Sitting across the table with a pensive look, he ponders, pauses and spells pearls of wisdom, perhaps recalling his life’s defining moments. He articulates, “The definition of success is fluid; it can mean different things to different people.” The inspiring man further adds. “For me, true success lies in creating the right kind of impact that generates positive ripple effects and enriches lives.” Meet Damilare Odueso; this interaction is nothing less than a knowledge-dawning session for anyone seeking it.
This belief system drives his work as founder of Humexid, a design, innovation, and consulting firm. Their unique approach, rooted in human-centered design principles, empowers businesses and individuals to deliver high-impact solutions. Damilare’s definition of success goes beyond client projects; he gauges it by the opportunities created and the values generated, a testament to Humexid’s distinct philosophy.
Humexid’s commitment to enhancing the human experience is evident in its in-house projects and client work. By supporting businesses in their quest for innovation, they contribute to solutions that serve the greater good of humanity. In-house, they confront overlooked challenges, striving for sustainable solutions that improve lives and open doors. This commitment resonates in Damilare’s mentorship. For him, success is not just about empowering a new generation of leaders but also about nurturing personal growth and paving the way for their advancement—paying it forward and leaving a legacy of positive impact for Nigerians and Africans.
The Power of Disruption
‘DISRUPTOR’— the word Damilare uses to define himself. It’s not merely a descriptor for this trailblazer; it’s a way of life. Named one of “The 10 Most Inspiring Black Corporate Leaders to Follow in 2024,” he thrives on challenging the status quo, forging new paths, and building new business models and ventures to make an impact.
The Inspiration Behind Founding Humexid
The reason behind founding Humexid stemmed from two distinct sources of inspiration for Damilare. Firstly, a deep sense of urgency sparked by the constant challenges plaguing everyday Nigerians ignited a fire within him to find solutions. Instead of joining the chorus of complaints, this visionary entrepreneur saw opportunities for homegrown solutions. Secondly, his corporate background revealed that many businesses were struggling with innovation – while he worked for large corporations, Damilare witness firsthand their drive to make lasting impact which is often threatened by their legacy thinking, processes, and infrastructure. Damilare’s experiences reinforced his belief that Nigeria possessed the capability to solve its own problems and transform from within. Humexid was born from this conviction, leveraging human-centered design principles to improve the lives of ordinary citizens and unlock the potential of businesses. His vision extends beyond immediate solutions, as he seeks to inspire a movement of positive, self-driven change across the nation.
Embracing Challenges: Damilare’s Path to Resilience
For Damilare, challenges aren’t impediments; they’re stepping stones. He sees them as inevitable growth markers – the tougher the test, the closer the breakthrough. His most significant obstacles, he reveals, come from within the minds of others. Naysayers and doubters, projecting their fears and limitations, pose the most formidable challenge. Yet, this adept professional has learned to turn this negativity into fuel. He shields his mind with positive affirmations, celebrates every victory, and recognizes his audacity as a sign of potential, not delusion. Where others denied him opportunities, he has consistently created them for himself and those around him. His track record of success validates this. “Rejection is an opinion,” he asserts, “results are my responsibility and reality.”
Humexid: Where Human-Centered Design Meets Real-World Impact
Humexid isn’t just another consulting firm; it’s a catalyst for change. They harness human-centered design’s power to solve everyday problems and complex business challenges, empowering individuals and organizations alike. From navigating digital transformation to designing innovative everyday solutions, Humexid tackles obstacles with the end user in mind.
This philosophy is evident in projects like Crendly, their character-based lending solution. By shifting the focus from traditional credit models, they’re unlocking financial access and inclusion for Nigerians, fueling economic opportunity. Trustbreed, their customer advocacy platform, champions transparency and customer-centric business practices, proving Humexid’s knack for pinpointing and outsmarting modern challenges. At its core, Humexid wants businesses to thrive. Their digital strategies drive growth, process optimization, and lasting success.
But Humexid’s mission goes deeper. They’re relentlessly focused on building a brighter future for Africa, developing solutions that tackle social, economic, and environmental issues head-on. This dedication to progress positions them as problem-solvers and agents of positive, continent-wide transformation.
The Tinkerer-Turned-Innovator Behind Humexid’s Success
Damilare, the brain behind Humexid’s growth, is not your typical executive. With a background littered with disassembled toys and a childhood spent tinkering, he has an unquenchable curiosity that fuels his approach to problem-solving.
Surprisingly, his journey led him to human resources, initially at odds with his computer science degree. Yet, it was there that Damilare discovered the key to cracking organizational potential: the people. Understanding the diverse perspectives and motivations that drive individuals became the foundation for his people-centric approach to problem-solving.
A pivotal moment came when he discovered the power of Design Thinking. Merging his passion for systems and people, this innovative strategist began crafting simple, yet impactful solutions that revolutionized businesses. His keen observational skills allow him to tap into consumer needs and market trends, reshaping business models for maximum positive impact.
But Damilare’s expertise isn’t just theoretical. Like many Nigerians, he embraced the ‘hustle spirit’ early on, holding various jobs across industries since his teens. This hands-on experience gives him a unique understanding of small-scale entrepreneurship and large corporations’ structure. He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and work alongside his team, inspiring them with his “show, don’t tell” leadership style.
Perhaps his most defining trait is his boundless curiosity. It’s this curiosity that drives him to seek out opportunities for systemic improvement. If Damilare could secure a patent for every service design he’s developed and every client he’s worked with, he’d be on track to rival Shunpei Yamazaki. This relentless pursuit of knowledge, combined with his talent for simplifying challenges, empowers him as a leader. Damilare inspires his team at Humexid with a contagious sense of possibility, showing them how to convert the “impossible” into novel solutions.
Cultivating Integrity & Innovation: Humexid’s Team Ethos
At Humexid, integrity and innovation aren’t buzzwords – they’re the logical instructions of the team’s source code. Its proficient founder understands that culture isn’t built on slogans but through carefully crafted systems that nurture trust, open communication, and the courage to take calculated risks. Embracing vulnerability, he leads by example, owns mistakes, and fosters a sense of collective responsibility. Transparent tracking of deliverables, with automated error notifications, reinforces the value of integrity. As Damilare puts it, “Integrity and innovation are embedded naturally in our culture and approach to work, thereby enabling our people and organization to thrive.”
Life Before Humexid
Before revolutionizing industries with Humexid, Damilare blazed his own unique trail. His professional journey began in the halls of Guaranty Trust Bank, a powerhouse of Nigerian finance. But Damilare wasn’t content with a single role – his boundless curiosity led him to champion digital transformation and even dip his toes into business development.
The thrill of building from scratch lured him to Islamic Bank—Lotus Bank. Here, he got the opportunity to work with a team and immersed himself in building a bank from its foundations—crafting strategies, structures, and business models. This experience taught him the ability to navigate uncharted territory, which would prove invaluable in his future.
A personal retreat ignited the spark for Humexid, but his entrepreneurial spirit couldn’t stay dormant for long. His expertise caught the attention of Fintech Farm – a UK Fintech company, where he spearheaded the launch of their Nigerian venture – yet another testament to his ability to build groundbreaking businesses.
Damilare’s professional journey isn’t just about prestigious titles; it’s about a relentless drive to create and innovate. From his teenage years, working tirelessly as a teacher, graphic designer, and more, he’s embodied the ‘hustle spirit.’ This ingrained work ethic fueled his success across the banking world and laid the groundwork for his future with Humexid.
Man of Color, Leader by Mindset
For Damilare, conversations about race as an obstacle can be complex. He acknowledges the reality of racial profiling, both blatant and subtle, but his own perspective defies those barriers. This progressive entrepreneur refuses to view the world through the lens of division. “I don’t want to trivialize those personal experiences. Have I experienced certain racial profiling – overt or covert? Yes. But I have a completely different perspective on it.” he asserts, “I see no racial or gender divide in any way, shape, or form. What I see is individuals with unique potential,”
He believes the most formidable barrier to success is self-imposed. Recounting an experience of potential racial profiling during a trip, he admits he hadn’t even registered the incident as such. His focus wasn’t on color but the task at hand. “This is the power of the mind, shaped by perspective,” he explains.
Damilare recognizes that challenges are inevitable in any journey but insists they are not race-specific. He believes the right attitude can conquer any obstacle: “One’s state of mind and preparedness can help to conquer any challenge.” He seeks to instill this mindset in aspiring black leaders, focusing not on the color of the stone’s life throws but the bridges they can build with them.
The Best Recognition as a Leader
Damilare is a ‘people person‘ whose inspiration flows from their achievements. For him, the greatest recognition isn’t awards or accolades but witnessing the success of those he’s mentored, coached, and inspired. Seeing them thrive fuels his own passion, creating a beautiful cycle of empowerment. It’s a pure and indescribable joy for him that motivates Damilare to pave the way for future generations, encourage them to pay kindness forward, and pass on the legacy of support and upliftment.
Damilare’s Vision for Humexid Designing Africa’s Future
This astute tycoon’s vision for Humexid extends far beyond business as usual. He sees the company as a catalyst for continent-wide transformation, using human-centered design to address Africa’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. Humexid’s commitment to building capacity will position it at the forefront of this change.
The Roadmap to Impact
Humexid’s evolution is meticulously planned in four different phases. Each one has a well-laid out plan and strategy:
- Phase 1: Independent Product-s Building a foundation with solutions like Trustbreed (customer advocacy) and Crendly (democratized lending), targeting gaps in service delivery and financial inclusion.
- Phase 2: Specialized Verticals – Focusing on developing each product into a full-fledged, profitable vertical, offering deeper specialization and customized solutions.
- Phase 3: Cross-Pollination- Unlocking innovation by combining features across verticals, creating unique products that tackle multifaceted problems.
- Phase 4: Interconnectivity- The ultimate goal is a “Humexid City” where interconnected solutions create an ideal African society marked by efficiency, opportunity, and social good.
Long-Term Vision for Humexid’s mission goes deeper than product development:
- Expanding Impact: Address a broader swath of Africa’s challenges.
- Embracing Innovation: Harness cutting-edge technologies to empower solutions.
- Scaling Reach: Extend impact through partnerships and expansion across Africa.
- Nurturing the Ecosystem: Mentor and support the next generation of African innovators.
A Typical Workday at Humexid as CEO
Damilare’s role as Humexid’s CEO is multifaceted and dynamic. He’s not just a visionary; he’s a hands-on leader. His day kicks off with a focus on the big picture, reviewing strategic plans and KPIs to ensure progress aligns with the company’s goals. He then delves into the nitty-gritty, leading project teams, troubleshooting challenges, and ensuring his team has the support they need.
For this astute businessman, customer satisfaction is paramount. He dedicates a significant chunk of his time to client meetings and design thinking sessions, fostering a deep understanding of client needs to ensure solutions not only meet expectations but exceed them. He’s also a tireless growth champion, actively pursuing business development and partnership opportunities to propel Humexid forward.
What sets Damilare apart is his dedication to constant improvement. He meticulously reviews error logs and customer feedback, viewing these not as setbacks but as innovation catalysts. His day ends with research and networking, a relentless pursuit of keeping Humexid at the forefront of its field. It’s a demanding schedule, but through it all, he prioritizes connection with family, friends, and stakeholders—the lifeblood of his personal and professional success.
Work-Life Integration and Team Motivation
This seasoned executive rejects the traditional notion of “work-life balance,” instead championing an integration philosophy. For him, there’s no perfect scale; success lies in a harmonious blend where personal and professional goals fuel one another. Damilare’s profound sense of purpose in his work drives him, providing a constant motivation that spills positively into his personal life.
He prioritizes effectively, actively listening to his body, his family’s needs, and work demands. A flexible mindset lets him dedicate scheduled time to both personal and professional goals, switching gears when necessary. “A high sense of responsibility is essential,” he says.
Motivating his team rests on instilling confidence. Damilare encourages ownership and initiative, understanding that impact-driven work inspires deeper commitment. He celebrates wins and growth while fostering an environment where failure is a step towards improvement. Open communication and instant feedback mechanisms are essential to his leadership style, building trust and powering his team’s progress.
Legacy and Revolution: Damilare on Personal Goals and Uplifting Others
Damilare’s ambitions extend far beyond the boardroom. He aims to leave a legacy of positive change, empowering individuals to strive for their best while helping businesses build enduring institutions that improve lives. But his reach goes further – he’s drawn to complex, global challenges, aspiring to be known as the African who found solutions to the world’s toughest social, economic, and environmental issues.
His message to aspiring black leaders resonates with clarity and conviction. With a major focus on authenticity, he urges them to own their vision, goals, unique strengths, and weaknesses and believe in themselves without limits. This veteran leader encourages the aspirants to embrace their flaws, converting them into strengths and wearing them like a crown. Damilare champions purpose-driven action, asserting, “The Universe responds to your passion and intentional drive.”
True leadership, he emphasizes, isn’t about solitary success. It’s about creating opportunities for others and paving the way for those who follow. He guides aspiring leaders: “Do not be defined by limitations. Black is your power, your heritage, the fire that ignites your will to change the world. It is time to rise; your brilliance is the revolution the world needs.”
