Introduction
I bet you are going to like this interview with the founder of Mab Academy. She is a full housewife and makes money solely online from the comfort of her home. She is from Jigawa State, Nigeria, raised in Abuja, is now married, and resides in Gombe state.
Back in 2018, She created Mab Academy out of boredom and most importantly to prove to her family esp her dad that she can earn full income money online without having to get a govt job, which was his dream for her.
We know how important time is to you. So this interview is short and straight to the point. Yet filled with so much inspiration.
The Interview
AyshaBintMahmud: Assalam Alaikum, I am happy to have you here. Alhamdulillah! Please tell us a bit about yourself…
Zainab Baffa: Wa’alykumus salam, thank you it’s my pleasure.
My name is Zainab Baffa; a knowledge business coach, social media expert, content creator, and the founder of MAB ACADEMY with over 6 years of experience in digital marketing and sales
A 32-year-old married Muslim woman working from home, passionate about teaching Arewa female entrepreneurs how to grow their online businesses and monetize their social media so they can become financially independent just like me.
In the past 5 years, I have taught over 10,000 women. Also Founded a community for Arewa female entrepreneurs known as ABC TRIBE EXCLUSIVE with over 700 outstanding members.
I love tea 💯, skincare, and watching movies.
Her Story
AyshaBintMahmud: The introduction alone is very inspiring, Masha Allah. How did you find yourself in the whole knowledge business field? What is your story?
Zainab Baffa: I love to share what I know. Even before I knew I could make money from sharing my knowledge, I was teaching for free for almost a year online, until I realized I could start charging for it.
As I was learning about social media, I was sharing and teaching what I learned on my platforms.
Little did I know that I could charge for my knowledge then lol. In 2019 I created my first paid online course, Ever since I have been creating courses and other digital products, and now I teach women like me how to do so as well. And that’s how I got into the knowledge space
The Founding of Mab Academy
AyshaBintMahmud: Amaaazing!!! So what led to the birth of Mab Academy?
Zainab Baffa: Honestly, Mab Academy came to live out of boredom. Back in 2017, I was a full-time housewife, Well am still one LOL. I was bored of doing nothing, no job, no business.
I was curious to start something that could fetch me some money online, so I began to research “how to make money online in Nigeria” and I came across digital marketing. I registered for some courses online, given that I had no background in marketing or entrepreneurship. By the way, I studied Environmental Science at university.
Therefore, it was something new to me, but then I was so passionate about it. I used to watch a lot of educative content on YouTube about digital marketing, social media marketing, blogging, etc. So I developed an interest in that.
I started blogging back in 2017, MAB which stands for Matan Arewa Blog. I could remember reaching out to you when I first saw your blog…
I didn’t make it in blogging as I was very interested in social media marketing, that was when I changed my brand name to MAB ACADEMY in 2018. That’s how the journey began…
Believe in Your Self
Ayshabintmahmud: Many of us started a journey to something great, but we all dropped out. Can you describe a moment when you faced a significant setback or failure? How did you find the inspiration and resilience to overcome it and keep moving forward?
Zainab Baffa: Alhamdulillah, this was when I started Mab Academy in 2018. Nobody understood what I was doing, nobody understood my vision.
My husband was not against it but was not that supportive at the beginning. He was just neutral if I may say.
I could remember, I would stay up till 2 a.m. downloading YouTube videos to watch the next day because I had no data, I do night plans and only a WhatsApp subscription, wasn’t on Instagram then.
Whenever I was watching the videos, he would jokingly say I should stop wasting my time, What will these videos do for me? Even my family no one believed I could make anything out of that, especially my Dad.
Subhanalla, I don’t even want to remember those days. One day, I wanted to just quit and just find a job as my dad wanted, but that’s not what I want for myself.
Be Honest with Yourself
I sat down and asked myself, If I pursue this online thing, what will I become in 5 years?
I know I love what I am doing.
I believe in myself.
I believe in my potential.
I know there’s a huge gap in the market that I can fill.
I know I can make a huge difference.
So I did Istikhara and prayed for the best. and now, here we are. Everyone is proud of me, especially my dad 😆, he has forgotten all that he said back then.
May Allah continue to bless our dear parents. Ameen
Stay Motivated
AyshaBintMahmud: That portrays so much courage and resilience. I have been there so many times and I know how lonely that road is.
As women, we play a lot of demanding roles in life. What strategies or mindset do you adopt to stay motivated and inspired during challenging periods with all the stress and pressure?
Zainab Baffa: Well, I surround myself with like minds.
I kind of control what type of content I consume on social media, as I trained the algorithm to show me stuff I want to see and from whom. I also have great mentors online that I look up to in my space.
And most importantly, my clients and students. The type of impact my online presence makes keeps me going all the time. They are like family as well, so I have to show up all the time.
However, I do take breaks, and that’s very important for my mental health and creative health. So I do take breaks 2 to 3 times a year.
Step Up
AyshaBintmahmud: Taking a break is very vital. That I agree, because burnout is Real.
What is the most significant change you would love to see in the world today? Why?
Zainab Baffa: Masha Allah, how I wish all women especially the married ones in the rural areas around the world would have the opportunity and means to become whatever they want to become in life.
This is because, when you educate a woman, you educate the whole world. also, I strongly believe the world would be a better place.
Pin this Advice
AyshaBintMahmud: What advice do you have for people like me who would like to try the knowledge business path?
Zainab Baffa: Oh, that’s an interesting question.
You see you are a perfect fit for this, given that you have years of experience in blogging, and you are making money from doing so.
Imagine if you could create a course on blogging. I would be the first to enroll. I promise there are a lot of women and even young men looking to start blogging but have no idea how to.
A lot think of blogging as only on Instagram, you know the way they see people post and repost content and then get paid for ads.
You know blogging is more than that, so please I urge you to think about it.
Just Do it
AyshaBintMahmud: Will definitely give that a thought. What word of motivation do you have for sisters out there?
Zainab Baffa: Alhamdulillah, my final words would be “Just do it”.
No matter how long you think about it,
No matter how often you procrastinate
No matter the negativity
No matter the imperfections
Make no excuse
Believe in yourself and
JUST DO IT.
Conclusion
Alhamdulillah!!! Thank you so much for your time. Suppose you enjoyed this interview. Check out other inspiring sisters here.
You can reach out to her on Instagram. And also visit her Website to learn more about the cool stuff she does. When you reach out ask her about her paid course called Knowledge To Cash (KTC).
Join her weekly newsletter THE MAB EFFECT. You should open your mind and absorb as much as you can.
She left a free gift for you. Grab it here.
Thank you for dropping by. Do comment below would love to hear from you. How was the interview for you? What is your take-home lesson?
