We had the good fortune of connecting with Tinu Akinyinka-Pena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tinu, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?

Honestly speaking, I draw inspiration from my surroundings. It could be a movie, a person or myself, what I come to realize is that inspiration is all around us – we just have to see it. So, regardless of the entity of inspiration, I have been able to use that spark ignited to help stay focused, regroup, or even try something different.

As I have gotten older, the world to me looks so different from what I was raised to believe it was and should be – my perceptions are wholly mine and that inspires me daily. Now, with that realization, I have come to the accept that while life may be fleeting, it is my responsibility to make the best of what is it I desire of this world and it is solely incumbent on me to find my purpose, to have a reason to wake up each morning ready to face the world and say, “I am here”, “I matter” “I am the navigator of my life”. That is how I think, and I am happier for it. Those mantras of mine have been my self-inspiration in taking what’s around me and working smart to make things happen.


Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I actually have four ventures. Three in the startup phase and one yet to launch. Being creative with a knack for the technical field has made me take a different approach to business. You normally would hear “Do one thing well and perfect it and then let the others materialize afterwards. Well, covid changed that mindset for me – I have come to embrace all that I am good at and deliver quality results – that is why all four ventures are running concurrently.

Let’s start with Motre, Co., I started the company in 2007 and finally decided to go full-time in 2020 with the company. Now as a sustainability program management consulting firm, we focus primarily on projects in the engineering sector but can serve in any industry – the work we are doing will help change the approach to capital planning.  Using newer technology will become our marker as a disruptor and that’s what sets us apart. We are innovative thinkers – we would certainly like to be a part of the “Develop Africa” movement. The other company, TOAP Consulting Agency is a business solutions firm focusing on minority and women owned micro and small businesses that do not have access to a strategist. We support our clients in realizing the potential of their companies and helping set or reset their business foundation for growth. Then there is the non-profit arm, Banwo Foundation, founded in memory of my mother, Banwo. In her honor our mission is to recognize and empower young, underrepresented women between 18 and 30 to have the tools to be able to become the best versions of themselves.The fourth company is a publishing company, and the goal is to coach and mentor women to tell their stories; stories that people generally won’t expect to be told. You see, getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy, but each detour and leap has been a worthwhile experience for me. So, that is why the first published book under the company will be that of mine and three other African American women – we all just happen to be engineers. We hope others will find something to connect to from our stories.

I have to say , the lessons I have learned along the way is that knowledge and access are crucial; acceptance of oneself and building oneself up is just as important as paying it forward. What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that it is the truth, authentic and transparent and that both stand for the empowerment of others through knowledge.


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I mean – I am an ambivert leaning heavily on the introvert side, so to say I am not the planner of trips and activities is not far-fetched. However, while it would be an arduous process for me to plan an itinerary nonetheless this is what I would have planned for my best friend visiting the area. I would definitely want to spend quality time with my best friend, so for the first few days the activities will be planned around us spending time together. That’s why I would have us wake up early one of the mornings and head to the beach to watch the sunrise – since I live close enough to the beach to do that; afterwards, we will head downtown and have breakfast at the Blue Mountain Coffee House, dine outdoors enjoying the ambiance of the newly reconstructed corridor. Then we will head back home and laze around, watch Netflix or swim. For lunch, I would take her to the Kaluz Restaurant where we can just enjoy a scrumptious meal then take a short drive to the mall to shop. We will crash afterwards back at my place and call it a day. The remaining days, we will visit the different local spots such as the Norton Museum, Northwood Art District, Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden, dine there and enjoy the environment and other interesting spots in Palm Beach County. As the weekend draws near, close to her departure day, I will take her dancing at a spot downtown with my friends and the day of her leave, will see her off at the airport packed with loads of fun memories.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My first shoutout goes to my father, Afolabi. He has been the anchor and the torch bearer in my life, stepping into my mother’s shoes after her passing – being both Dad and mom to me at the same time. Other shoutouts goes to my older sister, Towun, a constant support and loving sister, my brother Tjay, a grandiose being that makes life fun whenever he is around, my kids – Miguel and Eleana, I couldn’t have asked for better offspring, they make me proud – at least most of the time. Last and not least to my constant motivator, Akindele, he has been my hype person for many years and because of him I have been able to embrace the changes happening in my life.

Website: www.toapca.com; www.motre.co; www.banwofoundation.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamtinupena.us.ng

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinupena/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinu.pena/

Image Credits
Professional shots (Beige Suit & Black Top) – Winter Raven Photography Professional Shots (Pink dress) – Daniel Fortune Groundbreaking shot – Unknown Project Board Shot & Podium – Tinu Pena Empowerment Event ( Podium and room shots) Carol Porter

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