We had the good fortune of connecting with Omoyeni Ipinlaiye and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Omoyeni, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I have come to realize that there are many things in life that are more valuable than work. My happiness, my peace, my mental stability, my spirituality and my family. You can say the 2 years we were on lockdown put a lot of things in perspective.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work is an extension of me and when I say me I mean my culture and my personality with a hint of my mother’s grace. She’s my inspiration even when I don’t realize she is. My biggest challenge has been not giving up on my business and remaining in a positive light. But I was able to overcome this with the help of my support system and as crazy as it sounds my mom’s little hints and my niece’s smiles. Something in their spirits just inspired me to keep going.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you can stay true to your brand but you have to put yourself out there in some areas to draw in people. What I mean is folks want to see the creator the owner, basically the face of the company. Whether it is creating reels and/or posting and being active with the public so that they get an idea of who I am personally but also what my brand represents. I don’t have to compromise the foundation but give a peak to the world of who I am.

I’ve also learned no one person can do it alone for too long.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well my favorite spot to visit is always back home in Nigeria. Naija is a country that is lively and busy. I love to visit the marketplace, the beaches and nightlife in Ajah and Victoria Island are contagious. You can never go wrong with Suya and Jollof rice, God bless the hands that created the dishes for the masses. Itinerary you toss out the window, what can get done today we enjoy and what we don’t we can complete the tomorrow.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so many people who have and continue to support me in my business and ventures. My husband he is my biggest cheerleader and my sound board to my business and future ventures. Ms. Britney Ford my little sister and photographer, she knows me so well, I just have to explain my thoughts and she finds a way to capture it. Her Instagram handle is @captured_inlove_bybrit. My cousin Titi and Yemi G (husband and wife team)who always finds ways to make my accessories look like works of art. I look for basic and simplistic photos, they find ways to make my accessories artistic and marketable. There instagram handle is @dinex_photography. My models, my brand ambassadors and friends who model for me, Abena and Yaa Dwamena (sisters)@me_nii_obaapa, @yayaa21, Tiffanie Burt @itstiffanieb and Orika Smith @itsorika (my sorority sisters), Whitney Rae @cantstopmypretty, Tanisha Frazier @plusmodelnish and Tiffany Faison Choice @faireskin. Last but not least my family, friends and my customers, without everyone my business will not be where it is today. I have a great team, community and beautiful customers.

Website: www.omoyeni.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omoyeni_accessories/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omoyeniaccessories

Other: Email address: Yeni@omoyeni.com

Image Credits
Pictures by LeeLee – https://www.instagram.com/captured_inlove_bybrit/

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