Meet our Mum of the Month – StephREDD
Some women walk into a room and shift the atmosphere. Not with loudness, but with light. With a spirit so bold and joyful that you feel seen, heard, and inspired, even if just by watching them.
That’s StephREDD, our LagosMums Mum of the Month.
A self-described “Triple Threat Performer”, Steph is a powerhouse of energy and empathy. But she’s more than that. She’s a linguist, a certified coach, a resilience advocate, a mother of two boys she calls geniuses, and a woman who fought her way back from the edge of death.
In this deeply inspiring feature, Steph opens up about navigating loss, rediscovering purpose, and raising emotionally intelligent children in a world that’s constantly shifting. Her story reminds us that motherhood isn’t just about nurturing others, it’s about nurturing yourself too.
The Journey of a Woman Who Refused to Be Boxed In
Ask most people about StephREDD and you’ll hear the same thing: she’s a bright light, full of cheer, energy, and presence. But ask her to share one thing people don’t expect, and you’ll uncover a deeper layer beneath the glow.
“Honestly, I don’t think there’s much that’s truly ‘unexpected’ about me,” she says with calm clarity. “I’m quite intentional about how I show up: excited, enthusiastic, warm, and cheerful, yet also firm, focused, and deeply committed. What you see is what I choose to be, on purpose and with purpose.”
Still, many are caught off guard when they realize just how driven she truly is. “People often experience the playful, happy-go-lucky side of me and assume that’s all there is. They’re usually surprised to discover how results-oriented and fiercely determined I am.”
That duality: joyfully expressive and razor-focused, has become one of her greatest strengths. It’s what allows her to connect with people from all walks of life and guide them powerfully in their journeys.
A Home Full of Love, Laughter, and Purpose
Steph describes her family with the same warmth she radiates. “I’m married to a phenomenal life partner whose support and friendship have been a constant strength.”
Together, they are raising two sons: creative, energetic, and uniquely gifted. “One is a genius with the brush, pencils, and sketchpad,” she says proudly, “and the other, a genius on the field with a passion for sports.”
Their home is a blend of artistry and athleticism, of imagination and movement. But above all, it is full of love.
A Love Story With Unexpected Turns
Her marriage began like something out of a rom-com, with plot twists and all.
“We were part of the same dance group as teenagers and remained in that circle through university,” she recalls. At the time, she told LagosMums, they were nothing more than friends with different love interests.
Years passed. Then, in 2006, they reconnected in their local church. By then, she had unknowingly walked into a full-circle moment, because this same man had helped her land her very first office job in Lagos after NYSC.
But working together didn’t exactly spark romance. “We clashed over the most trivial things,” she laughs. “You’d think we genuinely disliked each other!”
The tables turned in October 2007 when he asked her to marry him. “After what I admit was needless ‘shakara’ on my part,” she grins, “I said yes.”
They married in March 2010 and, 15 years later, are still dancing through life together.
Two Parents, One Heartbeat
While their communication styles may differ, Steph and her husband are aligned where it counts most: parenting.
“Long before marriage, we had intentional conversations and aligned on the principles that would guide how we’d raise our children,” she says. Those early talks now form the foundation of their family values.
She’s the expressive motivator; he’s the calm and thoughtful listener. And together, they’re a unified force in raising boys with vision and depth.
Parenthood, for Steph, is full of unforgettable moments. Her younger son has a knack for dropping philosophical gems and clever zingers.
“He was just over two when I called him for a bath,” she recalls. “Without missing a beat, he said, ‘I’m trying to concentrate.’”
Then came the superhero phase. “At five, he declared with absolute conviction that he wanted to be a superhero, specifically to save lives.”
But perhaps the biggest head-scratcher came at age ten. “He looked at me and asked, ‘Why is it called Adam’s Apple if Eve was the one who ate the fruit?’ I was speechless!”
These aren’t just funny stories, they’re snapshots of how Steph approaches parenting: listening, laughing, and learning alongside her kids.
Nurturing Careers with Intention
Steph doesn’t believe in forcing a path. Instead, she believes in spotlighting potential.
“As someone who believes true greatness is rooted in one’s genius, whether a natural talent or a deep passion, I cheer my children on while also guiding them to grow their strengths,” she says.
That means giving them tools, exposure, and support to grow in confidence and skill. “Our role is to instruct, nurture and guide, not dictate. I trust that as they grow, they’ll choose paths that are both fulfilling and impactful.”
On Thriving Without a Village
Steph knows firsthand what it means to parent without the typical support system. “I started motherhood in a different country, away from family and familiar help,” she says. “I had to develop a thick skin early on.”
In place of a village, she built one from information: documentaries, blogs, movies, and conversations. Her biggest pillar of support? “My husband. We had a clear vision for our family and supported each other fully. We’ve largely ‘winged it’ and by grace, it’s worked.”
To mums doing it alone, she offers a powerful reminder: “You’re more capable than you know, and you’re doing better than you think.”
Parenting Then vs. Now
Steph grew up in a world where children weren’t meant to speak up. “I was often shut down and told I talked too much. The phrase that stuck was: ‘A woman is to be seen, not heard.” But instead of silencing her, it sparked a mission. “That statement didn’t break me. It fueled my passion to give voice to others.”
Today, her parenting reflects that evolution. “Our children are seen, heard, and respected. We celebrate their wins, teach through their mistakes, and guide them to understand the power of their choices.”
Her goal? Not just well-behaved children, but confident, emotionally intelligent individuals who know their worth and impact.
Raising Children for a Changing World
Steph believes that preparing children for an ever-changing world starts with one thing: conversation. “Whether we’re watching a movie, stuck in traffic, walking through a supermarket aisle, or just lying in bed sharing random stories, I always seize those moments to teach, guide, and connect.”
She draws on her personal experiences to paint a picture of how much the world has shifted, and how resilience is key. “I highlight the disruptions I’ve faced and how I’ve bounced back. I tell them that while change is inevitable, one thing must remain constant: a deep belief in who they are.”
For her, identity is the anchor. “I encourage them to shine, not in spite of change, but because of it. The goal isn’t to resist change, but to evolve with it, brilliantly, boldly, and without losing themselves.”
When Motherhood Saved Her
“Motherhood has powerfully reinforced my resilience,” Steph shares. “At a deeply pivotal and painful point in my life, when I battled dark thoughts, it was the thought of my children that pulled me back.”
That love, that responsibility, became her anchor. “They reminded me that I had something, and someone, worth living for. In many ways, motherhood didn’t just shape me; it saved me.”
When asked about balancing work and parenting, Steph insists it is not only possible, it’s sacred. “Parenting isn’t just another role; it’s a divine assignment.” She’s been intentional about it from the start. “I started praying for my life partner at 16, and around the same time, began praying for my children—their purpose, their journey, their future.”
Each year, her prayers evolve as her children grow. “If in one year I prayed for the grace to parent a 13-year-old and a 9-year-old, the next year, I ask for new grace to parent a 14-year-old and a 10-year-old. Each age is a new journey, one I’ve never been on before.”
Even when the ages repeat between her sons, she doesn’t take a copy-paste approach. “I honour their individuality. I adjust, I learn, and I lean on grace.”
Her legacy? “To raise grounded, values-driven children who embody everything I teach and believe.”
The Fire That Refined Her
Behind StephREDD’s radiant smile lies a story forged in fire. Her passion for purpose and transformation didn’t just emerge, it was birthed through brokenness.
“In 2017, I lost my job. But more than a job, I lost a part of my identity,” she recalls.
That loss sent her spiraling into one of the darkest chapters of her life. “My confidence crumbled. My sense of worth disappeared. And for a moment, I genuinely didn’t want to go on.”
But then came a quiet, urgent reminder: her family.
“It was the thought of my husband and our children that anchored me. Even in the hollow I felt trapped in, I believed they were worth fighting for.”
With nothing but grit and a stubborn belief in the genius she hadn’t yet fully explored, Steph chose to rebuild. “No job title. No savings. Just willpower.”
That season marked the beginning of her Rebirth.
She began excavating the strength buried beneath the rubble, uncovering lessons about self-worth and identity. “I learned that many of us tie our value to our titles and roles. But true worth isn’t found in a job, it’s found in who we are.”
From that awakening came purpose, and a fire to serve.
Coaching: Not Just a Profession, But a Lifeline
What started as a tool to support her HR career soon evolved into a calling. “I realised I wasn’t alone. So many others were stuck, feeling unseen, unfulfilled, or quietly falling apart.”
Coaching became her lifeline, and her platform. “It’s not just something I do. It’s a lifestyle I live.”
She began helping women, particularly visionary professionals and leaders, reengineer their self-perception and rise into their most powerful selves. “These are women who know there’s more: more meaning, more alignment, more impact. I help them walk in power, lead with purpose, and live in wonder.”
But it didn’t come without its own mirror.
“Each time I coached someone, I saw a reflection of myself,” she says. “I began to notice my own blind spots. And I realised, before I could help others find clarity, I had to clear my own fog.”
So, she made a bold choice: to become her first client.
Steph went inward, unearthing limiting beliefs, misaligned values, and old patterns that needed healing. “That internal work didn’t just transform me; it sharpened my empathy. I could finally see my clients, deeply and compassionately.”
Today, she says it without hesitation: “Coaching saved me. And now, I help others reclaim themselves, too.”
Building Legacy, Not Just a Brand
For Steph, the work isn’t about prestige, it’s about impact. And that impact starts at home.
“While I’m committed to social transformation, my greatest fulfilment is seeing that transformation reflected in my children.”
She’s clear on her dual mission: personal impact and lasting legacy. “Yes, I work hard, but I work even harder to win where it matters most: inside the walls of my home.”
Her resilience journey also birthed something larger than herself: the UR³ Resilience Summit, an annual gathering equipping others with the tools to bounce forward after life’s disruptions.
As a resilience advocate, she carries this message wherever she goes: “Adversity isn’t the end. It’s an invitation; to rise, rediscover, and reinvent.”
Beauty, Boldness, and Bliss
Steph’s vibrant energy doesn’t just live in her words, it radiates through her style, her rituals, and how she pours back into herself.
For self-care, she doesn’t play. “It’s a full-body experience for me,” she smiles. “Sauna. Steamer. Scrub. Pedicure. Then a full-body massage from head to toe.”
And once she’s all pampered? “I curl up in bed with an action movie, sci-fi, or an inspiring documentary. That’s my definition of pure bliss.”
Her style philosophy is equally intentional. “Anything that highlights my African-ness and feels bold and radiant? Count me in.” She embraces comfort, colour, and confidence.
When it comes to beauty, simplicity wins. “I’m loyal to black soap: liquid and bar. And I use natural body butters and oils, head to toe. They make my skin feel nourished and alive.”
Advice for the Modern Mum
To fellow mums, Steph offers this gentle yet powerful reminder: “Motherhood is a beautiful responsibility and a sacred privilege.”
She encourages mothers to wear their crown with pride. “You are the beacon guiding another soul to find their light. Don’t take that lightly, but don’t lose yourself in the process either.”
Her advice? Find your rhythm. Stay true to it. “Motherhood is not one-size-fits-all. No two children are alike. And no mum has to go it alone. Find your people. Build your support system. Ask for help.”
And when the doubts creep in? “Remember: you’re doing better than you think.”
One motherhood myth she’s ready to shatter?
“That motherhood has to be heavy, serious, and all-consuming. You can be a present parent, run a successful business, and still enjoy meaningful friendships. It’s all about intentionality and prioritisation.”
You can be a present parent, run a successful business, and still enjoy meaningful friendships. It’s all about intentionality and prioritisation. Share on XA Love Letter to LagosMums
When asked what she loves most about LagosMums, she says, “It’s more than just a platform, it’s a movement. A safe space. It beautifully blends motherhood, mentorship, and meaningful conversations.”
She especially appreciates how LagosMums creates space for diverse voices and real-life experiences. “It offers inspiration, solid information, and connection for intentional parenting and wholesome living.”
Then she recalls her early days of motherhood. “When I had my first son far away in Douala, Cameroon, with no family or support, only Google and online platforms guided me. If I had something like LagosMums then, it would’ve been a lifeline.”
And that’s what LagosMums continues to be: a lifeline for many.
Quick Fire with StephREDD
- N1 Million or more sleep? – More sleep, please.
- Shopping spree or all-expense-paid trip? – All-expense-paid trip to my dream destination.
- Homeschooling or traditional school? – A fusion.
- Spa day or eat out? – A spa day all day, any day.
StephREDD’s story is a reminder that life doesn’t always go as planned, and that’s okay. Through loss, change, motherhood, and growth, she’s found strength in vulnerability and purpose in service. She’s proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out to move forward, you just need the courage to begin again. Her journey continues to inspire, not because it’s perfect, but because it’s honest. And in sharing it, she gives the rest of us permission to own our stories too: loudly, proudly, and with heart.
If StephREDD’s journey spoke to you, there’s more where that came from. Explore other real, relatable and inspiring Mum of the Month stories, right here on LagosMums.