Tag: SPARK graduate

My SPARK Story How the SPARK Program is Igniting Leaders & Businesses Real Journeys. Real Growth. Real Impact. September 3, 2025 Pistis Life & Leadership Institute, PLLI Fakeye Olubukola MD/CEO, Fakstar Designs and Furnishing Instagram LinkedIn Join SPARK Mini MBA Facebook Twitter LinkedIn How SPARK is shaping a new generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs in Africa SPARK Mini MBA is the flagship programme of the School of Enterprise Development at PLLI. Meet the SPARK Graduate, Fakeye Olubukola When you step into Fakstar Designs and Furnishing, you encounter more than furniture. You experience a vision: that design should not only be stylish but also durable, functional, and transformative. Fakeye Oluwaseun Olubukola, its founder, is building a purpose-driven company that blends creative craftsmanship with social impact.Fakstar Designs and Furnishing specializes in custom-made, multifunctional furniture solutions for homes, offices, and outdoor spaces. Its hallmark is innovation: every piece is thoughtfully crafted to improve the way people live, work, and play.But Fakstar’s mission goes beyond furniture. The company is committed to creating an inclusive, gender-friendly learning and working environment, deliberately equipping females and youth with skills through training and apprenticeships. In her words: “Furniture should not just be stylish, but durable, functional, and crafted to improve quality of life. And the people making it should also find empowerment and opportunity.” Fakeye Olubukola Tweet The Journey Before SPARK Before joining SPARK, Fakeye’s vision was clear but her structure was not. Fakstar was growing, but critical gaps in strategy, scalability, and systems remained.“I knew what I wanted — a brand that empowers women and youth, creates sustainable solutions, and stands out in the industry. But I didn’t quite have the full blueprint for how to get there. That’s exactly what SPARK gave me.”Interestingly, her greatest challenge during SPARK wasn’t market-related, but personal.Balancing the intense workload of the program with her business, job, and family.Taking up the role of group leader, something she initially resisted.Feeling the weight of responsibility but choosing perseverance:“I almost sent an email to reject the leadership role because I felt I was going to break down. I prayed about it and got the resolve to continue. I realized leadership is not just about knowing the way but working together to find the way. Delegation became a powerful lesson for me.”Why She Said “Yes” to SPARKFor Fakeye, the decision was rooted in value.“What kept me going was the depth of value I was receiving and the clarity it was bringing to my business.”The program may have been intense, but each week reinforced her conviction that she was exactly where she needed to be. The SPARK Experience The SPARK Mini-MBA stretched Fakeye beyond what she imagined. Weekly assignments, tight lifelines, and group projects tested her balance as a mother, professional, and entrepreneur.It was in those stretching moments that transformation happened. She learned the power of delegation, resilience, and clarity. “I kept quoting: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” she says.She describes every lesson as phenomenal, and her definition of entrepreneurship shifted radically:From profit-seeking and problem-solving,To social transformation, kingdom impact, and legacy building. Company at a Glance – Fakstar Designs & Furnishing Founder: Fakeye Oluwaseun OlubukolaSector: Furniture Design & ManufacturingLocation: Lagos, NigeriaStage: Growth (scaling operations)Offer: Custom-made, high-quality, multifunctional furniture solutions for homes, offices, and outdoor spaces, blending creative craftsmanship with social impact while empowering women and youth through skill-building and apprenticeship Links: Instagram | LinkedInLooking for: Grants, investors, bulk buyers, skills development partners, and customers passionate about stylish and functional furniture with a purpose. and direct customers. Wins and Progress After SPARK A clear blueprint and roadmap for scaling Fakstar.Deepened leadership capacity through real-life group leadership.Stronger alignment of her business with her values of innovation, empowerment, sustainability, and excellence.Renewed self-discovery:“Beyond business models and action plans, SPARK transformed me. I discovered I am a powerhouse of purpose and tenacity.” Advice for Other Entrepreneurs Her counsel is simple but profound:“If you need a roadmap to grow and scale your business, do SPARK. Come ready to be stretched, challenged, and transformed. It’s not just a business course — it’s a life-shaping journey. You’ll come out not only with a stronger business but also as a more focused, purpose-driven leader.”Looking AheadAs Fakstar continues to scale, Fakeye envisions a future where furniture is more than a product—it’s a platform for social impact, empowerment, and sustainable living. For Fakeye, this is just the beginning. “As I step forward, I do so with the courage to lead with love, the discipline to execute with excellence, and the faith to build with a bigger impact in mind. I am grateful for this opportunity and excited about the future, thanks to SPARK.” Fakeye O. Olubukola Tweet Final Word“It was an intense but mind-shifting journey,” Fakeye reflects. Today, she stands more focused, more confident, and more committed to building a business that marries creative craftsmanship with social impact.Fakstar Designs and Furnishing is not just about making furniture. It’s about making futures. SPARK is the flagship Mini-MBA of the School of Enterprise Development at Pistis Life and Leadership Institute (PLLI)—equipping entrepreneurs across Africa with the clarity, structure, and leadership to grow sustainable businesses. About PLLI – The Vision Behind SPARK For us at PLLI, success is not measured by certificates but by stories of change At Pistis Life and Leadership Institute (PLLI), we believe leadership is not just a position—it’s influence, responsibility, and the courage to create change. That belief drives everything we do. We designed the SPARK Mini MBA to meet a pressing need: entrepreneurs who had ideas but lacked structure, clarity, and the tools to turn their dreams into thriving businesses. SPARK is not a traditional classroom—it’s a transformational journey that blends practical business education with mentorship, peer learning, and real-world application. For us at PLLI, success is not measured by certificates but by stories of change—businesses launched, leaders empowered, and communities transformed. That’s why each SPARK Story matters; it reflects the heartbeat of our mission to ignite leaders who will shape industries and impact generations. PLLI is a community where leaders are raised, dreams are structured, and sparks become enduring flames. Your SPARK story could be next. Join the Wait-list for the Next Cohort Ready to Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Journey? Your Business Needs a SPARK! Through the SPARK Mini MBA, entrepreneurs gain clarity, structure, and strategies to build sustainable enterprises. Every SPARK Story is proof that leadership can be learned, applied, and multiplied. If you’re tired of feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain, it’s time to join the next Cohort of SPARK and start building the business you’ve always dreamed of. Don't just learn how to run a business—learn how to lead and scale a business that works. Get all the details about SPARK Mini-MBA A Journey of Spiritual Growth and Christ-Centered Leadership Discover how Akinnigbagbe Oluwatoyin, a research scientist and ordained minister...Read More Pistis Life & Leadership Institute, PLLI From a Teenage Calling to a Transformed Ministry Journey At just 21, Olivia Arims heard God’s unmistakable call to...Read More Pistis Life & Leadership Institute, PLLI Furniture with Purpose, Leadership with Heart Discover how Fakeye Oluwaseun Olubukola, CEO of Fakstar Designs and...Read More Pistis Life & Leadership Institute, PLLI From Handmade Dreams to Structured Growth How SPARK helped Batadara step into structure and scaleRead More Pistis Life & Leadership Institute, PLLI Load More

Tag: SPARK graduate

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