The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi

346: From Corporate to Full-Time Entrepreneur: How Zainab Made The Leap

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Oct 22, 2024

Zainab Aliyu, CEO & Creative Director of AABOUX, shares her inspiring transition from a corporate finance career to launching a luxury leather goods brand. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of financial planning and self-care. Zainab highlights the value of supportive networks and mentorship, while also providing practical tips for navigating the fashion industry. Her journey serves as a powerful motivator for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to follow their passions.

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Intro

00:00 • 4min

From Corporate to Creative: A Journey into Fashion Entrepreneurship

04:01 • 30min

Navigating Business Challenges: The Importance of Self-Care and Resilience

33:52 • 2min

Embracing Change and the Power of Support Networks

35:52 • 3min

Building a Supportive Business Network

38:30 • 9min

Navigating Trade Shows and Entrepreneurship

47:04 • 9min

Balancing Act: Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

55:54 • 9min

On this episode, Zainab Aliyu shares how she transition from corporate to full-time entrepreneur running her own luxury leather goods business.

Zainab is the CEO & Creative Director of AABOUX, a stylish luxurious leather brand founded in 2017. AABOUX creates limited edition and quality statement pieces using their signature stitch-less technique; from exquisitely and ethically sourced leathers by third-generation skilled artisans in Lagos, Nigeria. Zainab sits on three boards as a Non Executive Director.

She is also a Creative, a Finance Professional and a UK qualified Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA) with over 16 years of experience in the extractive sector (mainly in the oil and gas sector, across five continents, and recently in mining).

She qualified at Deloitte UK where she spent four years serving clients in the energy industry and in Risk and Assurance. Prior to to that, she worked at KPMG Nigeria in Business Advisory, Philipps, Kobbs & Co as an Accountant. Post Deloitte she worked at Baker Hughes UK engaging in Internal Audit, Risk and compliance projects and an Indigenous oil and gas company in Project Accounting as a Financial Controller.

She is passionate about philanthropy and is involved in several causes aimed at education, healthcare, children, women, internally displaced persons and mental health matters. Zainab enjoys travelling, art, reading, fashion, photography and current affairs.

WHAT ZAINAB DISCUSSED:

Her journey from corporate life to full-time entrepreneurship and the pivotal moment that made her realize it was time to leave the corporate world.
Some of the biggest challenges she faced in making the transition.
How she prepared herself financially and mentally for this big leap.
The key skills and experiences from her corporate job that have helped her in her entrepreneurial journey.
The importance of building a support network when transitioning to entrepreneurship.

AND SO MUCH MORE

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ZAINAB:

Via her website: https://aaboux.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/aaboux

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