A decade ago, Lawunmi Nwaiwu would have found it hard to believe that she would become the driving force behind one of Nigeria's most popular business reality shows. At the time, she was happily working as a corporate marketing events manager for leading businesses in the UK, years after graduating from the University of London Metropolitan in International Business & Marketing - but life had different plans for her. Her journey inspires: commit wholeheartedly to your vision and make bold moves. Discover how she did it.
The Early Years: Discovering Her Rhythm
After graduating from university, Lawunmi struggled to enter the marketing field and instead landed a job as an event planner at a leisure and tourism company in Orlando, Florida. This was the start of her deep dive into the fast-paced world of corporate events, where she excelled at coordinating product launches, large scale conferences, and high-profile events.
Ascending the Corporate Ladder
Throughout the years, Lawunmi consistently organised large-scale marketing events, ranging from exclusive VIP gatherings to massive consumer exhibitions with thousands of participants where she successfully built and maintained stakeholder relationships.
In 2011, she reached a pivotal moment in her career as she progressed up the corporate hierarchy. Her extensive experience in event marketing and relationship management equipped her to take a bold step to establish and launch her own wedding planning company and events consultancy. This transition marked her shift from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur, where she continued to develop stakeholder relationships and forge connections across various industries.
Igniting the Entrepreneurial Drive
Lawunmi felt a growing yearning for something more. She wanted to leverage her expertise to empower others and leave a lasting impact beyond. In 2013, Lawunmi embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by delving into writing entrepreneurial content after extensive planning and research. It was her burning desire that sparked the idea for The Moment of Truth Nigeria – a platform to showcase aspiring entrepreneurs and provide them with the funding, resources, mentorship, and exposure to turn their business dreams into reality.
From Corporate to Reality TV
Lawunmi faced a challenging journey in producing the business show aimed at educating aspiring entrepreneurs and highlighting the innovation in the Nigerian economy. The process of bringing the show to fruition was difficult, marked by self-doubt, setbacks, and close calls. At certain points, Lawunmi questioned whether the dream was overly ambitious. Each rejection and close call only fanned the flames of her passion. But through it all, she understood that great achievements rarely come without great sacrifices, and she was willing to pay the price. She persevered with remarkable grit, resilience and renewed dedication.
The Moment of Truth Nigeria: A Game-Changer
In 2021, The Moment of Truth Nigeria was launched and broadcasted, captivating audiences with its unique combination of business mentorship, high-stakes competitions, and real-life entrepreneurial experiences. Viewers were immediately drawn to the contestants' unwavering dedication as they presented their business concepts to the show's judging panel. Equally important, the show successfully highlighted Nigeria's remarkable entrepreneurial potential.
Lawunmi's transition from managing corporate events to leading an innovative reality show is a testament to her passion, determination, and readiness to take calculated risks. She shifted from implementing others' ideas to boldly realising her own entrepreneurial visions.
Words of wisdom
When discussing the driving force behind her success, Lawunmi emphasises that by combining creativity, hard work, and a solution-oriented mindset, one can transform ambitious ideas into reality. Regardless of your current position in life, a single powerful idea can lead to self-reinvention and significant change. However, it is essential to wholeheartedly commit to turning that idea into a tangible outcome. That's what entrepreneurship is all about – going all in on your vision.
Now, in its second season, The Moment of Truth Nigeria, Lawunmi continues to leverage her entrepreneurial journey as a means to motivate others to pursue their biggest dreams, no matter how improbable they may seem.
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