What You Must Know About Impact with Iyinoluwa Aboyeji

Summary

The speaker shares his journey of entrepreneurship and faith, detailing the struggles and successes of founding Andela and Flutterwave. He emphasizes the importance of aligning with God's will and serving others through business. The talk highlights the transformative impact of his ventures on individuals and economies, and the speaker's belief in the necessity of God's guidance in achieving greatness. He also discusses the practical aspects of partnering with God, the importance of prayer, and the mindset of service in all endeavors.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The speaker co-founded Andela, Africa's largest engineering organization, and Flutterwave, a billion-dollar global payments platform, attributing their success to divine guidance and support.
• 💡 The transformational impact of Andela on individuals and the economy is a source of pride for the speaker, emphasizing the tangible change in people's lives as a result of their work.
• 🙏 A significant turning point in the speaker's life was a spiritual encounter at the end of 2013, which led to a reorientation of their approach to work and life in 2014.
• 🔑 The speaker believes that serving others through business is the key to finding one's own reward and fulfilling God's mandate, shifting from a focus on profit to a focus on service.
• 🛐 The speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer, understanding God's will, and acknowledging God in all aspects of life as crucial to partnering with God in their work.
• 📚 The speaker suggests that the wisdom of the Bible has been an anchor in their life, providing guidance on how to do great things through reliance on God.
• 💼 The speaker advises Christian entrepreneurs to position themselves as solution providers during tough times, ensuring their businesses help society survive and thrive.
• 🌐 The speaker discusses the importance of carrying one's faith into all aspects of life, including work, and not being afraid to stand out by living according to one's beliefs.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on the importance of discerning God's will through reading the word of God, listening to advice and wisdom, and following God's leading in all decisions.
• 💬 The speaker shares personal experiences of walking by faith, including a challenging fundraising experience where they had to halt their efforts due to unforeseen circumstances, leading to a year of total dependence on God.
• 🌟 The speaker highlights the importance of spiritual growth, setting aside time for prayer, discipleship, evangelism, and daily reading of the word of God to stay spiritually grounded.

Q & A

What was the turning point for the speaker in their business journey?

The turning point for the speaker was encountering God at the end of 2013 and reorienting their approach to work in 2014, which led to the co-founding of Andela and Flutterwave.

What is Andela and what impact has it had on the African tech industry?

Andela is Africa's largest engineering organization, co-founded by the speaker. It has provided training and jobs for over 100,000 African software technology professionals, making a transformational impact on individuals and the economy.

What was the speaker's initial business venture before Andela?

The speaker's initial business venture was a company called BookNet, which they started while in school around 2010.

How did the speaker's perspective on business change after their encounter with God?

The speaker shifted their focus from profit to serving others, realizing that by helping others transform their lives and livelihoods, they would find their own reward.

What is Flutterwave and what role did the speaker play in it?

Flutterwave is a billion-dollar global payments platform. The speaker served as its founding CEO from May 2nd, 2016 to October 5th, 2018.

What does the speaker attribute their success to, and why?

The speaker attributes their success to the grace of God, stating that without God's involvement, their achievements would not have been possible.

How does the speaker define 'impact' in the context of their work?

The speaker defines 'impact' as the transformational change they witness in people's lives, such as young individuals moving from unemployment to earning significant incomes and improving their quality of life.

What advice does the speaker give to Christian entrepreneurs entering the tech world?

The speaker advises Christian entrepreneurs to carry their faith into their work, to serve others, and to acknowledge God in everything they do.

How does the speaker describe their experience with prayer and fasting, and how did it influence their life?

The speaker describes their experience with prayer and fasting as transformative, leading to a reconnection with God and a change in their approach to business and life.

What is the speaker's view on the role of God in their business decisions and operations?

The speaker views God as a partner in their business, emphasizing the importance of prayer, understanding God's will, and serving others as key components of their business operations.

How does the speaker approach challenges and unexpected events in their business journey?

The speaker relies on faith and sees challenges as opportunities to trust in God's guidance. They believe that with God's help, they can navigate through difficulties and continue to serve others effectively.