Welcome to the March 2021 Blogger Spotlight: 10 Questions with Mercy!
Our blogger of the month is Mercy Olorunfemi!
Mercy Olorunfemi is a business strategist and programme manager with a passion for youth empowerment, policy, and entrepreneurship development in Africa. She is a World Business Angels Investment Forum International Partner www.linkedin.com/posts/mercy-olorunfemi-b38459116_press-release-activity-6729705541905522688-Ap7N for Nigeria with diverse experience in the non-profit and technology sector.
Passionate about building and developing the African entrepreneurship ecosystem, Mercy led the implementation of the Hub Management Project www.linkedin.com/pulse/hub-management-101-lagos-mercy-olorunfemi in 2018/19 in Abuja, Aba, Yola, and the largest start-up ecosystem in West Africa, Lagos, resulting in the upskilling of over 60 hub owners and managers. To further strengthen the efficiency of Enterprise Support Organisations and drive sustainability, Mercy led the implementation of the Blended Learning Project www.linkedin.com/posts/mercy-olorunfemi-b38459116_internationalwomensday-iwd2021-choosetochallenge-activity-6774734365697069056-5ram – building the capacity of 20 northern hubs with partners such as Venture Capital for Africa (VC4A) and Butterfly Works using innovative techniques such as design thinking and blended learning methodology.
As a policy enthusiast, Mercy recently implemented the ‘Start-up Breakfast Series’ project, an ecosystem dialogue project designed to promote deep-rooted conversations on taxation, gender equality, funding, equity and non-equity investments in Sub-Saharan Africa in a bid to create policies to foster foreign direct investment, increase internal revenue generation and ultimately drive economic development.
Mercy currently facilitates and coaches at Founder Institute, Impact Hub’s New Economy Booster Program, and Connect Lab – an African-focused innovation Lab, supporting the growth of FinTech, EdTech, and HealthTech start-ups in Nigeria.
Location: Abuja
Q. What is one productivity app, gadget, or tool you use consistently?
Google Keep for capturing my ideas, taking notes and managing my to-do lists. I know we said one but I’ve just got to add Grammarly too – it helps with my writing.
Q. How do you practice self-care in your life?
I usually go out by myself to a place where i can enjoy nature with a bottle of sweet red wine and sit. It helps me relax and center myself.
Q. What is one pet peeve of yours?
People who do not know when to stop.
Q. What is one thing you love about yourself?
My middle name, Eniola, which means the “owner of wealth or person of wealth”. I think it is amazing.
Q. What is one thing that makes you laugh hard?
Everything about Zikoko Magazine makes me loooooooooooooooool.
Q. What is one thing about you most people don’t know?
My age.
Q. What is one cause or initiative you believe in and support?
Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Rights.
Q. What is one way you practice kindness to women in your life?
I mentor and support women-led businesses to grow and scale. I also promote their businesses on social media and recommend their services for paid opportunities.
Q. What is one personal or professional development resource (book, podcast, course, video, song) you recommend?
Women at Work by Harvard Business Review.
Q. What is one of your favorite mantras or quotes?
“Live and Let Live.”
Bonus Question:
Q. Who is one woman in your network you’d like to see featured on the blog and blogger spotlight series?
Dr Ola Brown – Founder of Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Group.
