Patience Ogunbona is an Accredited Business and Leadership Coach, Business Trainer, International Keynote Speaker and Best Selling Author.
She tells us that, “I have over 18 years working in service-based businesses as a Chartered Internal Auditor providing assurance on governance, leadership, and controls to mitigate risks to business success. I now leverage this knowledge to help service-based entrepreneurs identify the building blocks for creating a business that aligns to their strengths, personality, and skills by specialising in helping introverted female entrepreneurs and leaders to thrive and lead Through business and leadership coaching, training, and mentoring, I support women to overcome self-doubt and gain skills to step out to fulfill their ambitions by creating the right business foundations, step into their full potential and step up to lead.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I loved to day dream as a Child. I was kind of obsessed with what it means to live a purposeful life. I was surrounded by books and music which influenced my love of reading, writing and music. I had a strict upbringing that curtailed expression of my sense of adventure, and exploration, but this has changed in my mature years. I was driven and ambitious and always aimed to achieve something in my life. I projected into the future and decided what my life would look like, then proceeded to start seeking how to accomplish it. I was fortunate to come from a loving family who valued education and trained us to the highest level possible. However, I went with what was popular and chose medicine and accounting but I finally settled for accounting and gave up my admission to study medicine. If I had to do it all over again, I would study. Sadly I noticed from an earlier age that women who were ambitious were considered pushy and head strong, using your voice and challenging things got you labelled as rude and difficult. This meant that from that early I learnt to curtail my drive to fit into other people’s comfort levels. Also I became very risk averse and it took a long while into my 40s before I started to expand into my potential. My mum was my role model and she really taught us not to settle for less than we desire in life. I saw her fight to go after all that she desired and to achieve her full potential. She was also very entrepreneurial and never relied on 9-5 to survive. I saw how this mindset created further opportunities that a salary would not have done.
Tell us something about your initiative/business. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?
My signature programmes are: Harness Your Strengths for Business Success™ which is a 6 weeks group coaching and training programme designed to help introverted female entrepreneurs overcome overwhelm and self-doubt, own their introversion and discover their potential so that they can build a business that is aligned to their strengths. The Aligned Introvert Method® is my core signature 12 months VIP Coaching Programme where I work 1-2-1 with clients to achieve presence, positioning and profit. I help them hone in on their business ideas to build an audience and develop into it into a viable business with assets and resources developed and ready for market for their clients and customers. I have also recently released my – Win Your Day Journal for Introverted Female Entrepreneurs which is a resource that helps them Journal, plan, reflect and self-coach to achieve daily wins in life and business.
While the global pandemic of COVID-19 is associated primarily with adversities, it has also brought about a true boom in startups, with successful entrepreneurship in many countries. The pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Would you like to share your experience on a personal and professional level?
I have always referred to the core pandemic year 2020 as “the year of the introvert”. When life slowed down and finally shut down it felt like I could finally take a breath. I started the year lost and discouraged with my entrepreneur journey, so when life paused, it gave me the chance to explore and introspect on my situation. So much so that I went on a 90 Day Re-awakening Journey which accumulated in the birth of my personal brand The Visionary Introverted Woman. Finally being able to carve out an aligned personal brand helped me clarify my niche, refine my messaging and create resources, products and services to serve introverted women. This was a game changer and turn-around period for my business.
What has been the response of the users/consumers towards your venture?
Because my services are well tailored to it opened doors for me to speak at conferences of 400 people, on podcasts and summits and serve 100s of women through workshops, challenges, courses and coaching. Also the following accolades such as: Kent Women in Business Awards Finalist 2019 (Best Home Business Category) Women in Business Awards Finalist 2021 (Best Female Entrepreneur) Gtex Outstanding Progress of the Year Finalist Top 100 Global Woman Entrepreneurs to be Inspired by for 2023 Brainz Magazine Global 500 Executive Contributors. I have also co-authored a leadership best seller book titled The X-Factor – The Spiritual Secrets Behind Successful Entrepreneurs and Executives.
How has your life changed because of your initiative/venture?
Being an introvert who has lived experience in both the corporate and entrepreneurial world means that my lived experiences can help both the career driven woman as well as the entrepreneurial woman step out of the shadows, embrace her introversion and harness her introverted strengths for success. During the pandemic whilst exploring my niche, I realised that many introverted women were not exploring and developing their leadership capabilities because of the fear of being in the limelight, so many did not rise to the positions or challenge of creating impact. I knew I had to work on that too as a role model as well as a catalyst to help my clients. That is what I did, being part of the Maxwell Leadership Team, I immersed myself in training and Masterminds to help me develop my leadership skills. I was then able to and crave out my own programmes for Introverted female leaders. Which are titled: Courageous Leadership Framework and How to Increase Your Personal Effectiveness and Influence. I also train on Team Dynamics and Communication incorporating inclusion and diversity not just from a race or gender perspective but also personality.
Do you have anyone who is the biggest support system in your life? Please let us know.
My family is my biggest and most effective support system. I have been married to my husband for 26 years, with two lovely grown up children and I also have 7 siblings. I never lack support. Most importantly I get an abundance of love and care.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity? OR Share a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
My mission is to live and leave a legacy of wealth for future generations and to help other women do the same. In that regard I encourage young girls and women alike to work on gaining, self awareness, self acceptance and empowerment to thrive. I will leave them with my motto which is: Impossible is an opinion, feel free to disagree and seek to carve out your own pathway to success.
