Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonia Odili
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began my journey in Lagos, Nigeria, guided by a lifelong passion for helping people and making a meaningful difference. This desire inspired me to launch SM Jury, a mentorship conference connecting thought leaders with startups and young entrepreneurs across Africa. I have always believed that many individuals carry untapped greatness within them but often lack the guidance and resources to realize their potentials. This belief sparked my vision to create a platform where ideas could flourish, frustrations could be transformed, and dreams could become reality.
My background, combined with the unwavering support of my family and my faith in Jesus, has been the foundation of my journey. Discovering my true passion and finding ways to align it with my career ambitions required perseverance. My entrepreneurial journey began at just 16 years old when I became the publisher of an events magazine in Delta State, Nigeria. Covering high-profile events provided my first taste of financial independence, but I quickly realized something was missing. While I was successful, it didn’t align with my purpose of mentoring and uplifting others.
This realization inspired the creation of SM Jury, now one of the largest mentorship conferences. Through this platform, I have impacted thousands of lives by providing mentorship, guidance, and financial grants to entrepreneurs striving to bring their dreams to life. With the support of sponsors and partners, SM Jury has empowered individuals across diverse sectors, including beauty, agriculture, and retail. Witnessing these entrepreneurs grow their businesses, unlock their potential, and succeed has been one of my greatest sources of fulfillment.
The success stories of beneficiaries inspire me daily—stories of businesses flourishing, dreams pursued, and barriers overcome. This work also highlighted a crucial challenge: many people are held back by mental health barriers. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, and a lack of resources often prevent them from pursuing their goals. This realization motivated me to expand my capacity to help others by earning a second master’s degree at Sam Houston State University and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Texas. I now focus on helping people bridge the gap between where they are and where they dream to be, offering the mental and emotional support necessary to unlock their full potential.
As I embrace the opportunities of 2025, I am excited to unveil the next chapter of my journey: the launch of H.O.P.E Foundation—a transformative academy initiative designed to empower individuals to achieve their dreams, build meaningful lives, and create thriving businesses.
H.O.P.E stands for:
H: Help and Healing for the hurting.
O: Overcome obstacles and Offer opportunities.
P: Potential, Positivity, Push, and Press forward.
E: Embrace, Educate, and Empower.
The sessions will provide participants with tools, guidance, and connections to unlock opportunities and build a life of purpose and achievement.
My hope is that this academy, along with my story, will inspire others to pursue their passions, conquer their fears, and recognize the greatness that resides within each one, waiting to be awakened.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to success has been anything but smooth, and my story is far from a tale of ease and comfort. The journey has been shaped by countless rejections, setbacks, and moments of doubt. Time and again, my proposals to brands were turned down, yet I never let go of my dream—to inspire hope and guide others through life’s challenges. Along the way, I’ve discovered that perseverance and unwavering faith in one’s vision can transform even the harshest “no” into a stepping stone toward ultimate success.
Discovering my passion and finding ways to monetize it came with its own set of challenges.
In 2015, I ventured into vlogging and started monetizing my YouTube channel. My first paycheck was $500, a milestone that felt like a breakthrough. But in 2016, just as my channel began to gain visibility, it was unexpectedly taken down. That moment was devastating. It felt like my efforts have crumbled within a twinkle of an eye. Yet, I refused to give up. My mantra, then and now, has been: “Never give up. You will face many ‘no’s, but watch out for the ‘yeses,’ even if it’s just one. And never be afraid to ask for help.”
I kept pushing forward, learning, and growing. After years of advocating and navigating challenges, my YouTube channel was finally restored in September 2024 an incredible reminder that persistence pays off.
Each setback along the way has taught me invaluable lessons. There were times I doubted myself, especially when my vision seemed too big to actualize. But I have come to understand that obstacles are not roadblocks, they are tests of determination. Whether it was facing rejection emails, struggling to gain sponsorship for conferences, or working tirelessly without immediate rewards, every challenge strengthened my resolve and deepened my purpose.
The challenges I have faced have also instilled in me a greater appreciation for the power of community and collaboration. Asking for help was not always easy, but it proved transformative. It reminded me that we are never alone in our struggles, God is always with us, and support can come from the least expected places.
Through it all, my dream of building my brand remained unwavering. I wanted to create a space where others could rise above their limitations and realize their potential. The joy of seeing lives transformed, entrepreneurs growing their businesses, overcoming fears, and chasing their dreams, has been the greatest reward of all.
Today, I stand proud of the progress I have made, not because it was easy but because I never gave up. My journey is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and belief in a vision.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome mental health challenges and navigate life’s obstacles with resilience. My goal is to equip people with the skills and tools they need to conquer their struggles, find hope, and pursue their true potential. I am passionate about inspiring others to create the life and business of their dreams, regardless of their humble beginnings.
In addition to my counseling practice, I am a public speaker and thrive on opportunities to share messages of H.O.P.E at conferences and events. I focus on topics such as mental health ,wellness, personal development, and the power of perseverance, aiming to leave lasting, transformative impressions on my audience.
What sets me apart is my holistic approach to mentorship and counseling. I don’t just guide people; I walk alongside them on their journey, offering both practical strategies and emotional support. I believe that everyone possesses the potential for greatness, and my role is to help uncover it, even when life’s challenges feel insurmountable.
I am incredibly proud of the work I have done to transform the lives of over thousands of individuals through counseling, mentorship, and public speaking. My proudest moment was hosting one of my mentorship conferences at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, where thought leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs came together to exchange ideas, build connections, and inspire one another to reach new heights. It was a defining experience that reinforced the impact of my work on a global scale.
Looking ahead, I am committed to expanding my reach and continuing to impact lives worldwide. Whether through one-on-one counseling, mentorship programs, or giving the H.O.P.E speech, my goal remains the same: to help individuals discover their potential, embrace hope, and create a future filled with purpose and success.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me truly happy is making a difference in the lives of others, particularly when I see people rediscover their belief in themselves. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about watching someone who has lost hope or feels broken, slowly pick up the pieces and rebuild their life. To know that I’ve played a role in helping them regain their strength and confidence is a profound source of joy for me.
When I witness these transformations, it reaffirms why I do what I do, it’s not just about offering advice or guidance, but about helping others believe that they are capable of more than they think. The resilience and courage people find within themselves after facing adversity inspire me every day and remind me of the power of hope, support, and personal growth. Knowing I have made a positive impact, no matter how big or small, brings me a sense of fulfillment that words can hardly describe.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toniaodili
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odilitonia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToniaOdili
- Other: toniaodili@gmail.com
