The CEO Unusual: Margaret E

The CEO Unusual: Margaret E Business owner, Founder and more. I talk bold business moves for small ventures. See Pinned Post.

27/04/2026

📚Sometimes, Supervisor Feedback is Strategic.

Supervisors don’t always correct everything.

Sometimes, they;

👉🏽leave gaps intentionally

👉🏽push you to think deeper

👉🏽or test your independence

One adjustment most research students find hard to do, is to begin to realise that, supervisor feedback isn’t always a correction.
Sometimes it is a 'map'.

Your supervisor may not “fix” everything for you, and not because they are being vague or difficult, but because they are trying to *train* you.

We have seen supervisors:

👉🏽leave a gap on purpose so the student can practice deciding what MATTERS

👉🏽push the student past what feels comfortable (eg; “show me why you believe this”),

👉🏽test whether the student can move independently when the guidance isn’t constant.

In other words, not all silence is neglect. Some of it is academic formation; learning how to think like a researcher rather than like a student waiting for the answer key.

📌
Therefore, when you get feedback that feels incomplete, don’t panic. Ask better questions like;

❔What are they trying to make me notice?

❔Where am I relying on their judgment instead of my own?

❔What would a stronger version of this look like, and why?......

That is the real lesson; supervisor feedback is not always just advice.
It can be a structure for your independence.

📚📚
Reading supervisor comments and still feeling lost?

Stuck with supervisor comments on your proposal or chapter and can’t understand what they mean?

Let’s help you interpret those comments so you can move forward faster, and keep your research on track.

WhatsApp 0705 909 4702 to get started.

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27042026

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BFC Academic -- Your Research, Elevated.
Abuja, Nigeria.

04/11/2025

📚Impostor Syndrome in Research

There is a particular kind of quiet battle that many research students and academics fight; the persistent whisper of “Am I really good enough for this?”

It starts subtly.
👉You present at a seminar and immediately think, “Everyone else sounds more intelligent.”

👉You spend hours re-reading your own work, convinced it’s not “scholarly enough.”

👉You get accepted into a conference or fellowship, and instead of celebrating, you wonder if it was a fluke.

That’s impostor syndrome; that gnawing feeling that your success is accidental, that you’re not as capable as people think, that sooner or later, someone will “find out.”

However, here’s the truth: every researcher feels lost sometimes. The nature of research is uncertainty, where you are chasing questions that don’t yet have answers. Self-doubt isn’t proof of incompetence; it’s a by-product of growth and high standards.

📌
If you’ve ever questioned your competence, skill, knowledge, value, contribution or place in academia, remember:
👉Your curiosity brought you here.

👉Your effort keeps you here.

👉And your work ( even when it feels messy) can be part of a meaningful whole.

Happy Tuesday.
©️BFCPosts
04112025

📌📌
Ever find yourself staring at your thesis, dissertation, or paper wondering, “Does this even make sense?”

Don’t stay stuck.

Reach out to +234 (0)70-590-947-02 for support in refining, restructuring, and elevating your work for clarity and confidence.

Call/Whatsapp: +234(0)70-590-947-02
Email: [email protected], CC: [email protected]

Found post useful?
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BFC Academic: Where Research Matters.

01/11/2025

10 Ways to Bet on Yourself.......and Win

🏆
At the end of the day, you are always going to be your own number one fan and cheerleader.

Whether in your professional, social or private sphere, here are 10 ways to bet on yourself and win:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define what success looks like for you. Break your goals into actionable steps.

2. Invest in Learning: Take courses, read books, or attend workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge.

3. Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with positive and inspiring people who uplift you and provide guidance.

4. Embrace Failure: View setbacks as learning opportunities. Each failure brings you closer to success.

5. Practice Self-Discipline: Develop routines and habits that align with your goals. Consistency is key!

6. Take Calculated Risks: Step out of your comfort zone. Every risk is a chance for growth.

7. Stay Adaptable: Be open to change and willing to pivot your strategies as needed.

8. Prioritise Self-Care: Invest time in your physical and mental well-being. A healthy mind and body enhance performance.

9. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how minor. It fuels motivation and confidence.

10. Believe in Yourself: Cultivate self-confidence. Trust that you have the skills and resilience to succeed.

Betting on yourself is the best investment you can make.
Easier said than done?
Start small, start today.

Happy New Month

©️BFCPosts
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📚Research Needs? +234(0)70-590-947-02 to ask about what we do.

04/12/2024

Planning a Research Agenda for 2025

Whatever personal or professional goals you've had planned out for next year, here is how to ensure you stay on top of those ones that include academic goals:

1. Be clear on what those goals are

What exactly are your academic or research dreams for next year?
To apply to an international school or scholarship offer? Enrol for an online degree program or course? Make better progress with an existing thesis chapter? Finally get that research published in a journal? Get on with a data collection and analysis exercise?...

The first step is to ensure clarity. Write those down so you have a direction/focus.

2. Create a 'Getting It Done' strategy

Your next step will then be to write down the steps you will have to take to achieving those goal(s) in point number (1).
If one of such steps (actions/strategies) involve seeking funds, identify your viable potential funding sources and map out ways you hope to employ to utilize those channels.
If one of such steps is research support, be clear on what aspects and then begin to identify trusted sources that provide such support.

3. Stay constantly informed

Follow newer or added social pages, forums, platforms, sites, email lists, professionals and industry experts that regularly post degree offer updates, research funding opportunities, and more.
Turn on your notification so you do not miss an update.

4. Be relentless

Quitting is easy and sometimes, it may be necessary. However you should know the RIGHT time to quit. Our professional advice is to have you remember your "why". Your 'why' should serve as a strong motivator towards staying relentless.
Therefore, the best approach to take towards your plans next year, is to only take breaks, but never consider quitting.

📌

We hope these steps help towards finally realizing those preciously held academic dreams of yours.

Whether you are trying to put together a set of strong application support documents, navigating a daunting Literature Review Chapter, trying to get around your thesis or dissertation writing, or you just need support with data collection or analysis, we are here to help.

Please visit www.bfcacademic.com for a list of what we do.
Then, begin the chat with us on +234(0)70-590-947-02 and tell us what you would need our help with. We'll guide you on the next steps to take.

P.S. if what you seek isn't written on our service list, tell us about it and we shall let you know if we offer those still, or if we don't.

BFC Academic -- because your success is personal to us.

(Post: originally ours)

16/12/2023

Do you see your business as a LIVELY, ACTIVE AND FUNCTIONING entity?

Or, is your business just some detached part of something you have to do, where you take notice only when you feel like?

📌📌
If you've ever considered your venture as a source of REAL income or a vehicle to impact and change lives, now isn't the time to think different.....

Introducing, our "End-of-year Business Audit Service" designed to do one thing, which is, set your business up to weather 2024 to the best of its ability.

📌
At Butterfront Consult, we believe;

✅You can start 2024 business strong

✅You can stay on top of several of what may be thrown at your business next year.

Why?
Because, it's EXACTLY how we intend to do ours!
....

From now till the 30th of December, have us review your small business' sales or business' strategies to make necessary improvements to them.

Partial Audit Package🎁:

In this package, we will review your Sales Strategies, make improvements to them and include our own insights and recommendations as you take your venture into the new year.

Full Audit Package🎁🎁:

We review your Sales, Customer Acquisition and Customer Retention Strategies.

We research New Opportunities for Business you can explore come next year, Customer Niches you can explore, Pricing Strategies to consider, and ideas to Stand Out from competition.

And The Best Part?

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🎁🎁🎁

In this season of giving, this is our way to put that warmth in your heart.

Take your business seriously and it will yield for you the results that will please you.

Call or WhatsApp to take advantage today.

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👉[email protected]
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👉DM to proceed.

🎁 Stay empowered.



15/11/2023

Happy New Week

Monday Business Nugget:

Business owner in any capacity?

There is a fact, and it's that, you CAN'T find fun running your business if;

👉Your Mondays as business owner feel like Mondays in a 9-5

👉You're doing too much on your own

👉You're constantly tired and drained

👉Productivity is low

👉You sell cheap to make sales

This is the simple fact.

Yes. Business is serious business. But then, it is, and should be, fun as well.

If you cannot remember the last time you ENJOYED being termed a business owner and 5-9 ner, see our Pinned Post or WhatsApp us on +234(0)8136307888 to see how we wade in to help.

We are directly focused on assisting the following categories of entrepreneurs run and grow their businesses without the burnout, because, burnout cause:

❌Low business productivity

❌Stalls business growth speed

❌Creates unhappy, cranky, resentful and sometimes regretful business owners

❌Affects business sales negatively, and more.

If you are a:

✅9 - 5 worker juggling a side business alongside your day job and it's telling on you

✅A solo-entrepreneur managing the day-to-day operations of your venture all yourself at the expense of your sanity

✅A serial entrepreneur running more than one business and are buckling under the weight of it

You are our fit.

We'll reduce your business' administrative and/or managerial burden so you are able to grow your venture without burning out.

WhatsApp +234(0)8136307888

Email [email protected]

Or Click Link on our Pinned Post to get started.



Business Complacency And Why You Should Avoid It At All CostThe stats may not be there, and this may just be drawn from ...
15/11/2023

Business Complacency And Why You Should Avoid It At All Cost

The stats may not be there, and this may just be drawn from personal observation, however, I've found that, one of a business' 'silent' causes of its eventual downfall is complacency by the actors in it (owner and staff).

Some years ago, a brunch and dessert restaurant opened not so far from where we lived.
This was one of those businesses you could say you literally witnessed its inception and stayed true to it till their expansion.
I 'grew' with this business.

They offered great, healthier, fresher sweetened culinary and even did home cook-in service.

Their business concept was a hit and they attracted a stream of customers in no time (a part of this sprawling growth due to the fact that they were literally the only restaurant within many mile radius offering what they did).

For the first 3 or so years, business was exceptional and profitable. They offered quality and took care of their customers outstandingly so that expanding to include 2 added outlets was a breeze. It was great.

But then, after those first few years, the experience was completely overturned.
They 'seemed' to begin to favour hiring rude staff, product quality dropped, prices were tripling despite the quality drop, customer complaints were trashed instantly, and bad reviews by really aggrieved clients were openly ridiculed by the owner themselves.

But here was the 'irony'; the business still maintained their customer base.

Why?

The law of monopoly.

Customers were simply 'stuck' with them and suffered the nasty experiences wholeheartedly.

Then, about 6 years into its existence, a competitor dared to emerge.

What looked like some fluke action, saw this other business solidify their presence in the market.

Almost instantly, business A lost 90% of their clientele to this new arrival.

To be fair to A however, they did try to salvage the situation by taking advantage of existing loyal customers and their financial muscle to open a few more outlets. However, this seemed grossly inadequate. Business B soon ran them out of the market and today, I can't keep count of how many more similar businesses have sprung up around there.

📌

Your growing business doesn't have to be 'enjoying' monopoly before complacency jumps in.

That your brand has begun to 'sell itself', is NOT a good excuse to get complacent either.

As a growing business owner (and an experienced one as well), kindly learn from the lessons of business A above and steer clear of that one thing that often starts off as 'fun and games' but slowly and surely cruises into tears in no time! No business is immune from its effect.

Address complacency in business and you have competitive edge.

Hope this helps you.

📌
To read more posts like this, follow The CEO Unusual: Margaret E

In need of 1 on 1 clarity/insight like this? Email [email protected]

Finally, Follow "Margaret Ekukinam" on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/margaretekukinam for more.

09/11/2023

Allocate a good chunk of your next cash/capital to these 7 areas of your business and NEVER regret it.

Hello
There is a common saying in business we are certain you have heard of.
"It takes money to make money."

If you've come across this saying before, we are here to tell you, the saying is true.

True, effort as opposed cash, can get you progress just as well. However, from experience running business solely on effort for a few years and, running business with an infusion of real cash in addition to effort, the difference was distinct.

You may not have the cash to invest in your venture now, however, it is important to note that, investing a huge chunk of that cash into these 7 business areas when it comes, will give you back 10x your returns.

Allocate a good chunk of your next cash/capital to these 6 areas of your business and NEVER regret it:

📌REGULAR advertising (marketing)

📌Building A Team (hiring or delegating)

📌Employing SKILLED staff (as opposed cheap labour)

📌Payroll (for better salaries)

📌Branding

📌Business Security

📌Customer Retention

Investing (heavily) in these 7 business areas is never a waste.
Allocate the better part of your next budget to the following aspects of your small business to see exponential growth.

📌📌
For more business posts and nuggets like this, follow Butterfront Consult

See our Pinned Post or WhatsApp +234(0)8136307888 for details on the support we give solo-entrepreneurs like you.



20/10/2023

4 Things You Should Not Do When Adapting
Your Business To The Current Economic Reality

It's the weekend and we talk a little laid back.
....

Now, it's no news that currently, the trajectory of the economy is such that it is telling on several businesses with small businesses feeling the pinch quicker and most times, harder.

To absorb these 'shocks', businesses are advised to adapt and this is sensible as a repositioning can help you adjust to the realities of your customers' purchasing power and costs of procuring and producing your goods.

However, here is what is not often said.
While you are adapting your business to align with the current economic climate, there are things you should not be compelled to find yourself doing so the results are worth it.

Here therefore are some 4 things you should not do when adapting your business to the current economic reality:

1. Lose your business' identify and core value

If you are invested in your venture, you want to ensure that no amount of adapting will erode its core values or identity rendering it unrecognizable. Maintain your business' identity.

2. Be unrealistic

Kick pessimism away at this time, at the same time, be wary of blind optimism.
Make realistic decisions, take actions realistically. Be optimistically realistic in decisions/actions you take.

3. Act in desperation

As tempting as acting desperately may seem at this time, you want to avoid being seen as giving in to the urge. Customers can smell desperation from afar and this turns them off faster than anything else.
Keep a cool head and resist acting in the spur of the moment.

4. Feel like you are losing control of everything

You aren't.
A PESTLE analysis just like a SWOT can show you the several other areas of your business you still have control over.
Invest more in those areas such as your business' Strengths (S) and Opportunities (O) and use that to offset the areas of no control.

📌📌
To absorb the current economic shocks, businesses should adapt the best they can.
In doing this however, certain 'traps' should be avoided to make it a success.

If you found this post helpful, follow Butterfront Consult on Facebook, www.twitter.com/ButterfrontBiz on Twitter (X) and www.instagram.com/butterfrontng on Instagram for more.

✍️You may be a salary worker desiring to start a business by the side but are struggling with the challenge of having to manage it while still working full time.

✍️You may be a business owner managing your venture all by yourself but the toll of doing this is telling on you.

Whatever it is, click www.tinyurl.com/bfcserviceview or WhatsApp +234(0)8136307888 with the word "Support" to see how we come through for you.


5+ Ways To Prioritize Your Mental Health As A Growing Business ownerYou are overworked and you overthink.As a business o...
04/10/2023

5+ Ways To Prioritize Your Mental Health As A Growing Business owner

You are overworked and you overthink.

As a business owner and founder, one of these two describes your reality, a reality that affects your state of mind and mental health.
....

Business is a lot, but prioritizing your health in business cannot be overemphasized.

If you feel stuck and have no clue how to begin helping yourself out with all of what seems to be calling for your attention daily in your venture, here are 5+ suggestions towards taking care of your mental health in business.

👉Step away

Remove yourself from your business after 3 - 5 years of putting together a worthy team.

Fact.

After 3/5 years of hiring and training the right staff, relinquish your managerial post to someone else. You deserve that rest.

👉Go off the radar

Designate a specific day(s) in the week or month where you think NOTHING closely business-related.

One day of switching off your phone will not bring down the sky. Do this guilt-freely.

👉Write, stop memorizing

ALWAYS write down a thought or idea whenever they come. NEVER attempt to store such important information in your head. Stop from over-tasking the brain.

👉Be flexible

Bend rules on occasion.
With clarity, you won't have to 'fear' things going into disarray around you by being flexible.

Get clarity.

Once you do, be flexible once a while and do so with little to no guilt.

👉Protect yourself

Work with only people you trust. If you can't, then put in place systems that protect you/your business --- there's really no point in your removing yourself from the direct management of your business and still having sleepless nights wondering if it is in safe hands.
Kindly do the needful.

👉Embrace your social life

Just because you are founder doesn't mean you should have no life outside of work.
Start doing those little things that brought you smiles and do them without guilt.

👉Avoid the news

Minimize how often you listen to the news and follow the stats. Unless it's positive all the way, reduce how much negative economic news you access.

👉Finally, run your own race

Comparison is all stress.
Be proud of where your business is at now. Remember the value it brings, have a plan and work steadily towards achieving it. Business isn't, and should never, be a sprint.

📌📌📌
Stress can't be avoided in business but, it can, and should be, be dealt with.

Your mental health as a founder is too important to overlook, and if you have no clue as to how to go about giving it the attention it deserves, the 5+ tips above should be a guide.
Be encouraged to try.

📌📌📌
Follow The CEO Unusual: Margaret E if you found this post helpful.

Is your 5 year-old business needing a push? Email [email protected] to talk.

Follow me on LinkedIn at www.linkedin/in/margaretekukinam

And finally, if you are running your business all by yourself but the demands of doing so is taking its toll on you, click www.tinyurl.com/bfcserviceview for help.

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