INSPIRATION THURSDAY: TELLING YOUR STORY ... READ LOVE OLALEYE'S COMPELLING STORY

Hello Rangers!

As you all know, one of my objectives for writing this blog, is to inspire you to action; and I love it when I read your comments, or hear them when I meet some of you in person and you tell me how one thing I said inspired you and spurred you to action, it gives me joy.

Today, I'd like to share a story by one person I find remarkable. It goes to show, that every one has potential for greatness in them. You only have to decide weather or not you'd awaken the greatness within you. Read on...

As an undergraduate in the university, I engaged in different business like buying and selling clothes, making zobo, just to earn some money to augment the pocket money that never seemed enough. None of these businesses brought me the kind of joy I experienced when I decided to pursue my passion in makeup. First I became a Mary Kay  rep, I would sell and show students how to use the products they bought. The joy that beams on their faces was fulfilling, despite the frustration of running after debtors.

I remember my first bride who happened to have been my friend who was kind enough to allow me experiment on her face. As I drove out early hours of the morning around 6am, my car brakes suddenly failed, I ran into a tree off the road but God saved me, no scratch, I came out and the car was badly damaged. As the car was being towed home, it was a decisive moment, I had to decide whether to quit or press on. I decided to press on.

That decision was the hard road. After graduating, before going for NYSC I will often question what the future holds. At some point, I got confused, I'm doing free makeup for people, yes I'm pursuing my passion, but for free?!

In January 2009, I finally decided enough is enough, no more non-profit. I enrolled at a makeup school. I remember being happy beyond words! After my training was over, I served my coach 1 full year to learn more about the business.

2010, and harmed with #15,000, I walked into an House of Tara branch and registered as a Beauty Rep. I remember the hope I felt walking out that branch, know that I had something I could really look forward to.

I needed an office and there was no other place to begin than from my sitting room. With the permission of my husband I began to use the dinning area of our sitting room.So when everyone had gone out, the kids went to school and I was left alone, I started work. I had purchased a table and chair, thankfully I had a laptop to work with. The depression I used to feel when I was home alone with no skill was replaced with excitement as I began to carry out research on makeup trends etc.

I am a voracious reader and dreamer like Joseph, I began to research what was going on the international makeup scene.I wanted to know more beyond what was happening in Nigeria because even though my sitting room was my office, I saw my self as global business woman. My present state couldn’t limit my global imaginations. I began Taking interest in the jobs of international makeup artist.

This year the Face to Face makeup competition was announced and it was open for international entries. A first look at the requirements, I thought I wouldn’t qualify, the fear of failure griped me.But after 3 months of looking at the requirements and encouraging myself in the Lord, and I had a conviction to go for it. I ignored my fears I summed up courage and applied. I knew whether I failed or succeeded at the competition It would be a learning platform. Getting to be picked into the finals for me was a tearful moment when I received the mail

 But faith in place of fear, and courage in the face of the despair, I put in the best of what I had, everything, even what I never thought I had, I put it in, and I won!

From an insecure and  depressed housewife I have become an international celebrated makeup artist, and I'm very grateful. Now even I, can share my story with the world!

I am Love Olaleye, and you just read my story.

You out there reading this, have been telling your story,?

 

Inspiration Thursday: Empowerment Culture

“When we want to help the poor, we usually offer them charity. Most often we use charity to avoid recognizing the problem and finding the solution for it. Charity becomes a way to shrug off our responsibility. But charity is no solution to poverty. Charity only perpetuates poverty by taking the initiative away from the poor. Charity allows us to go ahead with our own lives without worrying about the lives of the poor. Charity appeases our consciences.”
― Muhammad Yunus, Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty

 These words of Muhammad Yunus got me thinking and for many reasons, setting out to create a brand that empowers people, I find myself looking to satisfy what the true meaning of Empowerment will be for our part of the world. I have since found, that simply giving money or other material supply to the poor is not empowerment.
  
I believe when we decide to help the poor, we really have to choose either of two options, empowerment or charity. The easier option is charity. But it is also the one with the direst of consequences, namely dependency.

Our commitment to the poor and less privileged should be to empower them.  We must make it our goal to create lasting solutions by providing the educational, psychological, and economic support they require to improve their own status in life.

You can empower! Start. Do something with what you have, from where you are.  Do not wait until the government create conducive state policies, it may be too long before that happens

At the same time, do not chose the easy way out. Chose to make a true difference. Chose to empower.

INSPIRATION THURSDAY: Telling Your Story

Hello Tara Rangers. It's another Inspiration Thursday!

Today, I reminisce on what have been the driving factors of House Of Tara's success story; Hardwork?  yes, Determination? Yes, Drive? Yes, Persistence? YES. However, a big part of the success is our ability to tell our story.

Starting out in 1998, I composed a story for myself, which was basically, my vision for my business and my dream for my self as an individual. I told myself my story over and over again, made myself believe it, when I set out to employ someone, I tell my story to him or her, I sold my story to every one around me, got them to believe in it and today I'm living it.

As an individual willing to succeed in life, you also will need to tell your story.

Your story is the "WHY" of your existence, your purpose. And in Business, it is the why of your organization.

As a leader, you must have for your self a compelling story, one that includes elements of your identity, vision, motivation and strategy, and has the ability to inspire others to action.

Use your head as a seat of strategy and your heart as a seat of motivation. Critically deliberate on how you wish to go about achieving your goal. Make your heart believe that it is possible to achieve your goal, tell your story to the people you want to bring along on your journey, be they employees or life partners. Create an emotional buy so that your people believe they can be a part of your journey and actually want to. 

You may have to practice your story in front of the mirror. Lift yourself above of all the circumstances holding you down. Two things happen when you do this: You activate your belief system and you engage the universe to respond and bring in contact with the people and opportunities that will bring your goals to fruition.

Till next thursday Rangers

Remember to pray and pray to remember.

Inspiration Thursday: Your Spouse, Your Number One Business

Sunday 7th of July, I was at the Awesome Treasures Foundation July Summit held at the Muson Centre here Lagos. The event was for singles, engaged and newly married couples; and was titled "Marriage: Where are the Real Men". To me the theme of the event could not be more imperative.

I'm very driven for women empowerment however the challenge in our time is that many women and men are not driven to achieve their full potentials because they are married to people who don't encourage them to, or may not even see it in them.

The summit was a call to singles to chose their spouses wisely. Here are some take home from the insight of the panelists.


1. Find A SPOUSE IN GOD:

One of the panelists had said that a woman must look to marry a God Man. This means a man who is fully aware of his roles as given him by God. A who has a good relationship with God.
This advice goes for the man too. A man must look beyond what appears to his eyes to see who a woman he hopes to have a concrete relationship with, really is.

2. Choose a Spouse who Knows Sees Your Vision And Knows Your Passion:

A spouse who is in tune with your calling will faster help you to achieve it than one who doesn't.  He/ She should be able to engage you and challenge you to be a better version yourself, and that challenge is of itself an inspiration.

3. Choose Responsibility, Virtue, Integrity and Intelligence over Looks and Wit.

In such a frivolous world as we live, we find that priorities have shifted. The focus of many young people is not on things that are truly important.
As a person hoping to achieve great things in life, you must choose a man/woman who is virtuous, intelligent and responsible.

If you are married and reading this, why not also improve in necessary areas. For example, you may decide to really try and understand your spouse's passion and see his/her vision so as to be able to help him achieve it.
Like wise, a good woman will help by creating the right home environment of peace that will help to foster prosperity.

Till next Inspiration Thursday

Remember to pray and pray to remember.

Monday Token: The 10/10/80 Rule of Financial Freedom

Today, I want to share with you something I have come to see as a ''rule of success.
I call it the 10/10/80 rule. What is this about?

It is a cure for a lean purse. People through the ages have always highlighted the need to save 10 percent of all your earnings.

I am a firm believer in tithing, and in all my years of running a business, I have always tithed. And truly, God has blessed me 10 fold.

Be sure to thank God with 10% of all your earnings monthly. And I'm not just saying this for Christians. Whoever you are, whatever you do, make it your aim to save 10% of your earnings, tithe 10%, and base your expenses on 80%.

Live by it. Don't compromise on it. Every month, do it. Give to your God and see how he blesses you.


Also save 10% of your earnings. Don't allow yourself to be tempted to spend it on frivolities. Some ladies carry more money on their heads as hair than they've been able to save their entire lives. Don't let that be the case with you.

Don't dig your grave with your own knife and fork. Save, tithe and grow.

Till next time

Remember to pray and pray to remember

100 Voices Coffee Table Book Launch

House of Tara 100 voices Coffee table book launch took place this past Tuesday, the 25th of June.

It was truly a successful event and I'll like to use this medium to thank every one that took their time out to honor our invitation.

As you know, the 100 Voices project is a project after our hearts in House of Tara for many reasons.Telling the stories of Micro entrepreneurship of young Nigerian ladies and some men who through the business model of House of Tara, have been able to improve their  lives against all odds, is important in infusing some positivity in the story of Nigerian youths.

The book is not just a compilation of the inspiring stories of our beauty reps, it is a testimony. A testimony that we hope will encourage others to join House of Tara in this journey. So, I'm glad for the level of support that we got. From Ambassadors, State commissioners, Top Entrepreneurs, Executives and celebrities; and for the commitment to help in empowering young women.

If you are out there wondering what exactly happened on Tuesday, here are some pictures to fill you in. Enjoy!

Inspiration Thursday: Failing Forward

One of the realities of life that we all have to contend with is Failure.
In my opinion though, being unsuccessful at a venture does not mean you are a failure at it.
Failure in itself is a function of one's perception. For instance, if you gained valuable experience from an encounter, business or relationship, how can you really say that you failed at it?

Here are three tips to help you cope when you feel you have failed at what you do, whatever that may be.

1. Remember the experience gained is worth the while

You can choose to sit back and beat yourself up or you can decide to be bigger and stronger and better. Don't feel too bad when something you worked on didn't turn out exactly the way you wanted.
Focus on what can be learned. Take that knowledge and do something great with it.

2. Be Tenacious

Do not let life beat you down. Keep coming back, keep on keeping on. Cultivate persistence. Remember, success happens as a reward for hard work, determination and persistence.

3. Have The Success Attitude.

A lot of failures are caused by our own fear, attitude and disposition at the beginning. Step out in faith not in fear. Faith is what connects to the higher source that can help you make your dreams come true.When you do fail at something, use the failure as a motivation to do better. The difference between a winner and a quitter is in their attitude.

Failure could really be your springboard. Choose to work your way out of the mental attitude that keeps  you from achieving greater success because you failed earlier.

Remember to pray, and pray to remember.

Women In Business: How to Grow Your Business God's Way

Women are indeed making a difference in today's world. However, the question that arises in the minds of most young women hoping to enter into business is how to build their businesses in God's way. Such that they can create a balance. This is among the questions I answered over at House On The Rock Abeokuta yesterday.

The following are snippets from the speech.

Create Value When You Are Young And Energetic

Use your youthfulness wisely. The time you are young is the time you have the most strength to pursue your dreams. 

If you do not know what to do or how you can create value, pray to God to open your eyes to opportunities around you. When he does, follow through with it.

Create A Vision For Your Value

A vision is an expression of faith. It is 'the big picture' that you create in your mind. There are two important reasons why you must have a vision: Inspiration and Prediction. A vision might be the most powerful way to keep you focused on what you want, while keeping you motivated towards achieving it. It helps you predict in that you will be able to see the future while still focusing on the present. 

Practice Your Story

Reinforce your belief in your abilities to achieve your dreams by practicing your story. 

Visualize the future, but actually see yourself in it. Practice your story in such a way that you can tell it to others and in such a way that they can buy into it.

Do Not Abort

Starting a business is like getting pregnant. There is a gestation period. The first trimester you may not see any outward signs of pregnancy, that does not mean the baby is not there or that it is not growing.  

In like manner, the fact that your business seem not to be growing does not mean it is not. Stay with your dream. Do not be quick to remove your hands from the plough because as the bible says, ''in due season, you will reap if you do not tire out''. 

Expect Challenges and Embrace Them

It is okay to encounter challenges, they are God's way of making you humble. Without challenges, you may start to think that it is all by your making that you succeed. However, when problems arise and life's challenges shake you up, then you can run back to the Lord, get down on your knees and pray. Then God can now shine through and manifest himself in your case in order that you may say: ''but if not for the Lord''.

Challenges also translate to growth processes.

Expect Competition

It is only when you are not doing anything worthwhile that you will not have competition eventually.

Create your vision. Focus on your vision that you have created. When you focus on your own vision, you are less distracted by what your competition is doing. 

Remember, your calling is different from theirs. If you are really destined to do something and you stick with doing it, you will succeed at it.

Remember to pray and pray to remember.

Inspiration Thursday: Make Your Time Count

The greatest gift you can give is your time. It is also the greatest asset you can lose.

Your time is your most valuable resource. It is the currency of your life. Your life itself is a function of time - lifetime.Think about it. The moment you stop having time in the real sense of the word, is the moment you stop living. Therefore, when you commit your time to something, be it learning, teaching or anything at all, you have inadvertently committed a piece of your life to it. The best thing to do then, is to make your time count. How?

Be In The Present State Of Mind

Let your mind focus on the now, this moment, this present moment. When you are doing something, no matter what it is, focus your mind on it, really enjoy it. When you do this, you find out many things:
1. You will have less worry
2. You will gain a deeper understanding of your circumstances and you will be better able to use your abilities and energies to improve yourself.

Do Not Procrastinate

When you have to do something, do it. Do not wait until your circumstances are perfect. Take time to prepare yourself, but be sure to start. Start your journey to being what you want to be, doing what you want to do and making your dreams come true. Remember to be your own primary motivation.


Keep Good Company


Your company are the relationships you keep and the network you make. Your network is indeed, your net worth.

The Bible says ''bad association spoils useful habits''. In the words of my darling husband Fela-Durotoye, friends can be categorized into 4 groups:
There are the Dividers, the Subtracters, the Multipliers, and the '' Add-ers''. How true this is!
It is imperative for you to choose your associations wisely. Choose to associate with people who will add to you and people who will multiply you. As for the others, you have no business being in their company.

till next week

Pray and always remember

100Voices: 100 Inspirational Stories Of Courage And Enterprise

So, this morning I woke up with an urge to ''speak'' with you all and then I thought, What about? Then, I remembered that I'm yet to bring you the scoop on 100Voices.

As it is, some of you have already heard something about the project. Yet, I feel it's important that I make it the topic of today's post.

The 100Voices project was embarked upon in order to celebrate the inspiring stories of House of Tara Beauty Reps who have had to take on monumental challenges and overcome it because they made the decision to become House of Tara beauty reps.

Several of our beauty reps sent in their stories, these stories were read and evaluated by 10 inspiring women and 100 of them were chosen. Of these 100, 25 people whose stories were found to be exceptionally inspiring were invited over for a weekend in Lagos. You can read more here

The whole idea about 100Voices however, is not only to celebrate the enterprising stories of House of Tara beauty reps, but also to encourage others out there to start something for themselves. Young ladies in our country today do not have to look to a man to give them money for their upkeep nor do they have to compromise themselves in anyway in order to have their financial needs met.

That is why House of Tara embarked on the movement to empower young people in our society. If you've made a decision to empower yourself financially, do not hesitate to. You may sign up to become a House of Tara beauty rep or not but you must decide to do something today.

She Thought It Wise Not To Be Foolish: Unilag

Hello Tara Rangers and all you beautiful people in Nigeria. What a particularly bright day it is.
These past three weeks has been very interesting. Our 100Voices project kick started with the arrival of the 25 whose stories were found to be exceptionally inspiring; many interviews, many photo shoots, many joys shared, many memories made.

Yesterday, I was in University of Lagos for a symposium organized by the Faculty Of Arts. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by not only the audience turn-out, but also the fact that most of the invited guests like myself showed up. It must have taken a lot of commitment and also perseverance on the part of the organizers to achieve this.

Don't worry I'll bring you all the update about 100Voices but first, here are excerpts from my speech and some pictures to give you an idea of what went down.

• Start small because little drops of water make a mighty ocean. grow fast, think big.
• Start early when you have the energy to expend in pursuit of your cause. 
• Start from where you are. Don't wait till your circumstances are perfect. There is no such thing    like perfect circumstances
• Practice. Practice your story in such a way that you will be able to share it with others. Practice and hone your skills.

                                         Kate Henshaw- Nuttal was there. Truly wonderful woman

                                          Full auditorium




with some of the organizers