Olajumoke Oduwole is founder and CEO and Senior Web Developer, KJK Communication Limited, a Tech / software development company in Nigeria. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Larry Page, Ginni Rometty, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, are but a few of the names Olajumoke Oduwole looks up to. Very soon, she plans to become a part of this coveted list of techpreneurs.
As a leading consultant on digital transformation in businesses, her expertise cuts across Business Management, Communications, Digital Marketing, 3-D design transformations, EdTech, Software Architecture, Web/Mobile/PC Development, Creatives and Corporate Branding, development of live applications and IT maintenance.
The journey to KJK Communication Limited started at the tender age of 15 when Olajumoke got a scholarship to become a Software Professional by KarROX Technologies. Through the scholarship, she learnt 16 programming languages including OOPs, Java, MySQL Server.
At age 18, Olajumoke led a project called “PROJECT SECH”, which focused on improving the use and impact of ICT in Lagos Secondary Schools, Nigeria. She was able to develop ICT programs in 6 schools, impacting about 380 students between the ages of 12-16 years.
After completing her compulsory one-year service under the NYSC scheme, she decided to engage in some “side hustle”, using her graphics and website design skills while still jobhunting. She thereafter got a project to bring a business idea to life. Shortly after, she was offered a well-paying job and could no longer work on the project. She was unable to find a qualified and affordable person to continue the project. That was when she realized that not many skilled and affordable personnel were available to serve and assist small businesses. Soon enough, she quit her job, where she was heading the Digital Marketing, Brand Communications and IT department at an investment firm. In June 2014, KJK Communication Limited was born.
The business was founded out of the realization that not many small businesses had access to skilled programmers and tech experts. “This meant small businesses have a disadvantage from the start. This observation piqued my interest in serving this underserved population,” she says. After quitting her previous job, she ventured into this unchartered territory in May 2014 from her bedroom with savings of $300. It was a small space but had lofty dreams. After a year, the business grew and she was able to open an office and employ two more people. Today, the team includes 18 full-time employees and works with 37 contract programmers on a project basis. The business has since built apps such as the tru-DATA app owned by TrippleGee & Co. Plc. a security company which resulted in a contract worth $2 million. “The tru-DATA product is being used to combat counterfeiting and proliferation of fake products, impacting the community and people’s lives. This feat strengthened our belief in our purpose, instilled a sense of pride, and gave us the vision of being the IBM of Africa,” she says.
Last year, they also received funding from the World Bank. She is the beneficiary of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women, a global initiative that fosters economic growth for women entrepreneurs. “In the next five to 10 years, I plan to build products that will provide a tangible solution to problems faced by growing businesses in Nigeria and Africa,” she says. “I believe it is our duty as people sharing life in this world to shape the future. I am committed to building my technology dreams so that the outcome will shape the future of African business. You can partner with me on this journey to influence the economic narrative of Africa for good.”
Source: refinedng.com