Obioma Martin is an inspirational speaker, accountability-coach, author, small business expert, childcare consultant and esteemed advocate for women’s empowerment. Martin’s passion for equipping women with the tools they need to, not only survive but, prosper and live audaciously, has launched her into a life of unparalleled servitude, wherein she continues to thrive by helping others.
She is the founder of several organizations that serve the under-served in the community: OMAX Institute which provides professional development, mentoring, and coaching to child care providers, OMART -Women Supporting Women, which supports survivors of domestic abuse and provides opportunities for them to start businesses and return to school, and Obioma Martin LLC which supports entrepreneurs across all industries in the area of consulting, accountability coaching, and public speaking.
Martin has helped over 3,000 women get off welfare and get the credentials required to complete and further their education. A life-long learner herself, Martin holds multiple degrees; associates degree in Early Childhood Education, bachelors in Childcare Management, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Leadership and she is also a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program alumni. Martin is currently one class away from being a certified biblical counselor.
Martin is the author of several accountability journals that guide, both men and women, through the process of getting unstuck in every area of their lives. In her latest release, “B.R.E.A.T.H.E.- Empowered to Live a Stress-Free Lifeâ€, Martin shares her stories of hardships, overcoming life’s obstacles and the thin line strong women often teeter between superhero and suicide. This gripping composition walks readers through a journey of self-discovery and self-development and brings them out at the end elevated, empowered, and equipped to live their best lives.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Obioma, Obioma?
Obioma: My undeniable tenacity, unstoppable drive, compassion for people, and love of life.
Fancy: It looks like you were originally an early childhood major. Were you originally planning to own or work in a daycare?
Obioma: I had no intention to work with children or become a childcare owner, but God had another plan for my life.
Fancy: Which organization did you start first and why?
Obioma: I started OMART Christian childcare first because of the lack of quality care that I received for my 11-month-old infant and the need for high-quality childcare programs in my community. I closed my childcare program in 2007 and then launched OMART Consulting 2007as a result of people wanting to know how to open and operate a child care program. I then started OMART Training and Development so that I could now provide workforce development as a certified training organization in Pennsylvania in 2009, and then in 2013 OMART Women Supporting Women the not for profit was formed because of my pain, brokenness, and toxic marriage and then everything else came in 2016 after we separated.
Fancy: What does a typical workday look like for you?
Obioma: 7:30 am to 12:30 pm, I teach at a charter school with opportunity youth,h providing them with workforce development skills, life skills, and child development. I then oversee four early childhood programs in the afternoons 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Afterward, I teach night classes at Chestnut Hill College, my Alma Mater. I also teach my signature BREATHE course at my local church bible school on Sunday evenings.
Fancy: Why are you so passionate about empowering other women?
Obioma: I have had phenomenal women mentors, elders, and coaches who spoke life in me at a time when I was going through an identity crisis and trying to find my way and my purpose. If it had not been for the women at my church who saw potential in me as a teen, I don’t know where I would be today. I have to pay it forward and give back.
Isaiah 1 says The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Fancy: What inspired your latest book, “B.R.E.A.T.H.E.-Empowered to Live a Stress-Free Life�
Obioma: “B.R.E.A.T.H.E.†was birthed from a place of pain, depression, and brokenness. I was suicidal and had no will to live but God. I decided to change my focus and perspective, I decided to become my own rescue. I decided to stand up for myself and become the voice for other women who were also suffering in silence.
Fancy: Being that this book is composed of stories of your own struggles, I don’t want you to give too much away, but what is one obstacle you overcame and how did you do so?
Obioma: I overcame my negative beliefs by renewing my mind with the Word of God.
Fancy: I see you’ve assisted over 3,000 women. That’s awesome, but I notice that while many businesswomen are striving to give back and pay it forward when you look at their projects, those numbers aren’t nearly as close. I know that impact is qualitative, not quantitative, but do you have any tips for those looking to make a greater impact with their work.
Obioma: They must connect to other like-minded organizations that have the same mission and vision, serve the same customer and leverage that relationship. I was able to hit that number because of my relationships and partnerships with other community-based organizations. I have also always been committed to community service and volunteering.
Fancy: How do you balance your personal life and work or do you seek harmony instead?
Obioma: I absolutely seek peace, and focus, not balance. My children come first and then everything else.
Fancy: Do you have any other upcoming events or projects that you care to share?
Obioma: BREATHE spa day Saturday, October 26, 2019
BREATHE anthology launches June 5, 2020 – Philadelphia
BREATHE conference June 5-6, 2020 – Philadelphia
BREATHE cruise June 21-28, 2020 – Tour of Italy on the Royal Caribbean
Connect with Obioma below.
FB: @obiomamartin
IG: @Iamobiomamartin
Twitter: @Iamobiomamartin
