Meet Ciara Mokeme of Adaobi Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Mokeme.

Hi Ciara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story really begins in 2003, when I was a teenager making some not-so-great decisions and hanging around the wrong crowd. After one too many missed curfews, my mom decided it was time for a change, and I suddenly found myself moving from Massachusetts to live with my dad on an island off the coast of Portland, Maine. At 15, I thought it was the worst thing that could happen. It was quiet, isolated, and felt like punishment.

But that summer changed everything. My dad handed me a Bible, told me to read it, and put me to work in the smoothie and coffee shop he and my stepmom had just opened, a small business that also sold Sub-Saharan African art from his personal collection. I learned how to make cappuccinos and smoothies, how inventory and profit margins actually worked (especially when I ate too many mangoes), and most importantly, how business could be a vehicle for creativity, discipline, and impact. What started as a punishment became the foundation of my entrepreneurial mindset.

When I went to college a few years later, that experience showed up in unexpected ways. I was so driven that I completed junior- and senior-level business courses as a freshman and even delivered a lecture after a presentation I gave impressed my professor. I also discovered that theory wasn’t enough for me — I craved real-world impact. So, I took time off to help small businesses in and around Boston, MA with everything from day-to-day operations to reading blueprints, preparing bids, and helping them get certified as minority-owned enterprises all before I turned 21.

From there, my work naturally evolved into marketing and communications. I found my strength in helping people understand complex ideas and building strategies that move businesses forward. Today, I still draw from that first summer, combining storytelling, strategy, and business knowledge to help organizations solve problems and grow.

If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s that small beginnings often carry the biggest lessons. What once felt like a detour ended up being the foundation of everything I do now.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
That’s such a great question — and honestly, no, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I wish I could say otherwise, but entrepreneurship rarely is. Even though I had an early start learning about profit margins and inventory the hard way. like discovering that eating all the mangoes meant I had nothing left to sell there are some lessons you just can’t learn in a classroom or until you come face to face with the mountain.

There were seasons when I felt like giving up, when client expectations were unrealistic, or when I was helping small businesses grow and suddenly the funding dried up theirs and mine. And those moments force you to confront not just business challenges, but your own resilience and purpose.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that entrepreneurship isn’t something I do — it’s part of who I am. And because of that, I’ve had to anchor myself in something bigger than the work. For me, that’s my faith. When my dad first handed me a Bible as a teenager, I didn’t fully understand the significance. But years later, as I began building my career and deepening my relationship with God, that foundation became my greatest source of strength.

Understanding who I am and whose I am has shaped the way I move through challenges. It’s taught me to keep a heart posture that’s realistic yet hopeful and to see obstacles not as stop signs but as opportunities for growth. And it’s reminded me that even in the hardest moments, I’ve never gone without what I truly needed: food, shelter, support, and purpose.

I also believe the people around you matter deeply. Early on, I surrounded myself with the wrong influences. Now, I’m intentional about being in community with people who understand the entrepreneurial journey, people who are committed to building not just successful businesses, but meaningful lives. That perspective keeps me grounded and focused, even when the road gets tough.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At its core, The Adaobi Group is a strategy and innovation firm that helps organizations bring bold ideas to life, especially those working at the intersection of impact and business. We partner with clients to build strategic communications, and mobilize resources. Whether it’s helping a local business tell its story more powerfully, guiding a nonprofit through a major fundraising initiative, or shaping the strategy behind a multi-million-dollar climate project, we meet organizations where they are and help them get to where they want to go.

What really sets Adaobi Group apart is the way we think. We don’t just focus on tactics, we zoom out and look at the bigger picture. We combine the creativity of a marketing agency, the analytical depth of a consultancy, and the relational approach of a trusted advisor. Our work is about building bridges between ideas and execution, between organizations and the communities they serve, and between what’s possible and what’s next.

I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve stayed rooted in purpose while evolving with the times. Our work has ranged from helping small business owners access government contracts to leading strategy for major energy projects and national scientific associations. And through it all, we’ve remained deeply committed to one thing: helping mission-driven organizations grow their impact without losing their soul.

For readers who are just learning about us, I’d want them to know that Adaobi Group isn’t just a service provider, we’re a partner. We step into the story of your organization and help you write the next chapter with clarity, creativity, and conviction. Whether you need high-level strategy, compelling messaging, or the right relationships to bring your vision to life, we’re here to help you build something that matters.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve never thought of myself as a reckless risk-taker, but looking back, some of the most pivotal moments in my life happened because I was willing to step into the unknown without a guarantee. To me, risk isn’t about being fearless, it’s about being faithful. It’s believing in something bigger than yourself and taking a step, even when you can’t see the whole staircase.

One of the first big risks I ever took was deciding to help small business owners before I had even finished college. On paper, it didn’t make much sense, I was young, inexperienced, and had no idea if anyone would trust me. But something in me knew I could make a difference, so I jumped in. That decision shaped everything that came after. It led me into industries I never imagined I’d be in and taught me how to figure things out as I go.

Later, starting The Adaobi Group was another leap of faith. I walked away from predictability and stability to build something that aligned with my purpose. There were moments when I questioned everything when the bank account was low, when projects fell through, when I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it work. But those same moments taught me resilience and forced me to trust that I was being prepared for something greater.

My faith has always shaped how I see risk. It reminds me that I don’t have to have every answer to take the next step I just have to move. And when I do, the right doors open, often in ways I couldn’t have planned.

I think risk is less about the size of the leap and more about the courage to leap at all. Sometimes the biggest risk is leaving something good to pursue something greater. Every time I’ve done that, even when it’s been scary, it’s led me closer to the work and the life I’m meant to build.

Pricing:

• We offer tailored packages for nonprofits, early-stage founders, and mission-driven organizations to make sure cost is never a barrier to impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adaobigroup.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciaraadaobi