By Oisereime Lloyd, Business Development Manager and Communications, Nigeria
From facing community mockery to becoming a respected entrepreneur, Suebat Arinola Folawiyo’s journey reflects the power of the Solar Sister model – blending support, training, and the hard work of a determined woman.
A key part of the Solar Sister model is community advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about clean energy and create opportunities for women. Our Business Development Associates (BDAs) lead these campaigns, connecting with women interested in joining the business and guiding them through registration.
Suebat Arinola Folawiyo, a Solar Sister Entrepreneur (SSE) in Kwara State, Nigeria, and mother of four, joined Solar Sister in March 2022 after meeting her BDA Aminat Salami on one of these campaigns.
“Before joining Solar Sister, I had a provision store and was a photographer. However, life has not been so easy for my family. My husband was unemployed, and I needed to pay for the home from my little business. I worked day and night to provide for my children’s needs in school and put food on the table. I rarely focused on my personal needs because I had little or no money left. People in my community and work association mocked me at any given opportunity for working so hard. Still, I never gave up on my dreams and hard work.”
Suebat said that when she started working in the community marketing her product, these same people laughed at her, calling her “Madam Jama, Jama,” which means all business and no direction.
“At first, I felt discouraged, but my BDA was an excellent support pillar. She told me I could achieve it if I believed in my dreams. Aminat taught me to save up my six months’ profits, which I used to get my first smartphone. This phone has helped me advertise and boost my solar and photography business.”
Suebat attended Sisterhood Meetings, followed the training, and met with other successful entrepreneurs. Communication with other women has helped her significantly in a short period, and the modules are helpful to her personal life and business. She loves how her BDA teaches the modules that emphasize goal setting and ways of achieving them. She has used the training to grow and refine her business and used her profit to get her husband a bike so he could start a small transportation business. She has also supported the family in moving them to their home, which is nearing completion.
“My story changed for good within the community. I am now respected and seen as a role model for other women.”
Suebat visits different communities to promote her clean energy business. She meets her customers in various ways. Some customers come to our shop while others close out their transactions through their mobile phones.
“I offer my customers a wide range of products to suit their financial capacity. Also, I tend to make getting these products easy by offering installment payments. I sell small lamps, phone charging lamps, solar home systems, and clean cookstoves. I visit various areas and pitch products of need based on my findings. I sometimes trek to nearby communities to reach more people. My husband assists with his bike delivery to far communities.
My proudest moment as a business person was when I got my Android smartphone and moved into our house. I am more than excited to be a Solar Sister entrepreneur.”