Money isn’t just a currency; it’s power, freedom, and a stage where dreams come alive—or crash. Gen Z women are rewriting the script, turning career setbacks into lessons, financial flops into wins, and proving that resilience is the ultimate currency.
Meet seven ambitious women in their 20s who’ve faced it all—critics, layoffs, internet backlash, pain, and societal pressure—and still found a way to thrive.
From movie sets to runways, boardrooms to classrooms, these smart, savvy voices reveal what it takes to stumble, rise, and own their stories in today’s world that demands boldness.
1. Abbie Tayo – Early 20’s (Influencer)
When Abbie Tayo started posting stories on Twitter in 2020, she wasn’t trying to be an influencer. “I was killing time,” she laughs. “I’d tell a story, leave it on a cliffhanger, and people would beg for the rest. I’d leave it open-ended, and somehow, it worked.” One day, she hit 100,000 views. Shocked, she realised she could build an audience—and soon, brands started reaching out, asking her to use her storytelling skills to promote their products.
From there, Abbie expanded her online presence, navigating Twitter and growing her platform until the infamous Twitter ban, when she lost her major source of income. “It was a huge setback for me at the time; I didn’t know how to handle it.”
But Abbie was unwilling to stay down for long, so she moved on to Instagram and TikTok. “I made over 50,000 followers on Instagram when I had to switch, but it wasn’t easy.” Today, her face has graced campaigns for brands like Spotify and Kellogg’s, yet she still battles impostor syndrome. “You’d think success makes it easier, but I still have moments where I doubt myself.”
Abbie’s approach to content creation is strategic. “Trends are dynamic. You have to research, jump on them, and diversify,” she says. But she’s quick to admit that the influencer world isn’t all glamour. “Social media can be so toxic. Last night, I almost wanted to quit. The pressure can be overwhelming.”
Despite the challenges, Abbie is passionate about using her platform to inspire others. “Young people need to embrace delayed gratification. Save your money. You don’t need the latest iPhone to prove anything.” She speaks from experience: “When I started making money, I didn’t save a dime. I’d buy the latest gadgets. Then Twitter crashed, and so did my income. It taught me to focus on contentment and long-term goals.”
Her advice to young creators? “Be consistent, even if you feel unqualified. Lost opportunities build resilience. Rejection isn’t new—it’s part of the journey. Do it afraid, and keep going.”
And as she continues to grow her career, she’s also open to helping others, jokingly adding, “If you need PR or marketing, I’m your girl.”
2. Tomi Ojo – 27 (Actress)
Tomi Ojo is the face everyone loves, from her breakout role as Rahila in the Netflix hit show Far From Home to Johnny Drille’s Believe Me video and the new Mavin short film Chapter EX.
Her career might look seamless from the outside, but behind the scenes, it’s been anything but. “I auditioned for Far From Home by sending in a tape, got a callback, did multiple auditions, and eventually landed the role,” she says. The grind? Unmatched.
Acting has always been her passion. “Since nursery school, it’s brought me joy and fulfilment,” Tomi shares. But passion alone doesn’t shield her from the challenges of rejection. “Even when people recognise you, you still face rejection. It’s not about you—it’s just the industry. You have to believe in yourself and keep moving.”
And she’s not shy about admitting the doubts that sometimes creep in. “You wonder, ‘Am I not good enough?’ But you have to snap out of it as quickly as it comes. I remind myself that I’ve worked hard to be where I am.”
Tomi’s candidness about setbacks is refreshing. “There have been times when I thought I had a role locked in after good feedback, but then I’d get pushed aside. It’s tough, but setbacks are part of every career.” She also doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the politics that can influence opportunities in the film industry, though she believes consistency will always shine through.
Financially, Tomi has learned to adapt to the ups and downs of the industry. “With the way the economy currently is, saving isn’t always enough—you have to be strategic. It would be best if you had something to support acting—maybe social media or other gigs. I’m still finding my niche,” she says, acknowledging her manager for helping her stay on track.
Through it all, she credits her friends as the core of her growth and those in whom she draws strength from, “They remind me I’m the shit,” she laughs. “Your circle matters so much—they’re my strength, and I believe surrounding yourself with people who impact you positively is the only way to go far.”
3. Chioma Tagbo – 25 (Model)
Chioma Tagbo is the kind of model who turns heads everywhere she goes–literally and figuratively. After moving from the UK to Lagos, she walked into Beth Modelling agency with a dream and a whole lot of confidence—and it paid off.
A few weeks later, she was signed. But even before that, she attended an open casting for GT Fashion Weekend, was selected, and booked her first show before officially joining the agency. “It felt like grace,” she shares. “Things just started aligning.”
Her big break came soon after when she was booked for Lagos Fashion Week. From there, her career took off. She became a familiar face for top Nigerian brands like Andrea Iyamah and Banke Kuku. Then came her international debut in Milan Fashion Week, walking for Italian designer Antonio Marras. “It was surreal,” she says. “I walked my first season and worked with a great designer—it felt like a dream come true.”
Of course, the journey hasn’t always been smooth. Chioma faced a major low point and career setback when she decided to leave Beth Modelling Agency. “It’s hard to leave a comfortable situation; I had a great career with them, and I was earning well”, she admits. “But I knew I wanted more. I wanted to be international.” Moving to Isis Models Africa and later signing with Isis Models London changed everything. Suddenly, she was walking into castings in Paris and Milan, and casting directors already knew her name.
As a top model who has been featured in some of the biggest fashion campaigns and advertisements in Lagos, including a recent Smirnoff ad, her goal is to not just pose for the camera—but to help brands sell, and that’s what gives her the most satisfaction. “When I see my clients’ outfits flying off the shelves because of my work, that’s when I know I’ve done my job right.”
Now one of the highest-paid models in Lagos, Chioma has learned to manage her finances wisely, investing her earnings and running a small business on the side. “Modeling brings in good money quickly, but the key is to invest it and always remember that there is rice at home.” she shares with a laugh. “I also make sure to charge what I’m worth, and I don’t take jobs I’m not comfortable with. If a brand doesn’t fit with me, I’m okay to say no.”
Her advice to aspiring models? Stay true to yourself, pray, and trust the process. “There’s no secret to success; it’s just grace. Take care of your mental and physical health, look good all the time, and always present your best self—you never know who’s watching.”
4. Adeife Adeoye- 23 (Tech Sis / Founder)
When Tech Sis Adeife speaks about setbacks, she doesn’t just tell you about the struggles—she shows you how she turned them into success. One of the most eye-opening moments of her career? Getting fired. And she’s not shy about it. “I got fired, but I wouldn’t call it a financial setback,” the founder says, leaning into the truth. “I had other freelance gigs on the side, so it wasn’t about the money. It was more of an emotional setback.”
But things didn’t stop there. She hit a rough patch where everything seemed to crash all at once. “There was a time when I lost all my jobs at the same time. At that point, I had just moved into a new apartment, drained my entire savings for it… and then I had 100k left in my account. That was it. No dime left.”
Her resilience and faith are what pulled her out. “How did I bounce back from that? I have to say, it was God,” she admits. “Would I say it’s just me and my power? I feel like I’d be discrediting God.” And that faith, combined with the hustle, is what really turned things around.
Being open and vulnerable about her struggles became a big part of Adeife’s social media success. “I share things that people don’t want to share. Like, I got fired? I’ll tell you. I got broke last month? I’ll share that too. It’s all part of the journey.” Her honesty created a space where others felt seen, especially when it came to sharing finances. “I track my expenses, and I’m not ashamed of it. I posted about it on TikTok recently, and there was a lot of backlash. But I knew where my money was going, and I felt in control.”
For Adeife, social media became the key to unlocking a new level of success—one that went beyond freelancing. “When I was freelancing in the tech space, it was good, but there was a cap to how far I could go. Once I started being visible online, everything changed.”
She quickly realised that building a personal brand wasn’t just about posting pretty pictures—it was about authenticity. “When I started sharing my journey, people connected with it. I’d get messages saying, ‘I just got fired today, and your video made me feel like everything is going to be okay.’ That’s when I knew my vulnerability was my strength.”
“However, I didn’t monetise my platforms until I hit 100k followers, and by that point, brands trusted me. I give before I receive. I choose partnerships that align with my values, and I say ‘no’ a lot more than I say ‘yes.’”
Despite her challenges—like struggling with personal discipline, battling Nigeria’s unreliable electricity, or the limits on international fintech platforms like PayPal and Stripe—Adeife is building something bigger than just her tech career. “The community I’m building is for women who work remotely. I call it REMOTE WORKHER. It’s a space where women can come together to learn, grow, and support each other. Because for me, success is seeing the people around me do well—it is seeing women come together, learn from each other, and grow. That’s my idea of success.”
5. Angel Joanne – 24 (Curriculum Developer / Fashion & Culture Journalist)
Angel Joanne isn’t afraid of hard work. In fact, she thrives on it. Armed with a First-class Finance degree and Juggling two full-time jobs and one part-time role—one as a curriculum developer in accounting at a private university in Abuja, another as a fashion and culture journalist at KLAT Magazine in the United Kingdom (UK), and another as a Content Manager at TEDxMaitama—she works 13-hour days, often from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. But for her, it’s not just about putting in the hours; it’s about building something bigger than herself.
“I’ve always believed that hard work is important, but it’s smart work that leads to success, and it may sound crazy but I always wanted to work a 9-5, I never wanted to own a business or do my own thing” Angel says, reflecting on her career.
She’s no stranger to setbacks, having faced plenty of challenges along the way, but each one has only fueled her drive to succeed. “The people who go on to do great things have fallen a million times. That’s what makes them great, and I only learned that after falling myself,” she shares. “I’ve had my own struggles, but I use them to keep pushing forward.”
Angel’s determination seems to be paying off. She now uses her degree to create academic curricula and also thrives as a published journalist, with multiple articles featured in magazines. Her work has been showcased across publications in multiple countries, from the U.S. to the UK to Namibia and Nigeria.
She’s interviewed some big names, including Nigerian music star, IcePrince and Miss Wales 2019, Gabriella Jukes, telling their stories to different audiences. “I feel like I am living my 14 year old dream, which was to talk to celebrities and talk about fashion all day, and now I get to do that,” she says with a smile. “I’ve had lots of career setbacks, including getting laid off at a previous company, but that led me to where I am now. It’s all about not giving up.”
For her, financial success is about more than just the paycheck—it’s about enjoying the journey. “You can’t let your struggles show, You always have to look the part. Let people see you thriving, even when times are tough.” Angel admits she has a bit of a shopping addiction, finding herself lost in the mall or shopping online for hours, and this has led to financial issues in the past.
But she’s learned to balance her love for shopping with smart financial decisions. “I’ve made some major financial mistakes before, but now I’m saving in Piggyvest and investing in U.S. stocks through Bamboo, and that has helped me feel more secure about my finances and future.”
While Angel works hard to build her career and invest in her future, she believes in enjoying the fruits of her labour. “I believe that money should literally show on your body,” she chuckles. “It’s important to enjoy what you’re earning and let that confidence reflect in everything you do.”
6. Rejoice James Barka – 25 (Student)
Rejoice James Barka, a PhD candidate in economics, is balancing her academic pursuit with a growing side hustle. Coming from a politically influential family, with her father currently serving in the House of Representatives and as a former acting governor of Adamawa State, Rejoice’s view of financial success has evolved through both her studies and her business experiences.
“For me, pursuing my PhD has changed how I view financial success,” she explains. “I used to think it was just about earning a high income, but through my studies; I’ve learned the importance of long-term planning and investing in yourself. Financial success is not just about the amount of money you make, but how you manage and grow it.”
While Rejoice benefits from her family’s support, her business venture—selling “dambu nama” (shredded chicken)—was born out of a love for the product rather than a financial need. “It’s not about the money right now cause I could easily lean on my family’s wealth, but it’s about learning how to manage a business for future ventures,” she states. “I’ve always loved this dish (dambu nama), and I saw it as an opportunity to understand what it takes to run a business, from sourcing ingredients to managing customers and learning the ropes of entrepreneurship.”
Her days are a careful balancing act, filled with academic and business responsibilities that require staying organised and focused.
Despite the advantages of family support, Rejoice acknowledges the weight of living up to her family’s legacy, especially in the political sphere. “There are times when I feel the pressure to do better, not just for myself but to match my father’s accomplishments,” she admits. “But it’s not negative pressure—it motivates me to strive harder, to contribute to society the way he has.”
Her approach to business and academics shows steady, sustainable growth. “Start small and grow gradually,” she advises. “You don’t need the best equipment or fancy packaging to begin with—just start and learn as you go. It’s about building a foundation that will allow you to scale over time.”
This time Last year, though, the PhD student made an investment that didn’t go as planned. “I invested in a bad business, and it completely flopped,” she admits. “I invested in a crypto-esque business based on someone convincing me, and I lost so much money. It was so hurtful. No matter how much you look up to someone, don’t just follow them blindly. Make sure you research too and understand the red flags.”
This experience has shaped her understanding of success. For her, it’s about more than financial gain. “It’s not just about money; it’s about using it for good,” she says. “Success means having a positive impact on others, whether it’s through my business, my studies, or the work I do in the future. I want to contribute in meaningful ways.”
7. Cassy Nze- Mid 20’s (Entrepreneur)
Founder of Promaterial Girl, Cassy Nze’s journey into the fashion business began with a love for style inspired by her mom’s fabric business. “I call the brand Pro Material Girl because I’m a material girl,” she laughs. “My mum started selling fabrics, and I just took it from there. I love fashion, and I love looking good—that’s why I started the brand.”
Surrounded by high achievers like her actor brother, Stan Nze, and her cousin, fashion influencer and reality tv star Princess Jecoco, Cassy’s family has been a key source of support. “They back everything I do. That kind of support makes the hustle easier,” she says. But entrepreneurship hasn’t come without setbacks.
“Social media has been tough for me,” she admits. “It’s difficult to sell online unless your branding is perfect, and I’m still working on that. But in person, people walk into my store and love what’s on the mannequin—that’s where I see real success.”While her journey hasn’t been smooth sailing, Cassy credits her resilience to the support she’s received. “Through my cousin Princess, who’s a huge fashion influencer, I sold out my first collection. Her friends bought a lot of pieces, which really inspired me to keep going,” she shares.
For Cassy, the 9-to-5 grind never suited her, which was why she chose entrepreneurship right after graduation. “It would have killed my career,” she admits. “I can wake up in the middle of the night and start putting pieces together. Running my own business gives me the flexibility I need.” Though she’s not claiming financial success yet, she’s working hard for it. “I believe it’ll come with time.”
Being a business owner requires sacrifices, and Cassy knows that firsthand as she shares that she has had to completely sacrifice her social life and now falls asleep in clubs whenever she happens to attend, “My mind is always racing with business ideas. I used to go out a lot, but now I’m focused on growing the business, so there is no time for my social life. I hope to expand my business and eventually do runways abroad. It’s a big dream, but I know I’ll get there.”
What these seven women have shown us is that success isn’t a straight line—it’s full of twists, turns, failures, and unexpected moments. They’ve had their fair share of setbacks, but they didn’t let that define them. Instead, they used it to fuel their comebacks, their growth, and their financial success. They’re part of the generation rewriting the rules, not just in their careers but in how they manage money, live their dreams, and push past limits. If they can rise, so can you. The Smart Money Generation is here, and it’s got no plans of slowing down.
