It’s officially December, the season of endless events, music, and memories! As everyone scrambles to find the hottest parties and create unique experiences, one name stands out: Tix Africa, the go-to self-service ticketing platform.
Founded by Folayemi Agusto and Nosa Oyegun, Tix was built on a vision to simplify ticketing with tech-driven solutions that empower organisers, creators and attendees. From intimate gatherings to festivals, it’s become the engine driving Nigeria’s cultural and entertainment scene.
As the platform grows into a powerhouse, Agusto continues to redefine the events space while championing women in the workforce—a journey that makes her the perfect spotlight for this week’s #MCNWorkLife.
From launching the now-iconic food blog EatDrinkLagos on a whim to building a ticketing platform that is revolutionising how event curators connect with audiences, the Tix co-founder and CEO has consistently blended passion with purpose.
In this conversation, she shares candid insights into her entrepreneurial highs, the hurdles she’s faced, her commitment to empowering women in the workforce and the pivotal moments—big and small—that have shaped her path to excellence.
If your friends were to describe you, what would they say?
They would say I work a lot, and can be a very type A organised person.
What was your childhood dream job, and how does that translate to your current role?
My childhood dream job evolved a lot—I wanted to be a lawyer because people thought I talked too much, an interior designer because I loved styling spaces, and an investment banker for the money. But after a Wall Street field trip, I knew finance wasn’t for me.
I wanted to be a designer for a while. Then, I realised that I am a type A person who enjoys organising. That passion led to my first job as an event and sponsorships assistant with a telecommunications company and then a job as the guest relations and events coordinator at a startup. During this time, I started a food blog, EatDrinkLagos, and eventually co-created the Eat Drink Festival.
When managing over 10,000 guests at the festival became chaotic due to a lack of data and proper ticketing systems, we were dragged online for it. Determined not to repeat the experience, I co-founded Tix Africa, a platform built to solve those exact problems, combining my love for events and a knack for solving challenges.
What are your plans for Tix?
We’re building the ultimate ticketing solution for event creators. Events have the power to inspire, educate, and transform, and our goal is to handle ticketing and admissions seamlessly so creators can focus on crafting unforgettable experiences. From the moment a fan buys a ticket, the event journey begins, and we’re dedicated to making that journey smooth and exciting. We want to take this far and wide, helping event creators design the best live event experiences possible.
What’s your biggest career challenge, and how did you handle it?
I’ll say two things: one, I may have solved, and the other, I have not yet solved. My biggest challenge is hiring the right people to build Tix. Building a company from scratch without the right people is impossible. If you look at successful companies today like Apple, and Microsoft or Nigerian companies like Piggyvest, and Paystack, the collective effort of very strong early teams made these things. Whoever you choose can determine the direction of the company.
The second challenge is building a business in Nigeria, which can be tough. To tackle this, I rely on what I call decisive prioritisation—focusing on whatever it takes to ensure the survival of the business. When challenges arise, I assess the potential risks and their impact. If something poses a significant threat, I act quickly and decisively to address it. This approach helps me navigate obstacles effectively and make better decisions because, in business, challenges are inevitable.
What’s a typical day in your work life like?
I wake up, get ready for work, and shower, even though I mostly work from home. I’ve realised that showering before you start the day sets me off better for success. I have a block of meetings, then lunch. I typically take a short lunch break and then get back to work. I don’t do social activities on weekdays because I work late into the evening. Then I can do social activities like visiting a gallery or restaurant on Saturday and Sunday.
You have talked about the importance of hiring women. Why is this a non-negotiable for you?
I once read an interview where a CEO said the best candidate he found during the interview was a woman, but she was pregnant. So, if they hired her, then she couldn’t resume immediately. But they hired her anyway, and found a way for the company to work until she resumed because she was the best person for the job. They could have discounted her because she is a woman and pregnant. But she turned out to be a valuable hire.
People should hire more women because that’s how to create more equity. Put people in a room where they can earn money for themselves and have a seat at the table. And you can only do this by literally hiring women.
For instance, if I’m hiring engineers, I see that only men are applying; I could partner with organisations like She Code Africa and others. I can deliberately do my part to post my job post in those communities to encourage more female applicants. It’s just making sure your pipeline allows women to apply. Employees shouldn’t discount women because of maternity leave or child care.
How would you describe yourself outside of work?
It’s interesting you ask this question because I was doing this NBA Africa accelerator about two or three months ago. They asked us to introduce ourselves, and all of us introduced ourselves by our work, and they were like, ‘Okay, you need to tell your personal story better.’
I’m Nigerian. I grew up mostly in Lagos, Nigeria, but I’ve gone to school in other places in the world. I think one of the most defining moments for my adult life so far is coming back to Nigeria in 2013 when I finished university and starting a food blog because that’s not something that I imagined would spiral into the career path and things I have done since. So, I started a food blog with a friend about places we used to go and eat after NYSC and people wanting to eat with us. Then, I started a supper club and a food festival, and all these interesting life experiences led me to start Tix.
As the CEO and co-founder of Tix Africa, how do you balance the demands of running your company with ensuring your personal well-being?
I sleep because I don’t want to be thinking, cataloging my mind, or processing my feelings. Sleeping is like my refreshment. Then I wake up, and we go again.
What tip do you swear by for maintaining a healthy work-life balance?
The best tip I would give is to make time for what is important at that point in time. If working late to push out a report needed in your company is important to you, you can do that. If you need to make time for your family, help out a relative, or something, make time for what is important in that life season.
What’s your advice for female entrepreneurs and women looking to have impressive careers like yours?
To succeed, you must be an excellent problem solver, which I emphasise with my team. The ability to break a problem down to its roots demonstrates higher-level thinking. Strong problem solvers advance by tackling the toughest and most critical issues, creating value for the company. They identify market opportunities, view challenges as chances to innovate, and may even build successful ventures. On the other hand, if you lack this skill, opportunities will pass you by. You’ll accept the status quo, adding little value beyond routine tasks. True impact comes from identifying and solving the core issue with precision and focus.
What’s something you want to be known for?
I really want to be considered an excellent person. I want to be someone who truly stands for excellence.
