Adenike Ogunlesi: A Quintessential Entrepreneur

Born on July 14th, 1959, to a Scottish mother, Adenike grew up in a vibrant polygamous home in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Her father was a medical doctor, while her mother, Elizabeth Okuboyejo, inspired her entrepreneurial spirit as a fashion entrepreneur.

After completing her secondary education in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adenike attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria to study law. However, during her second year, she made the bold decision to leave school in pursuit of her true passion, joining her mother in her tailoring business. Along the way, she also enhanced her skills through executive training at Lagos Business School.

Married to Adegbola Ogunlesi, an industrialist in the beauty industry and co-founder of the men’s fashion label Sofisticat, they are blessed with three children, including Ade Ogunlesi, a talented Nigerian music producer and singer.

Initially unsure of her path after leaving university, Adenike found encouragement from her mother to delve into the family fashion business. She worked alongside her mother at Betti O, a growing fashion label known for its unique designs using local Adire fabric. The experience sparked her creativity, and she embraced this venture wholeheartedly until marriage led her to focus on being a stay-at-home mom.

Adenike’s inspiration for creating children’s clothing came from a personal need when she searched in vain for pyjamas for her kids. This necessity transformed into a flourishing opportunity as her handmade pyjamas were embraced by family and friends, prompting her husband to encourage her to expand her efforts. Thus, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble was born in 1996.

With humble beginnings, Adenike started selling clothes from the trunk of her car at local markets, passionately showcasing her designs. Her relentless dedication paid off as demand grew, leading her to hire more tailors and eventually open her flagship store in Ikeja GRA in 2000. She furthered her business acumen by studying at Lagos Business School.

Today, Adenike Ogunlesi has transformed her clothing line into a national brand of respect and recognition. Ruff ‘n’ Tumble stands as one of Nigeria’s most successful and innovative companies specializing in children’s wear, operating a warehouse and factory with locations across major cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, and Kano.

In her pursuit of innovation, Adenike broadened her brand offerings with Trendsetters and NaijaBoysz, catering to the unique fashion tastes of today’s youth.

Additionally, her leadership extends beyond her business as she serves as a non-executive Director at Lafarge Africa PLC, an advisory board member at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Lagos Business School, and Women in Successful Career (WISCAR). As the founding member and first president of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) at NECA, she uplifts aspiring entrepreneurs through mentoring initiatives at the FATE Foundation, WISCAR, and MARA Foundation. She also coordinates the Marriage and Family Life unit at her local Catholic church.

In honor of her late mother, Adenike founded the Betti-O Foundation and Betti-O School Fashion, a non-profit organization aimed at training young individuals in fashion design, soft skills, and entrepreneurship. The foundation has empowered countless Nigerian women to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys with limited resources, partnering with the Lagos State Ministry for Wealth Creation and Employment to train youth in fashion design.

Adenike also established the ‘I Share Cuz I Care’ foundation in 2014, dedicated to educating and empowering children while promoting empathy within the community. Her journey embodies resilience, creativity, and a relentless spirit, inspiring the next generation to dream big and transform their lives.

Born on July 14th, 1959, to a Scottish mother, Adenike grew up in a vibrant polygamous home in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. Her father was a medical doctor, while her mother, Elizabeth Okuboyejo, inspired her entrepreneurial spirit as a fashion entrepreneur.

After completing her secondary education in Ibadan, Oyo State, Adenike attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria to study law. However, during her second year, she made the bold decision to leave school in pursuit of her true passion, joining her mother in her tailoring business. Along the way, she also enhanced her skills through executive training at Lagos Business School.

Married to Adegbola Ogunlesi, an industrialist in the beauty industry and co-founder of the men’s fashion label Sofisticat, they are blessed with three children, including Ade Ogunlesi, a talented Nigerian music producer and singer.

Initially unsure of her path after leaving university, Adenike found encouragement from her mother to delve into the family fashion business. She worked alongside her mother at Betti O, a growing fashion label known for its unique designs using local Adire fabric. The experience sparked her creativity, and she embraced this venture wholeheartedly until marriage led her to focus on being a stay-at-home mom.

Adenike’s inspiration for creating children’s clothing came from a personal need when she searched in vain for pyjamas for her kids. This necessity transformed into a flourishing opportunity as her handmade pyjamas were embraced by family and friends, prompting her husband to encourage her to expand her efforts. Thus, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble was born in 1996.

With humble beginnings, Adenike started selling clothes from the trunk of her car at local markets, passionately showcasing her designs. Her relentless dedication paid off as demand grew, leading her to hire more tailors and eventually open her flagship store in Ikeja GRA in 2000. She furthered her business acumen by studying at Lagos Business School.

Today, Adenike Ogunlesi has transformed her clothing line into a national brand of respect and recognition. Ruff ‘n’ Tumble stands as one of Nigeria’s most successful and innovative companies specializing in children’s wear, operating a warehouse and factory with locations across major cities like Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, and Kano.

In her pursuit of innovation, Adenike broadened her brand offerings with Trendsetters and NaijaBoysz, catering to the unique fashion tastes of today’s youth.

Additionally, her leadership extends beyond her business as she serves as a non-executive Director at Lafarge Africa PLC, an advisory board member at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of Lagos Business School, and Women in Successful Career (WISCAR). As the founding member and first president of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) at NECA, she uplifts aspiring entrepreneurs through mentoring initiatives at the FATE Foundation, WISCAR, and MARA Foundation. She also coordinates the Marriage and Family Life unit at her local Catholic church.

In honor of her late mother, Adenike founded the Betti-O Foundation and Betti-O School Fashion, a non-profit organization aimed at training young individuals in fashion design, soft skills, and entrepreneurship. The foundation has empowered countless Nigerian women to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys with limited resources, partnering with the Lagos State Ministry for Wealth Creation and Employment to train youth in fashion design.

Adenike also established the ‘I Share Cuz I Care’ foundation in 2014, dedicated to educating and empowering children while promoting empathy within the community. Her journey embodies resilience, creativity, and a relentless spirit, inspiring the next generation to dream big and transform their lives.