Dr. Tewa Onasanya, a multifaceted entrepreneur, Mindset Stylist, and Philanthropist with over 23 years of experience, has dedicated her career to empowering women. She holds a BSc in Pharmacology from the University of Portsmouth, UK, a Diploma in Fashion Journalism from the College of Media and Publishing, UK, a certificate in Mindfulness from Udemy, and is a Certified Law of Attraction practitioner. As the founder of Exquisite Magazine, a wellness, empowerment, entrepreneurship, and lifestyle publication for the unlimited woman, she also established the Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) Awards and Conference, which celebrates and empowers women of excellence. The ELOY Foundation furthers this mission by providing access to mentors, affordable finance, training, and grants to help women build and sustain their businesses. In this interview, she discusses her passion for empowerment and driving mindset shifts for women.
Defining Inflection Points
Dr. Onasanya identifies several defining moments in her journey. The first was recognizing her power to become whoever she wanted, free from societal, financial, or internal limitations. This awareness led her unintentionally into entrepreneurship. Another key point was launching Exquisite Magazine, which gave visibility to African women doing incredible work. She notes that visibility is power. More recently, stepping into her role as a mindset stylist required confronting fears around visibility and fully owning her voice, shifting from doing the work to embodying the message.
From Pharmacology to Publishing and Mindset Styling
Her transition was both organic and intuitive. Pharmacology trained her in systems, structure, and science, providing transferable skills. She always wanted to help people heal and inspire impact, which extended beyond the pharmaceutical industry. Publishing became a natural extension of her curiosity about people's stories and potential. Over time, she realized that mindset is the real limitation, not opportunity. Thus, her career evolution weaves together all her platforms: Exquisite Magazine, ELOY Awards Foundation, EMAC Foundation for Cervical Cancer Prevention, and her work as a Mindset Stylist.
Gap in the Media Ecosystem
Exquisite Magazine was created to fill a gap in media where platforms were either inaccessible, expensive, or narrowly defined how women were portrayed. Dr. Onasanya wanted a space where women could be seen in their fullness—for their impact, intellect, and journeys—not just aesthetics. The platform bridges visibility and credibility, showcasing women and positioning them.
Sustaining Relevance in a Saturated Media Landscape
Relevance today comes from clarity and consistency, not noise. Exquisite stays grounded in its core mission: visibility with value. The team amplifies stories that matter, avoiding trends. Authority comes from intentional narratives that are aspirational and authentic. They embrace digital transformation to remain accessible and impactful, innovating to avoid stagnation.
Visibility for African Women in 2026
Visibility in 2026 means positioning, power, and ownership. It is about being recognized, respected, and rewarded, having a voice in decision-making rooms, monetizing expertise, and owning one's narrative. For African women, true visibility shifts from being overlooked to being undeniable, without burnout.
Systemic Barriers for Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs
Through the ELOY Foundation, Dr. Onasanya addresses systemic barriers such as access to funding, networks, and information. There is also a confidence gap where women hesitate to position themselves for larger opportunities. Structural limitations in financial systems and policy frameworks make scaling difficult for women-led businesses. The foundation focuses on equipping women with mindset, structure, and visibility for sustainable growth.
Internal Barriers for High-Achieving Women
As a Mindset Stylist, Dr. Onasanya works with high achievers facing internal barriers like self-doubt, fear of being fully seen, and pressure to maintain a certain image. Many women are successful but not fully expressed. Her work helps align success with peace, clarity, and authenticity.
Daily Disciplines of High-Performing Women
High-performing women are intentional about three things: their thoughts, energy, and actions. They deliberately choose what they consume—read, eat, listen to, and even smell. They are intentional about affirmations and daily focus. They prioritize self-audit and self-regulation, creating space for clarity. Consistency in aligned action separates intention from results.
Non-Negotiable Principle for Next-Generation Women Leaders
Dr. Onasanya advises: convince yourself first. Before the world validates you, you must validate yourself. Belief in your vision, worth, and capacity is the foundation of everything you build. If you don't believe in yourself, no one will.
Who Is Tewa Onasanya Beyond Work?
When work stops, she values peace, presence, and connection. She loves love, enjoys eating, quiet moments, and simplicity. She is deeply committed to growth, not just in what she does, but in who she is evolving into—someone constantly choosing to live intentionally, love deeply, and expand fully.
