Steep & Tell: Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya of African Women in STEM

Welcome to Steep & Tell, our interview series steeping the stories of women founders we admire. Over a cup of tea, we ask about slow mornings, hard seasons, the rituals that keep them grounded, and the honest truths no one warns you about in business. Pour something warm and settle in.

This week we're sitting down with Adaeze Iloeje-Udeogalanya, founder and speaker behind African Women in STEM. Through coaching, speaking, community, and her podcast, she helps women stop shrinking, trust their own voices, and build the relationships that open doors. You can find her at @africanwomenin_stem.

What does a slow morning look like for you, and how do you protect it?

A slow morning for me starts with meditation, prayer, and grounding exercises. Then comes my favorite part, making an incredibly delicious cup of coffee, sitting by the window, and simply staring outside, taking in the beauty of nature. It is one of the few times in the day when everything slows down for me, and I am zen and feel rejuvenated. It is also a time I feel immense gratitude, because nature reminds me of how beautiful creation is and that things can be perfect with little effort.

Years ago, I was talking to my coach about what I desire my ideal morning to be. My kids were still little, mornings were chaotic, and I told her I couldn't have that kind of morning until they were grown because there was just too much to do. She asked, "Can you find five minutes?" I said yes. She smiled and said, "Then you have no excuse."

That conversation changed how I think about protecting the things that matter. Today, I remind myself that it's okay not to have all the time in the world, but it's not okay to let that be the reason I don't do the one thing that grounds me. Whether it's five minutes or three hours, it isn't about the amount of time. It's about protecting the practice and ensuring I fill my cup.

What is your non-negotiable ritual that keeps you grounded?

My non-negotiable ritual is meditation, gratitude, and future casting.

Meditation has been part of my morning routine for years. One of the greatest gifts it has given me is the ability to separate myself from what is happening so I can look at it more objectively instead of reacting emotionally.

With gratitude, I believe the saying, what you focus on expands. So I intentionally focus on the good, no matter how small. It might be the joy of getting a hug from my kids or the excitement of finding a speaker less than 24 hours after another one had to cancel. There is always something to be grateful for if you choose to look for it.

Future casting is how I stay connected to my vision. I think about the woman who is already living the life I want to create, for myself and my business, and I ask: What would she do? How would she handle this? How does she show up? Then I do my best to embody her today.

What is something about running your business that no one warned you about?

One thing no one warned me about is that if you think working in corporate is hard, entrepreneurship is harder. And it is not because of the work itself, but because it will test you in ways you have never been tested before.

I have come to understand that entrepreneurship is more of a mindset game than anything else. There will always be challenges, uncertainty, and moments of doubt. I have experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows literally at the same time. Once I understood that the most important thing is not doing whatever it takes to make the business work, but developing the mindset to lead one, things became a little easier.

Tell us about a hard season or a failure that ended up shaping you or your brand.

One of the hardest seasons of my life was the one that led me to leave my corporate career.

I was the person who took care of everything and everyone. I was an overachiever who carried the weight of the world on my shoulders and felt responsible for getting everything right. Failure was never an option. I believed hard work was all it took to succeed, so I paid very little attention to my own needs. I kept pushing because I thought that was what it meant to be strong, dependable, and successful. Everything had to be done today. Everything felt urgent.

Eventually, my body said, "Enough." I became so burned out that I couldn't do many of the things I had always taken for granted. I couldn't drive, go for walks, do chores, cook, or keep up with the pace I had been living. I had no choice but to rest and let my body heal.

The surprising part? Nothing fell apart. The world didn't end. My family was okay. Work continued without me. Everything I thought would happen if I slowed down did not.

This experience completely changed me and how I live. Today, I give myself grace. I honor my body because I know it is my greatest asset. I protect my mind, body, and spirit with the same commitment I once gave to everyone and everything else. And I have never been happier or more fulfilled.

When you are overwhelmed, what actually helps? The real thing, not the advice you are supposed to give.

I am a people person, and I believe in the power of community and collaboration. I believe there are people who know more than I do or complement me, and I intentionally seek those people out. Because I chose these people carefully, I instruct myself to listen, take whatever they tell me into consideration, and at least try it.

So, when I am overwhelmed, I don't suffer in silence. I talk to the trusted people I have built relationships with. Sometimes they offer a different perspective. Other times they simply listen. Either way, I almost always come away feeling better and less overwhelmed.

The cherry on top is sleep. When I can, I take a break and get a good night's sleep. In my experience, the outlook is always better after I have had some sleep. I usually wake up with more clarity, a better plan, and a pep in my step.

What do you wish more people understood about what you do?

I wish more people understood that my work is about creating a generation of women who are free in every sense of the word, mind, body, spirit, finances, and career, and who live every day in full self-expression.

Everything I do, whether it's coaching, speaking, building community, or hosting my podcast, is in service of this mission.

So many of the women I work with have spent years being excellent, dependable, and hardworking while quietly questioning themselves, shrinking their ambition, waiting to be chosen, and being forced to prove their worth over and over again.

I help them become more visible, build stronger relationships, position themselves, and access better opportunities. But those are simply the vehicles. The real transformation happens when a woman begins to see herself differently. She trusts her voice. She stops asking for permission. She knows she belongs in the room and realizes she can create rooms of her own.

That shift changes far more than a career. It changes how she leads, negotiates, builds wealth, raises her children, shows up in her relationships, and ultimately how she experiences her life. That is the work people don't always see.

A small luxury or habit that has been worth every penny?

I rarely spend money on myself. Ever since I started making money, I have always only thought about how I could use it to help other people.

I don't know if I would call this a small luxury because, over the years, it has fluctuated from small to quite a lot. I love learning and developing myself, so a few years ago, I started intentionally investing in that. It began with hiring a coach, then paying for programs, communities, and other opportunities to grow.

Every year, I think about where I am in my personal, professional, or business growth and ask myself, "What do I need next?" A lot of those investments have also been in communities and groups because I value relationships so much.

I call it a luxury because it has made me a much better person. But more importantly, it has introduced me to some of the greatest people in the world. They have impacted my life immensely and made it richer, fuller, and more interesting. Relationships are the currency of success, and this small-to-big luxury has given me exactly that.

Which other woman founder should we all be paying attention to?

Nmasichi Chukwueneka, founder of Masi Brand and Belle Sisters. And Idongesit Obeya, founder of Altruistic Scribe.

If your brand were a cup of tea, what flavor would it be and why?

Masala chai. Bold, warm, layered, comforting, with a kick. It has a little spice because I believe growth requires courage and honest conversations. It is grounding, energizing, and leaves you feeling confident that you can be and do more.

Anything you have coming up that you would like us to spotlight?

I am excited about the HerScension conference taking place November 14 to 15 in Atlanta. HerScension is where relationships turn into real opportunities. It is designed for women founders, professionals, and leaders who are ready to stop navigating their careers or businesses alone and intentionally build the relationships, visibility, and leadership skills that open doors.

If you are looking for your next promotion, your next client, your next investor, your next collaborator, your next board opportunity, or simply the room that changes the trajectory of your career or business, join us. Learn more at herscension.com.

Adaeze's cup is masala chai, warm and spiced with a little kick. For a caffeine-free way to get that same cozy warmth, our Autumn Breeze blend of cinnamon and ginger tulsi is a natural next pour.

Follow Adaeze at @africanwomenin_stem, connect on LinkedIn, and learn more at africanwomeninstem.com.