Demilade Akintola: There is never a 'best time' for learning and growth




Demilade Akintola describes herself as a quirky lover of sales and geeky tech. She is also a writer, one who is in love with using proven methods and a keyboard to increase your sales and reach.

A software developer who is so into Java and currently working on a titration app with Python, Demilade is the techy everyone definitely wants to connect with. Omote Ro Dhe had to catch up with her to find out more about her and all she is all about in a no holds barred chat. Read excerpts:

First of all, it is very rare to have a 17-year-old on LinkedIn. You find them on Snapchat, TikTok or other cooler social media platforms. What is your motive to be on LinkedIn?

When I started looking for online opportunities, anything I could do when I wasn't in school at 14, I didn't have any mentor, I didn't know what I was doing, and I was practically lost online. I was invested in writing my second book and fortunately, I found an editor for the book but didn't spend much time on it before I bumped into software development. That was when I found my first mentor online and he led me through different paths including Digital marketing. When I found out that LinkedIn could get me more mentors, I joined the platform. Other social media platforms are great for engagement and outreach but LinkedIn is powerful for finding mentors and making inspiring friends like Olorunfemi Prosperity, who is currently preparing to take Lagos by storm with TEDxJibowu and Denu Bon, a young investor and publisher.


You helped over 2000 digital creators to earn at their own pace. This is remarkable and commendable. How and why did you do this?

When I got a leeway at 16, I found out that there were others who wanted an opportunity, a chance to impact people online and become independent but like me when I was 14, these people don't have a mentor, they don't have a clear focus of what they could actually do online, and they are not sure how they could go about setting strategic plans. So, I organized free sessions and programmes and was able to reach 2000+. These free sessions were centred around learning digital marketing skills and preparing for growth. I had a program early this year with another mentor, Fortune Nnamdi, an Entrepreneur who has impacted thousands and the impact of that program was heavy. I currently have another free session in place for those looking to get their first client off LinkedIn. It's something I try to do as often as I can to reach more people.


Can you list some women who have influenced you into the woman you have become and what endeared you to them?

I've been inspired and pushed by important men and women around me but when it comes to females, I would start with my mom. She's a beautiful hardworking gem and the first person that made me start looking for opportunities at 14. The story of Oprah Winfrey inspires me and is something I still refer to till this day. Other women include Virginia Woolf, Marie Curie, and Anna Freud.#

As a 'techy', one who is a software developer that is into Java and currently working on a titration app with Python. What is the app all about and what problem does it solve?

The idea was from a friend. The purpose of the app is basically to help the life of chemistry students and make titrations easier while performing calculations that arise. It's almost there but there are still improvements to make.


The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike and Nigerian students are at home. What skills would you advise them to have to stay empowered and useful in this period?

There are several skills that could fetch you money and give you a little bit of Independence but one thing I will tell other people to learn is how to actually invest. How to discover bad and good investments so your money does the work for you. These investments should not be necessarily too easy and loaning money to someone to get a little interest later is not an investment. A good investment yields for a long time! The online space is growing rapidly too. Whatever talent or skill they have could and should be brought online and they could learn a bit of Branding, Copywriting, and Sales.

Can you tell us what DC marketing is all about and some challenges faced while running the company and how you overcame them?

DC Marketing got its ground when I was 16 and it's been growing ever since. I faced some challenges at the start and wasted a lot of time and money trying to get things right. The first challenge DC Marketing faced was Branding. It was during that time I paid attention to learning that skill. After that, it was building a stable client base and community. We now have an actively growing community of 'beyond-the-norm' Copywriters and we keep creating high-performing email campaigns, amazon listings, web copy, social media content, and blogs for our growing client base.


Success is relative. What does it mean to you? Who are some women that are your yardstick of being successful?

Success is quite personal for me. Hence, I don't measure my success to any other person or have a yardstick. As long as I am happy, can take care of others around and impact others, then I've found success.


What advice do you have for younger girls pursuing purpose?
Keep going. Keep the 5-year journey in mind and how you want things to be then. A lot can happen in 5 years. Take your time to learn what you have the opportunity to know because there is never a 'best time' for learning and growth.



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