My inspiration comes from life experiences —Francisca Ogunlade

Francisca Ogunlade, the author of the book, “Beautiful Scars”, shares with BABATUNDE ADELEKE her experience on how things have turned out six years after her car accident, how she has been able to manage the home front alongside her job and her foray into the world of entrepreneurship. Excerpts:

CAN you give us a brief background of yourself?

My name is Francisca Onyinye Ogunlade. I am the first out of six children of the late Nze Francis Nnadi and Mrs Anna Nnadi both from Enugu State. I am married to Damilola Ogunlade from Ondo State and the marriage is blessed with a daughter, Lawrencia Ogunlade.

I am a graduate of Chemistry Education from University of Ilorin, and I also have an MBA(Marketing) from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and an Associate member of The Institute of Financial Control of Nigeria.

I am a banker with over 12 years experience as well as the author of the life-changing book “Beautiful Scars”. I am also a certified event planner, convener of Beauty and Bride exhibition, the first events and wedding exhibition in southwest Nigeria outside Lagos. I created the B Events and Budget App Nigeria’s first events budget planner on Google play store. I am also the Founder of Plan B Hub online academy and a business coach. More importantly, I am a car accident survivor.

What informed your decision to become a banker?

Sincerely, banking was the only job opportunity I got after my service year.

As a chemist in the banking sector, do you miss practising chemistry?

I may not be practising chemistry right now, but I put the analytical skill I learnt from it in practice every day. The analytical skills that are deemed necessary in the lab, is not so different from what are obtainable in the corporate world. You would still need to observe your client and make necessary inferences when necessary.

When and how did you become an entrepreneur?

I had a car accident in December 2012. After months of treatment and having a baby in between (I was pregnant when I had the accident), my family and I were broke. I had to look for ways to augment my finance. During this period, I had a serious yearning in me to impact lives with my gift of survival and that changed my whole narrative.

You are also a writer, where do you get inspiration for your writing?

My inspiration comes from life experiences. My book, “Beautiful Scars”, is 100 percent of my story and lessons from my experiences. “Beautiful Scars” is a story of strength, hope, career growth and entrepreneurship.  It is a wholesome book which is borne from my experience as a car accident survivor, banker and entrepreneur. It is actually the chronicles of an “employpreneur”.

What motivated you to develop Eftinzz Events and Budget App?

My experience showed me that people had major issues with money, especially budgeting. That prompted me to develop an app which solves that problem on the go. Eftinzz is Nigeria’s first event planning and budget app. The application has a blog page, wedding budget breakdown page, and a booking page. The page that enables vendor listing is about to be launched and the reception has been awesome.

Was Eftinzz App self-built?

No, I employed a developer to get it done. I only gave the specifications as to how to get the end result.

What inspired the idea of Beauty and the Bride Exhibition?

The vision of Beauty and Bride Exhibition is to create a platform for event experts to showcase their products and services to clients and investors, to help them grow their businesses and ultimately eradicate poverty in the land. We had the first exhibition in 2017 and the second edition was held this year in August.

You are also the founder of Plan BHub Online Academy, how did the idea come?

Plan B Online Academy is an online business academy and it represents my own way of encouraging other people to become entrepreneurs too. It houses various online courses, useful e-books and other online programmes that are an extension of my business coaching class. I also take regular online classes to train start-up owners on how to scale through the most difficult period of their businesses.

What price did you pay to get to where you are today?

I had to sacrifice many nights of sleep, many parties and many social activities. I also sacrificed my money, and unfortunately, some friends too.

How have you been able to combine banking, writing and entrepreneurship with the home front?

I can’t cease to celebrate my husband, my mum and my siblings. They have been my support system. I have also mastered the act of time and resource management.

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Who is your role model?

My role model is Mrs Ibukun Awosika. She represents a figure of greatness for me. Her Achievements remind me daily that I can be that woman of greatness very soon.

What is the most defining moment of your career so far?

It was in 2010 when I was promoted from my post as an accounts and clearing officer to a management position as the head branch operations of a new branch. I have served in various leadership positions since then.

What is your philosophy?

Life is too short to live unfulfilled. Accept who you are, for your scars are beautiful.

What do you have to say to people who intend to have a stable 9-5 jobs and be entrepreneurs as well?

I wish I could tell them that it will be easy, I really wish I could tell them it won’t tell on their finances, time, relationship with friends and even their health. However, the truth is, it won’t be easy but in the end, it will be worth it. Before you start, you need to ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” Once you answer that question, you will never be discouraged.

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