Today we’d like to introduce you to Lola Ojo.
Lola, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey started when I moved to Houston in 2015 to be with my partner after enduring a year long-distance relationship. Our relationship has made me do alot of self-evaluation and rethinking what my true purpose is in life.
I got to where I am today because I and my family moved to Nigeria in 1998. Being a part of a diverse and unique culture that always expressed life through art is something I am genuinely thankful to my parents for. My father was an imaginative entrepreneur while my mother was a jack of all trades; she crafted jewelry, catered food, braided hair, and tailored African wear. Had they not instilled my culture in me at a young age, we probably won’t be doing this interview.
I wanted to pursue a degree in Medicine but deep down inside I knew I wasn’t truly happy. I no longer had the drive or passion; it was a ‘make it happen now or you won’t see yourself making it happen before you expire’ type of situation I was in when I was at the age of 22. So, fast forwarding back to 2015, I took out a small payday loan of $300 to start up my business. The rest was up to me; you only get out whatever you put in
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It DEFINITELY wasn’t a smooth road, I can reassure you that much. I am a persistent worker with alot of energy. One of my flaws is overachieving; aiming to be a perfectionist at everything I touch and brainstorm. There are times where I am too hypercritical over my work so I get discouraged and overwhelmed sometimes. I run and operate alot of businesses so, in order for me to stay grounded and confident, I have to remind myself to focus on my spirit and well-being. Exercising, meditating, eating a plant-based diet, hiking, skateboarding, and being around friend and family keeps me balanced internally.
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I am a self-taught holistic artist; visual/abstract/graphic art, craftswoman/jeweler, plant-based chef, and a yoga practitioner. My art and craft explore the relationship between what is known and unknown in this journey called life. It emphasizes on my higher self/lower self, spirit body/physical body, and what it means to be free. The association between the spirit world and this matrix we live in has always been a focus of discussion in my art and craft.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Anybody, women especially, can do anything they desire. There are plenty of opportunities women can be well positioned for without feeling peer pressured into doing something thats momentarily “popular” or to please someone else. Every woman has their own gift and purpose they need to fulfill. Once they figure out “why?” and “how?”, all the answers and reassurance they need will unfold.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artbysteelo.net
- Email: artbysteelo@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artby_steelo/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/artby_steelo?s=09
Image Credit:
Tee Hogans, @Liontee23
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