We were lucky to catch up with Ade Mabo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ade , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I was the first child in my family to go to the university fast tracked by having good grades in secondary school. My siblings, many of whom, eventually ended up going back to school later on, including some who are older and my younger ones, of course. The point is, every day when I wake up in the morning, my goal is to create two or three things in life.
My mother could neither read nor write with 10 kids(one passed away) with a father that was nowhere to be found until later in my teenage life so when I got a rare opportunity to be educated, I took seriously
One is the ability to help others get a basic education, and the second, of course, is to make enough money and time to be impactful in life. I’m always looking for opportunities that are residual income-based and don’t require too much of my time, allowing us to do amazing things. My resilience comes from the challenges of growing up.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I consider myself a residual income builder or creator, preferring earnings that continue month after month, and year after year, following my initial efforts. This idea came from the fact that I was laid off from a job I was so invested in because of the plunge in the economy. I decided never to allow anyone to control my earnings, dictate my vacation time, or determine when I should work.
With this decision, I ventured into full-time entrepreneurship and currently engage in various industries. I’ve established a successful hospitality business in Africa and North America (Mexico, United States) through short-term rentals and Airbnb. I generate passive income from successful ventures in real estate investment, sales, tech company co-founding, cryptocurrency mining, and the beauty industry. The most exciting thing I like about passive income is the opportunity to have both time and enough money to do amazing things simultaneously. My priority is being able to live life according to the way that gives you rest of mind and the fact you are doing something that is important to you.
For what is new, So let’s talk about Beats by Dara. Beats by Dara(www.beatsbydara.com) is a learning management tech company that teaches kids how to play the piano, coding, and artificial intelligence online. We have users across the world, and most of our team, including programmers, instructors, and technical staff, are based in Africa. The majority of our users are in the US, which is our primary user base.
Understanding the challenges parents face with the high costs of extracurricular activities, we aim to provide an affordable solution. Beats by Dara offers unlimited access for $69 a month, allowing kids to learn piano, coding, and AI—skills with future economic potential. Our approach not only addressed my own problem but also presented an affordable option for other parents, creating a fun and lifelong opportunity for children to develop transferable skills.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Getting access to information, mentorship and resilience. Every day, when one is involved in something and it starts yielding results, it automatically boosts confidence. There are days when I try something, and it doesn’t always work out, which can kill one’s confidence. So, it’s always about striking a delicate balance between both.For almost a decade, I have not held a traditional job, and this means living on my own terms. With this came one of my passion projects, an NGO I founded called Roli Mabo Foundation (https://rolimabofoundation.
My resilience comes from the fact that every day when I wake up in the morning, my goal is to create two or three things in life.One is the ability to help others get a basic education, and the second, of course, is to make enough money and time to be impactful in life. I’m always looking for opportunities that are residual income-based and don’t require too much of my time, allowing us to do amazing things. My resilience is a product of the challenges faced while growing up.
For guidance, I always advise people who are just starting their journey to find a mentor.Someone who has already walked the path you’re on. Using their experience as a source of inspiration and motivation. If they could achieve it, then it is indeed possible. Maintaining confidence in your abilities, assured that you will be fine regardless of whatever happens. The belief in the fact that all things will work together for your good.
Concerning critics,any individual building a skyscraper doesn’t rub shoulders with someone building a bungalow. Frequently, people will assert that you’re wasting your time, deeming success impossible. Your job is to go out and achieve tangible results, recognizing that many will find inspiration in your accomplishments. When you remember where you’re headed, it helps shape your current position and helps you to keep moving forward.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The people who have been the most helpful are my mentors and my family. I can proudly say that I am a family man, and I have a solid support system as a result. Therefore, the most important thing to me is being there for my family, creating memorable moments despite life’s limitations.
My mom, despite being unable to read or write, served as a crucial motivator in my life, having to raise 10 children. One vivid story that stands out to me is that of my mum waking us up in the morning and wanting to send us to school. And since we had stayed at home without going to school for seven straight days, she decided to sell her clothes out of the guilt of not being able to send her children to school. But there was a dilemma, she did not have the required amount to send us all back to school. Despite her limitations, she took a gamble on me by investing in my education. In doing so, she had to give away clothes from someone who had only one or two outfits. As a child, witnessing this had a psychological impact on me and I am sure the rest of my siblings, raising questions about whether it permanently makes you impoverished or motivates you to do something significant with your life to prevent such situations for others.
Due to this, I’ve developed a strong attachment to education, aiming to empower and ensure that as many children as possible receive an education. Every day, striving to work with my partners and team gives me confidence.
In essence, my life is characterised by the support of my family, the guidance of my mentors, and the steadfast commitment of my team and partners.
Image Credits
Roli mabo foundation, Ade Maabo