Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tolani Eweje. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tolani, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Before I was a full time creative entrepreneur, I worked as a petroleum engineer for almost 9 years. During this time, I was usually always the only young black female in the room. It would have been easy to dwell on how others might see me, but instead, I chose to focus on my work quality and let that demonstrate my capabilities. I was committed to working hard and being an asset to any team I was on, which naturally helped me build credibility.
In dealing with the isolation that sometimes came with my role, I learned to actively engage with my colleagues. This meant initiating conversations and working to find common interests and objectives, which helped foster a sense of teamwork. By focusing on what united us rather than what set me apart, I was able to create a supportive work environment.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
For the past two years I have been working as a full time creator, partnering with over 100 brands throughout my career and building my community online. Currently, my husband and I have been pouring our energy into two exciting projects: the Creator Success Club and the Finance Hub.
The Creator Success Club is my brainchild, developed to support diverse content creators. It’s a platform designed to provide essential tools and knowledge that help creators not only build profitable businesses but sustain it through various diversification opportunities available to us. The most rewarding part of this project is seeing how it is making a positive impact in their creator journey, and the supportive network we have been able to create that so many creators lack.
Meanwhile, the Finance Hub targets a broader audience, focusing on demystifying financial concepts. It’s a place for anyone looking to boost their financial literacy, from learning investment strategies to mastering personal finance management. My husband, Ibk, is a licensed real estate broker and over the years we have been able to build a real estate portfolio of over 15 properties. Through this journey, he has gained a huge passion for finance, wealth strategies, macroeconomics etc. which is what inspired us to create this finance community. What excites us about the Finance Hub is its potential to make complex financial topics accessible and engaging, empowering our members to take charge and be more confident in pursuing generational wealth for themselves and their families.
Both of these projects are about sharing and expanding knowledge within our communities.
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?
Reflecting on my career path, the qualities that have had the most significant impact on my journey include my self-drive, creativity, and commitment to continual learning. These traits have been the cornerstone of my ability to adapt and excel across diverse professional landscapes. My self-drive motivated me to push beyond conventional boundaries and pursue goals with tenacity, while my creativity opened doors to new opportunities. Moreover, my dedication to ongoing education has been crucial in keeping me relevant and competitive in a fast-evolving world. For those embarking on their professional journeys, I strongly advise nurturing these qualities from the start. Developing a strong inner drive, fostering creative thinking, and committing to lifelong learning are not just vital for achieving success—they are essential for personal growth and adapting to change in this constantly evolving world.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
My strategy focuses on balancing a well-rounded skill set with a clear recognition of my strengths. Although I value being a ‘jack of all trades,’ I also understand the importance of leveraging my specific skills and bringing in experts for areas beyond my expertise. My interests and talents are varied—I thrive on creativity but am equally drawn to technical challenges, which is why I’ve pursued dual careers as a creator and an engineer. Personally, I find that being more well rounded and pursuing different areas of your interests is more fulfilling for me than just doing and focusing on one strength.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creatorsuccessclub.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tolaniav
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/tolaniav
