Our LagosMums mum of the month is Ify Okoye, an entrepreneur, ex model/ ex beauty queen, YouTuber, home maker, wife and mum and we enjoyed talking with her. Read more about this amazing mum as she shares her passion to profit experience and her motherhood journey so far.
Please tell us about yourself?
I’m a wife, mum of two extraordinary girls, ex model/ ex beauty queen, entrepreneur, YouTuber and home maker. I’m funny, witty, super confident and an unrepentant foodie. I was born and raised in Warri, Delta state but I come from Anambra state in eastern Nigeria. I left for Port-harcourt to study in UNIPORT were I graduated with a Bsc in industrial chemistry.
Share one unexpected thing about you?
I can’t speak igbo.. Lol
Can you share all the hats/roles that you wear?
Wife, mum, ex beauty queen, entrepreneur, industrial chemist, YouTuber!
Tell us about your beautiful family?
I have been married to my amazing husband for 5 years now and we are blessed with two super amazing girls. My first daughter was born in 2014 while the second was born in 2017.
What has surprised you the most about motherhood?
One thing that has surprised me is my pain threshold. I didn’t realize that I had a high threshold for pain until I was in labor. I also fought my fears of taking injections and this was as a result of my prenatal visits.
What has motherhood taught you about yourself?
A mothers love is unique and it can multiply. Amidst all the sleepless nights, messy diapers, constant worrying, tears, tantrums, nothing supersedes the love and bond that I share with my children. All these and more makes it all worthwhile.
[Tweet “Amidst all the sleepless nights, messy diapers, constant worrying, tears, tantrums, nothing supersedes the love and bond that I share with my children – Ify Okoye”]
Can you tell us some of the funniest things your children have said or done?
When Emma found out my name was Ify and that I had another name aside from mama, she was completely taken aback and started calling me Ify all through that evening.
​What’s one thing you think your parents got absolutely right raising you that you would like to pass on as you bring up your own children?
The power of togetherness and how it had helped solidify the relationship I have with my siblings. I will ensure my kids understand that family is so important and of course the bond between siblings should remain forever.
Share your professional journey so far
As a beauty enthusiast, I longed for the best nail care services and treatment when I was pregnant and after I had my first daughter. I couldn’t make it out to the nail salon as often as I wanted to because I was nursing, then I started looking for places to buy my own products and I couldn’t find at all. So I did a lot of research and said to myself “hey why don’t you bring more of this in” Interestingly, a few persons had started to reach out after I posted my collection of lacquers and nail care product on social media. And that was how it all started. From ordering little batches to shipping over 1000 polishes; it has been an amazing journey so far.
Tell us more about The Painted Nail Supply Store.
The unavailability of quality nail care product drove me to start my business. The painted nail supply store is an online store that retails quality nail care products to nail salons and individuals. Ranging from nail polishes, acrylic powders, manicure and pedicure implements etc at very affordable rates.
Please share with us how you balance your roles as Mum and as an entrepreneur
I keep everything organized and I make use of my planners and reminders so I don’t miss out on both official meetings and my children’s school activities. I try to balance it all out, like if I can’t be present, my husband will be there or the nannies will be there if we are both unavailable at any given time. My sisters are very much present in our lives so they come in especially on date nights and we can get to stay out for as long as we want to.
Over time I have been able to build a structure that has worked and is still working for us in my home placing the kids as our major priority.
Does Work-Life Balance exist?
Yes, absolutely.
How important is a support system for a mum?
To me, every woman needs a good support system to sustain her through this journey called motherhood. Nothing prepares you for motherhood and Having some type of support system as a new mom is incredibly important. I would encourage all mums to seek out some sort of support from other mums. You will be surprised at how much support you did not know you were missing!
Who is in your Tribe?
For me it is my husband, sisters and my daughters.
Use one word to describe one thing that should not be missing from every home?
Love
[Tweet “I would encourage all mums to seek out support from other mums. You will be surprised at how much support you did not know you were missing! – Ify Okoye”]
How do you relax and spend time on yourself?
I strongly believe in looking good. Every mum should strive to lead a healthier lifestyle so you don’t age overnight. Try to pamper yourself everyday. Invest in good skin care products, exercise daily, eat good food and watch how great you will feel on the inside. I’m very active during the day so my brain is working non-stop. In the evenings I bond with my family and after I put the kids to bed, take a hot shower, pamper my skin with all the good stuff, read a book or watch TV and make sure I’m asleep before 10:30pm.
As a Yummy Mummy – can you tell us how you stay stylish and your beauty routine.
I read up new trends from the internet or magazines, save them on my phone, stalk fashion related accounts and use that as a guide while shopping. I understand my body so well so I sort of know what fits and what doesn’t.
Also, I have a beauty regimen for my hair, skin and nails. It is quite lengthy so follow my YouTube channel (ify Okoye). I will upload all the juicy details on there. Lol.
What are the top three fashion/lifestyle tips that LagosMums need?
- Exercise daily even if its for 30 minutes.
- Know your body type and shop for your body and not because everyone else has that particular outfit.
- Drink water…. Lots and lots of it.
What do you love about LagosMums?
I enjoy the fact that it keeps me abreast of all the amazing things that mums are doing across our country and especially here in Lagos.
#MumGoals Trivia
N1million or more sleep?
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- More sleep!
Go on a shopping spree or all expenses paid trip to your top destination?
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- All expense paid trip for sure!
Homeschooling or traditional school?
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- Traditional school
A spa day or Eat out?
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- Spa day!!
Visit LagosMums Mum of the Month category to read from other mums who share their motherhood journey.
SEE ALSO: Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance
