Exquisite magazine got the opportunity to interview a phenomenal lady who has created a profitable niche in the business world and has also trained over 20,510 small business.
Let’s all read up on Toyin Akaninyene’s story, a digital marketer, sales coach and many more.
Tell us about Yourself
My name is Toyin Akaninyene Udoabba. I am a 40-year-old Entrepreneur with 19 years of experience in doing business.
I started my first business in 2004. Since 2004, I have been a supplier to multinationals like Chi Limited, Dangote, RB Nigeria, RB Ghana, and African Consumers amongst several others. I am also a Digital Marketer, a Sales Coach and a Sales Strategist. I am the Lead Coach of the Popular Life-Changing Sales Academy which has transformed the lives and businesses of over 20,510 business owners. I am a Wife and Mom.
What does your business do and how it started
I have several businesses, I started my first business because I needed to make extra income to support myself through school, and that same business has turned out to be my family’s business till date, I have started several other businesses after that. I started Naijasalesmaker about 5 years ago in order for me to bring my wealth of knowledge and experience in business to help grow small businesses.
I was always giving out free tips for almost one year of starting the brand without me charging a fee for my knowledge. When I started seeing the transformation people were having from my free tips, I decided to monetize the knowledge and so far I have trained over 20,510 small business owners within Africa and other parts of the world.
How do you solve your customer’s challenge?
I keep putting systems in place to reduce the number of complaints from customers to the barest minimum. So far, I can say my brands are making a lot of success doing that.
Who are your ideal customers?
My ideal customers for Naijasalesmaker are small business owners in Africa who are struggling to get paying customers online and those who intend to start a small business online.
Can you describe/outline your typical day?
A typical day in my life is me waking up to say my morning prayer with my Family, spend the very early hours after that to bond with my Daughter as she prepares for School and I start my marketing activities for Naijasalesmaker since I work from home now unlike before that I had to resume at my physical office but COVID-19 changed all of that. I also ensure I take some breaks in-between my work.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Being an entrepreneur has made my Daughter more involved in doing business from the age of 11 when while still in School. She has learnt how to make headwear, customized Crocs, coding, and playing the saxophone and she has monetized some of these skills already. I love the fact that she is learning how to make money for herself at such a tender age.
What motivates you?
When I get testimonials of business growth from small business owners that have gone through my training, I will be motivated to do more so that everyone who goes through my training gets positive results.
What is your greatest fear?
I wouldn’t want to talk about my greatest fear.
How do you define success?
Success to me is when I am able to touch as many lives as possible positively.
What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Making money without limits.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
If I was to start over again, I would start to put a structure into my brand earlier than I did.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Marketing Skills
Persuasion Skills
Communication Skills
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My first and only Boss that I learnt Advertising Support Services and Promotional Branding in Surulere, Lagos.
Also, Dan Lok used to inspire me a lot before I started Naijasalesmaker.
What advice would you give to people who want to become entrepreneurs?
Embrace marketing if you want to keep growing your business and keep yourself abreast of the updates online.
What business-related book has inspired you the most?
FU Money by Dan Lok
How to Sell to Nigerians by Akin Alabi
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
From the slums of Ketu
Please share the contact details you wish to be made public.
To join my Sales Academy, WhatsApp: 08174325595
IG:@naijasalesmaker
Youtube: Naijasalesmaker Toyin Akan
Google: Naijasalesmaker
FB: naijasalesmakerofficial
