Your team should not be another reason you feel overwhelmed as a leader.

When people are unclear about what they are responsible for, what is expected of them, or what they are ultimately accountable for, even a talented team can struggle to deliver.

And when that happens, the pressure often comes back to you.

You find yourself constantly checking in, following up, correcting mistakes and stepping in to get things done. Instead of having a team that helps carry the vision forward, you become the person holding everything together.

Strong teams don’t happen by accident. They are intentionally built.

They need clarity around roles and expectations, accountability for results, processes that support good execution, and leadership that creates the conditions for people to take ownership.

This is why our Founder at ONE Foundation is hosting the Strategy & Execution Workshop—to help entrepreneurs, founders and leaders build stronger structures for themselves and their teams.

We’ll explore practical ways to create greater clarity, strengthen accountability and improve how your team works together, so that people can take ownership and contribute more effectively to the vision you’re building.

Because the goal isn’t simply to have more people working in your business or organisation.

It’s to build a team that can actually help you move it forward.

If you’re ready to reduce the pressure of carrying everything yourself and create a team that executes with greater clarity and ownership, this workshop is for you.

Early-bird pricing ends in 5 days.

Register HERE

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

Having a clear vision for your business or social impact work is important. But let's be honest: vision alone doesn't get the work done.

At some point, those ideas have to move from your head into action, and from action into results.

And that can be especially difficult when you're building alongside a 9–5, raising a family, or simply juggling responsibilities that already compete for your time and energy.

Your time is contested. Your energy is limited.

So when your business or organisation depends on you remembering every task, following up with everyone, making every decision and constantly pushing things forward, execution can quickly become exhausting.

You may have a great idea but keep postponing it. You may know what needs to be done but struggle to get your team to execute consistently.

That isn't necessarily a motivation problem. Sometimes, it's a structure problem.

You don't always need to work harder or find more hours in the day. You need better ways to prioritise, organise and execute with the time and resources you already have.

This is why our Founder at ONE Foundation is hosting the Execution and Structure Workshop —to help entrepreneurs, founders and leaders build the systems and structure they need to execute more effectively and reduce the pressure of having everything depend on them.

You'll learn how to strengthen execution, create practical systems and build structures that make it easier for you and your team to get the right things done consistently.

If you're building a business or social impact initiative while juggling other responsibilities, this workshop is designed to help you build with greater structure and execute with greater clarity.

Early-bird pricing ends in 9 days.

Register for the workshop HERE

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

After years of supporting and working with thousands of entrepreneurs and nonprofit founders, we have noticed three challenges that come up again and again:

1. Productivity

Entrepreneurship requires you to be your own source of motivation. But staying productive consistently is not just about doing more. It is also about knowing how to prioritise, create healthy work rhythms, and avoid becoming overwhelmed by the demands of building.

2. Consistent Execution

Many founders have the vision. They know what needs to happen and where they want to go. But turning that vision into clear action and executing consistently can be a challenge.

And often, the founder ends up carrying the weight of execution themselves.

3. Structure

Even with a team, everything somehow still comes back to the founder.

Not necessarily because the team is incapable, but because the systems, processes, and structures needed to distribute responsibility effectively may not yet be in place.

These three challenges are closely connected.

You cannot build sustainably when productivity is inconsistent, execution depends entirely on you, and your business or organisation lacks the structure needed to support growth.

This is why our Founder, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ajilore-Chukwuemeka, is hosting the Execution & Structure Workshop for Entrepreneurs and Nonprofit Founders.

A practical 2-day workshop designed to help you build the systems and habits that support purposeful productivity, disciplined execution, and sustainable growth.

Over the two days, you will work through real-life examples, practical tools, templates, and guided sessions that you can apply directly to your business or organisation.

11th & 12th September | 2 Days

Early Bird closes 3rd September.

Limited slots available.

If you are ready to move from simply working hard to working with greater clarity, structure, and intention, this workshop is for you.

RegisterHERE

It’s time for disciplined growth.

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

What makes someone choose your business over countless others offering something similar?

It usually isn't just the price, your logo, or even sometimes the quality of your product or service. It's your Unique Selling Proposition (USP), the clear reason customers should choose you.

A strong USP answers one important question: "Why should I buy from you?"

When you can answer that confidently, your marketing becomes clearer, your messaging becomes stronger, and the right customers begin to pay attention.

And one of the important things to pay attention to when answering your USP is not about how "premium" or 'luxury" the product or service you're offering is; it is the question of, "What problem does it solve for them?"What distinguishes you from your competitors? It could be your customer experience.

It could be your follow-up strategy after they patronize. It could be your referral bonus. And most importantly, the consistency of the quality you offer in both products and services.

This is one of the many practical lessons participants will explore at the African Fashion Fundlab, where fashion business owners will learn how to position their brands for growth in today's competitive market.

And speaking of the Fundlab, we're just one week away! 🎉

If you applied, please note that selection emails have now been sent to successful applicants. If you haven't seen yours yet, we encourage you to check your inbox, spam, and promotions folders.

We're excited to welcome our selected participants and can't wait to begin this transformative journey together.

See you at Fundlab.

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

Did you apply for the African Fashion Fundlab Fellowship?

Selection emails have now been sent to successful applicants. If you haven't seen yours yet, we encourage you to check your inbox, spam, and promotions folders and respons immediately.

We're excited to welcome our selected participants and can't wait to begin this transformative journey together.

PS: We have only sent emails to selected applicants, and in case you didn’t receive any, we will reach out in the coming days.

See you at Fundlab.

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation

.

When you hear the word branding, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

For many people, it's logos, colours, fonts, or a beautifully designed Instagram page. While those things matter, they are only a small part of the bigger picture.

A memorable brand is built on clarity, consistency, trust, and the experience people have whenever they interact with your business. It's the reason people remember you, recommend you, and choose you again.

This is one of the many practical lessons participants will explore at the African Fashion FundLab, where entrepreneurs will gain valuable insights to help them build sustainable businesses and stronger brands.

If you applied for the African Fashion FundLab, keep an eye on your inbox. Successful applicants will receive an email over the next couple of days, so be sure to check your email regularly, including your spam or promotions folder.

While you wait, here's another opportunity that could be valuable for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to grow. If it sounds like a good fit, you can learn more HERE

We would also love to stay connected beyond email. Join our WhatsApp Channel HERE to receive updates, opportunities, resources, and announcements as soon as they're available.

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

A quick but important one this time.

Applications for the African Fashion FundLab Fellowship close this Thursday, 24th of July and we don't want anyone who's been sitting on this to miss it because they thought there was still time.

If you've been building a fashion business and feel like you've hit that wall between surviving and actually scaling, this fellowship was designed with you in mind.

Access to capital, stronger business structures, investment readiness, and support building the team around you, these are exactly the gaps we're stepping in to close, alongside our partners at Obsidian Advisory.

So if that's you, or someone in your circle who's been building and is ready for the next level, now is the moment.

APPLY HERE

See you at FundLab!

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

There’s a popular piece of advice every business owner has heard at least once:

“Just show up. Post consistently. Create content.”

Sounds simple, right?

Well... not exactly.

Because showing up isn’t about doing every Instagram trend you see or copying the latest viral Reel. It’s about understanding your people. What do they care about? What problem are they trying to solve? What kind of message makes them stop scrolling and say, “This is exactly what I need.”

That’s what strategic visibility looks like.

As we prepared to publicize the African Fashion FundLab Fellowship, we didn’t just start designing flyers and writing captions. We paused and asked ourselves a few questions.

Who are we trying to reach? Which platforms do they actually pay attention to? What worked in our previous campaigns? Which call to action encouraged people to take the next step?

We thought about it in three ways: People. Platforms. Materials.

Every caption was intentional. The flyer was designed with our audience in mind. Every platform we partnered with reflected our values and reached the right community.

And honestly? It made all the difference.

In just 11 days, we’ve received an incredible number of applications. The fellowship has been shared across multiple opportunity platforms, and we’ve watched the momentum grow every single day.

We’re genuinely grateful to everyone who has shared the opportunity. Every repost, tag, WhatsApp forward, and recommendation has helped someone discover it.

But we’re not done just yet.

Applications are still open for a few more days. If you know a fashion entrepreneur who’s been waiting for an opportunity like this, send it their way. They’ll thank you later.

One quick heads-up: the response has been far beyond what we expected, which means selection will be more competitive than we initially anticipated. If you’re applying, this is your reminder to put your best foot (and best application) forward

APPLY HERE

Speaking of showing up...

As we continue growing our digital presence, we’re looking for someone who loves bringing stories to life online.

We’re hiring a Media Intern!

If you’re creative, organized, proficient in using Canva, and excited about creating and managing social media content, we’d love to hear from you. It’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful work.

Send your applications HERE. Applications close on 21 July.

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

Our President shared a short but powerful story that reminded us why we launched the African Fashion Fundlab Fellowship. She said,

Yesterday, while I was outside the house with friends, a white lady who was walking her dog abruptly stopped and took her time to tell me how gorgeous my pants were. She had that kind of dead serious look on her face that made me wonder if it was that deep😀.

One thing she said that stuck with me was something like:

“I always want something like that, but I never know where to get it”.

In that instance, I was reminded again that African fashion has such a powerful economic value that needs to be unlocked.

This is one of the reasons we are launching the fellowship: to help fashion entrepreneurs expand into untapped regions.

Over the last few years, alongside our cross-sectoral programmes like the Business Builders Fellowship, we’ve intentionally started designing programmes for specific sectors. We began with agriculture in 2025.

Now, with support from the Derby Entrepreneurship Centre at Tufts University, we’re launching the African Fashion FundLab.

Why fashion? The reasons are actually quite clear:

• African fashion is a growing industry, with an estimated market value of $4.7 billion in Nigeria alone.

• The 2025 State of Entrepreneurship Report by FATE Foundation identifies fashion as one of the most active sectors in Nigeria.

• Even our own data from the last eight years tells the same story; fashion has consistently been one of the top three industries represented by entrepreneurs in our programmes.

But here’s the catch.

Even though entrepreneurial activity in fashion is high, more than 60% of fashion businesses are under five years old, and only about 13% survive beyond ten years. In other words, the promise is there. The talent is there. The creativity is definitely there.

The gap is to help businesses leap from early-stage survival to growth-stage success because that’s where the real economic value is unlocked.

Our research points to four major barriers:

• Limited access to capital.

• Weak business structures.

• Poor governance and investment readiness.

• A critical talent gap that makes it difficult for fashion businesses to build the teams they need to scale beyond solopreneurship.

That’s exactly why we launched the African Fashion FundLab.

The fellowship is designed to tackle these four challenges head-on, and I’m especially excited that Obsidian Advisory is partnering with us. Their track record of helping fashion businesses attract the right talent and build strong teams makes them the perfect partner for this journey.

If you’re building a fashion business or you know someone who has been grinding hard and is ready for the next level, this is for them.

APPLY HERE

And yes, please share it with the fashion entrepreneurs in your circle. They just might be exactly who this fellowship was built for.

See you at FundLab!

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

I know you’re probably wondering why I’m back in your inbox… Trust me, this one’s worth opening.

If you’ve been paying attention lately, you’ve probably noticed that Nigerian fashion is having a major moment. More designers are building brands recognised beyond our borders, and what was once seen as “just tailoring” is now shaping conversations about luxury, creativity, and African excellence.

But let’s be honest, we’ve all seen the other side too. The infamous “what I ordered vs. what I got”, late deliveries, bad finishing, poor customer service, etc. It’s easy to laugh at those videos or even drag the designer, but the truth is, most fashion entrepreneurs aren’t short on talent; they’re short on the systems, structure, and support needed to build sustainable businesses. And honestly, it is not their fault; they’re only surviving (iykyk 😁). And survival doesn’t always leave room for systems, structure, or growth.

That’s where we come in.

ONE Foundation is excited to launch the African Fashion FundLab Fellowship, a fully funded, in-person fellowship in Lagos created for fashion entrepreneurs who have been operating a registered business for at least three years.

During the fellowship, participants will learn to build a stronger business model, manage their finances with confidence, become investor-ready, protect their business legally, and develop practical strategies to scale their brand through improved production, operations, and supply chain management. It’s designed to give fashion entrepreneurs the tools they need to grow from running a business to building one that lasts.

Know someone who should be in the room? Forward this email to them.

Only 15 entrepreneurs will be selected.

APPLY HERE

Applications are open. Don’t wait until the deadline.

See you at FundLab!

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

A few days ago, I watched a short video about Item7Go (a food brand in some major cities in Nigeria), and it left me thinking long after it ended.

If you're familiar with the brand, you'll know it didn't start as the household name it is today. It began in Ilorin, serving students who had one simple need: delicious food that didn't empty their wallets. Today, the brand has expanded into cities like Ibadan and Lagos, serving a much wider audience. But what fascinated me wasn't the expansion, it was why they were able to expand.

They didn't start with a product. They started with a problem.

People wanted affordable, satisfying meals, especially that famous firewood jollof, and they wanted the experience to be the same wherever they bought it. So, consistency became part of the solution, not just a business strategy. The problem shaped the product. It influenced the market, the pricing, and eventually the scale of the business. That's what happens when you understand people's needs before trying to sell them something. (If you ever find yourself near one of their outlets, I'd recommend giving it a try. Your wallet will probably thank you too.)

That story reminded me of something we see almost every day.

We're constantly told that entrepreneurship is the one of the roads to financial freedom. Start a side hustle. Build multiple streams of income. Be your own boss. Turn your passion into profit. It's advice that fills our timelines so often that it almost sounds like a checklist for success.

But somewhere between all the motivational posts and success stories, one important question quietly slips through the cracks:

What problem are you actually trying to solve?

At the just concluded Business Builders Fellowship (BBF), we've watched this question change the way entrepreneurs think.

Many of our fellows arrived with brilliant ideas. They had products they wanted to build and businesses they couldn't wait to launch. But instead of asking them to perfect a logo or create a pitch deck, we asked them to do something much less glamorous: understand the people they wanted to serve.

We encouraged them to ask questions, pay attention to frustrations, listen to complaints, and notice where existing solutions were falling short. Sometimes, the biggest breakthrough didn't come from brainstorming. It came from simply listening.

And almost every time, something interesting happened.

The product became clearer.

Not because someone had a sudden burst of creativity, but because the problem itself pointed them toward the right solution.

That's the thing about business that many people overlook.

Customers don't buy products simply because they exist. They spend money because they're trying to solve something. They want convenience. They want relief. They want better outcomes. They want to save time, reduce stress, or make life a little easier.

When you understand the problem deeply enough, building the product becomes far less of a guessing game.

So before you spend hours choosing brand colours, registering a business name, or debating whether your logo should be blue or green (trust me, we've all been there), spend even more time understanding the people you're building for.

Talk to them.

Observe them.

Listen carefully.

Because the businesses that last are rarely the ones that ask, "What can I sell?" They're the ones that ask, “What keeps people awake at night, and how can I help?’’

Every successful business story starts in the same place.

Start from the problem, not the product.

With Love,

Kehinde.

ONE Foundation.

We are live in the room for the BBF Closing Ceremony

Join us HERE

Looking forward to seeing you!

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation

The BBF Closing Ceremony begins in an hour.

We are getting ready to begin.

Join us HERE

We look forward to seeing you soon!

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation

Sx weeks of practical business learning, assignments, question and answer sessions and projects!

And today, the first cohort of the Business Builders Fellowship will be coming to an end.

Entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey have learned how to define their value propositions, create a sustainable customer-centric solutions to the problems they solve, and build stronger business foundations.

As we wrap up the fellowship, we invite you to join us for the closing ceremony as we celebrate the growth, commitment, and hardwork of our fellows while you also listen to their inspiring journey of growth in the last 6 weeks.

Join usHERE

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation.

Our 2025 Impact Report is ready 🥳🤭!

This is a report that shows what we’ve been up to over the past year: the numbers, and the real stories behind them. It’s a look at the progress we’ve made together.

Honestly, this report is as much about you as it is about us. You’re the community that shows up, follows along, and backs what we’re building. We don’t take that for granted.

If you’ve got a few minutes, you can read the full report HERE

Thanks for being part of the ONE Foundation family. Your support is what keeps us going and makes this work possible.

With love,

Kehinde Agboola

Executive Director, ONE Foundation.

Happy New Month!

We understand that a lot has happened in Nigeria over the past six months, and as business owners, these developments have affected not only our emotional well-being but also our businesses in many ways.

From the persistent security concerns across various parts of the country to the rising cost of living, many businesses are operating under increasing pressure. The price of cooking gas has risen significantly in several locations, reaching as high as ₦2,000 per kilogram in some areas, placing additional strain on food businesses and other enterprises that depend heavily on gas. Rising operating costs, fluctuating exchange rates, transportation challenges, and economic uncertainty continue to affect businesses across sectors, while investor confidence remains cautious.

These are not small issues; they demand urgent attention.

This keeps bringing us back to an important question: How can MSMEs survive in an economy marked by policy uncertainty, currency volatility, rising operating costs, and economic instability? While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, businesses that are adapting to changing market conditions are focusing on strengthening cash flow, reducing avoidable costs, diversifying revenue streams, embracing digital tools, building customer loyalty, and prioritizing local sourcing, and collaborating through strategic partnerships. The goal is not just survival but building resilience, one strategic decision at a time.

It is concerning, and honestly, dear business owner, we feel your pain. We understand how these realities may have affected your business, your plans, and even your peace of mind. Despite the challenges, we remain hopeful and committed to supporting you as you continue to navigate this season with courage and determination.

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation

Over the years, one thing has remained clear to us at ONE Foundation: young people do not have to wait until “someday” to start building meaningful ideas.

For years, we’ve worked alongside student entrepreneurs and founders across Nigeria, watching them bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world problem-solving, and passionate innovators choose courage even when resources are limited. Through our programs and community engagements, we have had the privilege of supporting entrepreneurs who are not only building businesses but also creating solutions, opportunities, and impact within their communities.

At ONE Foundation, we’ve always believed that entrepreneurship isn’t a side hustle to education; it is education. As the recent article by our founder on The Cable puts it, Nigerian universities produce skilled graduates, but there’s still a gap between academic learning and the skills needed to launch and sustain a startup.

Entrepreneurship is not a distraction from learning; in many ways, it is learning in action. When students get access to resources, mentorship, and a safe space to test ideas, they move from “classroom learners” to founders who can innovate, collaborate, and launch ventures. It’s how they build resilience, financial literacy, problem-solving, and leadership skills that serve them whether they start a company or lead inside one.

As we continue this journey of empowering entrepreneurs, we are excited to share that we have officially welcomed 100 entrepreneurs into the first cohort of the Business Builder’s Fellowship.

The Business Builder’s Fellowship was created for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to move from ideas to structure, growth, and sustainability. Over the coming weeks, these entrepreneurs will gain practical knowledge in product development, business strategy, financial management, and other key areas needed to build thriving businesses.

For us, this is more than a fellowship. It is another step toward building a stronger ecosystem where entrepreneurs are equipped, supported, and connected to opportunities that help them grow.

And honestly, we are just getting started.

Thank you for continuing this journey with us!

PS: Read the full article that inspired this note: “Student entrepreneurship is not a distraction, it is education”

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation

Did you submit an application for the Business Builder’s Fellowship?

You have an email waiting for you!

Ensure to check your email inbox, promotions or spam folder.

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation

Eight years ago, a seed was planted with a simple but powerful mission, to build businesses that grow and are sustainable.

In the early days, the growth was quiet, almost invisible. But like every oak, the focus was never on speed, it was on depth. Strong roots were taking hold, grounded in purpose, vision, and the right conditions.

Today, that seed has grown into a thriving tree, the Oak Nation Entrepreneurial Foundation, standing strong because of you.

Through seasons that could have shaken its foundation, this tree has endured. It has weathered challenges, adapted to change, and continued to rise; a testament to resilience, commitment, and shared belief.

To our board members, your wisdom, guidance, and unwavering support have strengthened our roots and shaped our direction.

To our partners, mentors, and facilitators, your time, expertise, and resources have helped us extend our reach and deepen our impact across entrepreneurs.

To our community, your trust, encouragement, and belief have allowed us to become a place of learning, growth, and support, a true shade for many building their dreams.

To every team member, past and present, your dedication, sacrifice, and passion have nurtured this vision into what it is today. Your work continues to deepen our roots and expand our branches.

As we keep growing, we are reminded that this journey is no longer just about us. It is about every entrepreneur daring to build, and every supporter who continues to believe in what is possible.

Take a moment to watch our 8-year impact journey HERE.

Here’s to deeper roots, wider reach, and even greater impact in the years ahead.

Happy 8th Anniversary to all of us at ONE Foundation.

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation

You are putting in the effort every day. You are posting, selling, talking to customers, and trying different approaches to make things work.

But deep down, there is a feeling that something is missing. There is no clear structure guiding what you are doing, and it often feels like you are figuring things out as you go.

That is where many entrepreneurs get stuck. It is not because they are not working hard enough, but because they are not building with the right foundation.

The Business Builder’s Fellowship is here to help you fix that by giving you clarity and direction. It helps you understand what you are building, why it matters, and how to grow it in a structured way.

Application ends today at 11:59 PM WAT. If you are ready to do the right work and not just more work, then hurry to submit an application now.

Apply HERE

With love,

Kehinde from ONE Foundation

Apply Here