A chartered marketing professional, with long-term experience of many sectors including communications, eCommerce, entertainment, finance, FMCG, hair and beauty and technology, gained in the UK, then the US, and, more recently in Nigeria.
Solid marketing skills, and with particular expertise in strategic business growth and change management to secure new revenue streams, achieve sales forecasts, grow market share, and, increase profitability.
Impeccable track record with experience of working agency-side, in-house, as a freelancer, and, running own businesses.
Began career over 20 years ago originally in public relations in London, UK; then moved into consumer marketing, product development, brand management, trade marketing and business development; in the UK, then the US, and more recently in Nigeria.
Extensive experience of the teaching and training of professionals gained from delivering the Chartered Institute of Marketing's professional marketing qualifications and bespoke corporate training short courses, seminars and workshops.
Boasts unique entrepreneurial and intellectual property rights experience from inventing, commercialising, wholesaling, retailing, and licensing own line of award winning hair pieces, the ‘SimiWeave™’.
Winner / Finalist of 13 awards including 'International Business Woman 2005’.
Some testimonials
"We have relied on the excellent business development and marketing consulting provided by Simi Belo". Jessie Bourneuf, President of Specialty Catalog Corp.
"It was Ms. Belo’s extraordinary business acumen that allowed her to maximize the benefits offered by our Passport2Export program. She achieved in less than eighteen months what others would have achieved in three years." Elaine Cameron, International Trade Advisor, UK Trade & Investment.
"Simi has great ideas which she has been able to convert into a commercial successes because she has natural business acumen and marketing expertise." Bola Olabisi, Founder and CEO, British Female Inventors & Innovators Network.
"Now one of the United Kingdom’s finest innovators...Simi has raised the bar in the women fashion and apparel industry." This Day newspaper (Nigeria).
"Lobal Technologies is keen to make a name for itself and its technology, particularly within the media. [Simi Belo's] Guru PR has an excellent understanding of media opportunities available and how to exploit them, and they have already achieved substantial exposure for us. They've worked with us as part of our team, and we have found their strategic approach really beneficial." Brady Anderson, COO of Lobal Technologies.
'Spending cash on PR is always a dilemma for a young company, but we've no regrets about engaging Simi. The most important thing is that she's become part of our family. Trust = good PR.' Fred Hasson, CEO, TIGA (The Independent Video Games Developers' Association).
Awards
'Top 20 Inspirational Woman from African Diaspora in Europe 2011', from African Diaspora Professional Women In Europe.
Finalist, ‘International Business Woman of the Year' 2005 International Business Award.
Finalist, ‘Women in Business' 2005 award from Start Ups.co.uk
Finalist, 'Rising Star of the Year' 2005 Black Enterprise award.
Finalist, ‘Best New Exporter' 2005 International Business Award.
Winner, ‘European Business Of The Year' 2004 award from the European Federation Of Black Women Business Owners.
Winner, ‘Best Start Up' 2005 London African Caribbean Entrepreneurs award given by The African Caribbean Business Network.
Winner, 'Special Recognition' 2004 award from GWIIN (The Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network.
Winner, 'Top Ten British Female Inventor & Innovator' 2005 award from the British Female Inventor & Innovator Network.
Winner, ‘Top Ten Pan African Women Inventor/Innovator' 2005 award.
Finalist, ‘PR & Marketing' 2004 award from the European Federation Of Black Women Business Owners.
Winner, ‘Black and Minority Ethnic Business' 2005 Passport To Export award from UK Trade & Investment.
Finalist, ‘Innovative Company' 2005 London African Caribbean Entrepreneurs award.
In books
'EVERYDAY HEROES: Learning from the Careers of Successful Black Professionals' by Frances Mensah Williams.
Described as “the must-have book for every young person”, Everyday Heroes is an inspiring collection of easy-to-read interviews by sixteen achievers which educates, offers inspiration and promotes aspiration for young readers everywhere. Belo is one of the role models showcased to offer invaluable learning, not only about what it takes to succeed in her chosen career, but also about her journey, her influences, and the life lessons she has learned along the way. www.Everyday-Heroes.co.uk ISBN 978-0-9569175-0-8.
‘Colourful Journeys In Women’s Shoes’ By Bola Olabisi & Liz Williams
‘Colourful Journeys In Women’s Shoes’ is co-written by Global Women’s Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN) CEO Bola Olabisi and showcases the varied and diverse experience of female inventors. Along with seven other inspirational women, Belo’s hard work, journey and success is summarised in an easy-to-read manner. Coming soon. www.GWIIN.com ISBN to be confirmed.
‘Entrepreneurialship’ by Lucia Dore
Veteran editor and co-editor of many international financial magazines including Euromoney; co-founder of the ‘Powerful Communication’ company; and, co-director of television production company Terracotta, Lucia Dore is also writing a book called ‘Entrepreneurialship’ featuring Belo along with nine other celebrated business people. Release date and ISBN to be confirmed.
Visit
www.LinkedIn.com/In/SimiBelo
www.SimiWeave.com
www.LiquidBusinesses.com
Contact
Email: Info at SimiBelo.net