Adenike’s Journey: From Struggling Entrepreneur to Thriving Business Owner

Behind every transformed life, there is someone who dared to believe in the power of opportunity. For Adenike Oladimeji, that belief led her from struggling with sales in her fashion business to launching a thriving bag-making and leatherworks brand.

A New Skill, A New Beginning

Adenike was passionate about fashion design, but she struggled to make sales. She knew she needed something extra to stand out, but she lacked the resources to expand her craft. Then she heard about the She Rises Int’l Summer Skills Training, a program powered by Seyi Adisa Development Initiative (SADI). Seeing an opportunity to diversify her skills, she enrolled in the Bag Making & Leather Works course.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity with SADI. After the training, I didn’t expect to be empowered, but SADI told us to pitch—and that’s how I was selected for empowerment by the Oguntoyinbo Foundation!”

Empowerment & The Start of Nikky Bags

At the Graduation Ceremony of Oguntoyinbo Foundation Vocational Training (Cohort 1) in December 2024, Adenike, alongside two others, received startup equipment to launch her business. Her journey didn’t stop there—her husband, seeing her determination and passion, secured a shop space for her in the community, where she now operates her bag-making business.

The First Sale That Changed Everything

“When I first heard about the training, I did the interview, passed, and was selected. The training was thorough, and at some point, it felt difficult—but I endured.”

Her first product was a laptop bag she made as a gift for her sister’s son, a university student in Ado Ekiti. Although she hesitated at first, she gave it to him, unaware that this small act would open doors. Her cousin began advertising her bags on campus, and soon, orders started coming in. That was the birth of Nikky Bags.

Now, Adenike specializes in leather bags of all kinds, including: School Bags, Laptop Bags,  Ladies’ Handbags,  Lunch Bags, Custom-Made Designs

From Learning to Earning

Adenike’s story is proof that skills are more than knowledge—they are a pathway to independence. With the support of SADI and the Oguntoyinbo Foundation, she didn’t just learn a craft; she built a business, a brand, and a brighter future.

 Want to support more young entrepreneurs like Adenike? Join us in empowering lives through skill acquisition and sustainable opportunities!

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