The Dream and Plan for Angela’s Vogue

Country of Origin: Nigeria

ETP Year: ETP Develop-Winter 2024

Education: Bachelor's degree in History, Graduate Diploma in Business Administration, and Master of Business Administration

An ETP alumnus and current MBA student at Memorial, Elohor Oghenekaro is a fashion entrepreneur and designer with a background in tailoring and creative design. She founded Angela’s Vogue to address retail stores' lack of vibrant, diverse, and personalized fashion. She is passionate about empowering self-expression and cultural representation and is building a sustainable fashion brand that blends innovation with inclusivity.

Why did you participate in ETP? 

I joined the Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) to learn about the Canadian entrepreneurial industry beyond what I had learned in school and explore the possibility of starting my start-up and scaling my business idea into a profitable business in Canada. The most valuable lesson I learned was the importance of validating a business idea through customer insights. It helped me refine my strategy and focus on real market needs. 

What is the most valuable lesson you learned through ETP?

I learned a lot about entrepreneurship, understanding how ideas are birthed, the fundamentals of starting a business, and the role of a business owner. I am aware that expertise is key. Having an all-rounded knowledge of the business's operations and operating within the legalities of your business avoids running at a loss or owing the government.

How has this lesson benefited you in your career and business pursuits? 

The program motivated me to learn and network more. It was also a good platform for me to understand entrepreneurship. It allowed me to participate in the Illuminate, MCE Essentials cohort, and the LearnLaunch program, which I am working on starting this summer. It has also been an incredible experience to learn a new way of organizing and growing my business idea.

What is the most valuable skill you developed through ETP & how has it benefited you? 

Networking. Before joining the ETP program, I had never discussed my business idea. I didn't see the potential of bringing it to light. The ETP program spotted my business as a valuable venture, having an investor interested in partnering with a student in my line of business. It reawakened my talent, and I began to take bold steps.

What is the most valuable connection you made through ETP?

Through this program, I made valuable connections. I connected with Dr. Carlos Bazan, one of my professors, who is well grounded in Entrepreneurship; Libby Carew  from Springboard, who is a great mentor and supportive; and Dr. Jacqui Bartlett. The program helped me set clear goals and objectives for my business idea.

What is your #1 tip to students considering entrepreneurship?

Validate your business idea and ensure it is solving a problem that exists and is needed. This process helps you identify issues that can pivot an ideal solution for your idea. This process saves time and resources. Never be shy to pitch your idea and actively listen and learn from every moment because it better shapes your business idea.

What are you up to now? 

I'm rounding up my MBA (scheduled to graduate in April 2025) and working on setting up my start-up. I am learning how to pitch at start-up events to gain initial capital to set my business running while gaining mentorship on growing a career path of interest and ensuring my start-up becomes a successful business in NL.

If ETP students wish to contact you to learn from your experience and seek your advice, how can they contact you? 

Sure! I'm happy to share insights, and I can be reached via email at eaoghenekaro@mun.ca  and on LinkedIn: Elohor Angela Oghenekaro.

 

Interviewed by Dr. Hanh Do - ETP Coordinator in the School of Graduate Studies at Memorial University. She can be reached at dtmaihanh@mun.ca