We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taneka Sawadogo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Taneka, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Consistency is key in success. Once you understand your business concept it enables you to develop the most appropriate strategies.

I realized early in my entrepreneurship journey this was different from clocking into work everyday. I was responsible for the development of the company as well the beginning stages.

It’s levels to success, I went through failures that was building blocks to my successes. At the time it didn’t feel that way overcoming homelessness, single parenting I’ve seen my fair share of disappointments.

Through triumphs I also learned how perseverance.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m most known for my brand Fire On The Runway International, a traveling fashion production (full fashion show). It was birthed June 1st, 2015 in Dallas Texas. At the time I was homeless with four of my six children we was fortunate to live with one of my best friends. Her son and her myself and four of my children lived in a one bedroom apartment somehow we made it work.

The first fashion show was held in Dallas Texas January 9th 2016. I was joined in partnership with Anitra Doll together we produced a fashion show where we also highlighted a non profit organization that helped domestic violence victims find a safe place. It was the beginning of a journey that led us to Atlanta Georgia, New York, Minnesota and in 2018 we started connecting to west Africa, Accra Ghana.

The brand hosted a model call in Accra Ghana April of 2018, 145 models attended for an anticipated show in July 2018. Due to lots of challenges and lack of understanding the Ghanaian fashion market the team we acquired was unable to bring the vision to life. At last minute we decided to cancel the show. It was devastating for me I carried a heavy burden I felt so disappointed.

By September of 2018 I was now a solo producer as uncertain as I was I didn’t allow the fear to keep me from moving forward. I started also branding my name at the time Neka Malone. In the midst of all this I became an Amazon Best selling Author. My children and I ended our seven years of homelessness in July of 2017 we relocated from Dallas TX back to my hometown Minneapolis Minnesota to reconnect with family and to pursue employment opportunities.

For long I was unemployed I would accept low paying jobs to provide basic things for my children single parenting helped me develop my leadership skills. I continued to build on it as I expanded the brand to Africa.

Having a child at a very young age of twelve by age eighteen I had five sons I got married at age nineteen had my last child at twenty-one a babygirl at that moment I knew I would give them the world. I worked in Call Centers growing my customer service career. I always knew it was more that I could accomplish.

Working wouldn’t allow me freedom to travel as much with the fashion shows yet I kept trying. I attempted to produce a show in Accra Ghana three times each time due to lack of a team my efforts was not successful. However during this time I became very fluent in internet networking and marketing.

Fire On The Runway International was sought after by many I was meeting so many industry professionals. The brand was growing strong I remained hopeful. Shifted gears in 2019 and produced a sold out show in Minneapolis Minnesota it was the fuel I needed to continue to be an industry leader. The art of staring a traveling fashion show was to encourage travel and marketing of individuals brands. We are a brand that showcases eight to ten designers each shows with twenty five models who are selected through a model call. Fire is what we’ve been through in life and the Runway is how we persevere. We pride ourselves in strengthening brand as well having a platform that showcase talents in the form of fashion, art, artist and tackling issues like domestic violence. Foster children and parents, homeless teens in NYC who was getting ready to graduate and received the ultimate prom makeover. We covered airfares, hotels, for brand ambassadors as well became a a paid event. I overcame humility, financial hardship, depression the fight in me continued going.

Prior to the pandemic I had begin connecting with fashion leaders in Nairobi Kenya. Due to the sudden lockdown we had to postpone our April 2020 show. Our goals that year was to tour Africa we aimed for Nairobi Kenya, Nigeria, Botswana, Ghana. All shows that year was canceled. We got creative hosted our version of an online fashion show. It was the first time we had ever tried to link different brands from different countries in one video.

We was successful! I took honor in being the representation many black woman needed in the industry. The platform originally was built for ordinary people others was looking past because of social media following I believed in talent no creative to be left behind. I developed a brand standard with the models and designers we was working with. We showcased Urban wear and high end fashion brands. Finally in August 2021 we produced a fashion show in Nairobi Kenya. At the same time I had lost my God mother to Covid. I didn’t feel motivated for a half a year although I was grieving I was still creating concepts for the brand organizing photoshoots and short videos. From the canceled shows in Ghana I gave it another shot employed a different team with a show date of December 2021, once again we was not successful Covid restrictions came into place.

Others was advising I should change the brand name even worst I should just give up on producing shows. For a while I did shifted myself started a online boutique and hair store. I started creating content. The urge to produce another show started to manifest itself. I trained the team in Ghana and unlike before I was now living in Ghana full time. It was more tangible to produce the show I figured out I couldn’t rely on others I needed to physically be there.

2021 was just a terrible year I kept my promise to myself and that was to not ever give up no matter the depth of the sea keep swimming. As 2022 started I was working a temporary assignment to build more capital to produce yet another show in Ghana. March of 2022 I returned to Ghana permanently. I evolved myself more in the industry I became Chairwoman of the Greater Accra Models Union of Ghana. I also received endorsement from the Ghana government Beyond The Return and Ghana Arts and Tourism.

December of 2022 We had a fashion show in Accra Ghana. Our theme was Diversity and Sustainability we had designers from Togo, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, the US. We feature local performing artist as well a live art show. I was beyond excited I could finally say I did it.

The greatest joy I get is changing the lives of those I’ve come encounter with.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part about having a traveling fashion production it opens up doors not only for myself also others. Since starting I’ve worked with models who have grown to be international models, fashion designers who are now celebrities.

I hone on building the esteem of others. Understanding how it feels when no one seems to believe in you. I believe in the creative spirits.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started a business while being homeless and unemployed. From day one I knew there was nothing stopping me but myself. I worked through fear, I attended several fashion shows and volunteered to perfect my craft. I knew from what I was seeing my aim was to give ordinary creatives the ability to be apart of extraordinary shows.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.letsleadafrica.org
• Instagram: neka_sawadogo fireontherunwayllc
• Facebook: Fire On The Runway
• Linkedin: Taneka Sawadogo
• Other: Let’s Lead Africa I’m the Director of Development & Initiatives I’d like to share with readers

Image Credits
All photos credits tags are on the photos