Spotlight: Jennifer Okolo
June’s creative in the spotlight is none other than Jennifer Okolo, the founder of She Aspires.
She Aspires was born out of frustration from seeing young talented women overshadowed by society and overruled by those who could not see the talent that stood before them.
What inspired you to start She Aspires?
I was inspired to start She Aspires this as I wanted to create a space where I could engage with like-minded people whilst exchanging knowledge and sharing uplifting experiences. Being a young female is different nowadays, there is a different set of pressures and expectations. SA is a sanctuary where women can be real and have a positive impact on the world. I am very passionate about turning my ideas into a reality and that only worked once I identified what my purpose was.
What’s been the best part of the journey so far?
Watching the SA community grow has been incredible, we have writers from different parts of the country and abroad and that is something I never imagined would happen. For me personally though meeting the readers is phenomenal, I started this hub because it was needed, I wanted to promote healthy media and create empowering content. When readers message me directly telling me how SA has changed their life, that is everything!
What challenges have arisen that you didn’t previously expect?
SA started off as a project and as I was just starting out I didn’t have a business head or any writers. All of which meant I had to push myself to learn, read and study my craft. It was a lot of information all at once to take in and I wasn’t expecting there to be so many different elements to a website. That’s a piece of solid advice though, if you don’t know how to do something, you can always find ways to learn!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I suspect we will be bigger than ever before. The goal is to have a huge impact globally and I’d love to collaborate with more brands and become well established in the field of media.
What advice would you give to others that want to start their own business?
Step out of your comfort zone! I used to always play it safe and only take part in things that were familiar to me. But as you progress in life that can actually start to become a barrier to opportunities that otherwise would be accessible to you. Also don’t compare yourself (easier said than done, I know!). As a result of social media, it is easy to base your triumphs or victories on other people’s success- you can’t compare your chapter two to someone’s chapter 20.
How do you balance your studies with running your own business?
Prioritise! My studies always came first but during my spare time, I would always try to make sure to focus on SA.
You also put on your first event ‘pretty picnic’ tell me more about that?
It was heartwarming to see our supporters in person and create an atmosphere where people are inspired and leave with an invaluable experience.
Do you have any events planned for the future?
Our readers and supporters are itching for a She Aspires event and that is something were are currently working on. But be on the lookout for more updates on our socials!
Any final shoutouts or plugs?
There are so many fantastic initiatives out there but here are a few!
-#ThatWoman, an online platform geared towards inspiring women (founded by Kay Riley).
-BEBB Online, a brand that teaches to inform, encourage and educate (created by Nissy Tee).
-Black Femme Film, a new events company for black and mixed women/femmes to enjoy great cinema experiences.
-The Fashion Law Chronicles, an online platform dedicated to exploring the legal and business side of fashion. (created by Bunmi Jenfa)
You can visit the She Aspires website or connect with us via our socials.
We’d love to hear from new followers and readers, so please do get in touch!