Dear
Incase you haven’t heard Funke Akindele is the biggest news in Nigeria right now. Her movie “A Tribe called Judah” has grossed over N1billion naira in cinema ticket sales and is currently the highest grossing movie in Nigeria.
Everyone including the current President of Nigeria, The governor of Lagos state and the former VP of Nigeria have sent in congratulatory messages to Funke Akindele on social media. The lady who brought us the comedy Jenifa has become the talk of town in the Nollywood.
Reflecting on Funke Akindele's remarkable career, several aspects stand out as contributors to her success—a blueprint that, if followed, could unlock new realms of accomplishment for others.
Long Haul Mindset: Funke's journey began over two decades ago with her debut in the UNFPA-sponsored sitcom "I Need to Know." A steadfast 25-year commitment to her craft indicates a clear vision that guided her unwavering dedication and focus in the industry.
Work Ethic: I am yet to see a harder working woman in the film industry. Funke Akindele was working so hard that it seemed she released a movie every month. She was busy in the studios and a look at her instagram page tells the full story. In an industry where some struggle to break through, Funke's hands-on approach has set her apart as a true winner.
Resilience: Defined as the ability of an individual to adapt, recover, and bounce back from challenges, setbacks, or adversity. Did you know that Funke lost her mum in Feb, 2023? I only found out this piece of information last month and my jaw dropped. To lose her mum and in the same year deliver on huge projects? Just wow… Funke was in the news after splitting from her Husband JJC and Funke was ridiculed for her role in politics - after her party (PDP) lost the state governorship in June 2023. Without resillience, success is unfathomable.
Intentional Visibilty : In the last couple years Funke has optimized social media trends. I have seen several videos of her jumping on popular music or skits. She injected herself in viral content and basically keeps her audience entertained and puts her top of mind.
Knowing your target audience: While Nollywood saw a shift towards "foreign" storytelling, Funke remained dedicated to her wholly Nigerian target audience. Her success serves as a testament to the power of staying true to one's roots and understanding the preferences of the local audience.
Consistency: “It’s one thing to have skill and it’s another to deploy skill”. Not only does Funke have the highest grossing movie in Nigeria currently but Funke is the director of the top three highest grossing films in Nigeria. Omo Ghetto and Battle of Buka street are number 3 and 2 respectively. Back to her work ethic, this woman was consitently churning out movies and finally hit the big time. The one thing that consistency does also is it helps with refinement of skill/talent. The more you practice, the better you become and the better the outcomes you deliver.
There are many others takeaways but these are the most accessible to everyone. By accessible I mean you can adopt them easily.
As a business owner building my career as a Wellness Coach, Funke Akindele is inspring me to become more.
To take bold steps and resist fear.
To ignore the critics and naysayers and focus on the ultimate business/career goals.
To remember that other people’s opinion of me shouldn’t impact the pursuance of my dreams.
To be consistent with the needs of my business and to adopt the necessary strategies to succeed.
To use social media as a tool and not a consumer.
To adopt the long haul mindset and avoid the shiny object syndrome.
I hope you are inspired and I hope you stay inspired throughout 2024.
If you find yourself lacking inspiration and in need of guidance to reignite your passion, I am more than happy to offer the support and direction you require.
Hit reply and let’s talk.
Until the next mail…
Stay inspired
Tochi Okafor
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