Time out with Olabisi

Olabisi Olawande Owoseni is a Legal Practitioner, a Speaker and a Writer. She obtained her bachelor degree from the prestigious Ekiti State University in Nigeria, and currently practice with a reputable Law Firm in Nigeria. 

She is the Founder and Anchor of GIST WITH GOLD; a fast rising online platform where different issues of life are discussed, ranging from issues pertaining to Marriage, Relationships, Morals, to Business, Career and so on. 

She is also the Founder of a Calling Agency, an Agency that helps People give their loved Ones a surprise and special call on their special days and other days as well.

She is not married yet.

CAN WE MEET YOU?

It feels good to be interviewed by you. I am feel honored. I am Olabisi Olawande Owoseni. I am a Legal Practitioner, a Writer, Speaker and an Entrepreneur. I work and reside in Ekiti State, Ado-Ekiti to be precise.

HOW HAS THE EXPERIENCE BEEN FOR YOU AS A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR?

By God’s grace, I am the Founder of GIST WITH GOLD; a fast rising online platform where different issues of life are discussed, ranging from issues pertaining to marriage, Relationships, Morals to Businesses, Career and so on. An arm of this Organization is our Calling Agency; where we help People put a surprise and special call through to their loved Ones on their special days, such as Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries, and Retirement Celebrations and so on.

As a young Entrepreneur, the experience has been good; the feeling of getting to do something that brings profit and satisfaction to both my Clients and myself is amazing. It has its own challenges though, but, I have learnt that with patience and consistency, goals will be achieved, and  targets will be met.

WHAT IS THE IDEA BEHIND THIS BUSINESS?

I was the Alumni Liaison Secretary of the Fellowship I attended while I was in the University. I was calling over one hundred Alumni Brethren every month to check up on them on behalf of the fellowship. I did that for more than two years. This business idea stemmed from my responsibility in my Fellowship. Two years after I finished from the University, I thought of doing what I did for God then, as a worker, as a source of income or maybe I should say that God impressed it in my heart to start up a Calling Agency. I had done that for my Fellowship for more than two years, so it has become a part of me, something I do with ease and joy; calling people to celebrate and appreciate them on their special days and other days as well.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION?

The satisfaction I get from my Clients, and the excitement from the People we put a call through to.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING SITUATION AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?

I have not had any serious challenge. The only challenge my Team and I have had is with network service providers; sometimes, when the reception is bad, the people we call don’t get to enjoy the conversation with us.

IN YOUR OWN OPINION, WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON CHALLENGE THAT STARTUP ENTREPRENEURS ARE FACED WITH?

I think raising Capital to start the business. To start up a business as an Entrepreneur, it requires capital. Though there are some businesses you don’t need capital to start, like my business. I did not need capital to start my business,  my phone and few trusted people to work with me were all I needed. Secondly, when the business is not moving as expected, it could be challenging for a startup Entrepreneur, but with consistency and patience you will meet your target.

WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?

Success is relative. What success means to A may be different from what it means to B. To me, when you have a target, meeting the target means success. The satisfaction my Clients get from doing business with me also means success to me. I feel successful every time I meet my target.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR LEISURE?

I spend my leisure time with my phone or computer; I read from internet, write articles, stories (both fictional and nonfictional) during those times. Sometimes, I hang out with friends, but trust me to still write or read  even while hanging out with friends.

AS A LEADER, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST WAY TO MOTIVATE YOUR STAFF TO GET THE BEST FROM THEM?

I learnt early enough that business does not grow in a suspicious environment; I have learnt to trust my Team members. I also learnt early enough to commend before correcting them. I am not always quick to point out my team members mistakes, at first, I celebrate and commend them, then correct their mistakes.

Every leader should learn the principle of commending before correcting. It makes your workers feels comfortable around you, it also encourages them to do better. I don’t hide my target from my Team; I tell them about it, and we work together towards meeting the targets. I do not leave my Team to do all the work, most times, I do the work more than every one of them.

WHAT VALUE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU AS LEADER AND AS AN ENTREPRENEUR

That will be Integrity. Integrity is very important to me as a Leader and as an Entrepreneur, and I consciously express it, even in little things.

HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN TWO WORDS

A perfectionist and a Goal-getter.