Oluwatosin Olaseinde is a professional accountant with over 10 years of experience spanning across accounting, audit, financial management and taxation.
She is the Founder/CEO of Money Africa, an edtech platform that enhances financial literacy and investments leveraging on technology with a community of over 200,000 people.
She is recognised as one of the Top 50 African Business Heroes. She is championing the financial literacy movement in Africa.
Exquisite Magazine got the opportunity to have an interview with this phenomenal woman, we asked our questions and here are her answers.
EM- PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF
My name is Oluwatosin Olaseinde. I am a finance professional with over 10 year of experience across Corporate finance, accounting and finance.
I founded MoneyAfrica and Ladda, an Edtech and fintech start up. I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. I studied and worked in Johannesburg, South Africa and I’m now building a tech companies for Africans.
EM- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS FIELD?
I have about 15 years of experience in finance. MoneyAfrica has been around for 4 years while Ladda is less than 2 years old.
EM- WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO INTO THIS FIELD?
I struggled with my money after I got my first job. I was living from hand to mouth and I had nothing to show for it. Although I have 2 degrees in accounting and finance, I had to teach myself about money. Personal finance is 80% habits and mindset and 20% knowledge. This was a wake up call for me and I wanted to share the financial gospel with everyone
EM- TIPS ON HOW YOU STARTED?
I started on Facebook and an Instagram page. We create 1 min videos and text that speaks to people and we hit it from there. We grew from there to where we are now.
EM- YOU ARE A FORCE TO RECKON WITHIN THE SOCIETY, HOW DID YOU GROW TO THIS LEVEL?
It was 100% focus. I shut out the noise from others and within. I woke up everyday asking myself, what would our readers want to hear?
How can we build their knowledge and financial literacy skills. I did it like I had no back up plan.
It was my plan A, B and C. Also consistency played an important role. Also you’re your biggest asset. I had to be intentional about investing in myself and improving as we grew.
EM: HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Success is very subjective. For me, success is living an impactful life. Looking myself in the mirror and liking that person. Success is meeting my immediate needs without having to worry. Success is living a life of impact. A life that has played a role in the destiny of others.
EM: IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO START YOUR CAREER OVER AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
Hmmmm I would have started earlier, But as they say, no knowledge is lost. Every experience we have gained is to steer us in the direction of knowledge.
EM- EVERY BUSINESS MINDED SUCCESSFUL PERSON HAS A STORY, WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE?
When we began to build our fintech, we had one challenges with hiring. We struggled in the early stages with getting it right. But here we are now. In terms of personal challenges, I’m not ready to share yet.
EM- WHAT SETS YOU APART?
It’s the passion and the simplicity. People can smell it from miles away. They know you will give it everything as you’re here to stay.
EM- YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY, WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I love my family. I love the genuine love. It inspires. My father also inspires me. In his mid 60s, he went back to school to get his 1st degree. Also while we grew up, he took a lot of risks that we watched pay off. So it’s always interesting to learn from him
EM- WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
You know that saying of “nothing is too good for you.” It motivates me especially for young women. I want to show them everything that is possible. I want them to see it all because truly it is possible.
EM- IF YOU WERE TO WRITE A BOOK WHAT WOULD YOU NAME IT?
The Unstoppable
EM- PLEASE KINDLY SHARE SOME OF YOUR SECRETS TO BECOMING SUCCESSFUL WITH EM?
Absolute and ruthless believe in yourself. You’re the engine, from inside you all the ideas are birthed.
EM- WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE TO YOUTHS WITH THE ZEAL TO GROW?
Nothing is out of reach, don’t be afraid to try. Give it a shot. Apply for things. Fight for your dreams. Give yourself a chance to watch the dreams come into fruition. And don’t forget to do it with joy.
