346: From Corporate to Full-Time Entrepreneur: How Zainab Made The Leap

346: From Corporate to Full-Time Entrepreneur: How Zainab Made The Leap

Author: Clever Girl Finance October 22, 2024 Duration: 1:05:00

On this episode, Zainab Aliyu shares how she transition from corporate to full-time entrepreneur running her own luxury leather goods business.

Zainab is the CEO & Creative Director of AABOUX, a stylish luxurious leather brand founded in 2017. AABOUX creates limited edition and quality statement pieces using their signature stitch-less technique; from exquisitely and ethically sourced leathers by third-generation skilled artisans in Lagos, Nigeria. Zainab sits on three boards as a Non Executive Director.

She is also a Creative, a Finance Professional and a UK qualified Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA) with over 16 years of experience in the extractive sector (mainly in the oil and gas sector, across five continents, and recently in mining).

She qualified at Deloitte UK where she spent four years serving clients in the energy industry and in Risk and Assurance. Prior to to that, she worked at KPMG Nigeria in Business Advisory, Philipps, Kobbs & Co as an Accountant. Post Deloitte she worked at Baker Hughes UK engaging in Internal Audit, Risk and compliance projects and an Indigenous oil and gas company in Project Accounting as a Financial Controller.

She is passionate about philanthropy and is involved in several causes aimed at education, healthcare, children, women, internally displaced persons and mental health matters. Zainab enjoys travelling, art, reading, fashion, photography and current affairs.

 

WHAT ZAINAB DISCUSSED:

  1. Her journey from corporate life to full-time entrepreneurship and the pivotal moment that made her realize it was time to leave the corporate world.
  2. Some of the biggest challenges she faced in making the transition.
  3. How she prepared herself financially and mentally for this big leap. 
  4. The key skills and experiences from her corporate job that have helped her in her entrepreneurial journey.
  5. The importance of building a support network when transitioning to entrepreneurship.

AND SO MUCH MORE

 

HOW TO KEEP UP WITH ZAINAB:

 

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Money conversations often happen behind closed doors, but The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi throws those doors wide open. Here, founder Bola Sokunbi of Clever Girl Finance moves beyond theory to host frank discussions with women who are actually navigating the messy, real-world journey toward financial freedom. You’ll hear from people at every stage-from those tackling overwhelming debt to others strategically building investments and businesses. These aren’t abstract interviews; they’re personal stories about the setbacks, the windfalls, and the daily decisions that shape a financial life. This podcast digs into the emotional and practical sides of money management, all through the lens of women taking control to design a future on their own terms. It’s a space where the jargon is stripped away, replaced by relatable experiences and actionable insights. Tuning in feels like joining a trusted circle where honesty about salaries, savings, and financial fears isn’t just allowed, it’s the whole point. The Clever Girl Finance platform built its reputation on empowering women with financial education, and this audio extension delivers that same value in an intimate, conversational format. Each episode serves as both a reality check and a source of motivation, reminding listeners that building wealth is a personal journey with many paths, all worth exploring.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Clever Girls Know Podcast With Bola Sokunbi
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