LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Ruff ’n’ Tumble, a trailblazing premium children’s clothing brand on the African continent
Adenike Ogunlesi, who has been redefining and blazing the trail in the children’s fashion industry with over 35 years’ experience in the Fashion and Retail Business, is the founder and Creative Director of Africa’s leading Premium children’s clothing brand, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble. Ruff ‘n’ Tumble has shared happiness with over a million children and families across the globe, because she dared to dream and pursue her vision fearlessly.
An entrepreneur passionate about quality, excellence and service, Adenike started the Ruff ‘n’ Tumble brand from the boot of her car in 1996, with a man-power of less than 20 people. Today she has built a reputable Pan-African premium children’s clothing brand, operating to international standards with over 250 employees, 16 retail outlets, an online presence, expansion plans across the African continent and international community.
As a dynamic and phenomenal woman entrepreneur, her quest for innovation and redefining the wheels on her own terms gave birth to the creation of Gatimo Apparel, a state of the art garment manufacturing facility with a capacity to contract high quality garments and accessories with a skilled staff strength of almost 300 people.
A passionate speaker and an advocate for a more equitable society, Adenike advocates women owning their greatness by believing the truest expression of themselves and being financially independent. Her calling and desire for the development and growth of people especially women led to the birth the Betti-Okuboyejo Foundation - a garment making training facility which has graduated over 200 youths; empowering them with skills in garment making and entrepreneurship. She also founded the ‘I Share Cuz I Care’ Foundation by Ruff ‘n’ Tumble; a community which promotes sharing and caring among children and has impacted thousands of children through the feed a child campaign, dress a child campaign – where brand new school uniforms and shoes are given to pupils in various schools.
An alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School, Adenike is a Non-Executive Director at Lafarge Holcim Plc and the founding member and first president of the Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) at the Nigeria Employer’s Consultative Association (NECA). She is also an advisory board member and mentor at WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers) a structured mentoring programme for young women and the Coordinator of The Marriage & Family Life Unit at the Catholic Church of the Presentation. Adenike is happily married to Adegbola Ogunlesi and they are blessed with 3 children. Aside from her dedication to building a global business, she loves to read, dance, exercise and garden.
To find out more about Adenike and the story of Ruff ’n’ Tumble, visit the website: https://www.ruffntumblekids.com
