Our Woman Crush Wednesday, Marianne Olaleye is a brand strategist, storyteller, and founder of JAIKU, a storytelling agency for brands with soul. Marianne is on a mission to help businesses connect, not just convert. Through human-centred strategy and compelling narrative, she transforms everyday brands into unforgettable ones. The results speak for themselves: Her work has driven up to 622% spikes in website traffic and doubled conversion rates for clients. For Marianne, storytelling isn’t fluff, it’s smart business.
Born in Lagos and raised in the UK from age 12, she carries a deep well of cultural insight that fuels everything she creates. It’s this blend of creativity and commercial savvy that sets her apart, whether she’s helping a tech startup find its voice or turning a beloved family snack into a nationwide hit.
Speaking of snacks, Marianne is also the co-founder of Puff Puff Ministry, the UK’s leading West African dessert brand. What started as a humble puff-puff recipe shared with her sisters is now a cultural favourite with high-profile clients like Google, Netflix, and Meta. She’s even pitched it on Channel 4’s Aldi’s Next Big Thing, earning national TV exposure and a shot at supermarket shelves.
Marianne’s impact goes beyond business. She teaches entrepreneurship at City, University of London, leads founder workshops at The British Library, and pens The Business of Storytelling, a newsletter read by a growing tribe of marketers and creative entrepreneurs. She’s also graced pages and screens via BBC, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and more.
When she’s not shaping stories or leading strategy sessions, you’ll likely find her behind a camera lens (she’s an award-winning photographer), at a spin class, or chasing down the next great meal on her travels.
At her core, Marianne is passionate about people: How they live, dream, build, and connect. And whether it’s through brand work, food, or photography, she’s always finding new ways to tell stories that mean something.
Marianne Olaleye isn’t just building brands, she’s building bridges. And for that, Pride Magazine Nigeria proudly salutes her as our Woman Crush this Wednesday.