Adefunke Adefule did not build one of Nigeria’s most recognised hair brands through talent alone. Before she left telecommunications, she invested in private training with leading professionals, tested hairstyling as a side business and made the equivalent of her monthly salary in one week.

In this conversation, Adefunke breaks down how she moved from a one-woman service business to a brand with a team, structure and loyal clients. She explains why founders must hire around their weaknesses, how to handle difficult customer situations without making them personal, and what a viral TikTok complaint taught her about protecting a business that had grown beyond her.

She also speaks honestly about the personal cost of ambition, the friendships she could not maintain, her relationship with faith, her plans to relocate, and why continuous education remains her competitive advantage.

If you are building a service business, growing a team, or trying to decide whether your skill can become something bigger, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to build a name people trust.

He co-founded PiggyVest, one of Nigeria's largest savings and investment platforms, after failing at over 10 businesses. Years earlier, he had been suspended and expelled from Covenant University.In this episode of Living Boldly, I sit down with Ayo Akinola, co-founder of PiggyVest and author of Credit Alert, to unpack why some businesses never grow, why customers don't always buy what they need, and the questions every entrepreneur should ask before investing more time and money into a business. We also discuss why Nigerians buy what they buy, the biggest money mistakes founders make, and why building a business requires more than just a good idea.Tired of hearing "I'll get back to you" from customers when what you really want is "Please send account number"? This conversation is for you.Chapters0:00 — Introduction0:22 — Ayo's Early Life & Family Background2:08 — Ayo's Entrepreneurial Journey at Covenant University4:39 — Getting Suspended & Expelled7:32 — Why Over 10 Businesses Failed Before PiggyVest13:00 — Is Your Business Actually a Business? (The 3-Question Test)17:30 — The Money Mistake Killing Small Businesses19:01 — Why Every Founder Should Pay Themselves First20:13 — Building the Right Team25:22 — Choosing the Right Business Partner25:57 — How PiggyVest Built Trust30:09 — How to Sell to Nigerians33:06 — Credit Alert & Entrepreneurial Lessons38:31 — Rapid Fire Questions[Resources & Links]Follow Living BoldlyInstagram — https://www.instagram.com/livingboldly_TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@_livingboldlyX — https://x.com/livingboldlypod?s=21Host Outfit from - https://www.instagram.com/lohije_/?hl=enThis episode is supported by TapTap Send. If you're sending money to Nigeria from the US, UK, EU, Canada, or Australia for the first time, use code TAPTAPQUEEN to get a $20 bonus: https://taptapsend.onelink.me/Lrab/wrSubscribe for more conversations with people who've built, failed, reinvented themselves, and chosen to Live Boldly.

What does it actually take to stay relevant, earn more, and stay valuable in an AI-powered world?In this episode of Living Boldly, I sit down with Fisayo Fosudo — Nigerian tech and finance creator with over 700K YouTube subscribers and 100 million views — to unpack the real skills, habits, and mindset shifts that will matter in the years ahead.From spending four years creating before seeing meaningful results, to building one of Africa's most respected tech channels, Fisayo shares hard-earned lessons on attention, money, content creation, AI, and what it takes to stay ahead when the rules keep changing.Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, professional, or student, this conversation will challenge how you think about work, relevance, and success in the AI era.Follow Living Boldly IG - https://www.instagram.com/livingboldly_?igsh=MWpsMXdpcXRvcWsyNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qrTT - https://www.tiktok.com/@_livingboldly?_r=1&_t=ZS-94AE1irBFbNX - https://x.com/livingboldlypod?s=21