Innovation and Passion Drive Business Success, Say Experts at UBA
Building enduring businesses requires a fusion of innovation, passion, and purpose. This was the central message at the recent United Bank for Africa (UBA) Business Series held at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre, UBA House, Marina, Lagos.
Themed “Profit with Purpose, Business Continuity,” the event on Thursday attracted renowned entrepreneurs and industry leaders who shared strategies for achieving business resilience and sustainability in today’s volatile economy.
Keynote speaker Bolanle Austen-Peters, founder of Terra Kulture and a prominent lawyer and award-winning film producer, highlighted the importance of purpose and structure in business. “I can never overemphasise the role that purpose plays in your business. Business owners must set clear goals and achievable targets. From Day One, I established an organisational structure akin to what banks have—complete with a legal framework, board of directors, and administrative officers,” she noted.
She emphasised that businesses lacking a defined framework risk being overlooked. “Putting together a structure shows you mean business, and people will treat your enterprise with the seriousness it deserves,” she said.
Dr James Asare-Adjei, Chief Executive of Ghana-based Asadtek Group, underscored the significance of innovation and integrity. “As business owners, you need to leverage available markets and ensure value addition at every opportunity,” he advised.
Television personality and entrepreneur Frank Edoho stressed the necessity of passion. “Passion is crucial. Stick to your guns, learn from others, and integrate their strategies with your own experiences to improve your business,” he said.
Multimedia personality Toke Makinwa reflected on her journey from banking to broadcasting, crediting focus, attitude, and teamwork for her success. “I surrounded myself with team builders. These are winning strategies anytime,” she added.
Princess Adeyinka Tekena, founder of Happy Coffee and a Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) grant recipient, attributed her business growth to determination and financial discipline. “The $5,000 grant I received in 2015 helped me build my business from scratch. Over a decade later, we are thriving,” she shared.
Alero Ladipo, UBA’s Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs. “At UBA, it is not just about banking. We are passionate about helping our customers grow thriving businesses, which is why we organise these regular capacity-building programmes,” she stated.
The UBA Business Series is a signature initiative providing a platform for industry leaders to share insights on running successful businesses. As one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, UBA serves over 45 million customers across 20 African countries and beyond, with a focus on financial inclusion and technological innovation.