Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder/Creative director, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble

Adenike is 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. Ruff ‘n’ Tumble is Africa’s leading premium children’s clothing brand, sharing happiness with 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 manpower 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 terms gave birth to the creation of Gatimo Apparel manufacturing, a state-of-the-art garment manufacturing facility with the capacity to contract to manufacture high-quality garments to global standards.

Adenike’s calling and desire for the development and growth of people led to the birth of the Betti-Okuboyejo Foundation, a garment-making training facility that has graduated over 200 youths, empowering them with skills in garment making and entrepreneurship.

She is happily married to Adegbola Ogunlesi, and they are blessed with 3 children.