Discover the INCREDIBLE journeys of the women in our community.
In our Member Stories, we hear from our members about the experiences that have shaped them, the challenges they’ve overcome, and how they are driving impact in their industries and beyond.
Kike Oniwinde Agoro
CEO and Founder
BYP Network
By the age of 30 I had received over 100 awards from sports to academics to business and continue to be a trailblazer breaking glass ceilings. I am just one of a few Black female founders to have raised over $1m and was recently chosen by the United States Government as a Young Transatlantic Innovation Leader. BYP Network is a multi-million pound company focused on advancing the careers of Black professionals around the world.
Share an experience or challenge that has shaped you? Representing Britain in international competitions prepared me well for the challenges of running a tech start-up, with pressure, defeat and soul-testing exertion all providing invaluable lessons. The fact that there are more avenues to success in business than in sports also gave me the confidence to see a world of opportunity.
Best piece of advice you have ever been given? Every failure can be turned into a gift of power, knowledge or inspiration.
What advice would you give to your younger self or a woman just starting her career? Maya Angelou once said, “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” So, stand up for yourself and your ideas. Don’t succumb to imposter syndrome - many men don’t. If you believe in it, if you have passion for it, just go for it. In turn, you can become a trailblazing inspiration for other women to do the same.
What does success mean to you? "Changing the Black Narrative"— a commitment to fostering a world that is more inclusive and ensuring that the BYP community is better connected to the opportunities it deserves. Success as a transformative force that not only elevates individuals but also dismantles systemic barriers to inclusivity.
How do you handle challenges and changes? What's in your toolkit? I approach challenges and change with a toolkit rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset, drawing from my experiences as an elite athlete and entrepreneur.
Why is it important to support women in business and women-led business? Statistics consistently point to the fact that women are the most vulnerable to being passed on opportunities or suffering a lack of confidence in business. Women of colour in particular experience these barriers the most, as well as harmful stereotyping and biases, and it is vital to dismantle these to break the cycle.
60 Seconds with Kike Oniwinde Agoro
My inspiration is: My mum. She was and continues to be a powerful source of inspiration in my life.
My greatest fear is: Not fulfilling my potential.
The most courageous thing I have ever done is: Building BYP Network has required a lot of bravery and in turn it has been so rewarding.
I am most proud of: I’m most proud of myself. The fact I keep showing up despite how difficult the journey is. I’m proud of the fact, no one moment defines me and I’m ever evolving as I continue on my journey.
Guiltless pleasure: Sweets and chocolates… who can resist?!
Mantra I live by: I’m walking a path already laid out for me.
Female role model: Again I would have to say my mum. She was my best friend, my biggest supporter and my teacher.
Women-led brand I love: I love the founding story behind the dating app Bumble, led by Whitney Wolfe Herd - how she used her experiences to both identify a gap in the market and challenge misogyny in and out of the workplace.
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