LagosMums loves to meet with different mothers to talk about motherhood, how they balance their various roles and more. Our LagosMums Mum of the Month is Funmi Gombe and we enjoyed talking with her! Read how this super mum manages to balance her full time job with a thriving business – The Event Nanny.
Who is Funmi Gombe?
Funmi Gombe is a young lady born to The Very Reverend and Mrs. Olumuyiwa Aje from Ondo State. She is a graduate of Sociology added to which she holds an MBA from the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS) and she has about 16 years continuous professional working experience.
Tell us about your beautiful family?
I am a mother to three adorable boys, wife to the very handsome S.U Gombe and a homemaker.
Tell us about your journey to motherhood and how motherhood changed you?
Interestingly, I had a three year waiting period before I conceived with my first child. And trust me it has been an interesting, rewarding and beautiful experience. The journey of motherhood has made me so much more tolerant, patient and understanding.
Can you tell us some of the funniest things your children have said/asked you?
My middle child observing that I have had a four year space in childbearing asked me in 2016 when I turned forty if they should be expecting their baby sister.
Tell us about your career journey.
I commenced my career in 2001 in a multi-national organisation and I have held various positions successfully till date.
You recently became an entrepreneur? Tell us about The Event Nanny? Where did the idea come from?
The Event Nanny is a family-oriented organisation that seeks to provide bespoke childcare/crèche services during events such as weddings, birthdays, corporate functions, private parties, sporting events and exhibitions.
The idea was borne from my personal experience as a young mother, I found taking my children to certain events and found it very stressful as they got bored easily, became very cranky and would plead to go home. As a result I ended up not enjoying the event at all and just toyed with the idea of always holding a game, a colouring book or something with me to engage my children while I had a bit of fun.
Then this fateful day, I went for a particular wedding and happened to sit in an area with parents that came with a good number of children. Even though I was not with any child of mine, I was stressed out by the constant cries, a child spilling her drink by mistake, the toddler that would rather dash to the stage area than sit with his mum. Above all I saw the parents struggling to have a good time as they were saddled with caring for their children and the thought popped in my heart again “ Funmi, it would be nice to have children constructively engaged during adult’s party so why not start something to solve this problem so parents can have their hands free after a long week at work and truly enjoy the program they have come for”. Voila! The Event Nanny was birthed.
Are you a Super Woman? How do you balance it all?
Every woman is a Super Woman, trust me, especially Nigerian women. We are strong, resilient and hardworking. It’s not easy to have work life balance except you deliberately ensure you do. I am intentional about balancing it all, being a wife, a mother, a career woman and newly an entrepreneur. Not easy but I try.
[Tweet “Nigerian women are strong, resilient and hardworking.”]
As a Yummy Mummy can you tell us how you stay stylish and your beauty routine.
Honestly, I wear what I am comfortable in. Comfort is my watchword in my style of dressing. As for beauty routine, I follow the water therapy – drinking as much water as I can, which helps me in maintaining a healthy skin glow.
What support system do you have? Is your husband a hands-on Dad?
I have a very, very, strong support system in my husband, my Mum and my personal child care provider. My husband is indeed a very hands-on Dad. I would not have been able to accomplish so much where it not for my husband’s constant prayer, advice, chastising when necessary and support. I owe him a lot.
What advice would you give mums who are struggling to balance raising their families and winning in their businesses?
Having a good support system is very essential but most importantly Mums should be deliberate about balancing both family and business. They should set personal and realistic goals and strive towards achieving them.
What myths did you hear as a new mum?
During pregnancy, I was warned not to let people cross my legs while seated else my child will come out looking like that person. However, several people crossed my legs and none of my children came out looking like any one of them.
How do you relax? What do you do for “me-time”?
I watch comedies with a small tub of ice – cream or when I can afford it, I give myself a spa treatment.
What is one thing that shouldn’t be missing from every home?
Family Time! It could be during morning prayers (this could be tough) or evening prayers which is what we practice. It could also be during dinner, whatever time works for you, ensure there is a family time where every member of the family sit together to just gist and to pray.
What makes #LagosMums special?
LagosMums is special because it has succeeded in creating a platform that brings women together who enable one another in coping with motherhood, ask questions, receive advice, network with other leading women, make new and formidable friendships and so much more. I truly admire and applaud the vision of LagosMums.
Share your views on how Love and how you can teach children about true love?
True love can only be taught by example. Parents displaying the true meaning of love and consciously speaking to their children and those in their care about the right kind of love.
We definitely enjoyed hearing from our LagosMums Mum of the Month Funmi Gombe. For more on the event nanny, follow them on Instagram @theeventnanny or visit www.theeventnanny.com.ng
Read Other LagosMums Mum of the Month Features Here
