineering and Faculty of Education in the University of Lagos.

Why did you decide to study it?
Back in the day, everyone wanted to go to the University. My choice was actually Computer science, however, I was offered Technology Education. I had no other choice at the time and accepted the offer with joy.

Does your course in anyway align with your current career path?
They are not related. I can just say Education is the foundation of all. I have been able to link my technology-know-how into cake business. The only relationship they share is the "Use of English" …Lol

Making a decision to drift/ follow your passion, was it an easy one?
Following my passion I would say has been an easy one just because of God's mercy. Passion is enjoying what you do. And I love every part of cake making. The challenges, fun, result and lot more. The only difficulty has been capital, to really get things right. But even at that, God has been great.

 Discovering talent and natural abilities early in life is an advantage in making career choices. Do you agree?
I totally agree. Like I tell people around me, I graduated in 2009 and finished NYSC (the mandatory National Youth Service Corps) in 2011. I was job hunting for two years meanwhile there has been this inbuilt talent which I discovered earlier though but didn't put in use - which is to be an "artist". I have always loved art, but paved away from that path.  Behold I am now a Cake Artisan! If I had developed and traded this path much earlier, I might have been luckier but still, I give Gory to God. I am lucky and blessed.

If you were given an opportunity to redo your first degree, what course will you choose?
Lol… I would have still gone for Technology because it's wide and versatile. 

What is your advice to young people, especially those who are about to choose a course of study or a career path?
Please discover your inner talent before choosing your career. There is this thing in YOU which you love doing, let it lead you. And may God help us all.

Must everyone attend a university to be considered a professional or build a career path?
Education is essential. It is the foundation of any successful business. Everyone might not be privileged to go to the university, it doesn't make them non-professionals. To me, University is simply a congregation where you meet people you sell your goods to after you might have graduated. University is like an eye-opener.

How can we see more of what you do? Share your links.

Company's Name: A-JAY'S CREAMY CAKE WORLD

Address: No 2, Adeniyi Ogunsanya Street, Igbogila Bus-stop Ipaja, Lagos.

Tel: 07056947583

E-mail: ajayscream@yahoo.com

Website: www.ajayscreamcakeworld.com 

Facebook: Ajays Creamy Cake World 
Instagram: @ajayscreamycakeworld

Thank you for sharing your story with us!

Real Stories with... Motolani Adelaja!

      Let’s meet you briefly.

My name is Motolani Adelaja,
I’m a fashion designer and the creative director of ‘Sarah Lani’, a Nigerian based female apparel brand.

     What course did you study in school?

               I studied Computer Science at Covenant University Ota.

      Why did you decide to study it?

           I studied computer science at the university because the world was becoming more IT dependent and I felt it was a catchy course that could easily land  me a job in almost any corporate organization.

      Does your course in anyway align to your current career path?

          My course doesn’t align with my current career directly, but some elements of the IT knowledge I’ve gained so far can be incorporated into my fashion business.

     Making a decision to drift/ follow your passion, was it an easy one?

     It wasn’t easy at all. I had some opposition from family, who thought going into the fashion business wasn’t profitable and seemed 'unserious'. I even doubted myself and had many fears. I was tempted to give up fashion (which I was passionate about) for an IT related job (which I wasn’t so passionate about). Although, it wasn’t easy, but I’m glad I stuck to fashion.

     Discovering talent and natural abilities early in life is an advantage in making career choices. Do you agree?      

     

     I totally agree. This is because discovering your talents early helps keep you focused, you would be surprised to find out that most young people don’t even know what talents they have, they become so confused in choosing a course of study/ career path and in their confusion, they often settle for a course/career path they aren’t so passionate about. This doesn’t bring out the best in them as they continually struggle is such fields

      If you were given an opportunity to redo your first degree, what course will you choose?  

        I will definitely study Fashion Design if I had such opportunity.

     What is your advice to young people, especially those who are about to choose a course of study or a career path?

    

         I would tell them to choose a course that can help develop their natural abilities and talents. In other words, choose a course or career path you’re genuinely passionate about.

      Must everyone attend a university to be considered a professional or build a career path?

       Not necessarily, but some level of skills and knowledge must be acquired before one can be considered a professional in any field. I didn’t study fashion design at the university, but I made sure I attended a fashion institute to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge needed to thrive in my field.

      How can we see more of what you do? Share your links.

      My work can be viewed on my Instagram page, my handle is @sarah.lani

     

     Thank you so much for sharing your story!

#SLAYFestival 2017 #SLAYperience... Notable Quotes & Pictures!

What’s my story?

What is my brand message?

What differentiates me?

How can I build my brand?

How can I #SLAY, making lasting impressions?

These questions and more are such that begins to consume your thoughts after attending #SlayFestival.

 "The amazing concept of bringing women together, the power of networking and the opportunity to learn from those we admire and who are making lasting impact in their field and niched career path, sums up my understand for the awesome innovation of @SheLeadsAfrica by @AfuaOsei  & @Yasmin Osagie Bello."

-Vicky Ohaegbulam

#SLAYFestival 2017 Notable Quotes…

“Get the skill. Have the talents & have an eye for it.”
-Kemi Adetiba, Film Maker

“There’s no fast track. Know who you are. Prepare for it. Be who you are.”
-Mary Njoku, Iroko Tv

“You’re going to get different twist to the top.”
-Stephanie Busari, Head of @CNNAfrica Digital

“You can learn your way up.”
-Zainab Balogun, TV Host (www.zainabbalogun.com)

“My fears guide me. Don’t let your fears threaten your voice.”
-Toke Makinwa, Multi-media Personality (Author, On Becoming)

“I believe more in collaborations than partnerships.”
-Arese Ugwu, Founder, www.smartmoneyafrica.org (Author, The Smart Money Woman)

“It’s better to be culturally correct than trying to be this 21^st century woman that doesn’t fit into the African space.” –Audu Maikori, www.chocolatecitygroup.com

“We need to have cultures that are assertive in moving the economy forward.”
-M.I Abaga, Musician

“Have a U.S.P…your unique selling point.”
-Rose Umane, Founder, www.bellanaija.com

“Experiential sponsorship is very engaging (it sticks).”
-Kabir Shagaya, CEO, Zippy Logistics

“When some people tell you NO, always find an angle that’ll take you back to get a YES!”
-Bukky Kabiri-White, Founder, Bobbi Talyor Company

All the learning didn’t happen without some fun in between

The Nkwobi Jollof Rice by #MaggiJollofRiceBar, was #Lit!

Listened to @funbimusic #LiveAtTheCointreauChillOutLounge.

On Networking

I met …

Dammie Alabi,
The Dammie Alabi Network
www.dammiealabi.com (Launch Date: February 2017)
Services- Space Design @spacedesignByDammiealabi.
                  Product Design @Pillowtalk9ja.
                  Lifestyle Design @Dammiealabi.

“I’m particularly interested in collaborating with you in the future.”

*I forgot to take a picture with her.

I also met…

Ukaegbu Adaku Fortune
Director, FG Event Managers
Services- Events Styling, Catering, Interior/Event Decoration, Bridal Makeovers, Rentals/Sales of Decoration Accessories, Training, Bulk SMS.
Telephone- 08024717107 07039110507 08028173768
Email- ukaegbuada@gmail.com
Instagram- @fortune_8

She was asked the DKCC.com favorite questions for #RealStories series…

DKCC.com: What did you study in school?

Fortune: Chemical Engineering.

DKCC.com: If you were to go back to redo your first degree, what course will you study?

Fortune: Nursing… because I am passionate about health.

More Pictures…

Which  quotes do you like the most?

Where you at the #SLAYFestival?

Let’s hear your thoughts!

CAREER CHOICE, MAKING DECISIONS

Choosing the right career is a decision one would always get to face or tackle at various stages in his or her life.

At first, the decision hits you after you must have sat for J.S.C.E and you’re moving to the senior class because you would have to choose what department (Science, Arts or Commercial), to be under.

 

Most times however, our criteria for choosing these departments might either be based on the performance of subjects from previous classes. Other times, it might be as a result of peer pressure, parental pressure as well as lack of proper guidance and counselling.

The decision hits you again for the second time when you are about to fill your form for the JAMB examination. And these questions begin to form your thought- ‘What career is right for me?’ What course do I want to study?’ ‘Why do I want to study this course?’

"Choosing the right career starts from discovering yourself and your abilities."

The third time is when you are about to graduate from the university, then you start pondering on ‘Would I succeed in this course?’ ‘Do I have creative and innovative ideas?’

"The world will step aside for the person who walks confidently on a well-planned path."

Fourthly but not final is after you have passed out from the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). You begin to ask yourself based on what I have studied, ‘What career path, what sector and what industry is best suited for my personality?’ ‘What opportunities remuneration, salary and fringe benefits are attached to my chosen career?’ ‘How do I make/carve a niche for myself?’ ‘How would I stand out and excel?’

"You will never be a great success and have true happiness if you are in a work that you dislike or that you are totally unsuited for."

Few Tips for choosing a career

Self-Evaluation:
Discover what you love doing, what you are passion about, what interest you and what you do with so much ease. Taking a career test at this point would be resourceful as well as talking to a guidance counselor or your parent.

Information Sourcing:
Finding out from the professionals what your intended career entails and also from your school counselor on the relevant subjects required for your career of choice.

Self-Conviction:

Be confident with your decision, that you would excel in whatever your heart yearns towards based on your discovery.

Don’t settle for less or more than your capabilities!!!!

RIGHT CAREER, BREAK NEW GROUNDS...

“Developed countries excel so much in all the human endeavors you could think of. This is partly because peoples of these countries go into professions where their talents enhance their performance. They go into these professions because they want to, and not necessarily because of what they stand to gain, or because society demands it of them to go into such professions. This is why they easily go into all sorts of professions, some of which sound ludicrous to us here. You find them always totally engrossed in their work and you find that their only mark of achievement is excellence.”

“They keep breaking new grounds in science and technology, the arts, sports, the film industry, politics and so on. They are always leading the way. This is because most of them do only what they know how to do best.”

“A man in the right profession would be too pre-occupied with creating a record or making a mark of excellence to think of amassing wealth.”

“If one is specially talented, and one greatly enjoys working utilizing this talent, then one should stay in a related profession and not go into one unrelated, either for material or societal reasons, or both. This way, one has a good chance of living a life fulfilled, and also, one would indirectly contribute meaningfully to natural growth, because one is only at one’s best, when one does what one knows how to do best.”

Excerpts from Blind Choice by Segun Okunoren. Pages 19, Paragraph 1, 2, 3 ;20, Paragraph 5.

Let's hear your thoughts...