Growing Through Curiosity: My Journey from CX Intern to Product Manager at Tix Africa
My Journey at Tix
When I joined Tix as a Customer Experience Intern, I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect.
I had just transitioned from medicine into tech, and while I knew it would be different, I underestimated just how much there was to learn. The pace was faster than I expected, the work was more complex, and I quickly realized that so much happens behind the scenes to create seamless event experiences both for organisers and attendees.
At first, it felt overwhelming but looking back now, I'm grateful it wasn't as easy as I imagined, because those early challenges shaped the way I approach work today.
One of the biggest lessons I learned in my time as Customer Experience Intern at Tix was patience not just with customers, but with myself. Starting in an entirely new industry came with a steep learning curve. There were moments when I felt like I wasn't learning fast enough or that everyone else understood things I didn't. Over time, I had to remind myself that growth takes time. The mistakes, uncomfortable moments, and difficult conversations weren't signs that I wasn't capable; they were simply part of my learning process.
That mindset became one of the most valuable things I took away from my time in Customer Experience at Tix.
Discovering My Interest in Product
Although I enjoyed working in Customer Experience, I found myself becoming increasingly curious about the product itself. I loved listening to customer feedback, identifying recurring problems, and thinking about how the team and I could better solve them. That curiosity really came alive during our CX recommendations at the monthly All-Hands meetings, where we presented insights gathered from customer interactions.
The most rewarding part was seeing some of those suggestions eventually become real product improvements.
Watching ideas that started as customer feedback evolve into features that improved the product gave my work a much deeper sense of purpose. It was the moment I realized I didn't just enjoy supporting customers, I wanted to help build the product they were using.
That's when I knew I wanted to transition into Product.
Tix Makes Growth Possible
One thing I'll always appreciate about Tix is how supportive the team was throughout my transition. Instead of being boxed into one role, I was encouraged to explore different areas of the business and discover where I could contribute the most. That freedom made all the difference.
Folayemi consistently encouraged me to stay open-minded, explore new opportunities, and regularly checked in to make sure I was genuinely enjoying the work I was doing. Knowing that my growth mattered not just my output made it much easier to take on new challenges.
An even bigger part of my growth came from working with my manager, Arese Osakue . Across every role she managed me in, she consistently challenged me to become a better version of myself. She encouraged me to keep learning, reminded me I was doing well during moments when I doubted myself, and trusted me with responsibilities that stretched my abilities.
Sometimes the confidence we need comes from someone believing in us before we fully believe in ourselves and having a manager who saw my potential even when I couldn't always see it gave me the courage to keep pushing beyond what I thought I was capable of.
Learning That "Tech" Isn't a Personality Trait
One of the biggest mental hurdles I had to overcome was believing that Product was too technical for someone with my background. Transitioning from medicine, "tech" conversations often felt intimidating. I assumed there was some invisible line separating "tech guys" from everyone else.
Over time, I realized that understanding technical concepts isn't something you're simply born with, It's a skill that I could nurture through curiosity, consistency, and asking lots of questions.
I still have plenty to learn, but I've become much more confident because I've seen firsthand how much growth is possible when you keep showing up, staying curious, and giving yourself permission to learn. That alone changed more than just my career, it changed how I approach unfamiliar challenges in other areas of my life.
Looking Forward
I'm also incredibly grateful for the people at Tix who made this growth possible. Leaders like Folayemi, Elo, and Arese showed me the kind of impact great leadership can have on someone's career. Their encouragement, trust, and willingness to invest in my development gave me the confidence to pursue a path I never imagined when I first joined Tix.
Today, I approach my work with far more confidence, curiosity, and a genuine desire to build features on Tix that solve real problems for everyone who uses this product to create beautiful experiences for themselves and their community.
If someone asked me whether they should join Tix, my answer would be simple: go for it. Tix has been the best place I've ever worked. It has some of the most incredible leaders, supportive managers, and teammates who genuinely want to see each other succeed. More than anything, Tix invests in it's people, and for me, that investment made all the difference.
It's a full-circle moment that I joined Tix in 2024 expecting to learn how to support event attendees and help resolve the challenges they faced while using Orbit. Now, in 2026, I'm a part of the Product team, building features that make the attendee experience more seamless and enjoyable.