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From Dreams to Reality: Juliana Sesay and Lyoa Sourced Company
In a world full of challenges and obstacles, it takes a special kind of individual to shine their light and make a difference. Juliana T Sesay, the founder and Business manager of Lyoa Sourced Company Ltd., exemplifies the essence of shining her light as she leads her agribusiness venture with passion, perseverance, and purpose. Five years ago, Juliana embarked on a journey to create a market for local beekeepers in Sierra Leone through her company, Lyoa Sourced. Together with her late partner, she set out to add value, brand, and distribute honey and beeswax candles under the trade name Lyoa. The story of Lyoa is not just about creating products;…
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GRIEF KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES: BREAKING SOCIETAL LIMITATIONS
“Grief is a cruel kind of education. You learn how ungentle mourning can be, how full of anger. You learn how glib condolences can feel. You learn how much grief is about language, the failure of language and the grasping for language” ― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Notes on Grief We often fail to realize how frequently we are interconnected with, affected by, and influenced by grief until it strikes suddenly, much like a bolt of lightning! When grief unexpectedly descends upon us, the world continues with its usual course, and those who find themselves grieving – be it the loss of a cherished experience, a loved one, or a dear pet who…
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SM Gift Emporium: Where Thoughtful Gifting Meets Sierra Leonean Charm!
Our Brand Pick of the Week is SM Gift Emporium, we are fascinated by their consistency, quality, and all – around delivery. It’s time to hop in and shop. See what you have been missing darlings; scroll on! Welcome to SM Gift Emporium, Sierra Leone’s one-stop destination for all things classy, unique, and full of love! If gift-giving were an art form, They would be the Picassos of the gifting world! This lifestyle store is not just a place to pick up any old present; it’s a treasure trove of carefully curated gifts that convey the most positive feelings, from love and gratitude to “just because I care.” They firmly…
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7 MUST- HAVE WEEKLY MONEY HABITS FOR LEADING PROFESSIONALS
Nearly everyone that’s successful has chosen to talk money, money has been the symbol of success for ages, it might not guarantee you peace, security and happiness but it is certainly a good friend to have. Mid- way into 2023, a lot of us are still not where we want to be financially, while we strive to attract and manifest abundance, there is work to be done in this area. This listicle is to help you cultivate a good money habit. Developing good money habits is crucial for professionals to achieve financial stability and success. We have collecedt seven weekly money habits that have been tried and tested by leading…
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Don’t tell me not to cry: A Story around Grief, Toxic Positivity and Religion
My earliest recollection of grief was at 5 years old when my grandfather passed away. The adults were very kind to me as they knew how connected I was with him. Grandpa and I had spent hours upon a time, bonding in the kitchen, and he would pick me up from school. If it were not for pictures, it would be hard for me to describe his features – what stayed imprinted on my mind were how his hands looked and the experiences we shared. How warm and secure they felt when he held me in a hug or carried me to different spaces. As young as I was, I…
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UNLEASHING THE POWER OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP: FATIMA SESAY, SIERRA LEONE’S #MSME HERO
In a captivating exchange with esteemed SME clients of Ecobank on CNBC Africa on Tuesday 27th May 2023, we were all reminded of the extraordinary tales that define #Ellevate customers, all while commemorating the UN #MSMEDay. Among these remarkable individuals is Fatima Sesay, an exceptional entrepreneur at the helm of Unimax, a dynamic freight forwarding enterprise nestled in Sierra Leone. Through the unwavering support of Ellevate, Fatima has managed to overcome the daunting obstacles of financing that once impeded her progress. Initially, she received a lifeline of US$5,000 via Ellevate’s contract financing facility, effectively laying the groundwork for her flourishing enterprise. Today, that support has magnified to an impressive US$27,500,…
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EMPOWERING YOURSELF: THE TRIAD OF SELF-RESPECT, SELF-CARE AND SELF- MANAGEMENT
In a world that constantly demands our attention and energy, it’s crucial to prioritize our own well-being. The deeper I delve into leadership and pursing my multi-potentialite careers, the more I own the internal work that births what is perceived by many as a ‘SUCCESSFUL LIFE’. My personal philsophy requires that as I learn, I must make time to share my truth and discoveries – so I guess it’s time for you to meet my 3 closest friends: self-respect, self-care and self- management. Self-respect, self-care, and self-management form a powerful triad that empowers individuals to lead fulfilling lives and navigate challenges with grace. This article explores the significance of these…
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#VOTESAFUL : AFFIRMATIONS TO HELP YOU WITH UNCERTAINTY
As we prepare for elections tomorrow in Sierra Leone, tensions are rising and there is an air of anxiety. These extreme emotions and behaviours are associated with nearly every goal defining process for humans and animals alike, in the natural order of things. Our young people are eager and ready to vote in candidates of their choice! The President- H.E – Julius Maada Bio has advised the nation in a public address to exercise their rights peacefully, in a calm and relaxed manner. #VoteSaful At Ariana Diaries, we believe in Affirmations! They can play a significant role in creating a purposeful life.Why? They help in…
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7 POWERFUL WAYS THAT SETTING INTENTIONS HELPS DRIVE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
6 months into 2023, what have you achieved that will make you proud? In a world full of distractions and the phenomenon of busyness, it’s so easy to get lost on your dreams. This is why we believe that setting intentions is a powerful practice that can significantly impact both personal and professional growth. When we have a clear vision of what we want to achieve and set intentions to support that vision, we become more focused, motivated, and proactive in pursuing our goals. When you set an intention, you are essentially declaring your actionable wish or purpose for a particular situation, experience, or period of time. It can be…
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Volte Face : An Ode to Sierra Leone’s Iconic Cotton Tree
The cotton tree is truly reflective of our strife We were supposed to care for her as a dear wife Devil-may-care, the lantern parades lighten her up at night We all said we loved her, oh we lied Happy-go-lucky, we pierced her heart with a knife. ♥♥♥ Unreliable protection we offered, we let her leaves dry Skrik, our forefathers will cringe and cry For the bats and vultures that soar high Stayed loyal to her as we watched her legacy die Nature did the honors and ended her misery, sigh! …



























