We’re excitedly kicking off the annual Glazia Women’s History Month Spotlight—a celebration of powerhouse women making an impact! And who better to start with than Simi Esiri?
For Simi Esiri, success isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about resilience, purpose, and the impact made along the way. As a media entrepreneur and the Founder of SCHICK Magazine, she has dedicated her career to reshaping the narrative around African excellence, ensuring that African women’s voices are heard and celebrated globally.
In this exclusive interview with Glazia Magazine, Esiri shares how faith, intuition, and a deep commitment to gender equity have shaped her journey. She opens up about the obstacles she’s faced, the lessons learned, and her mission to accelerate action toward meaningful change. From empowering young women in media and business to forging international partnerships that amplify African creativity, her work is a testament to the power of bold storytelling and intentional leadership.
Read on as Simi Esiri discusses her journey, the importance of representation, and why real progress demands more than mere conversations—it requires action.
“I’ve always believed that success isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey, the risks taken, the lessons learned, and the impact made along the way.”
Simi Esiri – Founder, SCHICK Magazine
Beyond Conversations: Simi Esiri on Taking Real Action for Gender Equality
Glazia: Tell us briefly about your journey to becoming the woman you are today. How did you get here? What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them?
Simi Esiri: My journey to becoming the woman I am today has been shaped by faith, resilience, intuition, and a willingness to embrace opportunities. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, stay true to my values, and push forward despite challenges. Like many women navigating spaces where we’re often underrepresented, I’ve faced moments of doubt, resistance, and the need to prove myself. But each obstacle became a lesson, teaching me the power of persistence, the importance of surrounding myself with the right people, and the value of standing firm in my purpose. I’ve always believed that success isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the journey, the risks taken, the lessons learned, and the impact made along the way. That mindset has guided me, and it continues to shape the person I strive to be every day.
Glazia: How are you driving innovation and change in your field or community? What impact do you hope to achieve?
SE: I drive innovation and change by using storytelling, media, and entrepreneurship to reshape narratives and create opportunities, particularly for African talent. Through SCHICK Magazine, I elevate African voices, ensuring that our stories, fashion, and culture are represented authentically on a global stage. My work in brand partnerships and business development also bridges the gap between African creatives and international markets, fostering growth and visibility. The impact I hope to achieve is a world where African excellence is not just acknowledged but fully integrated into the global conversation where African creatives and businesses operate at the highest level with access to resources, platforms, and partnerships that drive sustainable success.
Glazia: The 2025 International Women’s Day theme is “Accelerate Action.” What does this mean to you, and how are you accelerating action towards gender equality in your own life and work?
SE: For me, “Accelerate Action” is a powerful call to move beyond conversations and take tangible steps toward gender equality. It’s about urgency, intentionality, and sustained impact ensuring that progress isn’t just incremental but transformative. As Founder and Editor-in-Chief of SCHICK Magazine, I have always been committed to elevating African women’s voices, narratives, and contributions on a global stage. Through SCHICK, I highlight trailblazing women across industries, providing them a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
Beyond media, I am actively involved in mentorship and advocacy, creating opportunities for young women in fashion, media, and business. Whether through my entrepreneurial ventures, editorial work, or speaking engagements, I ensure that gender equity remains a central conversation, not just in words, but in actions that create access, visibility, and change. On a personal level, I believe in leading by example. As a mother, I consciously support and uplift the women in my life, ensuring that my daughters grow up knowing that no dream is too big and no space is off-limits for them. To truly accelerate action, we must commit to doing the work, challenging norms, making space for women, and using our platforms to create lasting change. For me, this is not just a moment; it’s a mission.
Glazia: What advice would you give to young women looking to make an impact in their careers and communities, especially in fields traditionally dominated by men?
SE: My advice would be to be bold and persistent; never let a ‘no’ discourage you. Stay rooted in your ‘why,’ as it will fuel your journey toward your dreams. Keep your focus on the work ahead, but remember that the journey itself is just as important as the destination.
Glazia: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your life and career?
SE: The biggest lesson I’ve learned in life is to trust my intuition; it has never led me astray. In my career, I’ve learned to say yes to opportunities, even when uncertainty makes them seem daunting. Growth often comes from stepping into the unknown.
Glazia: Who are the women who inspire you and why?
SE: Apart from my mother, some of the women who inspire me are Indra Nooyi (former CEO of PepsiCo), Claudia Sheinbaum (President of Mexico), Melinda French Gates (American Philanthropist), Samia Suluhu Hassan (President of Tanzania), and Hillary Clinton (former U.S. Secretary of State). These women have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their respective fields. They don’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk, making their influence truly empowering.
Rapid-Fire
If I could have any superpower, it would be… invisibility.
The worst advice I ever received was… “be spontaneous.” I prefer to be intentional.
The most important thing I’ve learned about leadership is… to have empathy. Emotional intelligence goes a long way in building a strong team.
The best thing about being a woman is… how multi-faceted we are.
The emoji that best describes me is… the prayer emoji. I use it a lot.