Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Chinyelu.
Hi Jessica , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It’s funny — I never imagined I’d be doing what I’m doing today.
I actually started off as a club promoter. A good friend asked me to help him plan his Nigerian Independence Day party, and I took on the challenge without realizing it would completely change my life.
What started as simply helping a friend quickly turned into something bigger. People began to notice my work — not just in promotions, but also in organizing events, recruiting brand ambassadors, coordinating bartenders, and even securing sponsorships. Soon, I was helping African promoters bring artists from Africa to tour the U.S., and working during major events like NBA All-Star Weekend and Super Bowl Weekend.
What set me apart was my approach. While many promoters were posting flyers on cars, we took a different route: I organized beautiful brand ambassadors to promote directly inside luxury high-end malls like the Galleria and NorthPark here in Dallas — targeting the customers already aligned with the luxury lifestyle experience. It was bold, it was strategic — and it worked.
Still, as much as I loved the excitement, I realized I was operating in a male-dominated industry, and it wasn’t fully aligned with where God was calling me. I heard an audible voice from God telling me to pivot — to step into purpose-driven work.
That’s when I founded the Women of Purpose Conference, a nonprofit that empowered women to pursue their God-given passions and dreams. I hosted five conferences — and in the first year, I even used my student loan money to fund it! But after that, every single conference was 100% sponsored.
When I paused hosting the conferences, people still kept reaching out — inviting me to lunches that would turn into full-on consulting sessions about how to get their initiatives and events funded.
One day, my husband sat me down and said, “Babe, you have a real business. Stop consulting for free.”
That conversation was the catalyst.
I decided to test the idea: I hosted a two-hour Instagram Live, shared some real gems about sponsorships, and put an eBook on pre-sale. To my surprise, I made over $4,500 that night selling a $47 eBook. That moment showed me there was real demand.
From there, opportunities started rolling in: speaking engagements, paid workshops, consulting gigs. I eventually launched an 8-week sponsorship course, and what started as a passion has now evolved into a thriving social impact consultancy.
Today, our business has three core arms:
An online membership program for entrepreneurs and organizations looking to secure corporate sponsorships (we focus heavily on sponsorship readiness).
VIP days and consulting services for clients who are ready to scale to six- and seven-figure sponsorships.
Corporate consulting, where we work directly with Fortune 100 and 500 companies to help them identify and vet external partners for funding opportunities.
We’re also building out a certification program for those who want to learn exactly how to do what I do.
This year is all about scaling. I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead — and for the continued growth of The Sponsorship Lady brand.
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?
Woof! Let me just say — the road has definitely not been smooth.
Being a business owner and a nonprofit founder both come with their own unique sets of challenges.
One of the biggest struggles for me — and even for the people I mentor — is learning how to deal with no.
In the world of sponsorships, hearing “no” is inevitable. It can be discouraging, especially in the beginning. But over time, I realized you have to reframe it. A “no” isn’t a rejection — sometimes it’s simply “not right now” or “not yet.”
The key is building authentic relationships. A no today could easily turn into a yes tomorrow — or it could open the door to an even better opportunity elsewhere. I always remind my community: don’t take the no personally. Learn from it, stay connected, and trust the timing.
Another major lesson I learned, especially early on with Women of Purpose, is that hosting one event per year is not a sustainable business model.
When you’re building something meaningful, you can’t rely on just a single event to carry your vision.
I had to learn how to diversify my offerings — to create multiple streams of service and value beyond just the conference. If you’re an entrepreneur hosting events, please let me save you from the same mistake: build multiple pathways for your community to engage with you year-round.
I’d also say one of the hardest but most valuable lessons I learned is this: all money isn’t good money.
It’s so important to chase peace, not just paychecks.
Every client, every opportunity, every sponsorship isn’t meant for you — and that’s okay. Having the wisdom and discernment to say no to opportunities that don’t align with your mission is crucial.
Because at the end of the day, your peace, your integrity, and your reputation are worth far more than any check.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Sponsorship Lady is a social impact consultancy designed to empower entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and organizations to secure corporate sponsorships the right way.
We specialize in sponsorship readiness — meaning, we don’t just teach people how to pitch brands; we prepare them to build real partnerships that are strategic, sustainable, and mutually beneficial. Through our consulting services, online programs, and corporate partnerships, we equip our clients to approach sponsorships with confidence, clarity, and integrity.
What sets us apart is simple:
We don’t believe in “chasing checks” — we believe in building relationships.
We take a deeply strategic approach that’s rooted in authentic connection, real-world business practices, and ensuring that both sides — the brand and the sponsored organization — experience tangible results.
We also focus heavily on sponsorship readiness, which is a missing piece in this industry. Many people are pitching brands before they’re even ready. We show our clients how to position themselves as a solution — not just another “ask.”
We serve in three key areas:
Online Membership: A community where entrepreneurs, founders, and organizations learn how to become sponsorship ready and access foundational tools to begin securing brand partnerships.
Consulting and VIP Days: Hands-on strategy development for those who have already secured sponsorships and are ready to scale to six- and seven-figure deals.
Corporate Consulting: We work with Fortune 100 and 500 companies to help them identify, vet, and fund high-impact external partners, particularly those advancing social impact initiatives.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve built The Sponsorship Lady on values: faith, excellence, authenticity, and impact.
We’re not just here to help people get funding — we’re here to build a movement of leaders who are changing the world through their missions, and doing it in a way that honors their value and worth.
If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s this: securing corporate sponsorships is not about begging brands to fund you.
It’s about positioning yourself as an asset — a partner who brings value to the table.
At The Sponsorship Lady®, we show you how to walk in that truth — and get your impact funded without losing your peace or your power.
Any big plans?
I’m really excited about 2025 and beyond.
This is a very special year for me — a year of completeness and new beginnings.
There have been projects and dreams I’ve been sitting on for the past three years, and now the timing is finally right to bring them to life. I haven’t shared this publicly yet, but I’m working on two major projects that have absolutely nothing to do with The Sponsorship Lady. These are passion projects that are deeply personal to me, and I can’t wait to reveal them to the world. My team and I are thrilled — and it feels like everything is aligning exactly how it’s supposed to. Timing really is everything.
As for The Sponsorship Lady, we are scaling in a big way.
We’re building out a certification program to train the next wave of sponsorship experts. We’re expanding our consulting services — working more directly with corporations to help them identify and fund high-impact partners. And we’re growing our membership and coaching programs to serve even more entrepreneurs, founders, and nonprofits who are ready to get their initiatives fully funded.
The Sponsorship Lady is not just about sponsorships — it’s about impact, strategy, and sustainability.
And I’m so proud of the way we’re helping our clients think bigger, move smarter, and walk confidently into boardrooms knowing their value.
There’s a lot on the horizon, and I truly believe this next chapter is going to be the most transformational one yet — not just for me, but for everyone we serve.
Pricing:
- https://go.thesponsorshiplady.com/get-started
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thesponsorshiplady.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicachinyelu/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesponsorshiplady
Image Credits
Stephanie Rose for the images of Jessica.
