Anita Okoye is a social activist, serial entrepreneur, author and mother of three, who is extremely well versed in what is required to oversee the building of a successful startup and its mission. In April 2016, she publicly quit her job as a Strategic Business Developer for an Oil &Gas company in Nigeria to become a full time entrepreneur and Mom. She has testified to never regretting her decision!
During the time out of work she has lent her name and time to worthy causes like the Cashew Apple Project (CAP), which is focused on contributing to the change of the world’s perception of Africa. The cause’s mission is to re-write the age old view that, Africa has found itself on the wrong side of “perception control”, and has been viewed by the world as far less than it actually is, both literally and figuratively.
She has used this podium to contribute possibility to the African narrative. She gave a passionate and moving talk during the African Trade and Investment Global Summit 2018 where she gave a presentation -The Cashew Apple Project ”Uncovering Africa’s Hidden Jewels”.
ABC of Africa is also one of her contribution on the Cashew Apple Project- this children book highlights some of the hidden jewels within Africa’s agriculture as it list 26 foods that grow abundantly on the continent.
Anita Okoye’s, ever evolving story, has just added a new page with her bold move into the fashion industry. TannkCo For Kids is her latest entrepreneurial venture. TannkCo For Kids is an affordable luxury children’s apparel company which is set to launch this year with quality and comfortably priced clothing wear for boys and girls in the 0-10 age bracket. These will include casual and formal attires for children, as well as baby layettes and underwear.
Anita Okoye takes our Lady Boss Questionnaire.
What does Entrepreneurship mean to you?
Entrepreneurship is the art/process of creating a business or businesses while building and scaling it to generate a profit. It is identifying a gap or problem and providing a solution to it. Entrepreneurship is about identifying a gap in the business that may stem from a social issue and transforming the world by solving (big) problems.
It is from identifying a gap in children’s apparel industry here in Nigeria that spurn the birth of Tannkco. Just like my Cashew Apple Project, stemmed from the negative press that Nigeria and Africa as a whole have on social media and even traditional media.
As an Entrepreneur, I am initiating social change, creating an innovative product and I hope to present a new life-changing solution as I continue to grow in my career as a Mompreneur.
If you weren’t an entrepreneur, you would be…?
My dream has always been to work in the United Nations. I’d be a UN Ambassador championing causes for the African Child and positivity for the continent.
If you could have a lunch date with one Lady Boss you admire – who would that be and what would you ask her?
That would be Jessica Alba. I admire her tenacity and humility. I would ask her how she balances it all, her keys to success in owning a huge business and how she manages to stay grounded.
3 book recommendations for entrepreneurs?
Year of Yes – Shonda Rhimes
Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins
Girl Boss – Sophia Amoruso
The social media platform that has helped your business the most is?
Instagram for sure. I can communicate and engage directly with my customers and potential clients
