Nothing to Lose, Everything to Build
Wemimo Abbey is a purpose-driven entrepreneur transforming financial inclusion in the U.S. through Esusu, a fintech that helps renters build credit and access flexible payments. His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in resilience, faith, and the principle of “falling forward” from failure. Abbey believes that meaningful impact comes from combining bold ambition with humility, saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." He shares vivid stories from his journey—from growing up in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria, to navigating predatory loans in the U.S., to building a billion-dollar company alongside his co-founder, Samir Goel. Abbey reveals how embracing failure, learning from each setback, and maintaining an unwavering focus on purpose can turn adversity into opportunity. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable insights on leadership, resilience, and building organizations that uplift communities.
Take Command: A Leadership Podcast · Joe Hart, Wemimo Abbey
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Show Notes
About the Guest:
Wemimo Abbey grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he witnessed his mother borrow at 400% interest to fund his education. That early experience inspired him to co-found Esusu, helping millions of Americans get credit for paying rent and access fair financial services. Abbey has been recognized on the TIME100 NEXT List and named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023. He serves on the SEC Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the University of Minnesota Crookston Board of Trustees, LEDA, and co-chairs the LACMA Director Circle. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota and earned an M.P.A. from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
What You Will Learn:
- How to turn early adversity and rejection into entrepreneurial success
- The power of resilience, faith, and purpose in leadership
- Why failure is a stepping stone and “falling forward” accelerates growth
- Strategies for building mission-driven companies that create tangible impact
- Lessons on teamwork and collaboration: going far together, not just fast alone
Discover how to lead with impact, embrace failure as a tool for growth, and create opportunities for others while building a sustainable business. Join Joe and Wemimo for a conversation full of inspiration, practical wisdom, and the mindset needed to make a difference.
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