Rebecca Ebong is a passionate advocate for personal growth and visionary founder of RE-Series, a development series targeted at helping women and youth explore their enterprise and career potential through innovative, educating programmes. She holds a degree in Marketing from the University of Nigeria, with a Global Masters from Metropolitan School of Business & Management (MSBM), United Kingdom and an MBA from the University in Nigeria. Ebong is a passionate advocate for personal growth and development. With a keen eye for innovation and a deep understanding of the importance of continuous learning, she is committed to helping women unlock their strengths and achieve their goals. In this interview she speaks on how women can become better version of themselves.

What was growing up like for you?

Growing up was a mix of simplicity and dreams that stretched far beyond my little corner of the world. The middle child of three kids, the only girl and caretaker of the home as my mum was and still is an emergency nurse, I didn’t have much, but I had vision; and that was everything. My childhood taught me resilience, and my mother taught me that kindness and hard work never go out of style. That blend has shaped how I show up in the world today. I was raised knowing the world largely doesn’t care about your back ground, just what you can deliver when the opportunity arises.

You are passionate about transformation through mindset re-engineering. How are you achieving this?

Mindset is the root. If we change how a woman thinks about herself, we change how she shows up. Through RE-Series, I use guided coaching, real-life storytelling, group sessions, and practical tools to challenge limiting beliefs. Our programmes are designed to uproot doubt and plant possibility. It’s not just inspiration; it’s activation. For example, our financial development workshops go far beyond the speeches; you must open a fixed deposit account, you must setup an investment account, you must setup a freelancing account, you must get a health and life insurance cover, and you must setup a pension account where you contribute weekly or monthly, no matter how small, but you must act. These workshops enable them go on to grow either their savings, investments or income streams thus activating the financial development in them.

Let’s talk about RE-Series. What exactly is it all about?

RE-Series is my heart project. It’s a women’s development initiative designed to guide women into becoming the best version of themselves. We focus on vision, growth, and confidence; giving women the space and tools to rediscover who they are and realign with who they’re meant to be. It’s more than the events; it’s a journey of rediscovery and reinvention. Women are born with predisposed positions to be a mother and/or homemaker. I always saw myself as more and want to give other women the opportunity to see and actualise that potential for more in their lives. The RE-Series is a cutting-edge development series meticulously crafted to foster self-improvement and elevation in skill, knowledge, and professional networking, especially for women. This empowering initiative is designed to equip individuals with the tools, expertise, and connections necessary to thrive in their personal and professional lives. Through RE-Series, I aim to build a community of like-minded individuals who are driven to succeed and make a meaningful impact in their respective fields1

The RE-Series is described as a cutting-edge development series. How does it live up to that?

Every detail of RE-Series is crafted with intention. From our yearly Vision Boarding Retreats to Financial Literacy Programmes, the Teen Moms Support Circle, and Career Counseling for rural girls; we’re strategic about impact. Its personal development meets purpose. We don’t just talk about goals; we build systems that help women reach them. We have maintained an activity-oriented approach to our events since our very first vision boarding event three years ago. We want anyone who attends to leave impacted, to have achieved something real from the experience.

How have you honed your own skills over the years?

Two words: curiosity and consistency. I never stop learning; whether it’s through formal education, mentorship, or simply paying attention to the world around me. And I stay consistent. I believe excellence is not accidental; it’s practiced. I am currently enrolled for my PHD and many more growth driven conferences and workshops, I enroll regularly for targeted skill programmes to hone my business and operational skills as much as I can to stay competitive in the modern market.

What’s your take on women in leadership?

Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about influence, and women have always had that. We lead in homes, in communities, in businesses. But I’d love to see more women leading boldly, visibly, and unapologetically in boardrooms and government. We bring perspective, compassion, and strength that can’t be substituted.

You’re passionate about raising girls and young women. How are you empowering them through your work?

Through programmes like our Rural Girls Career Series and Teen Moms Program, we mentor, educate, and create opportunities for girls and young women still in key development stages of their lives. We help them develop and market skills they already have. Martha is one of our success stories. Her braiding skills are to die for. We helped her market these skills and today she runs Martha’s Braids where she teaches young girls to braid, while still serving a pool of customers on a subscription basis. We teach young women to own their voices, understand their worth, and build something solid from where they stand. It’s not just about giving; it’s about equipping.

Are you satisfied with the number of women in political positions today?

Satisfied? No. Encouraged? Yes. We’re seeing more women step up, but there’s still a long road ahead. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about power, access, and representation. We need more women writing the rules, not just playing by them. We also need the men in these circles to give more women a chance recognising that these are the future of their daughters, wives, sister and mothers. In my state, our governor has taken intentional steps to this at the local government leadership level where a woman must be either the chairperson, deputy chairperson or secretary or all three. This shows the women at the grassroots that they can rise to more than being first-ladies.

How best can more women embrace and get involved in leadership roles while living fulfilling lives in these changing times? 

I believe leadership begins with ownership; owning your story, your voice, and your space. Women need to stop waiting for permission to lead. Beyond waiting to lead the established structures we need to build more structures that offer more value under our direct leadership. This means we need women in industry creating more impactful ventures and leading them to their potentials, our women in politics creating impactful networks to resound the voice of women on key issues in our society. The times may be changing, but the call to rise has always been there; if the men do this, so can we and might I add in some cases better. The key is to be intentional: build your competence, cultivate emotional intelligence, seek mentorship, and create balance through boundaries. Fulfillment comes when we lead in alignment with our values, not just our titles.

What should women do differently to climb to the top and remain permanently at the top? 

At the top is competition. If I have a manager who can grow my revenues by 10 times, scale my operations and grow my valuation, I don’t care what sex they are so its blind competition. Focus on depth, not just height. Build substance; skills, character, and emotional resilience. Collaborate where you need to. And when you get to the top, don’t just sit there; build a table, invite others, and mentor the next woman in line. Staying at the top isn’t about holding position; it’s about continuing to grow and lifting others as you evolve.

What advice do you have for women struggling to make a mark in a field they are passionate about? 

Start where you are; with what you have. Passion without persistence will burn out. So, keep showing up. Learn, unlearn, and relearn. Do not be afraid to ask for help; it does not mean you are weak, it shows you are ready to learn. Surround yourself with people who reflect your future, not just your past. And remember, your uniqueness is your advantage; don’t dilute it to fit into rooms you were born to redefine. Do not over criticise yourself, rather always be your number one supporter.

From your programme, what do you hope to see Nigerian women do differently? 

I hope to see Nigerian women live with clarity and courage. I want them to stop shrinking, stop apologising for being powerful, stop depending on the other sex for self-worth and potential, and start taking bold steps toward their dreams. The social adage; “what do you bring to the table” should be ringing in every woman’s mind whether they be single or married, young or old, rural or urban, and no matter their income class. Through RE-Series, I hope they embrace financial literacy, pursue leadership roles fearlessly, and commit to lifting other women as they rise. We’re shifting from survival mode to thriving mode.

What is your life mantra?

“Leave every space better than you found it.” Whether it’s a boardroom, a community, a conversation, or a soul; you must leave an imprint of light, growth, and grace.