Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ugochi Onyewu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ugochi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I started a podcast in 2018 celebrating women of color with connections to Igbo culture. The Igbo tribe is a tribe in South Eastern Nigeria. The following year I wrote a book, which I self-published at the beginning of 2020.
Then the pandemic hit, and with a full-time job, burnout became an issue.

I relaunched my business in November 2022.

In many ways, I wonder where I would be if I had started my business ten years ago or, at the very least, if I had not lost momentum back in 2018.

However, as a recovering type A professional, I am learning that the journey is more valuable than the destination. So, my knee-jerk response is yes; I wish I had started or continued with my business earlier than now. My thoughtful reaction is that this timing for me is perfect.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My passion for lighting a flame in every woman started at a young age. As a child, I dreamed about creating an orphanage for children in Nigeria and raising money to provide a future for girls who had dreams worthy of support. Little did I know that I was planting the seeds for my own future.

These seeds would grow into a mission for empowering mothers of African descent by giving them a voice, encouraging them to walk in the fullness of their potential, and to follow their purpose without guilt or burnout.

This mission threaded throughout my years as a mentor in the corporate world, helping underrepresented women achieve success by making their aspirations seems possible and achievable.

This mission also fueled my passion to write a book and host a podcast that celebrates authenticity and provides representation and encouragement for women of color through relatable stories documenting the good, the bad, and the hope of real life.

And in a full-circle gift, this passion has also led to a non-profit organization building an orphanage in Nigeria, making my childhood dreams come true.

As a speaker, writer, mentor, podcast host, business owner, and mother, I’ve learned from experience that each woman already has a gift inside her, like a flame waiting to be lit. My privilege is to provide the match. I do this by drawing out women’s innate talents, supporting their calling, and providing a roadmap for how they can use their gifts and talents to achieve their purpose. Together we are allies for ourselves, for our families, and for our children’s future.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The following books have significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy:

1. Tribe of Mentors – Tim Ferris
2. The Four Hour Work Week – Tim Ferris
3. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
4. The Artists’ Way – Julia Cameron
5. Atomic Habits – James Clear
6. The Power of Vulnerability – Brene Brown

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

As a leader, I would first recommend understanding your core values and how those dictate your leadership style.

Managing a team and maintaining high morale is only possible when, as a leader, you have identified times of adversity and how you learned and grew from those times. This helps with empathy, putting yourself in the shoes of your team, who may be experiencing low morale, and leading from a place of empathy.

To maintain high morale as a leader, it is critical to:
1. Listen! Listen! Listen! Do this from a place of empathy. This will help to build credibility and gain trust.
2. Let people express their concerns
3. Provide Hope
4. Stay Calm – do not become defensive
5. Grace under Pressure
6. Be Encouraging but challenge the team to focus on what they can control

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fiercemothers.com
• Instagram: @thefiercemothers
• Facebook: @thefiercemothers

Image Credits
Jendayi Asha Creative