In a world often guided by convention, there are those who rise above, leaving an indelible mark on their respective industries. Madame Clicquot, the audacious trailblazer of the Champagne world, stands as a timeless icon of female entrepreneurship.
[ad]
She fearlessly challenged the norms of he r era, spreading the joy of bubbly elixir and setting a precedent for generations to come. Her legacy is a powerful testament to tenacity and vision, one that continues to inspire fearless women reshaping the business landscape worldwide, including here in Nigeria.
In this spirit of audacity, innovation, and unwavering determination, Veuve Clicquot, the revered French Champagne house established in 1772, proudly celebrates audacious and trailblazing women through its Bold Woman Award. This year, the 2023 Bold Woman Award in Nigeria raises a toast to two remarkable Nigerian women, Ndidi Nwuneli and Tarebi Alebiosu.
Winners of the prestigious Bold Woman Award and Bold Future Award respectively, they embody the transformative power of innovation and the unwavering determination to shatter boundaries in business and beyond. Join us as we delve into their journeys, celebrating the essence of audacity, empowerment, and the enduring legacy of Madame Clicquot.
NDIDI NWUNELI – winner, 2023 Bold Woman Award
Born in 1975 to a Nigerian professor of Pharmacology and an American professor of History, Ndidi Nwuneli is an entrepreneur, an expert on African agriculture and nutrition, philanthropy, and social innovation. As a Bold Woman Award winner, she joins the ranks of an illustrious list of 410 winners in 27 countries worldwide.
The Roots of Revolution
Nwuneli discovered her passion for agriculture early on as a child growing up in Enugu in South East Nigeria. She grew vegetables in her home garden and her favourite subject at the Federal Governement College, Enugu was agriculture.
But her resolve to transform the African food ecosystem did not happen until she moved to the United States when she was 16. As a student in the U.S., Nwuneli was shocked to discover that the face of Africa in North America was a hungry child. “This identity followed me around campus – when my classmates would joke that their parents used to tell them to finish their dinner because there were hungry children in Africa,” she told Guardian Life.
“This image made me very sad, because it represented a single story of Africa – and single stories are dangerous because they limit our vision and potential.”
That experience made her resolve to devote her life to changing that image of Africa by ensuring she worked with others to transform the food ecosystem and to drive and scale innovation.
Nwuneli started her career as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company, working in their Chicago, New York and Johannesburg Offices. She has over 25 years of international development experience and is the founder of LEAP Africa and African Food Changemakers.
She is also the co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd., which works across West Africa shaping agricultural policy, creating catalytic ventures, and implementing ecosystem solutions. In 2009, she co-founded AACE Foods, which sources from over 10,000 farmers and produces a range of packaged spices, seasonings, and cereals for local and international markets.
Sowing Seeds of Change
“I strongly believe that Africans must shape the future of our countries and continent, through creating wealth, jobs, fostering equity and inclusion and leaving no one behind.”
Nwuneli posits that a new wave of entrepreneurs, armed with a combination of data, innovation, and technology, holds the potential to revolutionize the business landscape “and ensure that Africa nourishes itself and the world.”
“Through my work with AACE Foods, Sahel Consulting and African Food Changemakers, I have supported the emergence of catalytic businesses in the landscape. My vision is that through our work, one million strong African companies will not only scale and trade with each other, but also have a global presence on shelves across the world, changing narratives about Africa – from a hungry child to a successful female entrepreneur.”
Earlier this year, Nwuneli established Leading Women in Food Fellowship (LAWFF) to support emerging female leaders across Africa to amplify their voices and expand their influence. This program provides training, mentorship, visibility and access to financing and markets to women.
Nwuneli encourages future Bold Woman Award candidates and aspiring young entrepreneurs to chart their own course in order to leave a meaningful imprint in their respective industries.
“From a young age, I have inspired by the African proverb which states – ‘Do not follow the path, go where there is no path and leave a trail.’ Never let anyone define your future path by your gender, or background. Be inspired by your faith, passion and vision to innovate and develop solutions to the difficult challenges in our society. In addition, strive to pull other women along with you as serve as a change agent in society and blossom into a leader in your sector!”
Nwuneli explained that a “Bold Woman” is someone who embodies fearlessness, focus, and the freedom to fulfill her divine calling. A Bold woman “faces the world with confidence, integrity and excellence and surrounds herself with other bold men and women – who together – with shared visions and values can change their world!”
Tarebi Alebiosu – Winner, 2023 Bold Future Award
Tarebi Alebiosu, the visionary behind QShop, an innovative e-commerce platform, has earned recognition for her pivotal role in digitizing and catalyzing the expansion of numerous businesses. Her groundbreaking efforts have not only transformed the entrepreneurial landscape but have also garnered her the distinction of being the inaugural recipient of the Bold Future Award in Nigeria.
From Vision to Reality
In the year 2020, the world faced a watershed moment, grappling with the unprecedented challenges posed by a global pandemic. This seismic event catalyzed a profound shift in the landscape of businesses and the daily lives of individuals worldwide.
For Tarebi Alebiosu, it was a turning point. As the pandemic disrupted the traditional business landscape, countless small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were faced with the daunting task of digitizing their operations to survive. It was during these uncertain times that Alebiosu embarked on a transformative journey, drawing from her expertise at the intersection of technology and small businesses.
Alebiosu recounted, “I initially attempted to assist many in transitioning to online platforms like Shopify. However, it quickly became apparent that, while Shopify is excellent, it’s not suitable for everyone – it’s costly and can be intricate for those just starting out. Recognizing this gap and understanding the urgent need for a simpler, more affordable solution, I resolved to take matters into my own hands.”
The solution? QShop, an e-commerce platform tailored to empower and uplift SMEs in the digital realm. “Our goal was simple: create an intuitive platform that meets the needs of local businesses without breaking the bank,” Alebiosu said.
Within a matter of months, more than 2,000 businesses had registered with QShop, a rapid uptake that unequivocally indicated the platform’s vital role in addressing a significant market void. As we fast-forward to the present day, QShop stands as the driving force behind the e-commerce endeavors of over 22,000 entrepreneurs spanning the landscapes of Nigeria and Ghana.
“Each one of these numbers represents a dream, a family-supported, a community uplifted. It’s a testament to what’s possible when we center solutions around real, human needs.”
For Alebiosu, QShop’s vision extends beyond e-commerce; the aim is to transform Africa’s business landscape, empowering entrepreneurs and driving economic growth. QShop sees itself as a bridge connecting businesses and consumers across African borders, prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and ethical practices. Ultimately, QShop aims to build a thriving community of entrepreneurs and experts, becoming a symbol of African innovation and entrepreneurship on the global stage.
“QShop’s long-term vision revolves around empowerment, innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, community building, and global recognition, with the ultimate aim of transforming the e-commerce landscape in Africa,” Alebiosu said.
Need for Inclusion
Alebiosu’s journey with QShop serves as a vivid testament that with grit, determination, and a clear vision, women can make their mark even in traditionally male-dominated industries like tech and e-commerce. QShop’s story is not just about building a platform that empowers SMEs, but also about sculpting a work environment steeped in equality.
“We take pride in the fact that 40% of our workforce is female, and what’s even more empowering is that 60% of our leadership roles are held by women.”
In spite of the exponential growth of the global tech industry, women’s involvement is still minimal. In Nigeria, for instance, ThisDay reported that women represent a mere 22 percent of the workforce in Nigeria’s tech industry. This imbalance can be attributed to various factors such as limited access to opportunities, entrenched cultural stereotypes, and societal perceptions favoring men in technical roles, among others.
Alebiosu shared strategies which she believe can help foster greater diversity and inclusion in the industry:
1. Early Exposure to STEM: Introduce girls to STEM subjects through coding clubs and science activities to spark interest in tech careers.
2. Mentorship and Networking: Establish support networks and mentorship programs connecting aspiring female tech professionals with experienced women in the field.
3. Inclusive Workplaces: Encourage tech companies to adopt policies promoting equal opportunities, work-life balance, and career growth for women.
4. Break Down Cultural Barriers: Challenge stereotypes and biases starting from home and community, empowering girls to pursue tech interests confidently.
For young entrepreneurs who aspire to make a significant mark in their respective industries, Alebiosu advices:
“Embrace your uniqueness as an entrepreneur; it’s your greatest asset. Don’t try to fit into molds but pave your path with authenticity. Remember, failure is a stepping stone to success; learn and adapt from it. Build a strong support network and reciprocate that support, for the journey is often challenging, but together, we can achieve more.”
Alebiosu stated that being a Bold Woman meant embracing audacity in pursuing her dreams, taking calculated risks, and pushing boundaries. She emphasized that it was about fearlessly stepping into uncharted territories, challenging the status quo, and advocating for positive change.
“A ‘Bold Woman’ is not deterred by obstacles but sees them as opportunities to grow and learn. It’s about inspiring others with my actions, especially young women, and showing them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. To be a “Bold Woman” is to be unapologetically authentic, compassionate, and determined in making a lasting impact on the world.”
As we raise our glasses to Madame Clicquot’s enduring legacy, we are reminded that audacity, innovation, and a tenacious spirit know no bounds. In celebrating Tarebi Alebiosu and Ndidi Nwuneli, the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award not only honor their individual achievements but also pay tribute to a legacy that transcends generations.
[ad unit=2]
