Meet Nene Akintan

We were lucky to catch up with Nene Akintan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nene, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

I grew up in a family of givers, from my dad down to the youngest child. Generosity wasn’t just a value—it was a way of life. We had a culture of community, empathy, and a sense of responsibility for those around us. It was impossible to feel at ease knowing someone nearby was struggling.

People often ask me, “Since you grew up in Nigeria, a developing country with high poverty rates, how were you able to meet the needs of everyone?” My answer is simple: I learned from my parents that you don’t need to change the world all at once—you start by changing one life at a time. My dad and mom taught me that helping even one person makes a difference. This perspective has freed me from the overwhelming burden of thinking I need to fix everything for everyone.

For me, generosity isn’t just about money. It’s about the spirit of giving—listening to others, connecting people to opportunities, and offering help in ways that matter to them. It could be helping someone find a job, securing a tutor for their kids, providing food for Thanksgiving, offering a place to stay for someone new to Canada, or even babysitting for a client so they can spend quality time as a couple.

This generosity of spirit is a gift from God and a reflection of the example my parents set. I find joy in knowing that my husband, children, friends, or even strangers are thriving. When they’re doing well, I feel peace, even if it means sacrificing something of my own in that moment.

That said, I’ve learned the importance of balance. Practicing self-care is essential, and part of my self-care is knowing when and how my generosity should be shared. It’s about giving from a place of strength and not depletion, ensuring I can continue to serve others while staying grounded myself.

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

I wear many hats, but the one that defines me most is being a child of God. As a wife, mother, sister, and community advocate, I’ve learned to walk authentically in each role. While my work as a realtor, mentor, and advocate is important, my foundation is rooted in faith, family, and service.

Community work, in particular, brings me immense joy. I’m deeply passionate about initiatives that support minorities, women, and children—helping to create platforms that elevate them to the next level. I mentor youth and young adults, and I believe I’ve built meaningful relationships with them because I strive to be non-judgmental. As a mother, I’ve also learned to support my children on their unique paths, encouraging them rather than judging them.

In my work as a realtor, I’m equally passionate. Helping people make what is often the biggest financial decision of their lives—whether it’s buying their first home, an investment property, or a commercial building—is incredibly fulfilling. I love watching the process unfold, especially when it comes to staging homes for sale. Staging has become a newfound love of mine, and I’m so passionate about it that I offer the service for free to my clients, even though it costs thousands to rent staging props. Seeing a home transformed from start to finish is an experience I cherish.

Recently, alongside the incredible Nneka Ubosi, we formalized our real estate team: The E Team. The “E” stands for Excellence, Empowerment, and Education. When you work with the E Team, you can expect nothing less than exceptional service. You’ll be empowered to make informed decisions and educated to approach future real estate opportunities confidently—even if we’re not the ones guiding you then.

Our tagline says it all: You Are in Good Company. And truly, when you work with the E Team, you are.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Kindness has been a cornerstone of my success as both a community advocate and a real estate broker. My husband’s love of learning has deeply influenced me, and as a result, even with 20 years of experience in the real estate industry, I prioritize continuous education. Every week, I invest time in training and learning something new to stay ahead and bring value to those I serve.

Growing up, I witnessed my parents’ remarkable journey. They rose from humble beginnings to achieve great success—my father as a physician with business ventures in oil and gas, and my mother, a dedicated teacher turned government appointee, also served as the Lioness President for the West African region of the Lions Club. Their ambition to achieve greater goals, coupled with their work ethic, left a lasting impression on me. These qualities shaped my mindset and taught me the importance of striving for excellence in everything I do.

In Nigeria, we have a saying: “Naija no dey carry last,” meaning Nigerians never come in last place. It reflects our ambition, resilience, and determination to be the best wherever we go. This spirit has fueled my aspirations and helped me push boundaries in my personal and professional life.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d offer, it’s this: Identify your authentic passion and embrace your true self. When you operate from a place of authenticity, everything else—your goals, career, and contributions—flows naturally. Without authenticity, you may achieve success, but it often comes at the cost of burnout. However, when you pursue what truly aligns with your passions and unique strengths, thriving becomes effortless and fulfilling.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one book that has significantly influenced my development because so many have shaped my journey. If you’ll allow me, I’d like to mention a few:
• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
• Becoming by Michelle Obama
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• Sacred Rest by Saundra Dalton-Smith
• Where the Children Take Us by Zain E. Asher
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Conversations

And, of course, my constant source of guidance and inspiration: the Bible. Each of these books has profoundly impacted different aspects of my life.

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