Abe Jawando is a Nigerian-born lawyer, business coach, and strategist whose career exemplifies leadership and revolutionary impact. Transitioning from investment banking to a purpose-driven path, Abe is a future executive senior sales director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. For over 20 years, she has built and led a thriving Mary Kay team, mentoring and empowering over 500 women to achieve excellence and resilience in entrepreneurship.
As part of her Mary Kay journey, Abe developed a transformative framework that merges the power of beauty with entrepreneurial growth, enabling women to redefine success and create sustainable wealth. This innovative approach has led to remarkable team milestones and personal accolades, including the ‘No.1 Team Builder Award’ and three consecutive ‘Top 3 Sales Director Awards,’ reflecting her exceptional leadership and dedication.
Beyond her corporate success, Abe founded ‘The Mentoring Room,’ a global platform inspiring women to embrace leadership and achieve breakthroughs in all aspects of life. Her passion lies in equipping women to become leaders of leaders promoting change across communities and nations.
Abe serves on the Fashion Souk Global Strategic Team, (International arm of Fashion Souk Nigeria) as business strategist where her innovative strategies connect African fashion and beauty brands to global markets, providing entrepreneurs with access to global opportunities.
Her philanthropic efforts shine through Victoria’s Smile Foundation and its “20Smiles420Years Campaign,” an initiative supporting underserved pregnant women in rural Nigeria while ensuring their children receive lifelong education. Her unwavering commitment to maternal health and education exemplifies her belief in the power of access and opportunity to break the cycles of poverty.
Abe is also the author of the Throne Room Whispers Gratitude Journal, a tool that has inspired countless individuals to embrace daily gratitude as a path to resilience and personal transformation. Through her annual 66Days Gratitude Journal Challenge, she encourages participants worldwide to experience the power of intentional gratitude in their daily lives.
As a ‘Women for Africa Award’ finalist, she has also served as a member of the Mary Kay UK Advisory Board for many years. Abe’s mission is clear: “Empowered women build thriving families, vibrant communities, and strong nations.”
What motivated your transition from investment banking to a career in beauty and entrepreneurship?
My journey from banking to beauty and entrepreneurship wasn’t something I meticulously planned. It began as a simple hobby to help me navigate a particularly challenging time in my life. As a compliance professional in banking, I lived in a world of rules, processes, and paperwork. It was a world that was structured and rewarding in its own way. However, deep down, I knew something was missing. I just didn’t know what ‘that something’ was. I soon realised that the human connection and the opportunity to impact lives directly, wasn’t there.
As I progressed in this “side hustle”, I discovered something powerful: I was far better suited to working with people than managing paperwork. Stepping into the beauty and entrepreneurial space allowed me to help women see what they’re capable of, harness their unique talents, and create better lives for themselves and their families. It was in this space that I found the work that truly mattered, the kind of work that “set my soul on fire” because it changes lives.
Banking gave me the tools: discipline, resilience, and a deep respect for structure. But this new journey gave me purpose. It showed me how much potential we have when we align what we do with who we are. Looking back, this has been one of the most transformative and rewarding decisions of my life. Lesson 101: The path you least expect can lead you to the place where you’re meant to make your greatest impact.
What were some of the early challenges you faced as a business strategist and leader, and how did you overcome them?
In the beginning, I didn’t take my business as seriously as I should have—I treated it more like a side hustle than a real, thriving venture. The turning point came when I realised that if I wanted to succeed, I had to step up and approach my work with the professionalism and focus it deserved.
Shifting from an employee mindset to a business owner’s perspective wasn’t easy. I had to stop waiting for direction and start owning my results. That meant investing in my personal growth, learning to think strategically, and making decisions with confidence, even when I wasn’t sure how things would turn out.
Leading a team of independent beauty consultants was a challenge all on its own. I discovered early on that people aren’t inspired by rules or instructions but they’re inspired by vision and purpose. When I started leading with clarity and heart, everything changed. My growing team responded in ways I never imagined. Proof that “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Then came the hard work of building systems and processes. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was necessary. Those systems became the backbone of my business.
But if I’m honest, the hardest part was discipline and personal accountability. Showing up for myself every single day, staying accountable even when no one else was watching, that took time. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. That discipline has been the foundation of everything I’ve achieved. It’s what keeps me moving forward, no matter what challenges come my way.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that had a significant impact on your path?
The moment I realised “Wait, this could actually pay my bills” everything shifted. It wasn’t just an idea or a side hustle anymore, it became real. That realisation hit me like a ton of bricks, forcing me to reevaluate how I saw myself and what I was capable of. I went from following the same old routine of ticking someone else’s checklist to creating my own boxes and designing a vision of my own.
It was like flipping a switch. I suddenly realised that I had the power not just to survive, but to build something extraordinary. That realisation gave me energy, creativity, and a drive I hadn’t tapped into before. I stopped being afraid of failure. Instead, I became comfortable with taking risks that once felt impossible but now felt necessary because on this new journey, you don’t do, you don’t eat.
Letting go of a steady income was terrifying but I also knew that a salary is a kind of safety net that keeps you grounded, even when you’re not truly thriving. I looked at the bigger picture and knew that staying comfortable would cost me more than taking the leap. What I saw ahead was monumental: freedom, independence, and the chance to build something meaningful on my own terms. And once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it. That’s when I stopped hesitating and started building, one step at a time.
You’ve empowered over 500 women. What do you believe are the key qualities of a successful mentor?
To me, a great mentor is like fertile soil that is rich, steady, and nurturing, creating the perfect environment for you to take root and thrive. They have this extraordinary ability to see your potential and cast a vision so clear that it inspires you to believe in things you didn’t even know were possible.
A great mentor listens with their whole being. They listen not just to your words but also to your unspoken fears and what is not said. They’re the keeper of your dreams when doubt creeps in, the voice that reminds you of your brilliance when you’ve forgotten, and the light that guides you back when you’ve wandered off course. They can sing your song back to you line by line.
Great mentors don’t just dish out advice from a pedestal, they roll up their sleeves and allow you to walk the journey with them by sharing, supporting, and stretching you in ways that feel authentic and human. I like to see mentorship as a mutually beneficial collaboration of destinies.
How would you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over your 20 years with Mary Kay?
My leadership style has evolved into one centred on servant leadership, empowerment, and authenticity. Early on, my focus was on building the right structures and ensuring efficiency. But as I grew, I realised that true leadership is not about tasks or operations. It’s about the people. When you focus on developing people, production and productivity naturally follow. This was a pivotal shift for me, and it has shaped every decision I’ve made since.
I believe in leading from the front, not because leadership is about being in the spotlight, but because teams take their cues from their leaders. My team is a mirror reflection of me, so I’ve learnt to demonstrate integrity, discipline and resilience, the values I want to see in them. Leadership isn’t about barking orders or managing every detail, it’s about inspiring others and creating an environment where they can thrive and do their best work.
The biggest turning point in my journey was transitioning from the mindset of an employee to that of an entrepreneur. It’s a shift that requires rethinking everything. As an employee, you focus on tasks, as an entrepreneur, you focus on vision, people, and impact. This shift taught me that leadership isn’t about controlling outcomes but about influencing people to see possibilities they hadn’t imagined for themselves.
Mentorship has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my leadership journey. It’s not about giving advice or solving problems, it’s about helping others see their potential and giving them the tools to succeed. For instance, seeing two of the leaders I mentored rise to prominent positions in the Nigerian government—and others thriving globally in leadership roles—has been an incredible validation of this approach. It’s proof that when you believe in people and help them see their own potential, they can achieve extraordinary things.
Leadership, for me, is about service. My focus has always been on helping my team look beyond profit and loss and see the broader impact they can have on society at large.
Now, I’m thinking bigger. The immediate future includes creating impact on a larger scale and leaving behind a legacy of integrity, service, and empowerment. Leadership isn’t about what you achieve individually; it’s about what you inspire others to achieve. It’s about building systems and cultures that outlast you and continue to create value for generations to come. That’s the kind of leadership that fuels my passion—and the kind of legacy I hope to leave behind.
What strategies have you found most effective in building and maintaining a thriving team?
To build and maintain a thriving team, I believe you have to start with the end in mind: envisioning a legacy of empowered women who don’t just succeed but lead with purpose, wherever life positions them. This vision shapes everything I do, from the way I lead to the way I encourage others to lead. It’s about building something that outlives the moment we find ourselves in.
First, I focus on creating a ‘we’ culture. A team that thrives is one where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. When people know they’re part of something bigger than themselves, they show up with heart. They lean in. They contribute. And they do it because they’ve been invited to co-create the vision. People support what they help to create, and that’s a powerful force.
Second, I emphasise strong communication and shared vision. Every team needs a clear direction—a purpose that binds them together. But it’s not just about talking, it’s about listening, learning, growing and doing together. That’s where real connection and commitment happen. We are responsible for our individual growth as individuals. That way, we can contribute meaningfully and strengthen the team as a whole.
I also focus on impact-producing activities and showing up powerfully. You’ve got to know what moves the needle—what actions create results that matter. That means setting clear goals, measuring progress, and making sure what we do is not just productive but repeatable. A thriving team isn’t built on guesswork, it’s built on intentional, meaningful action. So, whether we are two or twenty-two, how we ‘show up’ powerfully to our activities is the game changer.
Then there’s empowerment. To me, leadership isn’t about holding power, it’s about giving it away. I encourage my team to adopt an “each one, reach one” mindset because when we intentionally pass on our skills to others, we all rise. As the saying goes, “empowered people empower people”, creating a legacy far bigger than any one person.
Finally, I believe in celebration and healthy competition. Recognition matters. Celebrating big or small wins creates energy, motivation, and a sense of belonging. I promote an atmosphere of healthy competition by creating a reward system where everyone who makes the effort can win. When success feels attainable, people push themselves, and they inspire others to do the same.
At the heart of all the strategies is a belief that a thriving team is a reflection of the values we live by every day: inclusion, impact, and enriching the lives of others.
Explain the transformative framework you developed that merges beauty with entrepreneurial growth
My framework is built on the idea that beauty is not just external—it’s about confidence, self-expression, and financial independence. I combine practical business tools, like customer engagement strategies and leadership training, with personal development practices, such as mindset shifts and resilience building. This holistic approach ensures that women not only succeed in their businesses but also thrive as individuals who inspire others.
With such significant accolades like the No. 1 Team Builder Award, how do you define success for yourself and your team?
Success means building a culture where we face challenges head-on with resilience, stay true to who we are, and push ourselves to deliver nothing but excellence. It’s about inspiring each person to step into their potential, giving them the tools and freedom to lead, and working together to smash big audacious goals. Success isn’t just about the wins, it’s about how we grow, how we trust each other, and the impact we leave behind. We are the team that not only achieves greatness but sets the standard for what greatness looks like.
What are some specific challenges that African fashion and beauty brands face in global markets, and how can they be addressed?
There are challenges, but none that can’t be turned into opportunities. I wish to speak to the issue of identity. African fashion and beauty are often labelled as niche, seasonal or trendy, rather than being acknowledged as significant cultural powerhouses and global influencers. Like anything that is mislabelled, misconception holds African fashion and beauty back from reaching their full potential in the global market. To change this, we need to reposition African fashion as an institution and global force that is innovative, impactful, and deeply rooted in community. We do this by investing in storytelling, strategic collaborations, and greater integration into global platforms that highlight its authenticity and transformative power.
Tell us about Victoria’s Smile Foundation, and what impact have you seen from the initiatives?
I’ve been honoured to serve on its board since its inception. The foundation was founded by Folasade Adesakin, one of my mentees through ‘The Mentoring Room,’ and her vision for addressing taboo subjects surrounding miscarriages, fertility struggles, and stillbirths is groundbreaking. My own personal struggles with infertility and childbirth inspired me to create the 20Smiles420Years campaign under the foundation’s umbrella. This initiative supports underserved pregnant women in rural Nigeria while ensuring their children receive lifelong education.
The foundation’s unique approach, as far as I know, of addressing multiple challenges women face in birthing babies, from fertility issues to stillbirths is the only one of its kind globally. My unwavering commitment to maternal health and education reflects my belief in the power of access and opportunity to break cycles of poverty and create generational change.
In your experience, what are the most effective ways to break cycles of poverty within underserved communities?
Empowering women through education and economic opportunities is critical. When women have earning power, they reinvest in their families and communities. It’s also important to address systemic barriers, such as non-inclusive and inequitable gender policies, access to healthcare and financial literacy, to create sustainable change.
What prompted you to write the ‘Throne Room Whispers Gratitude Journal,’ and how has it changed your perspective on resilience?
The ‘Throne Room Whispers Gratitude Journal’ was born out of my own journey through challenges, particularly after facing an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. Gratitude became my lifeline, helping me focus on GOD’s presence and the blessings in my life, even in the midst of pain. Through gratitude, I found the strength to move forward, and I wanted to share that transformative power with others.
There’s no leader I’ve met who doesn’t have a story of resilience. We all face storms, but it’s our perspective and connection to GOD that carry us through. Everything I do is grounded in faith—From very early on, I took GOD as my business partner, so I run all my decisions, actions, and initiatives through GOD in a place of daily consecration. The practice of intentional gratitude, for me, isn’t just an act, it’s a way of life. It’s the only way to live with true resilience and purpose.
Can you share some success stories from participants in your ‘66 Day Gratitude Journal Challenge?’
One story that stands out is from a participant who had lost her job and was struggling with self-worth. Through the gratitude challenge, she began to focus on what she had rather than what she lacked. This mindset shift gave her the courage to start a side business, which eventually became her main source of income and a thriving venture. Another participant shared how gratitude helped her rebuild her confidence after a series of personal losses, enabling her to approach life with a renewed sense of purpose. These stories reaffirm the transformative power of gratitude, showing how a shift in perspective can open new doors to resilience, growth and opportunities.
How do you continue to grow personally and professionally, and what role does lifelong learning play in your life?
Growth for me is deeply tied to being a good listener. I believe you can learn from everyone whether it’s a mentee, a colleague, or someone with a completely different perspective. Lifelong learning keeps me grounded, adaptable, and open to new opportunities for impact. It also fuels my curiosity and enables me to stay relevant in all the spaces I work in. I strive to refine my skills, deepen my faith, and broaden my understanding of the world. Everything I do is anchored in my relationship with GOD, who provides the guidance and wisdom I need to grow personally and professionally.
What are your future goals for your career and philanthropic endeavours?
My future goals are audacious. I aim to continue raising women leaders globally who not only achieve personal success but also have a meaningful impact on their families and communities. For me, a leader isn’t just someone with followers, it’s someone with earning power who uses it to create positive change. I want to expand my involvement in innovative programmes and collaborations that address pressing societal needs while empowering women to thrive. When a woman succeeds, her world changes for the better, and I want to see that narrative normalised and amplified on a global scale.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to become leaders in their fields?
I will use this opportunity to address my younger self:
Dear Abé, dream fearlessly, live fearlessly and love fearlessly. Guard your circle of influence very jealously because it can make or break you. Build a circle of cheerleaders who see your vision even when it feels blurry to you. Recognise the midwives GOD has placed in your life, they are divinely assigned to help you birth the dreams HE has planted within you. Get the help you need in spaces where you’re still growing, there’s no shame in learning as you go. You belong in every impactful room where you find yourself. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about stepping into the unknown with faith, falling down, and rising up stronger every time. Know this: your voice is powerful, your presence is needed, and the impact you can make is beyond anything you’ve dared to dream or imagine. Above all, prioritise your secret place with GOD, for it is here that your vision becomes clearer and the mission becomes possible. Embrace the journey, and trust that each step is shaping you into the person you’re meant to become.
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