Meet Our Mum Of The Month: Mrs Lilian Odim
LagosMums interviews Mrs Lilian Odim, a mum and entrepreneur. Enjoy this exclusive interview with our mum of the month.
Please introduce yourself
My Name is Lilian Odim, I am the founder and CEO of Business Direct Services a marketing and consultancy service. I also run The Audrey Pack a maternal and childcare initiative.
What do you love about motherhood? What are the challenges?
Motherhood has taught me to love unconditionally and completely. Of course it has not been smooth sailing, motherhood comes with its own challenges from teething to an unexplained fever, worrying about when she will start to walk, just generally worrying too much about things that don’t make sense.
What scares you most about being a mother?
 For me it is not a fear, but more of a constant need to worry about the safety and wellbeing of my child.
Any funny moments as a mother?
Of course, so many. I remember getting all dressed up to go out and I had to change my daughter’s diaper and she peed all over me. I just burst in to laughter because there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.
What are the top 3 skills LagosMums need?
 You need to be able to multitask effectively, run a home and still be a good wife
What is the funniest thing you have heard your child say?
My daughter is just learning to talk, so when I call her name, she calls me Lilian and it sounds so funny.
What lessons have marriage thought you?
The ability to be selfless and still love.
How do you balance working and family? Does the word “balance” still exist?
Well for me, I can say I have been able to balance both work and raising my child through a wonderful support system I have found in my family. I run my own business which allows me to be quite flexible but that does not mean I should abuse that privilege because I have staff who are watching and looking up to me to guide them . I do school drop off on my way to work and use my lunch time to pick up my daughter from school and head back to the office .When I have meetings that clash with school pick up, a family member steps in to help .
How do you relax?
Since becoming a mother, relaxation for me has taken on a whole new meaning, we take family vacations, but I still find a way to have some me time by going to the spa or watching a movie.
What are your children’s’ names? Why did you give them these names?
I have one daughter and her name is Audrey. Her father chose the name while in church, at first I protested but when I got to know the meaning I fell in love with it. Audrey means Noble strength.
What makes LagosMums unique?
Lagosmums are unique because nowhere in this country does a mother have to be an efficient user of her time as well as multitask in this ever challenging environment.
What is your philosophy of life?Â
My philosophy though not my own words is live , love , laugh , these three words have come to define life for me .
Share practical tips on how to balance it all? Can a mum have it all?
I am living proof that you can have it all, I run a successful business and I have never been happier. I am able to run my business and keep my family life going .You need to set your priorities in order of needs and wants.
I believe family should always be the number one go to in terms of help with children, but if that is not available, then you can look for outside help, but one has to be very careful with bringing in a stranger to take care of your child.
How do you stay focused or grounded?
My faith in God keeps me grounded and I aspire to be the best in my dealings with people every day.
What do you do and what inspires what you do?
Since having my child, I have discovered that there is a need to improve the lives of pregnant women and nursing mothers’ not through monetary gifts but through information that can be of benefit to them and their families. As a result of this, the Audrey pack was formed. It has ultimately become a passion for me to see that maternal and child mortality rates in Africa are reduced and if possible totally eradicated.
What has your passion to profit journey been like?
It has been quite interesting and rewarding at the same time, what was once a dream for me has become a reality and we have been able to reach out to women across Nigeria & Ghana with more African countries coming on board. Each time I see a woman receive the Audrey Pack and she is ecstatic and shocked that it is given for free, it makes me happy.
What one thing do you think should never be missing from every home?Â
I think love should be the ultimate once a child knows that he or she is loved everything will fall into place.
[Tweet “once a child knows that he or she is loved everything will fall into place.”]
What do you want most for your children?
I want my child to grow up in a world where being a child is normal and there are no expectations required. A world where my child can achieve anything she sets her mind to do and be a success at it .
What are some skills you believe children today need to learn? Any different from what you needed growing up?
I think children should be thought to be principled and believe in their abilities. They should be taught that hard work pays and there are no short cuts to success.
