EP. 013 – Embracing Trailblazing w/ Oyinkan Olagbegi

Over the last few conversations, we've unpacked the importance of stepping out with confidence and pursuing vision relentlessly.Whilst it's amazing to take major strides and move forward, it's important to acknowledge that it's not always that easy especially when you're entering unknown territory.So many of us have amazing ideas but are afraid to take a step forward because we've never seen them executed before. This is your sign to trust and take a step. This week I'm joined by my guest who has set a great example of what it means to enter into unknown territory and dominate despite being one of the few to do so.

Oyinkan Olagebegi is the 18-year-old founder of SapphireByO. She’s currently studying Psychology at the University of Birmingham. At 16, she started her business and over the last couple of years, it’s grown from just a jewellery brand to a complete girl brand. It comprises of jewellery, phone cases, bags and tracksuits with so much more in store. Oyinkan is very passionate about children and finds it rewarding being an entrepreneur. In her own words ‘you get what you give, life doesn’t just happen you’re in complete control’.

In this conversation we unpack various topics ranging from being intentional about our circle and who we let in to trusting God in every aspect of business and so much more. You definitely don't want to miss this, happy reading!

Rhieme: Hi Oyinkan, thank you so much for joining us today. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Oyinkan: My name is Oyinkan Olagbegi and I'm currently in the University of Birmingham in my first year and I’m studying Psychology. I run a business called Sapphire By Oyinkan and it’s basically a women’s brand where most of the things I sell and have a passion for are female based. That’s pretty much it, I like the colour pink.

Rhieme: Thank you for sharing that let's just get straight into it. So how have you had the courage to step out and how did you know Sapphire was a path worth pursuing?

Oyinkan: I wouldn’t really say when I stepped out, I had courage. It was just a ‘let me do this now’ type of thing. It was just I enjoyed this, would like to make money. My mum was my biggest encouragement, she was just there for me and helped me through the whole process. I feel like that's what gave me confidence, someone rooting for you and if you tried to do this you would possibly do really well. Stepping out, you will never have enough courage to step out that’s the honest truth. You just have to get up one day and say, I am making this Instagram page, and I’m sending it to people. I feel like after you step out, that's when you build your confidence. That’s when you have your friends supporting, people you love reposting and following the accounts and stuff. My first customer was Debola Abudu. Stuff like that, your confidence grows over time. You continue giving yourself a reason to continue what you're doing. As I said, I didn't have the courage at the time I stepped out. And I knew this was a path worth pursuing because of how encouraging the reception was.

Rhieme: Thank you so much for sharing that and I love what you said about how your confidence was built over time. Some people think they have to feel 100% before they go for something but I feel like as long as you have a why and you believe in yourself you’re good to go.

Rhieme: Where does your drive come from?

Oyinkan: This is a very funny question, because of recent, I've had proper anxiety from Sapphire and I’ve been doubting myself. Basically one of my really close friends and I were praying sometime last year about Sapphire and God said this whole thing about my brand and I feel like what was written there, is what keeps me going.There are days where I do so well and put my all into something and the reception isn't as great as I expected. So I feel like going back to God's word concerning my business has been what has kept me. I would also say, my friends believing in my vision. That's something that's important as well the people around you, the people you inform on the more low-key stuff, the pricing, how the website looks etc. I feel like those are the people that will encourage you.There are so many times I’m like let me just stop posting on this page.Even earlier this year I didn’t do anything for about 4 months, I didn’t have the motivation to design anything.God had specified what He wanted me to do but I didn’t know where to start. I feel like hearing from God and taking His word back to Him is the biggest drive, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself and your business, making sure God has a word concerning it.That’s the only way you can truly be confident because God is the only one who knows how it will go, He’s the only one that knows the future, God knows what He has planned for you. You knowing He’s on board with it and I can drop 1k pounds on a collection even if I’m not confident just because I know God has said ‘you are going to do this’. So that’s my drive.

Rhieme: That's so important. I like that aspect of having a word from God because if not you end up doing it for the wrong reasons. At the end of the day I personally feel like there's only so much money can do, there’s only so far you will go. So definitely having a word from God and knowing that He's actually backing you. I personally don't believe anything is worth pursuing if God isn't behind it, because then who sustains you? You start urning to friends and whilst their support is good, they shouldn’t be the reason why you’re doing something. Although you can say something like that, it shouldn’t be your core reason if not you’re living for them. Also surrounding yourself with the right people, I think it's very important because with you especially you started quite early. You have to be very mindful of your circle, because you can't allow people who don't know where they're going to influence what you’re going to do. I know there are some people you think have your best interest at heart but they don’t. That’s why discernment is so important only God can show you people’s hearts. Some people have a way of killing vision. If God hasn’t told you to tell someone something there’s no need because people can change your why along the way or can kill it before it turns into something. I’ve definitely seen you put that into practice. Just surrounding yourself with people who have drive. Everyone around you doesn’t need to own a business but focus is important.

Oyinkan: In addition to what you said about discernment, I actually struggled with this because some people may not even know they're killing your vision.When I ask for advice you can offer suggestions but to completely kill what I thought was great, is something else. One of my best selling products I showed it to someone and she was like I don’t really think people will like this. I could easily have said because of this comment let me kill this. I remember I spoke to a friend and would always ask what do you think of x or y. I realised that no matter how blunt you are, not everything I do needs to have a but to it. I had shown her my website and she had said it was mediocre.Nobody's even careful nowadays. That's why you have to protect your space. The ideas you have take, them to God first because people you surround yourself with might kill it completely and they could paralyse you.

Rhieme: Another thing is, they don't see things the way God sees them. Of course it’s good to ask for feedback you actually need other people's input.When people reach out, I always start off with what is good but add I think this would be even better if you did x. At the end of the day, it's not your vision it’s someone else's, they have their own way of how they want to execute. It’s so important because so many people surround themselves with the wrong people and it stops them from taking action.Sometimes you may feel uncomfortable around someone but you don’t want to face reality and it’s like why not? Why not take that next move and stop pretending?

Rhieme: We've seen you build Sapphire over the past 2 years, how have you remained consistent with your vision over time?

Oyinkan: Honestly, I would say God again that's really the answer. Sapphire has been a real roller coaster for me. Sometimes it gets to the point where it affects my mental health because I put so much into it.God knows of Sapphire, do you get what I mean? I know His plans for Sapphire and those are the things that keep me consistent in my vision with Sapphire. How I started and where I am are two different places.If you had asked me two years ago I would have said Sapphire is going to be like Pandora, a huge jewellery business.Over time, Sapphire has gone into various things, that’s why I call it a girl brand now. Some things have changed, but the vision is still the same. I didn't expect to be doing bags, I didn’t expect to be doing phone cases. How you envision it isn’t necessarily how God wants it. But if it’s enough for you to start, start and God will slowly tweak things for you. So remaining consistent is God, drive to continue- God. To know when to post a video, drop a collection-God. Continue going back to God when you loose motivation.On my down days with Sapphire I’m like let me close down this page and sell everything but God has kept me consistent.Continuosly praying. Also good friends, someone that will hold you accountable You’re always saying to me you don’t necessarily have to put new posts sometimes stuff from the past. Show us BTS .Good friends will keep you going especially on the worst days . There was this point in time where Rhieme was logged into Sapphire’s Instagram and she used to reply dms. Those are times when you need someone, someone that God says tell this person about this idea.There was a time you told me God said I should ask for your opinion.It’s stuff like that, just how intentional God is.God knows what I’m going to say.God is the most intentional person, He will show you your helpers.

Rhieme: You’ve spoken about how God has been your foundation in terms of remaining consistent. One thing you said that’s stuck with me is even though things may change, maybe like your strategy or your products, your vision remains. Sometimes as you're evolving you sometimes one may think they have to stick to the same thing, but I disagree. God isn't a one of confusion. If He's given you the vision, He will give you more reasons to continue. Also what you said about having the right people like, is just so important. I always say let God choose your friends. Of course everyone’s journey is different, but there are some people that may not see things the way God does and that’s detrimental to you.It’s one thing for God to give you vision and another for you to sustain it as He wants you to.I say this to people who feel like they don’t know what to do with their lives, or feel behind God cares more about who you are as a person than what you do. Sometimes He hasn't given you that vision because He's still clearing the ground. I remember points in time where I just felt God changing so many things about me, my circle, my interests, just different things I had attached my identity to. It was very painful and hard. Some people may find themselves in that season where they don’t know what to do and that’s okay God cares more about who you are. He needs to make sure He’s removed some things so you can actually hold unto the vision.Imagine God giving you vision, but you don’t have any confidence to execute ? Building up the confidence in that moment is most important.

Rhieme: Can you please tell us about the birthing process of Sapphire?

Oyinkan: My mum is very spiritual and she had been telling me since that I was meant to be an entrepreneur. I always thought because she's one that’s why she told me that. So one morning we prayed and did our devotion and I just couldn’t sleep. I don’t know how God did it but He literally dropped it on my heart that it was time.My mum had been saying it since I was 14 but I just thought she wanted me to be like her because she does jewellery as well. But that morning I just saw the possibility of an age appropriate business the first thing I did was go to my mum’s room. I told her I was starting a business and she started screaming.She was like she had a dream a week ago, she knew it was coming. I wasn’t as close to God then as I am now.I know God dropped it on my heart because God knows Sapphire. Working with my mum I think that was the most important thing because she had a relationship with God. Even my drop date 8th of August, I didn’t know the relevance until last year. As the business grew I grew with it. I don’t know if Rhieme had said it or if it’s something I thought about recently, my business keeps me accountable with God, I feel like God gave me Sapphire to keep me accountable. When God says with Sapphire this drop is going to be amazing you need to fast and pray.As I’m fasting and praying, when God says this drop is going to be amazing. You need to fast and pray so fast. And I'm praying for my brand that I want to do so well it keeps me accountable.So with birthing Sapphire it’s a process I know was ordained by God.I didn’t really know God at the time and so it might have been harder than it was meant to. I don’t believe in star signs and horoscopes and I used to sell necklaces with capricon etc.As I started to grow with God, He said they needed to leave my page.There are stuff I know that if I was closer to God while birthing Sapphire, I wouldn’t have done them in the first place but I’ve learnt over time.

Rhieme: I love what you said about how to when you started, you didn't really know God out well but your mum heard a word from God.Some people may get confused and wonder how then directed you? You had spoken to your mum about it because He had given you those ideas.Also what you said about how God uses Sapphire to hold you accountable, I definitely understand that.He will put you in a position where you know you can’t do it without Him.That’s how I feel with the blog.He does it to stretch you even more and of course you’re not going to go to God only for your business. Everything God will tell you will flow from your relationship with Him.He knows how much He wants you to grow and He knows what will get you, He knows you best.But just because He's done this for you doesn't mean that's how He'll do it for someone else. I think everyone just needs to have their own relationship with God. The method God used with you and your business may not be the same for someone else.It might be similar but everyone’s path is different. With this blog, and everything, I literally pray about everything, like who to invite, what to do etc.God has basically raised the standard, I cannot run it without Him, He wants to be part of every single step. To people who want to start something, don’t rush. This time last year, I always say this because this is literally my testimony I was not in this position.I would never have seen myself doing this. All of this to say, don’t rush the process, you’ll be fine. Last year was more of stripping for me.Because God set a good enough foundation, He then started to build. God will never build on something that is not His. If your surroundings are not right, if your environment is not right, He will want to sort that out first, that’s why I say He cares more about who you are as a person. You don't need to do anything to prove yourself to anyone. Who you are, is not what you do, who you are will sustain whatever you want to do. People can be doing things for years and when it's your time, it's your time. That's why you need to have confidence in who you are as a person and I've definitely seen that with you. Of course you're still growing over time nobody is perfect.But there’s a higher standard, the Bible even says it, to who much is given much is expected. God will expect you to spend even more time with Him.

Oyinkan: In addition to what you said about God using what you do to hold you accountable I also feel like He uses it to grow you. The first time I dropped a styling video IGTV, God had told me what song to use. These stuff begin to show up in your life. So you're asking God, when should I speak to this person? When do I do this? Those are not questions I asked God normally. What time do I drop? What song do I use? From there, it became part of my life. God wants to be involved in the day to day of your life He wants to to know that you need Him. He wants you to ask him for direction he wants. He wants that from you. It became a habit to ask God should I go here now? What time do I book this appointment for?

Rhieme: Thank you so much for including that.God is in the present and the future so everything He’s asking you to do now, He knows its going to have an after effect. He definitely wants to be involved in the little things. I've seen it play out in my life as well.

Rhieme: Can you share the behind-the-scenes processes of your daily life that most people don't get to see?

Oyinkan: Oh, I remember this day in Lagos, I was so done with Sapphire. I remember very clearly the company I was using to like deliver my orders wanted to come because they had to go from the island to the mainland by 5am. I remember very clearly that morning, I had cramps and had to wake up early to pack orders. That's like the hardest part of the behind the scenes designing is extremely hard because if the ideas are not coming. With this bag collection my head was everywhere and it's like you just want to squeeze ideas out of yourself but they wouldn’t come and I feel like that those are the hardest parts.Sending orders can be really frustrating. So I would say like those days are hard there's some days where there are also difficult customers. I remember one who messaged me in a disrespectful way asking for my address. I think in terms of cost like orders you take on personally, I definitely need to seek God and ask do you want me to take custom orders? Because the process isn’t easy.

Rhieme: Thank you for sharing that I love how transparent you are. Not a lot of people show the process which I think is more important than the outcome because it’s what builds you.

Rhieme: So as someone who has stepped into an industry at a young age, how do you keep pushing regardless of circumstances?

Oyinkan: I feel like what keeps me going is knowing God’s plans for Sapphire.Knowing it’s His but I’m doing it for Him. When you know you're doing a task for someone, you don't want to disappoint them. It’s not for you so you can't give up on it. God has given it to me to execute for Him so in as much as sometimes it's hard, I have to keep pushing because I'm trying to please my maker. I wouldn't say age has really been a barrier because right from when I was wrong, my mum always said mentally I'm slightly older than people my age. I remember very clearly when I was in Day Waterman and someone brought up my age in an argument I would start crying. So in the industry knowing I'm the younger person has stopped moving me. I feel like everything God does for us it’s for a reason. I will always be younger I have been younger for my whole life so I'm used to it. There's nothing you can say that will make me feel less if that makes sense. I have been younger my whole life and I have done it and I will continue doing it. I feel like that's something that helps me knowing that I'm slightly younger than people who I work with.The giveaway I just put up they don't even need to know my age.We were speaking on the group chat yesterday and they were in their 20s.I was like so I brought 23 year olds to do a giveaway, they don’t know I’m 18. Nobody knows my age and they're fine with that. I will say apart from that people disrespect you for your age. A lady I worked with gave a horrible review about my business and said something along the lines of that's why young people have no business doing business.Look at the way this lady is talking to me, that was actually discouraging. I was like hm, maybe I have no business running a business, I’m going to have 1000 more people who will speak to me in this manner. But knowing that this is what God placed in my when I was 16, and I’ve been able to bring it here just keeps me going further.

Rhieme: I love that.There’s somewhere in the Bible that talks about how you shouldn't look down on your age or say you're too young and everything. It's true your age has nothing to do with what you can do.

Rhieme: Do you have any last words, any tips, anything you'd like to share?

Oyinkan: One thing I’ll like to say is, seek your validation from God. That's the most important thing. This collection, I just really just put my all into it. And I've heard opinions, I've had things people have to say but what makes me know I did a thing there is that God is proud of that collection. God designed every piece, He knows of every piece, and He's happy with it. So irrespective of what people have to say I know what God wants for me. I know God wants my business. I know what He said concerning Sapphire. Generally, if you look to people everybody has a different opinion, are you going to carry on what A said about this or B said? I remember I asked about 4 of my friends the pricing of this collection and everyone said different things. That was the point where I said the only person who can really tell the truth about these prices is God. God knows my target market. Ask God seek your validation from God don't rely on man. Also if you don’t feel like mentioning something to someone you don’t have to. Friends that guilt trip you for not saying something, it’s not right.If God has said drop this today, tell A don’t tell B you don’t have a choice.Thats why you have to grow with people that are on the same wavelength as you. Rhieme and I are extremely close,but if I don’t feel the urge to tell her something she’s one friend I know will understand.

Rhieme: Thank you so much for sharing. That’s very important, knowing you're not really obliged to tell anyone to be very honest even if it's your closest friend. If you haven't gotten the go ahead from God, there's no need. That means you’ll be pleasing them and not God essentially.

How did you find this conversation? I’ll love to here your thoughts in the comment section. Make sure you check out SapphireByOyinkan and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!