Janet Dara is a multifaceted professional who has seamlessly blended creativity with innovation and corporate expertise. Her journey began in the creative world, where she thrived as a model, participated in high-profile fashion shows, and competed in beauty contests, showcasing her vibrant personality and drive. Determined to amplify underrepresented voices, she founded an online magazine celebrating the achievements of people of color, cementing her status as a visionary in the creative space.
Today, Janet has transitioned into the corporate world, excelling as a procurement, sustainability, and SAP expert. While climbing the corporate ladder, she continues to nurture her entrepreneurial side through her brand house, which features dynamic vlogs, thought-provoking podcasts, and a revamped online magazine. Janet Dara is the epitome of versatility and resilience, inspiring others to embrace their passions while pursuing excellence across multiple disciplines.
As a hybrid business woman and woman in tech, Janet speaks to Sunday Oyinloye, Publisher Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable
Excerpts:
At a point in your career you were very involved in pageant competitions; would you like to share your experience?
I did do two pageant competitions in my life: the first was a Naija beauty pageant and the second was miss Africa Netherlands 2016. I signed up as a way to get into modelling and become less shy. I mean, you literally have to put yourself in the spotlight as a miss. I did not win any prizes but I learned a-lot in these competitions and made friends for life.
Why did you rest melaninwonder.com magazine?
I used to own a magazine around melanated people, melanin wonder NL. The collaboration stopped because I stopped being inspired by the mission and felt like I was doing most of the work and dragging someone along who was riding my wave. So I decided to step down. I didn’t want a messy fight about who gets what part of the name. So i decided to start a new magazine and leave the Melanin Wonder brand which I worked 7 years for. I am still working out the concept but the name will be Janet Curated Magazine. I also decided to focus more on my other creative projects like my podcast Talkative.FM – your voice of reason.
I could see that you also have certification in Nutrition and Dietetics, it’s like you have your hands in many things?
I studied Nutrition because I wasn’t able to study medicine as I originally wanted. I ended up finding a completely different passion in entertainment and in being creative. And besides that, I chose a career path in corporate for some experience and stability as well.
You have worked in the telecom sector and other corporate organizations before, and now a woman in tech working for a gas company, what has been your experience?
My experience in the field of tech is pleasant. It is a male- dominated field. I am like a chameleon, I adapt to my surroundings and since I had a hard upbringing, it was easy for me to deal with the straightforward nature of corporate tech world. I worked as an external for Google, I worked at T-Mobile, KPN and now work for a Gas company owned by the state. I am enjoying the world because it’s fast paced and I learn every day.
You have great contents on your Instagram page, how do you have the time to create those contents.
I always have time to be creative; at this point it is definitely second nature. All my spare time after my 9-5 is time for content. Anyone that knows me knows I am always looking for the next hot thing online.
Do you see yourself going into acting or any form of entertainment in future?
I have had many people asking me if I would like to act. Or use my voice for voice acting. I have no idea what the future has in store for me. Who knows? I might try acting one day. I do know I will always have one foot in the entertainment industry.
Your root is Nigeria where the official language is English. What is it like working in a country like the Netherlands where the official language is Dutch ?
I literally grew up in the Netherlands. I came here when I was 4 and I am now 35. You do the math. it’s very easy to learn the language if you live in a country long enough. I speak Dutch as fluent as English.
What is that thing that the world doesn’t know about Janet Dara?
I have great love for Marvel Pictures and it started with the first Iron man movie. I was hooked ever since. Despite my looks I can be such a nerd sometimes, some find it hard to believe because I also love Make-Up, Beauty & Fashion.
