The Guardian Woman Festival is gradually edging closer. On March 14, 2025, the second edition of the transformative event will hold at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotels, Victoria Island. With the theme, Women Mean Business, Omolade Oshinubi a visionary and fashion entrepreneur in this week’s column speaks on her career journey as it relates to the theme.
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Oshinubi’s Career Journey
Deeply rooted in her passion for creativity, innovation, and empowering others through sustainable fashion practices, her journey began with a Master’s degree in Fashion Design and Management from the International Fashion Academy in Paris, where she honed her skills and gained a global perspective on the fashion industry. After returning to Nigeria, she took a bold step by co-founding Lekki Garment Factory, a full-service production hub that offers seamless garment production services to designers.
In her relentless pursuit of promoting African craftsmanship and heritage, she founded the African Fashion Warehouse, a platform designed to connect African designers with global opportunities. Oshinubi is passionate about empowering African artisans, promoting sustainability, and mentoring the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including being recognised as one of Leading Lady Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring Women of 2024. She is also a member of the Global Advisory Board for Lhaude Africa and actively gives back through her nonprofit organisation, Rich People Rich Nation, focusing on education, advocacy and philanthropy. Her career is a testament to her commitment to excellence, intentionality, and creating lasting impact in the fashion industry.
What ‘Women Mean Business’ Represents
For Oshinubi, “Women Mean Business” is more than a phrase—it’s a statement that speaks the strength, resilience, and influence of women in the business world. It represents a call to action for women to take up space, boldly shine, and impact leadership and the nation. Oshinubi believes that women are natural leaders, passionate, and problem-solvers, capable of driving innovation and growth in any sector. “Women Mean Business” signifies the importance of creating opportunities for women to excel, not just as contributors but as decision-makers and change agents. This also aligns with her personal mission to empower African artisans and foster sustainable practices in fashion. By mentoring women, sharing her wins boldly, and promoting team spirit and strategic alliances. Oshinubi exemplifies how women can drive meaningful change. Her journey proves that when women are intentional about their goals and supported by strong networks, they can break barriers and achieve remarkable success.
How women can stay relevant, build a successful business
Staying relevant and building a successful business requires women to adopt strategic practices that align with their goals and evolving market trends. Oshinubi’s career offers valuable lessons on how women can achieve this: Delivering exceptional results consistently builds credibility and trust. Women should focus on refining their skills and exceeding expectations in their chosen fields. Building strong relationships with peers, mentors, and industry leaders creates opportunities for growth. Women should seek out platforms that allow them to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from others.
The business world is dynamic, and staying relevant means embracing change and being open to new ideas. Women should continuously educate themselves on industry trends and innovations. Today’s consumers value brands that are ethical and sustainable. Women can stand out by integrating socially responsible practices into their businesses. Speaking boldly about accomplishments and sharing stories of impact can inspire others and establish women as thought leaders. Oshinubi’s commitment to intentionality in her communication is a prime example of how this can be done effectively.
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