TBN Pulse — Issue 01: May 01, 2025

"Growth often begins invisibly, but when the season comes... everything blooms."

Author

Seun Tayo-Balogun
May 01, 2025

From the Editor — Waiting for the Season

Just a few days ago, something beautiful happened right outside my window.

There’s a tree in my yard that had looked dead for months. Its branches were bare, the leaves were scanty, and honestly, I thought it was gone for good. But quietly, without any announcement, the change began:

First, tiny green shoots appeared.

Then, the branches filled out again.

And one morning, without warning, the whole tree was crowned in beautiful blossoms.

It reminded me — some things aren’t dead; they’re just waiting for the right season to bloom. Growth is often invisible before it’s undeniable. Sometimes, we just need to stay patient, stay faithful, and trust that what looks barren today is only preparing for tomorrow’s full bloom.

🌸 This is your reminder: your season is coming.

Speaking of growth...
This past month at The Brief Network, we've seen powerful reminders that when vision meets perseverance, beautiful things begin to bloom — in entrepreneurship, creativity, culture, and leadership.

📚7 Lessons from GRIT by Angela Duckworth

We kicked off our Book of the Month series by diving into Grit — the power of passion and perseverance. Angela Duckworth’s research found that the most successful individuals—whether in business, sports, or the arts—possess grit, a combination of passion and perseverance that fuels long-term achievement.

Key Takeaway: Success isn't just about talent — it's about consistency and perseverance over time.

Founder Features & Spotlights

In our founder features and spotlights, we were reminded once again that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

  • Olamide Mohammed: Growing up, she watched her mother design and sell Asooke, deeply rooted in culture and tradition. Years later, seeing a disconnect between the younger generation and traditional textiles, she knew something had to change — and she took the step with BolamsAsooke. (Read her story here.)

  • Tinuola Oladeji: Inspired by her mother’s business acumen, she combined her passion for fashion and entrepreneurship to create Tsmart Fashion — a brand built to empower women and help them tell their stories through bold, stylish pieces. (Read her story here.)

  • Joy Temilade Adewuyi: Through DiYAfricans, she is closing a critical gap by manufacturing high-quality home goods locally — giving Nigerians a reason to believe in and buy local craftsmanship. (Read her story here.)

We also shared on African designers weaving heritage into fashion:

  • Florentina Agu (Hertunba)

  • Laduma Ngxokolo (MaXhosa Africa)

  • Aisha Ayensu (Christie Brown)

These designers aren't just creating beautiful pieces — they're safeguarding culture and reimagining heritage on the global stage.

A common thread, simple, yet powerful:

“Every great movement starts with one bold, imperfect step.
And often, it’s about honoring what’s already in your hands.”

Whether you’re just starting out or trying to scale your brand, here are some powerful lessons worth carrying into your journey:

Wisdom Worth Carrying Into Your Journey

☕We shared 5 empowering business tips that can help you grow—not just in profit, but in purpose too, from one of Africa's most respected business leaders Mrs. Ibukun Awosika. Read More 

🛋 6 Tips from Jay Shetty on Building a Personal Brand. Jay always says, “Clarity is the beginning of confidence.” If you’re not clear on who you are, it’s hard for others to connect with you. Read More

Special Spotlight

Media Partnership for The Chosen Premiere in Nigeria

We are proud to announce our Media Partnership for the premiere of The Chosen Movie in Nigeria & Ghana — a story of faith, resilience, and purpose that continues to inspire audiences worldwide. See one of our interviews with Stannze here:

Want to Be Featured? 

Know someone whose story deserves to be told?
Or want to share your journey of growth, entrepreneurship, or impact?
👉🏽 Hit Reply or submit here — we'd love to hear from you!

A Final Note

If there’s one lesson I’m carrying into the new month, it’s this:

"You can bloom where you are planted.
You can get creative with what’s already in your hands."

Seun Tayo-Balogun, The Brief Network

Here’s to a month of bold moves and blooming dreams.

See you next month on the 1st.

The Brief Network: Inspiring Stories and Empowering Lessons.

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