By Olumide Labulo
When you hear that phrase "Ise Oluwa ko se ni to ye", you just wouldn't understand the weightiness if you aren't a critical mind or pause for a moment to reflect. As mere mortals that we are, we all need a bit of luck: you know, that God factor, that unseen hand that helps us achieve great things with every effort we make. Ironically, there are people in the "hardwork-hardknock" school of thought who think every progress they make in life, business, etc. is by their making. Funny!
A while back, Mosunmola Abudu popularly called Mo'Abudu decided to share how her life started unfolding when she became 40 years old, an inspiring story of not just wits or vivacity but the daringness to dream big while one grows older. And then I thought, "Who was she before 40?" According to sources, Mo'Abudu started her professional career as a recruitment consultant in 1987 in the UK before joining Exxonmobil, an oil giant, when she relocated to Nigeria at age 30 with her husband whom she has since divorced. Now I'm thinking that's where she made her millions for multiple investments. That's always one big factor to start strong as an entrepreneur.
At the time she yearned for an abrupt career change, her hands were already making things happen in the hospitality industry with the establishment of Protea Hotel and Oakwood Park. And she was already 40 with no TV experience. Undeterred, she leaped to create her first trial episode of "Moments with Mo". Although she got no response or mentorship from her idol, Oprah Winfrey, except a collection of her tapes she had bought. After her fourth trial episode, she pitched her idea to TV bosses at DSTV satellite company. They commissioned a series and it became syndicated across the continent. A daring move and opportunity that accorded it more viewership, larger audiences and the coveted appellation of Africa's first pan-African talk show. Surprisingly, it still is the only one today.
At 49, she started a full-blown global channel EbonyLife TV, airing high-end originally curated African contents like "The Spot", "EL Now", "Castle and Castle", "The Governor" and lots more across Africa, the UK and the Caribbean. At 50, she launched Ebonylife Films, a movie production company that produces high-budget films that have become blockbusters at the cinemas e.g "Wedding Party", "Chief Daddy", "Oloture", etc. and even Netflix like "Blood Sisters". At 53, she launched EbonyLife Place---a luxurious entertainment resort that also houses an hotel, EbonyLife Cinema and other attendant businesses. At 56, she started a film school, EbonyLife Creative Academy, to empower new storytellers through world-class film and acting courses. At 58, it was Mo Abudu Films and then EbonyLife Place London at 60 which serves as UK's first African cinema and a creative hub for African film, fashion, food and culture.
The gist of this is that success is not final neither is failure fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts (Forbes). Success is a gift, it's so miles away from hardwork. While you acknowledge the ONE (God) who makes it happen as your X factor like she does, don't ever downplay your ability to dream big after multiple failures, career woes, marital woes or any type at all, at any age whatsoever. Become obsessed with them and put in the work to see their fruition.
Post a Comment