Beneficiaries Spotlight Series Interview with Ebele Alaka

Ebele Alaka, founder of Ebele Alaka Events and the EAE Product Marketing Platform, a business centred on promoting healthy lifestyles through antioxidant therapies like ReDebiters. Ebele joined the Growth4Her Accelerator program to gain skills necessary for business growth.  In this interview, Ebele highlights the importance of learning and skill-building over immediate financial gain and encourages other women to join Growth4Her to unlock their potential and gain a supportive network.

Interviewer: Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your business?    

I’m Ebele Alaka. I’m a human resources consultant and entrepreneur. I founded my company, Ebele Alaka Events, then 2019, added the product marketing platform, the EAE Product Marketing, shortly after, based off of my personal experience with our flagship products, the ReDebiters, which is an antioxidant lifestyle therapy that mops up oxidative stress and helps in the management of non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and even cancer in some cases. We’ve had testimonials to that. I saw the benefits firsthand when I used the products. It was introduced to me in the course of managing asthmatic conditions of my son. So, our initiative aims to uplift our community and contribute to an improved and healthy lifestyle in line with the United Nations Global Sustainability Goal number 3. And product marketing helps men and women and children of all age to improve good health and well-being. We are doing this through educating them, providing them with alternatives and healthy lifestyle solutions. So that’s basically what we are about.   

Interviewer: What motivated you to join the Growth4Her Accelerator program?  

Well, first, to improve and to source for funds, I came in contact with the application. And of course, the Growth4Her caption for that, bridging gender financing gap in Africa, it really resonated with me so much. Because as a female entrepreneur struggling with funds, I mean, it calls to me immediately. So, this actually is very crucial that we look at that principle of bridging the gender financing gap in Africa is crucial for achieving gender equality, economic empowerment, and sustainable development across Africa in particular, even the globe. And also, I also checked your mission. It’s a mouthful, but it convinced me to be a part of this. Then thirdly, I knew that I would benefit from this because I also saw, honestly, your desire to fulfill your mission. I knew that if you are desirous of fulfilling this mission, if I get into it, I’ll definitely have something to gain.  

Interviewer: Were there specific challenges your business was faced with prior to joining the program? How did the Growth4Her Accelerator program help you overcome these challenges you faced in growing your business?  

Well yes of course there were challenges as a female entrepreneur navigating the business landscape, there are unique challenges and there are barriers to securing funds to finance projects, this funds issue is a primary issue because it hinders a lot of business goals and expansion plans. And of course, there are some government policies that sometimes create models for us as startups, as people that are just struggling to find their foot in the business. Also, I feel that the female entrepreneurs across board, we lack adequate support systems tailored for us. And I think it was one of the things I sought to get from this group, and I really did. This support system for women who want to drive their business and excel in it. And also, technology, networks, there’s financial constraints for doing a lot of things but entering the program helped me, especially with knowledge and new skills. To put me on the road towards overcoming some of the challenges that I identified. So, I’m on the road, as it were. Thank you to Growth4Her. I have picked up knowledge, picked up new skills that helped me to move forward.   

Interviewer: Can you share a memorable moment or experience from the Growth4Her Accelerator program that stood out to you?  

First of all, let me put it out there that I thoroughly enjoyed the one-on-one sessions with my mentor. He made things so easy, and it was relatable. And I loved the psychosocial sessions with all the brain teasers and all those things that you guys did to make us wake our brains up. I really enjoyed that but my most memorable experience is the pitch session. And then I really enjoyed and appreciated the positive reviews that I received. And it made me feel very upbeat. It actually reassured me about my next steps. During the pitch sessions, there were doubts but after we went through it and the comments from the mentors that were there, I was really reassured that, I mean, I’m on the right track.    

Interviewer: Since completing the Growth4Her Accelerator program, how has your business grown or changed?   

Well, not too much has changed in terms of the challenge, especially where we are, in respect to fundraising and all that, but I am much more focused now. I’m focused on how to get funds for my project through what I’ve learned from the program. I’m focused on how to approach grants and investment opportunities. I’m thankful to Growth4Her for helping me strengthen, especially my pitching techniques and the materials to be used during the pitch sessions, which is very important if you’re trying to source funds through grants or investments. I also have learnt, and I’ve built my financial reports and it’s going to be something that is a major feature in the expansion of my organization going forward and I’m also developing my psychosocial skillsets. I think I have also changed my mindset, and I’m still looking forward to greater expansion.   

Interviewer: What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs who are considering joining the Growth4Her Accelerator program?  

Growth4Her is a good choice for growth. It’s a place definitely to learn and to grow. So, my advice is to go for it, ladies. Go for it. Anybody that is interested, please go for it. It was a refreshing time, and I did enjoy it. A lot of us think that when you apply for programs, they must give us money and funds but there’s nothing as lasting as a new set of skills to up your skillset from where you were. So, if you are able to do that and acquire this new set of skills completely free of charge, you are ready to go. So go for it.