My FATE Foundation Experience

FATE Foundation is a charitable organization with a full focus on entrepreneurial development. They run various programs for aspiring b...

FATE Foundation is a charitable organization with a full focus on entrepreneurial development. They run various programs for aspiring business owners and those already in business. The Foundation is the brain child of Fola Adeola the founder of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. You can check them out on their website www.fatefoundation.org 

In April 2016, I was a student in the Aspiring Entrepreneurs Program (AEP 55) and I tell you it was a lot of new learning which got me really excited about the future.

From the very first class with Mrs Toyin Bakare, COO of SAS Textiles, I had concluded my fees were already well spent. We had several sessions on Goal Setting, Marketing, Negotiation Skills, Legal Issues, Finance and accounts. To see a detailed outline of the syllabus, please click this link.

One thing I particularly liked about the AEP program was the calibre of people that were facilitating these classes. Top shots! For example the Marketing Class was taken a Director in Olam International. We also had facilitators from KPMG, Banwo & Ighodalo etc. They were all subject matter experts.

Role Play: Vera-cruz Engineering Limited and Five Star Construction Limited negotiating a working partnership.

For me my most valuable sessions were the sessions on marketing. Asides from the fact that I was at FATE Foundation mainly to fix this about my business, the facilitators did an in-depth job to this subject covering offline and online marketing. I ended up crafting a digital marketing strategy which is currently in use by my firm and yielding significant results.

I was also made to rethink my business focus. Fine tune our vision, mission and goals. We also had a very interesting session on business ethics.

My AEP 55 Classmates

I made new friends and the FATE Foundation team was extremely professional and committed. It was not unusual to get a frown from Oge the Coordinator any time you come late. I mean for an adult program you are there wondering "why is she taking panadol for my headache?" They really take your development serious which is a very good thing.

The interesting thing about the AEP Program is that even when you are done with the in-class training, you continue to get support like mentorship, targeted workshops, entrepreneur visits and the likes. This program is worth every kobo.

As at the time I took this program, it was priced at N200,000 with options for need based scholarship and an early payment discount.

Are you in business or are you planning to start a business? I recommend this program for you.