Funke Osae- Brown is the Publisher/Managing Editor of The Luxury Reporter Magazine, a lifestyle magazine designed to celebrate Nigerian craftsmanship and emerging new lifestyle brands in the country and also discover indigenous luxury brands. Funke, who has been hailed by many as a creative and resourceful journalist was a former Deputy Editor with BusinessDay, who had reported the beats for more than a decade. She has a Masters Degree from the University of Lagos, she also attended the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS) as well as other professional trainings in Ghana, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom and others.
Lilian Imoni had an interview with her conducted as part of the HIGH HEELS WITH LILIAN series, a column dedicated to profiling women in business and careers and sharing their inspiring stories, their trials and triumphs. Women who are game changers in their various field of endeavours across different sectors of the economy are featured. If you will like to be featured on this column, please call 07013105041 or contact @lilianimoni on Instagram
What is the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?
The first thing I think of when I wake is God. I thank Him for giving me life, grace to wake up to another new day. I pray for grace and strength to make new things happen and pursue my dreams. I commit the entire day into His hands.
What has contributed most to your success?
God has been a major contributor to my success. He gave me a vision to pursue and the courage to pursue it. Even when things are not going as expected He encourages me through His infallible words and promises. I am still a work in progress and by His grace I will reach my goal and fulfil all His plans for my life.
The key to success in three words
The key to success in three words is hard work, can-do spirit, and consistency
What is the greatest piece of wisdom you have heard?
Whatever your hand findeth to do, do it will all your heart.
What motivates you to carry on?
My can-do spirit, the fact that quitters don’t win. The fact that there are so many people who are cheering me on while there are others who are just waiting for my downfall so that they can say: ‘you see now, we know she can’t do it.’ I don’t want to give naysayers time to rejoice. I want them to know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
If you were to start all over again, what would you do differently?
I would believe in myself more. I would have stepped out earlier to start my business. I would not spend more than half of my time trying to please people or trying to meet their expectations. I wouldn’t have bothered trying to please anyone because the truth is you can’t please anybody. I would invest my energy and time in things that make me happy.
What has been your greatest challenge as a woman in business?
Funding has been a big challenge and getting people to believe in what I do. Getting advertising as a media owner has not been easy hence generating revenue has been low. Also getting good personnel to work with. There are not very good writers in the media space. Sourcing for young or new writers as journalists has not been easy. It is not a challenge peculiar to me. Other media owners are facing the same challenge.
What keeps you awake at night?
Nothing. I have learnt to roll all my burdens at the foot of the Cross. I don’t think about them. I take each day as it comes. I take each challenge one after the other.
What is your biggest fear?
Failure. I want to learn from it and use it as a stepping stone to achieve greater things.
A seasoned professional, an adorable mother, a loving wife, a mentor to many. How do you strike a balance?
It is not easy, I must tell you the truth. As a working mum, you must learn to plan your life. You must also understand that you can have it all but not at the same time. Take the tasks in your life one after the other.
Advice to women in business
I will tell them not to give up on themselves, business or life. They must know that quitters don’t win. They must learn to ask for help when the need be. They should have a strong network of men and women who support their dream and vision. You can’t walk alone as a business person, man or woman, at some points in your business journey, you will need destiny helpers.
How do you relax/unwind?
I love to travel. And when I am not traveling, I try to sleep well so I can replenish my brain and get set for the day or week.
