Welcome to The Chief Nomad, where innovation, influence, and impact converge to underpin a remarkable career journey.
My entire career journey has always been underpinned by entrepreneurship, from monetizing my art and craft talent in high school to printing and merchandising to support myself financially in university. Even after joining the corporate world as an advertising art director, I continued to pursue entrepreneurial ventures, such as selling TOMS shoes and venturing into photography. This seamless blend of academic pursuit and business acumen has been the cornerstone of my career trajectory.
I recall being blessed with two gifts as a child – an artistic flair and a curious mind – the latter served me well to excel at science subjects in high school while the former was crucial to acquiring a University degree. This innate curiosity translated to developing a ‘nomadic’ mindset, which would inspire launching Bedouin in 2011.
My career pinnacle has been founding this venture dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and excellence. From zero revenue, I’ve successfully bootstrapped it initially as a communication design and consulting firm, achieving a valuation of $1.25 million, before pivoting to Information Technology through a SaaS model. This journey exemplifies my ability to blend creativity with strategic vision, allowing me to navigate diverse industries and adapt to evolving market landscapes.
Guiding Bedouin’s transition to product technology, I’ve spearheaded the development of high-growth products like Kintrace AI, Printstop (Print-on-demand) and Tour Nigeria, while leading initiatives like “19 Safe” – a global game played across 9 continents during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Beyond work, I’ve championed initiatives like BYCEP, mentoring thousands of students, and spearheaded Hack for Tomorrow, recognized at the G20 India Summit for promoting digitalization in sustainable tourism.
Join me in transforming the world through digital technology. Let’s forge a brighter future together.
Ayoola Gbade-Bello (AGB).