Ejiro Osakede, known as The Energetic EJ, is a woman of many expressions. She’s a Singer, Trainer, Sound Engineer, VoiceOver Artist, Podcaster and Event Host. She is the resident MC at the Female Founders Initiative MEA. She is an award recipient from various organizations like She Awards by Linbiz Magazine, Recognition Awards by ONE CONNECT community, and Phenomenal Personality in Diaspora by The Iconic Brand Awards Nigeria to mention a few. She is the convener of THE BECOMING SUMMIT- an initiative to awaken in the young generation (Ages 18 -35) a desire to BE a better version of themselves, being fit for their purpose and has reached Africa, Europe, and Asia, spanning several countries across these continents. Ejiro is a Master Storyteller, and her Podcast, ‘Stretch Street’ focuses on documenting the stretch stories of individuals who have been through tough times and have come out of it as better people.
Can you tell us your journey so far and how you got to where you are today and using your voice as a powerful tool?
Hmm, it’s been an eventful and long journey so I’d do my best to summarize it as best as I can.
My journey to using my voice as a powerful tool started when I was a child. It started with singing in church, and then in bands. In 2014 I enrolled on an On-Air Personality training because I felt my voice could be used in other ways than singing and it was then I caught an idea to be an audiobook creator for African authors. I ran with this for a while and produced quite a number of books in those years. However, that business didn’t take off properly. In the bid to upgrade my skill, I decided to get a degree in audio engineering with studio production as my focus. Thanks to my sponsor at the time I was able to acquire an associate degree from SAE Institute Dubai.
In 2019 I became a Podcaster and found yet another way to impact with my voice. And once I discovered that podcast was a tool to apply and amplify one’s voice in an intentional and effective way, I starts to show others by sharing my journey with them, creating courses and putting up challenges to educate and empower them to use their voices for great causes. And by the grace of God, I’ve had over 40 people go through my challenge, got my book and take my course on podcasting.
I’ve also had the privilege of speaking at several events and workshops as well as hosting and moderating a couple of events both virtually and in person.
So, in a nuts shell, this is my journey so far.
Any aspects of your background affected your choice of this career?
Well, I’d say it runs in the family. Every member of my family is musically inclined and my voice stood me out even from a very young age. Although I didn’t intentionally choose this path, I think the path chose me. I say this because I tried to be many other things but I always find myself back to using my voice. It feels like home.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in your field and how have you overcome them?
My challenge in my field is as a human more than it is as a woman. And it’s been more on a personal level. Dealing with limiting beliefs. And I’ve found this to be a major challenge for women across fields and industries. As for overcoming it, for me, it’s continuous work. Why? Because for every new level, there is a new devil to deal with. Hence the need to continue to fight and conquer every limiting belief at every level we get to. That being said, I work with coaches and mentors as well as increase my knowledge in the area where limiting beliefs exist.
Can you share with us any defining moments or experiences that have shaped your career?
My career is still being shaped 😁. But if I’d mention one defining moment, it would be watching The Bible Experience at The Pro Emcees Academy in 2014. That was when I felt like I had a life mission to make a difference with my voice.
How do you balance the demands of your career with other aspects of your life such as family, friends, and personal interests?
I do the best I can and leave the rest to God. Life is in seasons, so the concept of balance is subjective. I belong to the school of giving priority to what’s important per time because we can’t always find a balance in all areas of our lives but we can always maximise our seasons. There are seasons we are working like a jackass and there would be other seasons where we can take it slow and focus on family while systems are in place to make sure work or business is taken care of. I however learned this the hard way. I am grateful for the lessons and I work to be better at maximising my seasons.
How do you approach professional development and continuous growth in your career?
Growth is inevitable and if one refuses to grow in the career and personal life, they become irrelevant.
Continuous learning is my approach and the other one like it is service. I serve my way up.
Growth is inevitable and if one refuses to grow in career and personal life, they become irrelevant.
Ejiro Osakede
Can you speak to the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for women in the workplace and in freelancing in your specific niche?
I haven’t experienced the workplace in my field so let me speak to freelancing. Mentorship is very important and essential in any field. However, choosing the right mentor per time is a special skill which we must all have to enable us to enjoy the immeasurable power of mentorship. Sponsorship has the potential of pulling exceptional women to the top of the workplace. And women in leadership should be willing to pull other women coming after them up to the high table once they spot a potential in them. Often this act is paid forward and that becomes a cycle that produces great women leaders.
How do you see the role of women in your field evolving in the next 5-10 years?
There will be more women stepping out of their comfort zones to give their voices to a cause unapologetically.
What advice would you give to young women starting out in your field or aspiring to have a career like yours?
If the idea came to you, it means you have the capacity to birth it. Don’t discount it because your reality looks nothing close to the execution of the idea. Believe that you are the woman for the job and give your brain and mind permission to figure it out. Most times we simply shut down our minds and Brians by telling ourselves we are not good enough. We must change that.
Can you talk about any initiatives or programs you have been involved in that support the advancement of women in your industry?
My trainings. I run a challenge called, Start Your Podcast Challenge where I help newbies and aspiring podcasters go from idea to I did it (a phrase I learned from my coach, DDK) and I’ve had more women than men enrol for it and watched them get their voices back. Now when I keep referring to their voices I don’t just mean in literal terms, I’m also referring to their implied voices. That is their message, convictions and visions. Other than that, I recommend coaching programs like IMMERSE Inner Circle by DDK which is a powerful program for women to take hold of their lives without allowing any part of it to suffer.
What are some of the most exciting projects or initiatives you are currently working on?
I’m working with authors to get their audiobooks up on Audible and that’s exciting for me because it’s been a long-time goal.
WATCH HER INTERVIEW SESSION HERE:
Interviewed by: Joy Eki Omovie