We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Banke Balogun. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Banke below.

Banke, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Naija Gal Network’s (NGN) mission is meaningful to me because it aligns with my core values of community and empowerment. I have always been an advocate for community development in diverse settings. Uplifting and connecting Nigerian women through NGN network allows me to make an impact on the personal and professional lives of women in my community.

NGN’s mission embodies empowerment, community, and cultural pride—values that I hold dear and strive to promote in my personal and professional life. Nigerian women are among the most successful people in the world. We are innovators, go-getters, and eclectic women. My co-founder and I wanted to create a safe space for women in our community to connect not only on a professional level but also to develop intentional global interpersonal relationships. We accomplish this by serving as a hub for our community, providing resources and mentorship to promote continued success, and offering a digital networking space for Nigerian women to connect with people they might never have otherwise met.

Banke, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Banke Balogun. I am based in Los Angeles and currently work in the tech industry, in addition to being a fashion model. I am also the Co-Founder of Naija Gal Network.

Naija Gal Network (NGN) provides members the ability to network with like-minded Nigerian women in a professional and/or social setting. By attending events and workshops, members have the chance to meet new people, learn about different industries, and gain insights and advice from experienced professionals. NGN also provides opportunities to connect with other Nigerian women in their respective industries. Our goal is to foster an environment that allows members to explore new career opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships.

What sets us apart is that we’re the first of its kind—a hybrid platform that offers digital and in-person events and resources for Nigerian women to connect.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Three years ago, I made a significant career pivot. Having spent my entire career in healthcare, I was deeply invested in making an impact in public health. I wore many hats; I worked with HIV/AIDS patients, refugees, torture survivors, and led hepatitis C projects. While I enjoyed my time in the industry, I aspired to gain more leadership experience. This led me to transition into healthcare administration, where I managed nurses, doctors, and other healthcare personnel in hospitals and clinics. During the pandemic, I shifted my focus to technology.

It was a great transition, and I was very blessed that it was seamless. I was able to use much of what I learned in healthcare in my current role. Additionally, my previous leadership experiences have been invaluable to my work with the Naija Gal Network, giving me a better understanding of what it takes to run a business.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to learn is to trust in timing. When I start a project, whether a passion project or a business, I have a vision of what I want it to look like a year from now. When things don’t go according to plan, I’ve sometimes gotten frustrated and unmotivated with whatever project I’m working on.

When my co-founder and I created Naija Gal Network, I came in with the above mindset. It was frustrating when things weren’t happening according to “my” personal timeline. However, one of the lessons I had to learn is that patience is a virtue and timing is everything. If things had happened prematurely, our internal efforts might not have worked out in the long run.

Learning this has become a strength of mine because it has allowed me grow and evolve our overall vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Naijagalnetwork.org
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/naijagalnetwork
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bankebalogun/