Meet Iyanu Adegbite

We were lucky to catch up with Iyanu Adegbite recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Iyanu, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

First and foremost, I remind myself of exactly who I am—a child of the Living God, created to dominate wherever I find myself. I walk into every space with the confidence that I belong, not because of external validation, but because God has placed me there for a purpose.

I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness rather than seeing it as a limitation. Being the only one in the room who looks like me means I bring a fresh perspective, a different voice, and a unique set of experiences that add value to the space. Instead of shrinking back, I lean into the opportunity to show up fully as myself.

Preparation and excellence have also been key. I make sure I am knowledgeable, skilled, and ready to contribute meaningfully. When you show up prepared, you command respect, and your presence speaks for itself.

Lastly, I surround myself with a strong support system—mentors, friends, and a faith community that continually pour into me, reminding me that I am never truly alone. Even when I may feel isolated in a room, I carry the presence of God with me, and that is more than enough.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am an obstetrics nurse and nurse educator with a passion for maternal health and empowering women through every stage of childbirth. With several years of experience as a labor and delivery nurse, I’ve supported countless mothers through one of the most transformative moments of their lives. My journey into obstetrics nursing was fueled by a desire to provide even more holistic and personalized care, ensuring that women feel seen, heard, and supported during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Beyond my work in healthcare, I am also the founder of ToTsFrishion™️, a brand that was born out of a deeply personal experience that shaped my purpose and calling. After losing my mother to leukemia on November 26, 2008, at age 12, I struggled with grief for many years. It wasn’t until I allowed God to turn my pain into purpose that I found the courage to create a platform dedicated to sharing stories of resilience, hope, and healing.

ToTsFrishion™️ officially launched in 2020 with a mission to merge luxury with impact—creating premium products while also empowering individuals through storytelling. Our brand provides a safe space where personal stories of overcoming challenges, especially those related to cancer, can be shared and celebrated.

In January 2023, we expanded this mission with the launch of our podcast, “You Have a Story with ToTsFrishion”—a platform where cancer stories meet inspiration and hope. Through this podcast, individuals share their personal journeys, offering a powerful blend of raw emotion, resilience, and empowerment. Each episode highlights both the struggles and triumphs, reminding listeners that their stories matter and can make a difference in the lives of others.

Since launching the podcast, we’ve featured numerous inspiring voices and even hosted our first virtual conference, “The Gathering of the Storytellers”, a one-day event bringing together individuals who have experienced cancer—directly or indirectly—to worship, encourage one another, and build their faith.

Beyond storytelling, our products are designed to inspire and encourage people to embrace their journey. One of our most special items is the “You Have a Story” Blanket—a meaningful way to wrap yourself in warmth and purpose. For every blanket purchased, we donate one to a cancer patient, offering comfort and a reminder that they are not alone.

I invite you to check out our products and see how they encourage storytelling and connection. Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our reach, share even more impactful stories, and continue creating spaces for healing, faith, and empowerment. If you’d like to be part of this journey—whether by sharing your story, supporting the mission, or simply tuning in—I’d love to connect with you!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: faith, resilience, and intentional growth.

Faith – My journey has been deeply rooted in faith, especially as I navigated personal loss, career transitions, and building ToTsFrishion™️. Faith has given me the courage to step into the unknown, trust God’s timing, and keep going even when clarity wasn’t immediate. For those early in their journey, I encourage you to cultivate a strong spiritual foundation—lean into prayer, seek God’s direction, and trust that every step you take is leading you toward your purpose.

Resilience – Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but resilience is what determines how you rise from them. From grieving my mother’s passing to stepping into entrepreneurship and my professional career, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding difficulties—it’s about pushing through them. To build resilience, embrace failures as learning experiences, surround yourself with a strong support system, and remind yourself why you started in the first place. You Have to know your “why.” This is what keeps you going when you get discouraged in your journey.

Intentional Growth – Whether in my nursing career, business, or storytelling platform, I’ve prioritized continuous learning and self-improvement. Staying open to new knowledge, seeking mentorship, and refining my skills have all played a crucial role in my journey. My advice? Be intentional about personal and professional growth. Read books, take courses, network with like-minded individuals, and never stop learning. Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it’s a choice you make every day.

For those just starting, remember that success isn’t about having it all figured out from day one. Clarity will come as you go, not when you wait. It’s about trusting the process, staying committed, and being open to evolving along the way. Keep the faith, build resilience, and invest in your growth—you’ll be amazed at how far you can go!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Are we looking for collaborators? Absolutely!

We are actively seeking individuals who want to share their faith-filled cancer stories to inspire hope and encouragement. Whether you’re a survivor, thriver, patient, or caregiver who has lost a loved one, your story matters, and we would love to provide a platform for you to share it.

Additionally, we are looking to partner with cancer organizations to help fulfill a key part of our mission. Through the sale of our “You Have a Story” blankets, we donate one to a cancer patient for every blanket purchased. To keep this promise, we need organizations to help us distribute these blankets to those who need them most.

If you’re interested in collaborating, you can reach us at contact@totsfrishion.com.

For those who want to share their cancer story on our podcast, you can schedule a date and time using this link:
📅 Schedule Here (https://calendly.com/contact-totsfrishion/youhaveastorywithtotsfrishion)

If no dates or times are available, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email—we’d love to accommodate you!

We also recognize that cancer stories extend beyond survivors and patients. Caregivers who have lost a loved one are welcome to share their grief journey and honor their loved one’s memory.

For those who prefer not to do a recorded podcast but still want to share their story or honor a loved one’s memory, we have another opportunity:
📸 Submit Your Picture & Story as a Survivor – Submit Here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NXBvi16SJaESOsZsqNHV3D_l3hMlTHg7tHR_-lFo_d4/edit)

🕊️ Honor the Memory of a Loved One – Submit a Memorial Here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oQALtWiEcmzQw3dZ1xgQluWFt3hDpHdAQs4wgNxWm1Y/edit)

We believe that every cancer journey deserves to be heard, and we would love to collaborate with those who share our heart for hope, healing, and storytelling.

Looking forward to connecting with you! 🧡

Contact Info:

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