Ifeoma Esonwune
Founder & CEO, Network for the Empowerment of Women
Website / Matella Event Concepts / LinkedIn
Ifeoma Esonwune is a visionary entrepreneur, founder, and community leader committed to creating social change and making a difference in her community and the world at large. She is the owner of Matella Event Concepts – a communication and event management company specialized in the production and planning of corporate and social events.
Her passion for women and girls empowerment, diversity and inclusion led her to establish the Network for the Empowerment of Women (NEW), an organization that provides a safe and welcoming space, where women can unite without discrimination or judgement to gain motivation and fulfill their dreams of business and leadership. A place where every woman has the opportunity to become empowered through the discovery of her unique passion and talent, to network and mentor one another, and to build long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.
Her background is in Hospitality Management, Communication and Leadership.
In Ifeoma’s words:
My family and I immigrated to Halifax in June of 2016. It was a mixed feeling of excitement and uncertainty at first. Still, it did not take me long to settle into the friendliness and beautiful smiles of the people of Halifax.
Though I arrived in Halifax with a lot of expectations, I was going to integrate quickly, find a job and acclimatize to the weather. Little did I know it wasn't going to be as easy as it was getting used to the smiles. I had to learn to cope alone with three kids while hunting for a job and getting to know the city. My husband had gone back to Nigeria to continue his work.
I must say that finding a job as a new immigrant wasn't that easy in 2016, due to the lack of Canadian work experience for newly landed immigrants. I remember asking someone if it was possible to have Canadian work experience without living in Canada prior? I was a few weeks old in Halifax at that time.
But I learned quickly to create that experience for myself if no one was willing to give me the chance to prove my skills. Two months after I arrived in Canada, I started my own event planning business -
Matella Event Concepts. I faced the same barrier in my business, being a new start-up. That didn't stop me, though. I began producing my very own signature events. I volunteered anytime I found the opportunity. I collaborated whenever I saw an opportunity for collaboration. And within three years, Matella Event Concepts had successfully produced and managed multiple corporate and social events, including fundraisers. By 2018, I founded the Network for the Empowerment of Women, Rise and Lead Girls Forum, and Little Learners Social Association.
I am a person who believes strongly that everyone is uniquely endowed and that every dream is realizable if you work SMART at it. This mindset has helped me in all my endeavours. I am also a believer in the empowerment of women and girls, and the advancement of gender equality. My firm belief in possibilities and enthusiasm led me to venture into Summerside, PEI, to host the first of its kind International Women Day celebration in 2019. The event brought together women from Halifax, Moncton and Summerside to share knowledge and empower one another.
I hosted a first of its kind Rise and Lead Girls Conference 2019 in Halifax. The conference brought together girls from Charlottetown, Annapolis Valley, Halifax and neighbouring Communities. I also hosted the first ever Girls Inspire Girls Summit commemorating International Day of the Girl 2019. This inaugural event featured young ordinary girls from our communities doing extraordinary things and creating social change.
Little Learners Social Association is a platform through which I positively engage and inspire children in my community and beyond to stay focused and dream big. But most importantly, build friendship and learn to live in peace and love with one another. Little Learners Social Association won the Community Impact Award from the Association of Nigerians in Nova Scotia for being an organization that made the most impact within our community in 2019.
I also received the 2019 Most Inspiring Immigrants in the Maritimes Award from My East Coast Experience for my vision, leadership and impact in the Maritimes Community.
My events and works have been covered by the mainstream media including CTV Atlantic, CBC, and Global News Halifax.
I have also been mentioned, and a statement read about me twice in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly by MLA Rafah DiCostanzo.
I am very grateful for all the awards, recognition, and accolades that I have received in the short time that I have been in business living in Nova Scotia.
-
What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I am most proud of the work my team and I have done creating empowering events for women and girls, and our efforts in advancing gender equality. I am also proud of all the amazing women who believe in me and support me with everything I do.
I am earnestly proud of parents who believe in the programs we offer at Little Learners and trust us with their children. I am also proud of the recognition, accolades, news coverage, and awards I have received so far.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
I hope that every small business will find the opportunity to build partnership for growth and scale up globally. I hope that they find ways for collaboration with big corporations here in Canada and abroad. I also hope that more doctors stay in Atlantic Canada. .
I see the biggest opportunity in the effort to retain young talents and international students in Atlantic Canada. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot program is a big opportunity too.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
I think it is in making a conscious effort to rediscover myself always, in recognizing my potentials, and understanding where my strengths and weaknesses lie. That understanding has helped shape my life, my business and my daily interactions with others. I believe strongly in my ability and potential, considering that I can do and be better. It is that innate desire to do good, to help humanity.
What made a shift for me is that awakening that comes through deep, sincere reflections on my life and experiences.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
Stephen Covey's The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness. It is Mr. Covey's follow up to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I love it.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
The incredible power of forgiveness. I learn to set myself free by forgiving others. When you forgive those who hurt you, you set yourself free from hurting. So, I forgive for me - first and foremost.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
A lot of incredible people in my life inspire me daily. My family is my greatest source of inspiration. Also, Emme Morin (15 years old) actually I met her when she was 14. She has been an indirect source of inspiration for me. Each time I think of all her selfless accomplishments at such a young age, I'm always challenged to keep doing. She is so young yet so athletic and strong. I admire her greatly.
What would you have done differently?
I would have said “No” on occasions that “Yes” brought me hurt. But I really don't regret giving of myself unconditionally for a good cause.
What are the principles you live by?
Live one day at a time.
Make time for family.
Believe in your ability.
Value friendship.
Uplift others.
Say “No” sometimes.
-
Women & Girls Empowerment, Serial Entrepreneur, Event Manager, Storyteller, Food enthusiast