Adetola Akinnubi is building pathways of her own.
As a finance professional, entrepreneur, and community builder, she is redefining what accessible financial guidance can look like for founders and young professionals. Through her platform Devn, she is helping early-stage entrepreneurs make confident, informed decisions—while also leading Make Your Money Make Sense, LLC to support the next generation in taking control of their financial future.
In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Adetola serves on the finance team at New American Pathways, where she plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s mission and the families it serves.
Her work has already been recognized through top accelerator programs in Atlanta, but what stands out most is her commitment to community, clarity, and purpose.
What does women’s empowerment mean to you personally?
“To be equipped.” Women empowerment is to equip women with the skills and education needed to be successful in any desired area. I believe women can accomplish so much through willpower and raw talent, but we wouldn’t get far without skills and education.
Who are the women who have most influenced or shaped your journey?
Unpopular opinion—not that many women have. I would credit my journey to Christ, entrepreneurship classes and programs, and my favorite podcast: How I Built This with Guy Raz. The stories seem so mind blowing, and often I look at my life and I’m amazed that things are happening in real life for me.
I do have my besties, my mom, and women mentors especially at church. The Lord sent all those people to me, so I credit him for that. I credit him for everything really.
As a woman in finance and entrepreneurship, what challenges have you faced and how have they shaped your leadership style?
I am a serial entrepreneur. I own property, I do taxes, I do hair, I’m building an app. I’m the Accounts Payable Coordinator and I’m on the IB committee at New AP. I’ve had a YouTube channel and a networking business that I no longer work on.
I’m also half Black and half Nigerian, a girl in her 20s, an extrovert. I am a people person. I’m a Christian. I’m a dreamer. All these different aspects about me intersect, creating different opportunities and experiences.
The most challenging thing is showing up and executing a goal that can affect my clients and stakeholders. I step out every day with these identity traits and must steward who I am for a purpose bigger than mine. I do want to become a billionaire and travel the world, but I’m also responsible for my neighbors, the clients at New AP, and the people waiting on my app.
As a leader, it’s my responsibility to be self-aware of who I am, what I bring to the table, and how that affects everyone around me.
What advice would you give young women who want to pursue careers in finance, business, or entrepreneurship?
Prioritize studying your craft and become obsessed with a problem. To create the change you want to see in the world, you’ll need to be continuously drawn to the problem—study the history, conception, and potential solutions.
You don’t need to understand an industry to perfection, but if you want to serve a multitude of people, you’d better be obsessed with a problem if you want to persevere. It’s easy to quit or become unmotivated. An unsolved problem that you care about will keep you on your toes.
What is one lesson about leadership or entrepreneurship that you wish more women heard earlier in their careers?
Fail fast and keep it pushing. The more time you spend building an idea or business that you haven’t tested, the higher the risk of wasted resources. Face challenges head on.
If you are successful, keep going. If you fail, the problem is not worth fixing—pivot your solution or fall in love with something else. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, that’s okay—keep it pushing.
What message would you share with women who are still discovering their voice and leadership potential?
Short version—get creative, take note of what happens next. Let’s say there’s a problem you want to solve or a group of people you want to serve. After familiarizing yourself with the issues, get creative on how you can solve the problem.
Pitch your ideas to a couple strangers who relate to the issues and take note of how they respond. This is like the scientific method where you can learn what people love or hate about you, your ideas, your methods, and your effectiveness.
From that point, continue what feels right. You’ll need tough skin—but what leader doesn’t?