Adenike Ogunlesi
Adenike Ogunlesi, Africa’s foremost fashion entrepreneur who is redefining and blazing the trail in the children’s fashion industry with over 35 years of experience in the Fashion and Retail Business, is the founder and Creative Director of Africa’s leading Premium children’s clothing brand- Ruff ‘n’ Tumble; sharing happiness to over a million children and families across the globe, because she dared to dream and pursue her vision fearlessly.
An entrepreneur passionate about quality, excellence and service; she started the Ruff ‘n’ Tumble brand from the boot of her car in 1998, with a man-power of less than 20 people.
Today she has built a reputable Pan-African brand, operating to international standards with over 300 employees, 17 retail outlets, an online presence and expansion plans across the African continent and the international community.
A dynamic and phenomenal woman, her quest for innovation and redefining what’s possible on her own terms gave birth to the creation of Gatimo Apparel manufacturing, a state of the art garment manufacturing facility with the capacity to contract manufacture high quality garments to global standards.
A passionate speaker and an advocate for a more equitable society; Adenike advocates women owning their greatness by believing in the truest expression of themselves and being financially independent.
Adenike’s calling and desire for the development and growth of people led to the birth the Betti-Okuboyejo Foundation- a garment making training facility which has graduated over 200 youths; empowering them with skills in garment making & entrepreneurship. She also founded the ‘I Share Cuz I Care’ Foundation by Ruff ‘n’ Tumble; a community which promotes sharing and caring among children and has impacted thousands of children through the feed a child campaign and the dress a child campaign – where brand new school uniforms and shoes are given to pupils in various schools within our local communities.
An alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School; Adenike is a Non-Executive Director at Lafarge Holcim Plc and the founding member and first president of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) at the Nigeria Employer’s Consultative Association (NECA). She is also an advisory board member and mentor at WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers) a structured mentoring programme for young women and the Coordinator of The Marriage & Family Life Unit at the Catholic Church of the Presentation.
Adenike is happily married to Adegbola Ogunlesi and they are blessed with 3 children.
Aside from her dedication to building a global business, she loves to read, dance, yoga and garden.