Atilola Moronfolu, 29, is a multi-skilled entrepreneur and the Founder, African Naturalistas. In this interview with IFE ADEDAPO, she speaks on her management style

What is your educational background?

I have a Bachelor of Science in computer engineering from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Lagos. I have a certification in advanced cosmetic science from the Institute of Personal Care Science in Australia. I am a certified Holistic Practitioner of Trichology, certified and accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and Dr. Kari Williams Training Institute, California.

Why did you leave paid employment to pursue entrepreneurship?

I left my job at PricewaterhouseCoopers because it was time to do so. I learnt a lot at my previous place of work. I worked at several clients’ sites, and in many departments. When I left, I was sure it was time to do my own thing with the basic skills I had developed at PwC.

How many businesses do you operate?

Officially, I have seven of them at the moment. I know it seems like a lot, but many of them fit into one another. Unofficially, it is a lot more than I would like to name.

African Naturalistas has three small business units under it. We have a hair clinic, where we treat and manage hair shaft, scalp diseases and disorders. We have a manufacturing arm, where we manufacture and sell hair products, and it is the major income earner for African Naturalistas. We have a hair care blog, run by eight committed hair lovers. Our mission is to help women and men achieve their goal of healthy hair, naturally. These three arms help us fulfil that mission.

Another business is Alolita Writing and Editing Services. It has several writing services under it, but lumped into two business units. I edit for other writers getting ready to publish, and I offer several writing services, such as transcribing, ghost writing, copywriting and many more. I write almost every day. So, this is also home for me. I have two published books, ‘Antonyms of a Mirage,’ and ‘For Laff’s Sake,’ and several unpublished ones. Many of my articles are also published on my blog. My writing and editing business gave birth to the last business.

ATILOLA is my brand name as a spoken word artist. As a spoken word artist, I get to step away from behind the computer or the manufacturing room, and talk to the world using whatever platform is presented to me.

Under ATILOLA, there are two business units – the spoken word artist, and the spoken word teaching. As a spoken word artist, I perform poetry all over the world, most especially in Nigeria, and as a spoken word teacher, I train young people on how to become spoken word artists; mostly on weekends.

How do you manage all the businesses?

Thankfully, all the businesses complement one another, rather than compete. I manage them by making sure I don’t bite more than I can chew. For example, I don’t agree to edit more than one book at a time. Once I am on a book, all other books have to wait. I also have loyal and committed staff in African Naturalistas. I have learnt that I don’t have to do every single thing. I delegate all I can, and focus on the ones I cannot.

Acknowledging that I am not a superwoman, and working around the realities of my limits has helped me manage things well. I have also learnt to rest well, and not feel guilty when I am less busy. I suffered a serious burnout last year due to work overload, and I don’t want to have to ever go through that ordeal again.

Tell us about African Naturalistas

African Naturalistas was created to cater for the hair care needs of black women in Africa and beyond. African Naturalistas started as a natural hair care blog in August 2011 after we discovered the knowledge gap about how to care for the type of hair many Africans have without the use of chemicals; thus, the prefix ‘African’.

African Naturalistas Hair Products started when we started randomly whipping Shea butter mixes for young ladies in order provide an alternative hair care sealant. By November 2012, we started selling shampoos, deep conditioning treatments, and herbal rinses in addition to the whipped butter.

After realising the growth potential in this virgin market, we decided to do a complete overhaul of the business by making our products more storage-worthy, reformulating and rebranding. After months of research, several tests and trials, the new look of African Naturalistas Hair Products was officially presented in June 2013.

With the aid of the hair care blog, which currently has an average and increasing view of over 100,000 hits per month, African Naturalistas Hair Products has moved from just whipping Shea butter mixes to developing a range of products to suit the needs of the average natural hair lady.

Now, we have a hair clinic because we also realised the lack of trichologists in Nigeria. In the hair clinic, we have a certified trichologist who treats and manages Hair shaft and scalp disorders.

What is your source of funding for the business?

I funded African Naturalistas myself. I took N3,000 I made from selling some of my creams and started it. From then, it has grown to this level. I am not a big spender; so I don’t have issues with delayed gratification. If I really need money for a new business, I take from the business it is branching out of, and make the new business pay the old business back when it can stand on its own. For example, the hair products funded the hair clinic when I wanted to start it. It paid for the training in America, the tools, the office.

For the other business ventures, they sort themselves out since they are mostly modern day service providing business, and I don’t even have to see the clients to get paid.

Most of the businesses I run are not capital intensive. It’s just the manufacturing arm that requires a lot of money to run, but for now, it has grown to a level that it can cater for itself.

What are the benefits of being a naturalist?

The benefits are innumerable. First, hair is in its healthiest state when natural. There are some hair and scalp diseases that might come as a result of chemically treating the hair. Chemically processed hair can hardly grow as long as natural hair. Natural hair grows very long, though it might not be obvious because it shrinks into an afro.

Who is a spoken word artist?

A spoken word artist is someone who performs poetry by using words to paint pictures in the minds of people. That is my definition.

How did you become a spoken word artist?

It was after I wrote my first book, which has some poetry in it. I was looking for events to read at, so people could know more about my book. I found a poetry event, and the people I saw there were doing performance poetry on another level. I was blown away by their words and the beauty behind it. I never knew that words could be crafted in such manner and spewed out.

It was art like I had never seen before. I knew I could do something like that because I was already a writer, and I have been blessed with a natural stage command and presence. At first, I just didn’t want to put in much effort because I was tired of putting words into my head like I did in my engineering days. After a while, I decided to start doing spoken word too, and a whole new world of influence was opened up to me. My spoken word journey is documented on my website.

Who are your mentors and how have they assisted you?

In spoken word artistry, I look up to Plumbline. There are a lot of things I want to learn from him when it comes to word plays and punchlines, and he helps me do just that.

In life generally, my mentor is Mrs. Olajumoke Adenowo of Awesome Treasure Foundation. She is a leading architect in Nigeria that has been featured on so many platforms including CNN, a woman with a successful marriage, a mother, media person, evangelist, prophetess, and so much more.

She is a total woman in every sense of it and she shows me a complete picture of what I want to be in future; letting me know that as a woman, it is possible to be successful in every area, such that one area does not have to be sacrificed for another.

In terms of assisting me, Adenowo asks me questions that reveal to me that I can be better than what I am at the moment. They are quite probing, and I am sometimes scared of her questions. I also report some of my progress to her from time to time.

What is your advice to entrepreneurs who are facing hard times?

There are several of them. I would say no matter how hard it is, we can always get up again. The fact that things are hard right now means it can only get better. The only options we have are either to win or to win. So cheer up.

What are the most important attributes of an entrepreneur?

Some of the attributes are focus, determination, discipline, diligence, ability to delay gratification, and most importantly, buoyancy.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

This is one question I don’t answer again. That is because I have never been successful in being where I saw myself five years ago. I always find myself being in someplace completely different, doing something totally unexpected of me five years ago; albeit in a far better place.

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Opeyemi Ogunruku, 27, fashion designer and Chief Executive Officer, Opshe Couture and Crafts, in this interview with COMFORT OSEGHALE says progress and money come by adding value

How did you develop interest in fashion designing?

My interest in this line began when I was a child. My mum had a fashion outfit. Even though she didn’t know how to make clothes, she had several tailors in her employment while I was growing up. By the time I got to my teenage years, her business had packed up but we still had one or two machines left at home from that era.

Back then, I would always go to my mum’s shop to pick up patches of clothes, pieces from the dustbin and sew them all together into doll dresses. I continued designing and sewing clothes until I got into the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology to study agronomy, although that was not the course I wanted initially.

Even as an undergraduate, I was still sewing clothes, but it wasn’t until I was in 300 level that I decided to make money from it. I used up my savings to buy a sewing machine and began to sew for other students. I was 22 at that time.

At what point did you decide that this was what you wanted as a career?

It was when I finished my youth service and couldn’t get a job. I graduated from LAUTECH in 2012 and after my National Youth Service Corps in Lagos; I tried to get a job for about six months.

While I was job hunting, I still found time to sew clothes for people. I later discovered that I was doing well and so I gave up on securing paid employment and faced my business squarely. I was getting better clients as a corps member than when I was an undergraduate.

Although I knew that I would later go back to fashion designing, I just thought it would be good to put my university certificate to use in paid employment for a few years. I wanted the experience of being an employee before branching out on my own.

I had always known that I would be self-employed; I never really liked to work within structured hours or with a dress code. When the opportunity never came for paid employment, I decided to continue with what I was already doing and abandoned the idea of getting a job.

Was your mum pleased with your decision?

She was very happy that one of her children went into what she always wanted to do but couldn’t. So she was very supportive even when I was not making money. She would tell me that one day Naomi Campbell would wear my designs.

As an undergraduate, when I posted pictures of my dress designs on Facebook or of clothes that I had sewn, my mum would comment on it and praise me. That was why it was easy for me to know that I had a cheerleader. She would always encourage me when I am down.

Was it difficult growing your clientele base?

I get clients mostly through referrals; I sew for people who then recommend me to their friends. I do home delivery; I come to your house to pick up your clothes and take your measurements, sew the clothes and bring them back. I didn’t really get any client using the social media.

Some of my classmates whom I sewed for as an undergraduate came looking for my service when I decided to face fashion designing full time. One of them contacted me and asked me to sew her sister’s bridesmaids’ dresses. A friend’s mother also took interest in my work and called me and things just went on from there.

What has the experience been like?

It has been bittersweet. There had been moments that I wanted to give up and go into paid employment. There are also moments I am very happy especially when a client commends my work.

My biggest challenge so far has been financial. There have been occasions where I sewed clothes for people who eventually refused to pay my fees. They would tell me that they can’t pay that amount and because it is better than getting nothing, I would have no option but to accept what they had.

There was also a challenge with raising capital to get the kind of sewing machines that I wanted. The start-up capital is not really much since I don’t plan to rent a shop for now. These days business has gone digital. I can work from home and do my deliveries. However, the sewing machines that I need like the interlocking, embroidery and embellishing machines cost quite a lot and I have not been able to get them yet.

At a point last year, I applied for a couple of grants because I don’t believe in getting loans to start a business. I did not want the risk of borrowing money and not being able to pay back. I applied for the YOUWIN grant and Tony Elumelu Foundation also gave out some grants but I was not successful on both counts.

I guess it was because they had so many applications and besides, grants like YOUWIN seem more focused on developing the agricultural sector perhaps because of the fall in oil price. I am not saying they are neglecting the fashion industry, but lots of farmers get more grants than fashion designers or bakers.

How have the challenges affected your business?

When you have sewing machines for interlocking, embroidery and embellishment, it makes your work easier. However, since I don’t have the money to buy them, I have to pay extra to use another person’s machines to do my work and it is not on every occasion that the work turns out well to your taste.

The owners of these sewing machines would not let you use them, so you have to pay them to do it for you. I am not always satisfied with some of the work that they do because they don’t always turn out neat.

Then I noticed that materials that you want are not always readily available. Sometimes you buy a material at Lagos Island to sew a dress. When somebody else sees the finished dress and says she wants the same material; by the time you get to the market, you might not be able to find it.

It is not easy to know when you are buying materials if it is the type that more than one of your clients would like. Since you are uncertain, you would definitely not take the risk of buying so many. It is also the same problem with tailoring accessories; getting good quality tailoring accessories like zips is a problem. They get spoiled within a few months or weeks.

When you see some on designs at London Fashion week, you wonder where they get their accessories from. The materials and accessories used by international celebrities to make clothes are not readily available in Nigeria. It seems we don’t produce anything locally when it comes to textiles, fabrics and embellishments like stones.

Do you think the government can do something to help the industry grow?

Yes it can. The government should encourage our textile industry and the production of tailoring accessories and embellishments in Nigeria. We must not import everything. I have asked around and to my shock, I discovered that we don’t make any of them in Nigeria. There are lots of things that we don’t make that we should be able to do. If these things are made here, they would be readily available and more affordable.

There are precious stones you see on dresses that are purchased from European countries, but you can’t get such stones to buy in Nigeria. We don’t have to make them exactly like the imported ones but we can do something with an African flavour so that when you use such stones on your dress, everyone would know it is made in Nigeria.

Where do you see your business in the next five years?

I hope to have a clothing line of ready-to-wear dresses. They are a lot faster and less stressful to make than custom-made dresses. If you put them on the likes of Jumia and Konga, you can quickly get them sold.

My ready-to-wear line would be affordable for the public but the custom-made clothes would be for people that can afford to be charged more. I really look forward though to having my own clothing line where people can pick a design at an affordable price.

Any plans to use the knowledge you acquired in the university?

Agriculture is life; so when I have the opportunity to go for a seminar on food security, I attend those functions. I love fashion more than agriculture. Although I did not want to study agriculture but since I found myself doing it, I had to make a conscious effort to enjoy the subject.

I did my youth service in the Ministry of Agriculture Alausa and sometimes, I still get invites about seminars on farming or rice production. No knowledge is lost. I will eventually go into farming but I want to be an established fashion designer first. From the profits I make, I can then set up a farm.

What do you say to aspiring young entrepreneurs?

Money does not start coming in immediately. If money is your driving force, you will run back before you even get there. You need to take your mind off money and add value.

I overheard one photographer say one day that you can make money and not make progress. But when you make progress and add value, money will eventually come. The driving force should not be money but if you keep adding value, money will come. Then put God first in all you do; make time for God. Things just fall in place when you do.

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The Chief Executive Officer of Deo Alluring Touch Faces, Mrs. Adeola Abayomi-Esan, 28, opens up to MOTUNRAYO JOEL about the challenges she faced in starting the make-up outfit

 Why did you settle for a makeup business?

It will interest you to know that I did not study any art related course. I studied Mathematic at the University of Ado Ekiti and graduated in 2007.

After my National Youth Service Corps at Shiroro Dam, Niger State, I worked with a private firm in Akure but my passion for creativity, makeup and fashion prompted me to apply to House of Tara Makeup School in Lagos State. There, I went through the professional training and became a certified makeup artist. That gave birth to Deo Alluring Touch Faces Makeup, which is growing to the glory of God.

How did you come about the name for the business?

Deo is one of my nick names and an extract from my first name Adeola. So, when I was thinking of what name to give the business, I decided to stick to the name ‘Deo’. Alluring on the other hand means to be attracted or enticed with something. So, it’s just a way of saying ‘Deo attractive touch’. And when I concluded on the name, a friend of mine added the word ‘Faces’.  That was how Deo Alluring Touch Faces came about.

What were the challenges you faced while starting the business?

The major challenge I had when I started my business was in the area of publicity. I had to struggle to create an image for myself. Since I wasn’t well-known, getting clients was not a ride in the park.  In order to promote my business, I had to get a good location where people can easily have access to me and then I strengthened my advertising strategies. I also had to set up a standard makeup studio. I spent more time ‘preaching’ to people that a makeup artist is not a self-acclaimed title; that makeup artists go through a series of training programmes in order to earn the title.

Are there times you have two or more jobs at once and how do you manage the situation?

Yes, there are many times I get more than one job at once. In such situation, what I do is to designate my assistants who are also certified to attend to one of them. But in situations where some brides insist on having me do their makeup, I try as much as possible to reorder my schedule. And if there is little or nothing I can do, I try to make some changes here and there, and make sure that my clients and I agree on something that will be okay for both parties.

As a young entrepreneur, how do you get famous in your chosen career?

Trying to be popular as a young entrepreneur in this country has not been easy but God has been faithful to me. I try to always bring out my best in all I do and this principle has really been helping me. Sometimes, I study the success stories of some of my mentors in this business such as Kemi Kings, Tara Fela-Durotoye and I realise that they could only have gone that far through the grace of God and serious hard work. Hence, whenever I am being called for any job, I put all my best into it and sincerely, this has really been working for me; so far, so good. In fact, most of the clients I get are through referrals. The credit I get from clients always makes them want to introduce me to their friends and colleagues, and my work too has been speaking for itself. All these have kept me going and made me more determined to always put in more effort in my work.

What exactly can you say about makeup creativity?

Makeup artistry, in my view, is an art whereby a person who is a makeup specialist applies cosmetics such as lipsticks, powder, foundation, lashes to not only improve the appearance but also change the total look of the client in a professional manner.  A makeup artist also acts as a consultant in the sense that he or she teaches clients how to apply makeup either on themselves or on other people.

How do you cope with the situation that not all clients have the same skin texture which means you have to do different makeup on different faces at every point in time?

Well, I must say that when God created us, he created us separately and differently. The way he moulded Mrs. A’s head is different from the way he moulded Mrs. B’s head and this is why we have different face shapes such as oval face, round face and long face. So, it’s my duty as a professional to know what fits each face. For example, everyone has a unique eye brow shape. For some people, the angled brows suit their faces, while for others; the soft arched brows are their best look. There are people that even like flat brows; it all depends on the face shape.

Many people are venturing into the makeup business these days; how do you plan to remain unique?

Definitely, the makeup industry is becoming a lucrative business and there are so many people in this line of business both professionals and non-professionals, but one thing I believe is that once you are good at what you do, your work will speak for you. When one’s work stands out,  it definitely makes one unique and special from all others. Everyone has their orbit and the sky is big enough for us all. So, doing it right and bringing out the perfect finish look is all that matters. It’s all about bringing out the hidden beauty in your clients and not otherwise.

Since you were able to acquire knowledge from training programmes, have you ever felt going to university was a waste of time?

That thought has never crossed my mind. It’s wrong to think going to the university was a waste of time. University education broadens one’s view of life. The experience I had in the university still remains the best and most valuable knowledge I’ve ever acquired. All that I learnt back then still has a way of making me a better person both in my business and in the society at large. Going to the university widened my marketing scope.

Who is your biggest inspiration in business?

God, and next to Him is my Husband.

How do combine the duties of a married woman with the demand of the business?

Well, I thank God for the kind of husband I have because he has been very supportive, which makes running my business stress-free. Working has always been with ease.

How do you handle criticisms from your clients?

I have never had any negative criticism from my clients but there is one thing I always tell my assistants and trainees – that in this line of business, every client is right. All one has to do is to listen to them to understand their plight and then try to rectify the situation. If this is not done, you as the business owner may end up having the worst job and all your service may be in vain. Positive criticism is a good propeller for business and it should be allowed for business growth. It gives one room to do better next time.

What advice can you give to other aspiring young entrepreneurs?

The only advice I have for other aspiring young entrepreneurs is to always put God first in all they do and also to trust in Him only. This is because He alone blesses and gives wealth. As the Bible says, whatever you find your hands doing, do it well because what is worth doing at all is worth doing well. Upcoming entrepreneurs just need to remain focused on their goals; they should do their best and leave the rest to God.

Tobiloba Olusesi, the Lead Strategist, Reputation Raise Limited, shares his experience on the challenges of growing the company. He spoke with OYETUNJI ABIOYE

 When did you start your company?

Reputation Raise Limited is a full service reputation management firm. It was established in August 2009.

 Did you have any background in business before the company was established?

I studied public relations and advertising at the School of Communication, Lagos State University. While in school, I did a three-month internship at CMC Connect – a leading public relations firm in Nigeria. During the internship period, my love and passion for the course and the profession became unquenchable because I found the projects being handled at that time very interesting.

I went back to school to complete the programme and as soon as I finished my final examination, I went back to CMC Connect. I later felt the need to try advertising being the second arm of the course I studied. I moved to TBWA/Concept, a leading advertising agency in Nigeria where I worked at the account planning department, media department and client service department. But because advertising could not kill the love for public relations, I resigned from TBWA/Concept to start Reputation Raise Ltd.

 Something could have triggered your decision to resign from paid employment. What could that be?

In between the time I left CMC Connect to join TBWA/Concept, I approached some business owners whose businesses were doing well and needed some public relations strategy to move to the next level. They didn’t realise the need but when I shared some presentations with them, they agreed and we started on a low scale because of their budget.

When I joined TBWA/Concept, I saw many PR opportunities that I could not pursue. TBWA/Concept is an advertising agency and some clients whom we worked for saw advertising as the only solutions to their marketing communication needs. I could not approach them because I was in the employment of the agency.

I then appraised the story of my role models in the business, Mr. Yomi Badejo Okusanya and Mr. Toks Modupe. I realised they had to be courageous at some point in their lives to take some actions which really paid off. Confident that I could replicate their success and even do more, I took the risk to resign and there have been no regrets ever since.

 So far, how is the business faring?

At the beginning it was tough. Some prospects did not understand the importance of reputation management. Some would say they could not afford it and some would express doubt in our capacity to deliver. As time progressed, the response began to change later and now the business is thriving. We have been able to work on some accounts and we are proud of our achievements. We are not there yet but we are definitely on our way.

 What are some of the achievements the business has recorded so far?

We have made significant progress since we started. We have been able to work on some multinationals and home based accounts. We have recorded success on the projects we have handled and we have been able to open up some businesses to the world by moving them from obscurity to the limelight. We however have not considered this as a huge achievement because we have a bigger goal but the success have assured us we are on the right path.

 What are the challenges you have faced so far?

It is largely lack of understanding by clients and prospects. A lot of business owners and managers do not understand the practice of public relations and it has been a huge task getting them to understand. The lack of understanding has led to depreciation of value such that they easily consider the bill outrageous and unnecessary. This is because a lot of people go around claiming to be PR professionals and they say that because they have some contacts in media houses, getting your story published in the papers is Public Relations. We have been able to change the perception of some of our clients and it is paying off.

 What is your vision and what height do you intend to take the business to?

We want to be a reputation management company renowned for professionalism and excellence by treating every single brief wholeheartedly with the aim of achieving conspicuously excellent result.

 What  advice do you have for other young Nigerians that are about starting their own businesses?

They must be convinced about what they want to do. They must have enough passion for the business such that even if it does not pay off at the beginning, they will not quit. They must be tenacious; never give up on their dream and they must continuously improve on their business and service delivery. They also must overcome fear as their success is guaranteed if they stay focused.

 How can the problem of youth unemployment be fully addressed in Nigeria?

They can do this by identifying and pursuing opportunities to meet needs. There are needs all around us and for anybody to become useful, they must add value. The saying that there is dignity in labour implies that youths and everyone should engage in whatever that make them add value to other people and value will naturally come back to them. They should embrace the “can do” spirit because truly, they can do whatever business they set their mind to do.

I think it should start from school; the higher institutions to be precise. Our universities train students for the labour market. The message the lecturers pass to the students is that of getting good jobs. They give examples of past students who are now working for multinationals and encourage their students to emulate them. An average student graduates with the mentality to get a job. It is wrong and it must change. The implication of this is that there should be no need for half baked students whom you hope will learn on the job. It means students must be trained as though they were apprentice on vocational training who will start their own businesses after the training. If this happens, youth unemployment will become history in our country. It also means government at all levels must invest in the education of these youths as the sure way to end unemployment.

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In this interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL, the founder of Mamalette.com, Anike Lawal, 28, shares her success story

 Tell us a bit about your background.

I read business studies and french at Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland. I also obtained an MSc in law and accounting at the London School of Economics in England.

 You run mamalette.com. What kind of services to you render?

Mamalette.com is a parenting website for parents and parents to be. Mamalette.com is a free resource that publishes the latest news and events as well as articles on parenting, pregnancy, family life, health, love and sex and managing finances.

The site also features various free tools that would be useful to parents and parents to be e.g. Nigerian baby name database, due date calculator, ovulation calculator, development milestones chart, pregnancy week by week guide and a database of common ailments.

There is also parenting directory that lists various services that would be relevant to the needs of Nigerian families.

The parenting forum on the site also allows parents and would be parents to ask questions and talk about topics that are relevant to their needs. The website has been up and running since February 2013.

 What motivated you to start this kind of business?

Before I had my child, I did a lot of research on pregnancy and parenting. Once I started searching on parenting from the Nigerian perspective, I realised that I couldn’t find any website that focused solely on the needs of the Nigerian parent. After my son was born, I felt a stronger need to do something about this and that was how this idea was born.

Mamalette.com was set up to make the lives of Nigerian parents easier. Most people become parents without even having to learn how to be parents and none of us are trained for the role of parenting yet it is probably the most important thing we will ever do.

Most parents nowadays, because of tough economic conditions or other reasons are more focused on their jobs and careers – as this is what brings food to the table – than they are on their families.

Parents have less time nowadays to learn about things that are important to their roles as parents or improve their parenting skills. Society suffers when parents fail in their duties.

 How much did you use to start?

I started with about N1 million.

 What challenges did you face at the initial stage?

Creating the kind of content that Nigerian parents will want to see, growing a forum on the site and increasing the level of participation from other parents. I also had a challenge with attracting adverts from sponsors.

 How did you manage to overcome over the problems?

I work very hard to create content. I do a lot of research and I ask a lot of questions.

Gradually I am getting more and more experienced parents and parenting experts who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise on the website. I realise that to begin to earn revenues from adverts or sponsorships, I need to grow my audience to be much larger than it is now. I am in the process of doing that, as I see the number of site visits growing every day.

 Are you getting enough patronage?

My website visits currently number in the thousands every month. I am increasingly getting interests from sponsors on the advertorial opportunities available on the website. Part of the process of building this website also involved designing complementary social media tools.

 Why did you opt for business instead of getting a white collar job?

I worked for a couple of years but deep within me; I knew I could do much more. I got the motivation to start the website while working. I had never been so happy and fulfilled doing what I am doing now. This is what I am passionate about.

Mamalette.com has the potential to be the next big thing. I intend to create a community that would not only be of benefit to Nigerian parents, but also to Nigerian parents of the future.

 Is business the way forward for unemployed graduates?

SMEs are the largest employers of labour in the world. I believe this is the way forward for unemployed graduates as starting a business also helps create employment for other people.

 How do you ensure that your business remains productive?

I have a five-year strategy in place but my I remain responsive to changes in my environment and to the needs of the users of Mamalette.com. I am very open to taking feedback and believe in constructive criticism.

Eventually, I expect that my role will be more of editing content rather than producing as the goal is to have Nigerian parents and users of the site create the kind of content that they want to see. I intend to take submissions from Nigerian parents and in the next couple of weeks and months, I will be recruiting contributors to write articles for the website.

I want Mamalette.com to be 100 per cent Nigerian. Nigerian parents face issues that are unique to us; so I will like the site to be the voice for parents and would be parents.

 If one wants to venture into your type of business, what does the person need to do?

To venture into this type of business you need to have the passion first and foremost. Starting a project like this is very time consuming and you really need to have the passion for what you are building and the problem you are solving. You also need to be able to work hard and put in long hours.

 Would you consider yourself to be successful?

I consider myself to be very successful. I have been able to start something that can help people. I believe I have a mission to help Nigerian parents and I have started to do that.

From a young age, I always knew that I wanted to make a difference.  I also realised that sometimes we have to go out of our comfort zone and create something new and unique.  I have always wanted to work on something that had an impact on people’s lives; money has never been my motivation.

Even before I went to the LSE, during my exchange programme in France, I made sure I signed up for all the entrepreneurship classes. This way I got to meet and to be inspired by some of the best entrepreneurs in Europe. In my strategy classes as well in Ireland, I was exposed to entrepreneurs and people who had started various companies and projects.

At the LSE you are surrounded by ideas which are hugely inspiring. All of these things and the opportunity to be inspired by world leaders, CEOs and movers and shakers that came to give talks while I was at the LSE have helped me persevere especially when I would have liked to give up.

I still believe that I am at the start of this journey. Not many people my age are able to do what I have started. I have so much I want to do; this is just the very beginning.

 Where do you see your business in the next five years?

I love writing and creating new things. I had a vision of creating a website to help make the lives of Nigerian parents easier. This is what I do now.

My goal is to keep doing what I’m doing. Editing and creating content, relevant to the needs of Nigerian parents. I hope to continue running the site, building a parenting community online and writing about parenting and other issues that are relevant to Nigerian parents. There is a huge void I see in this sphere, and I will do my best to fill it.

The work has only just started. The hard part is not building a website, but understanding that you are creating valuable content that people will use and be inspired by. Good websites are ones that are constantly improved over a period of many months and years. I am just at the very start.

I hope the site will go from strength to strength. I would love Mamalette.com to become the place that Nigerian parents and parents to be go to inspire and be inspired. I want Mamalette.com to be a household name. I want it to be first point for information for Nigerian parents and parents to be.

 What do you consider to be your greatest strength and weakness?

My greatest strength is perseverance. One weakness I have is that I want everything to be perfect. I am a bit of a perfectionist.

 What do you do in your spare time?

I love browsing online. I catch up on all the latest news. Another one of my favorite pastimes is swimming.

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The Chief Executive Officer, Minds and Moments Initiative, Mr. Adeniyi Joel, is  a 29-year-old entrepreneur. In this interview with NIKE POPOOLA, he talks about his passion

 What is the nature of your business?

We are into educating, enlightening and empowering young people to be reliable, resourceful and responsible to themselves and the nation. We employ different methods as long as they impact the lives of the youth positively. For instance, we do capacity building training, consult for companies, do research, manage events and do public speaking.

 What led you to do this kind of business?

What led me into this initiative was my bad experience while I was growing up, especially when I was in higher institution. While I was in secondary school – Federal Government College Ijanikin – there were traces of un-seriousness and truancy but when I got into the higher institution, these vices grew worse. I lived a purposeless life. I engaged in a lot of bad activities. I joined a cult partially. I was initiated into a cult in order to get some spiritual powers for protection and respect in the school. I narrowly escaped death during a fight between students and indigenes of a particular community.  I happened to be among the students that led a protest and along the way, I was shot by an indigene. To the glory of God, I survived. During the protest, the school was shut down so I had to return home. I pretended as if I did nothing in school but as God would have it, I went for a youth revival programme in my mother’s church and I was chosen to lead the youth team for the revival. At first, I wanted to object but I later agreed and that was when the change began. It was at this period I felt really sick because of all the spiritual concoctions I had taken for protection. I can say I died because my mother told me I smelt like a dead person when I regained my health. Thank God for His grace; I had an encounter that changed me totally. When I finally left school I was not happy because I didn’t achieve anything. There was nothing to show that I went to school. I became a wanderer. During this period, I began to regret all my bad actions in the past. It was really a painful and sorrowful time; I wished I could change the hands of time. It was at this point I decided to be an agent of positive change to the youth that I come across, build their lives positively and also share my experience with them so that they will not be a victim of the kind of life I had lived. I vowed within me that I would use all my potential, skills and talents to ensure that no young one around me would live the kind of life I lived.

 Does your business huge capital to do?

Yes, it requires a lot. We believe that the future of every nation is the youth and for the future of a nation to be secured and bright, a lot needs to be done for the development of the youth in different areas.

 How profitable is it?

It is profitable to us as long as we see our projects being supported and it is impacting lives of young ones positively. The profit of any business or organisation is not only based on the revenue that comes in but mainly the positive impact that such products and services make in the lives of the consumers. It is through the positive impact and satisfaction that will make the consumers advertise the product or services to other people. From there, there will be an expansion and increase in the business or organisation. The profit of any business or organisation is to see its growth and expansion.  We are building lives, helping dreams come true and giving life and hope to the youth. When we see the organisation achieve this, it is a great profit to us.

 How does your business impact on the development of the society?

We engage in different projects and activities that are targeted at bringing positive development to the youth. We do this through life building skills, purpose discovery sessions, counselling, orientation and empowerment. We partner and support individuals, businesses and organisations which are in line with our goals and objectives. We also assist vulnerable children and orphans. Recently we visited the Agape Motherless Home in Akure, Ondo State to support them with clothing and other things needed for proper upbringing of the children. There is a project that we are embarking on now titled Life After School. The project will involve going to almost all the senior secondary school for mind orientation and life building skills.

 What motivates you in life?

God and my country Nigeria. Whenever I wake up I see a positive change happening and wherever I see it, I plug into it  and move ahead because I believe that one day, the change will be visible for all to see.  For the needed change to happen in Nigeria, it must start from the youth; not only because the youth are future leaders, but because the strength of the youth is a great potential for the development of every nation if wisely discovered and utilised. Most great inventors, achievers and philanthropists that we are celebrating today set the roadmap for themselves when they were young, when there was still strength in them to explore. I believe we will get there someday.

 Did you make attempt to look for job after school?

No. I didn’t do that because I already knew what I wanted to do. The only thing I did was that I volunteered and partnered with some organisations to gain more knowledge and experience on how services are rendered to serve humanity.

 What is your educational qualification?

I have a bachelor’s degree in criminology and social work. I have worked in radio and TV as a presenter, teacher, facilitator, monitoring and evaluation officer, researcher

 What is your advice for youths that want to be successful?

The first step to success in life is discovery of purpose. If the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is unavoidable. Some youths don’t know what they want. If a youth can faithful strike out the meaning of life existence and the purpose for their existence, they are already setting the track for success. Just like what every other athlete will do after getting on the track, youths that want to be successful should give it their best shot with all their zeal to achieve their purpose. Success is a journey and not a destination. Don’t stop striving for success because you have achieved a dream or goal. Stop when you can finally say “I have fought for a good course.”

 What are the challenges you have encountered so far?

A challenge is that of support.  Government and major stake holders in the country need to believe in the youths of this country. A man cannot invest in what he does not believe in. So for the government and major stakeholders to invest in the lives of the youths, they need to believe in them. If we don’t, who will? Many foreigners are hijacking our resourceful young ones in Nigeria to themselves because they believe in them and they see great potential.

 Do you have time for social activities?

To be busy is different from being in business. Many are occupied with a lot of activities that only make them busy and not in business but I can say I am always in business and not busy because I set my goals and priorities right and profitable. I am not too outgoing but to an extent, I still have time for social activities; for example, I go to a cool place to relax and refresh.

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The Chief Executive Officer, Funclub Enterprise, Mr. Airemen Solomon, 29,  spoke  to OKECHUKWU NNODIM on the survival strategies for small businesses in a harsh economy

 What kind of business do you do at Funclub?

We are into importation of luxury, casual and fashion watches and accessories. I distribute to wholesalers, super markets, boutiques, among others, across the country at cheap prices. I also deliver to retailers. I’m also working on inaugurating an online web platform for direct online sales soon. This initiative was conceived based on the fact that online sale is currently taking over physical transactions world over.

 What inspired the business name, Funclub?

I chose this business name because I was a teenager when I started a video game centre with the name. My peers branded me with the business name. They also referred to virtually everything I do by my business name. So, I decided to continue with it and it has been one name that distinguishes me from others who are in the same line of business. The name Funclub is dear to me and it is a brand identity which I cherish.

 What motivated you to go into this line business?

I always tell people in business and in life to do what they like. This is because when you go for a job that you are passionate about, you will enjoy doing it anytime. From my teenage days up till date, I have always engaged in business activities that appear like ‘play’ to me. To cut it short, I’m a watch freak. That was what motivated me. People should be involved in businesses that they enjoy doing. This will make you want to always work and by so doing, you will realise that you are making money with ease.

When you make money with ease and enjoy your job, you won’t drag your feet in the morning to work. You will be energised always because you see your job as another source of fun that brings money to you. I like watches a lot. Whatever business I do, I do it because I have a personal attachment to it. And this has been such a huge driving force and I’m encouraged to continue in this line of business because I like what I am doing. I am passionate about it. So, when people do what they like, they won’t complain much about it.

 How long have you been in this business?

This is my fourth line of business; and I started it in the early months of 2012.

 Who are your clients and how do you get them?

My major clients are owners of supermarkets and boutiques. I also deliver goods to housewives who engage in the selling of fashion items. I also see the other members of the general public as my customers, especially in the retail segment. I get my clients through contracts, personal marketing, and online marketing and from Nigerian forums such as nairaland.com.

I encourage fresh graduates who are in businesses to take advantage of online marketing as this will boost their performance and improve their turnover.

 Do you need so much money to start this kind of business?

Not really, but if you want to go into a large scale import, you will need to have some thousands of dollars and above. It really depends on what goods you are buying and in what quantity. But you should not be discouraged as a starter. Discouragement should not be allowed if you must succeed in this line of trade. The important thing is to get the adequate skills and know how to satisfy the demands of your clients. For instance, a Tag Heuer wristwatch can cost about N450,000. And this is just one wristwatch. But some clients may need it and it depends on your capacity. Also, an entrepreneur can decide to supply only rubber watches to children. In this case, it is possible for one to supply 100 pieces for N20,000. So, the size of your business depends a lot on some factors which you will have to consider before venturing into it.

 Will you advise fresh graduates to go into this kind of business?

Sure! They should not wait for the jobs that are not forth coming. If you have a good capital, please do. There is no need to waste time waiting when you have the financial wherewithal to start this kind of business.

 Do you need government’s support to succeed as an entrepreneur?

If it comes, I will take it; but I won’t crumble without it. I’m a survivor of all conditions. But government support will surely boost my business. So, government support is necessary, but without it, one can definitely survive.

 What are the common challenges you face?

Life itself is full of challenges. I face a lot of challenges. For example, my shop was robbed recently. This, therefore, shows that insecurity is a big challenge. It can sweep away in one day what you have laboured for in many years. Also, debts which may slow down your turnover could be a challenge in this business. Sometimes, shipping goods down to Nigeria or to a desired location may be difficult. Also, time differences between the United States and Nigeria, as well as China and Nigeria give us some sleepless nights. But in all, challenges are what make us real business people better; they wax entrepreneurs stronger in their businesses every day.

 How do you confront them?

I take them as they come, and hope for the best. It is not always easy, but with persistence, you will conquer. However, different entrepreneurs adopt different strategies in order to achieve success. So, it all depends on the entrepreneur.

 Is the Nigerian business environment favourable for small businesses?

It is tough but interesting. You have to be persistent and have a ‘Never-say-never’ mentality. And I believe if you can make it in Nigeria, you can make it anywhere. Young entrepreneurs must not allow the challenging operating environment deter them in their businesses. To succeed, you must learn to persevere in business.

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The Publisher, Travel & Business News, Mr. Ewos Iroro, shares his experiences with OYETUNJI ABIOYE

 When did you start Travel & Business News?

The Travel & Business News is a corporate travel trade journal, which we started in June 2005.

What is your background, in terms of career progression?

I began my career as an aviation reporter writing for a well known aviation magazine called Aviation & Allied Business Update & Africa Journal. While I was there, I developed my skills by writing profusely on features, research articles, news stories and attended several seminars, training workshops and international events which helped to prepare me for future endeavours. Eventually, I opted out to start something on my own which marked the beginning of Travel & Business News.

Today, I am the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, a trade journal of the travel and tourism industry that has grown over the years to become popular in the sector. I am also the Conference Coordinator of the annual Safety, Security and Service Summit which is a platform for experts and captains of industry to converge annually for cross-fertilisation of ideas on pertinent industry issues in order to chart a course for the sector.

Furthermore, I am the Programme Coordinator of the National Travel Essay Competition, a capacity building and industry awareness initiative geared towards addressing the challenge of ageing workforce and skilled manpower shortage in the aviation sector with a grass root approach.

I have attended many conferences, seminars and courses in aviation both locally and abroad.

Why did you start the business?

Long before I became an aviation reporter, I had always known I would be in business. I already had a registered business name well before I started working for my last employer. However, my experience as a reporter made me hungry for more and I decided I needed a new challenge. Without sounding too spiritual, I got a vision of where God wanted me to go. So, when the time came and the opportunity presented itself, I took the leap.

So far, how is the business faring?

Running a publishing business in an environment like ours in Nigeria isn’t an easy task. You must have a big heart, a dogged determination to succeed and the staying power to endure the long haul otherwise one might not get very far. Consistence is the key, but I must confess you need a lot of God’s mercy and favour as well as fantastic people and relationship skills to survive. It reminds me of a quote by Stephen M. R. Covey when he said: “Without trust, relationships fail; but without relationships business fails.” So you need to build your level of trust with clients as well as grow and sustain your relationships. So, all in all, it has been a tough but exciting and fulfilling ride. With each edition released, we get even more encouraged to do more and to hang on there.

What achievements have you recorded in the business?

I will start by saying the fact that we have remained in business for the past eight years in spite of the harsh business environment is an achievement in itself. We have been able to add other projects to the magazine production including our annual summit that has attracted virtually all of the industry’s high-profile experts and professionals for the past eight editions. The conference has been able to touch on several pertinent issues ranging from air transport safety to airport management and security; the role of technology as well as efficient airline operations.

Furthermore, we came up with what we call ‘our Future Workforce Development Initiative’ – the National Travel Essay Competition, which is an annual writing contest open to secondary school students and more recently to tertiary institutions and graduates. It is aimed at encouraging young Nigerians to follow a career in the sector as a way of addressing the problem of ageing workforce and skilled manpower shortage. To date, the project has seen over 450 students take part in the competition with over 30 of them winning great cash prizes, free return air tickets as well as an all expense international travel experience.

We also have our own Air Transport Youth Empowerment Summit that is celebrated every year to mark the children and youth day. Through the project, we have been able to empower no less than 10 graduates by offering them full scholarships to train in ticketing and reservation. Today, some of them now run their own businesses in ticketing and reservation. These are just a few of our achievements since inception.

What are the challenges you have faced so far?

Challenges are more or less an integral part of any business and ours is no exception. One of the challenges we faced initially was getting to convince clients to work with us. But with time and consistence, we have been able to break some grounds in that area and we are still working on breaking new grounds. It’s a continuous exercise. Another challenge is liquidity. Publishing is capital intensive and so one needs to have enough funds and at the right time to stay in business. Unfortunately, things don’t work quite the way we want at the moment. Due to the harsh business environment, payments for jobs done are not released on time; so, one has to get creative. Another issue is that the operating cost keeps growing due to the lack of proper infrastructure. For instance, availability of power is part of our business but this is lacking and so most print jobs run on diesel. And you know what that means. The challenges are there, but somehow, we manage to jungle these things in such a manner that they don’t affect the overall business.

What height do you intend to take the business to?

My vision is as big as God who gave it to me in the first place. To say the least, we are currently doing a fraction of what I believe God desires for this business. I see Travel & Business News in the coming years transforming to a media empire not only in the print medium where we are now. Our dream is to become the leading and most renowned air transport journal in Nigeria and beyond the shores of this country. We know this requires a lot of God’s favour, dedicated staff and hard work and we are committed to delivering on this dream in spite of how challenging things might be in the country at the moment. I am a firm believer in Nigeria and its future and I am convinced our organisation will be an integral part of the change that this great nation is about to experience.

What counsel do you have for other young Nigerians like you about starting their own business?

My first advice to them is to be sure they really want to go into business. This is because there will be tough times ahead and a lot of people will discourage; and sometimes it could be those close to you. Secondly, you must have a strong passion for whatever you want to do. Without it, you can’t go far. You must be determined to succeed no matter what transpires. Life has no guarantees; it respects those who know where they are going and stay focused on their goals.

Furthermore, you must build relationships. Business thrives on good and healthy relationships. This is very important. You must ask for God’s favour and call on Him to bless the business. That’s my personal submission anyway.

How do you think the problem of youth unemployment in Nigeria can be solved?

For me, I believe the time has come for every youth in this country to take responsibility for their lives. While they are trusting God for that dream job, they need not wait endlessly at home for government’s intervention. They need to get creative and find something doing to make money. Enough of the excuses; get out there and start something. That reminds me of an old advert that says: Go start something new! I honestly think that is one way forward.

Secondly, our governments need to be more creative and find various ways of engaging the youth.

How can Nigerian youths become more useful to themselves and the country?

Like I said, the youth need to take responsibility for their life. I don’t necessarily believe government can solve all our problems. If you recall, it was the older George Bush that said: Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem. So, we must believe in this great nation of ours and take our future into our hands by being part of the change.

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The Chief Executive Officer, Toy Media, Omoniyi Oni, 25, tells DAYO OKETOLA why it is important for young entrepreneurs to avoid bad mentors

 What type of business do you do at Toy Media and when did it start?

TOY Media is an Information Technology solution and media service company. It started in 2008 but went full blown in 2010, and the aim of the business is to provide affordable and quality IT solutions for the Nigerian populace. Having obtained an HND in Software Engineering at the NIIT, Lagos and about rounding off a Bachelors degree in Business Administration at the Swiss Management Centre, Sweden, I have been applying the knowledge I acquired to my business.

Why did you go into the business?

I have always had interest in software engineering and IT solutions. This ignited my interest in business and the urge to create more value for customers in the IT and media solutions deepened my entrepreneurial drive. I must say I wasn’t very pleased with the way people executed and delivered IT/ media solutions with levity, less value and quality to their clients.

Since starting the company, we have ensured that we deliver value to our clients and we have been involved in over 20 IT projects which are proofs of our belief in delivering value to our customers.

What valuable lessons have you learnt in the business environment?

I’ve learnt that being focused is the bedrock of a successful entrepreneur. As a multi-talented individual, there is this internal push to try to do many things at the same time. This, I have discovered, is the reason why many entrepreneurs fail. To have this push is not wrong, but one must try to succeed in one first before trying to run with others. I have also learnt that the solution/service to be provided must be unique, complementary and complete an existing service or solution. Every entrepreneur should ask why potential clients should prefer their services to their competitors. It is important that they are able to provide an answer to this question; if not, such an entrepreneur still has a long way to go.

What are your greatest challenges?

Getting people that are committed to the vision has been a challenge; people who can see it the way you see it and say it the way you say it. These are people who are ready to sacrifice and grow with the business. But getting these people can be quite tasking. Finance is another challenge for me. There are the things that are needed for business efficiency and faster delivery but are not available for now because of insufficient funds. Also, there are some contracts that couldn’t be executed because of the huge capital needed to execute them.

Will you take a paid employment if the opportunity comes?

No.  I’ve had opportunities which I turned down. And each time an opportunity like that shows up, I am inspired to do more. If I have to take one, however, it will be to fund my business and it will be for a short period and the salary must be big.

Has there ever been a time you wished you were a salary earner?

I am a salary earner. I own a business and I am on salary in the business. Many entrepreneurs fail because they don’t place themselves on salary in their businesses. They feel they can just deep their hands into the company’s purse and spend the money the way they like since the company is theirs. This shouldn’t be so. This is why many businesses die early in this part of the world. As such, organisations in this part of the world need to be structured and process-based.

What do you consider the most stupid decision you ever made as a business owner?

I invested without a proper business analysis. Honestly, I made a lot of financial mistakes. I did not realise that as a young man going into business, an office is not one of the first things you need. I didn’t know that when I started business. We had access to a world-class office fully furnished; but when we started paying, we realised that we were paying so much but weren’t maximising the office. This affected our working capital badly because we could not do some of things that could have been done with the money. Young entrepreneurs must think through any financial decision when building a start-up. Not that I really lost; the lesson I learnt from all of that are invaluable and have always been my guiding principles whenever financial decisions are to be taken.

Are you really getting fulfilment as an entrepreneur?

I am. I’m not there yet but I’m moving; this journey is not for the weak, it is for the brave.

Do you subscribe to the idea that a young entrepreneur must have a mentor or mentors?

I subscribe to it 100 per cent because when you don’t have a mentor, you learn most of your valuable lessons from experience and you sure don’t have enough time for that. Mentors make you fly while others are walking. I believe I would have gone farther if I had had a mentoring earlier.

I basically have two mentors right now and they are making great impact on my entrepreneurial growth. To be honest, I sometime get carried away with my things, my successes, and will not bother to engage my mentors. But whenever this happens, I quickly retrace my steps and re-engage with my mentors in order to learn from them and tap from their wealth of knowledge. Young entrepreneurs should know that when they need a mentor, they need to run after them and not the other way round. It is also critical for them to avoid bad mentors because some mentors don’t want you to be greater than them. As such, they won’t really give you what will add value to you. Mentors are supposed to help you grow, but an entrepreneur can experience stunted growth with bad mentors.  Bad mentors slow down business growth.

Will you sell your business if the need arises?

I can sell part of the shares of my company if the need arises, but not the whole company. One of the core purposes of business is for profit; so if selling a part of the company will increase the reach, productivity, net worth and efficiency, then I will gladly do that.

What is your plan for the future?

In the next five years, I intend to be serving Nigeria and other African countries in IT solution and media service with offices in vital locations and to be a leading voice in African IT and media related services with focus on SMEs.

What advice do you have for young unemployed graduates searching for jobs? 

My advice is simple: nothing moves until you move. Therefore, you must take responsibility for your life and be determined to succeed. Quit blaming and complaining about the leadership of the country, because anyone who complains robs themselves of the power to provide the solution(s) to the issue(s) they complain about.  It is clear that our leaders have failed us but we cannot base our failure on that. Look within yourself and locate your passion, create a product out of it and take it to the market place. I believe everyone on earth has a default value that can be processed and converted into tangible resource and currency. Look around you and start providing solutions to the problems around, with integrity, diligence and excellence as your watchword. By doing this, you will bring joy to many and also get paid doing so. This can eventually become a business for you without altering your profession.

As software engineer, how involved are you in mobile apps development?

I’m 40 per cent involved in mobile development and intend to be more involved next year since Nigeria is getting more involved in mobile development and the request for mobile apps is gradually increasing in the country.

What are the problems facing software and mobile apps developers in the country?

A lot of developers are not encouraged or given the platform to give their best. Most mobile apps in Nigeria are given to programmers abroad to develop and deploy. Also, there are not enough platforms for programmers to showcase their works. I was happy when the MTN did the MTN developers challenge. We need more of that on a bigger platform and rewards. With that, most developers will be encouraged and inspired to do more and in no time, we will be standing firm and strong.

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The Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Processors Limited, Mr. Baba Shehu, 30, tells OKECHUKWU NNODIM why he opted for cassava farming and how young people can benefit from the venture

 What does your business entail?

Aside cassava farming, we are into garri processing. We have a mini garri processing plant in Yobe and it is the only one in this area for now.

Why should  young people go into cassava farming?

Farming particularly cassava farming, is a great business. It is an agricultural business that is worthy of being practised by farmers in this country. There is a huge market for cassava and it is high time young people took advantage of this opportunity. This is because cassava is grown in all parts of the country and with the opportunity we have now, we can secure loans for cassava farming; there is a big prospect for interested farmers. I must say this is another way of creating jobs for the unemployed.

Why did you choose cassava farming?

Before now, the fear was that if you planted cassava, you could end up wasting your time, resources and energy. This was because many people felt that there was no market for cassava produced on a large scale. But with the intervention of the cassava growers’ association, there is now an upfront market. What I mean by this is that you will get the market before you even cultivate your cassava. There is now a guarantee that Nigeria Cassava Growers’ Association will mop up your cassava, and at the end of the day, will pay your profit into your account. And even if the loan is fresh or you just received the loan, you should not entertain the fear of paying back the whole amount in cash. What is needed is the cassava stalk and if you can get the stalk, definitely your profit will be credited into your account. This is one major reason I find this business interesting.

This initiative is to make young people, especially those who are interested in cassava farming, appreciate the vast opportunities in this business. And I think this is a good reason to invest in cassava farming whether you are young or old. Farmers should see cassava as a commercial crop and not just a subsistence crop. I say this because cassava has gone beyond a subsistence crop considering its diverse usage and the returns which it generates for individuals who cultivate it for business. The crop is not just for personal consumption.

How can farming help to address unemployment?

Farming is another form of employment. When you consider the current and increasing level of unemployment and idleness in our communities, you will agree that farming can go a long way to help in improving the situation. Before I came into farming, I was a civil society activist for a number of years and a development worker in my community. Initially, I went into farming out of curiosity. But I later discovered my potential in farming and decided to farm for commercial purpose. I will like to tell you that since I became a farmer, it’s been very rewarding. My people saw my passion for farming and they decided to make me their secretary. Currently, I’m the Yobe State Secretary of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association. I was able to mobilise a number of youths who are ready to farm. And we have been encouraging other youths in the neighbouring communities to also farm so that they can generate revenue for themselves instead of being idle and begging around.

How much capital is needed to become a cassava farmer?

There is need for some money to start any business. As I earlier said, cassava farming is now a business and not just a subsistence type of farming. The amount of money needed will depend on the scale of the farming. The beauty of the business is that you can start on a small scale with any amount and increase the size as you move ahead.

For cassava farming, the number one thing you need is the zeal or passion for the job. This will give you the strength to look for land even if it will be on lease.

Secondly, you must prepare the land which you will have to cultivate on. If you are already a farmer, then it might be easy for you to do cassava farming. But if you are a young person that is coming in to tap from the opportunities in the business, then you may need the assistance of the cassava growers’ association. The NCGA has made the necessary arrangement for adequate loans that will help cassava farming.

We usually advise starters to become members of the association and continue with their farming, and as they go along, they will start realising considerable profits. From there, they will be able to stand on their own and farm profitably without depending on loans. When you establish yourself as a farmer and start making returns on investment, then you are self-employed and the number of unemployed persons in the community will be reduced.

How big are the returns on cassava farming?

The returns in this type of business depend on many factors. But every other thing being equal, what is utilised is the N205,000 loan given to farmers and at the end of the day, the average amount being realised, according to our estimate is about N115,000. This, however, is provided that conditions such as flood and wind, as well as other unforeseen contingencies are adequately addressed.

But all these things can be determined by your efforts and it is based on how well you take care of your farm. You know in agriculture, it is how well you take care of your crops when they are planted that will determine your productivity and eventual harvest. But the estimated return is N115,000 and I think this is a fair deal after the planting season.

Do you have specific clients for your product?

The world is our market. Cassava is a crop that virtually everyone needs. So the market is large and the market is now guaranteed. Farmers can now sell their products and make good income, depending on their strength and ability to cultivate the crop in large quantity. It is a good venture and I encourage young people to try the venture in their respective states instead of idling away their precious and quality time. As you seek for that white-collar job, get a piece of land and try your hands on cassava farming. You may succeed in the business and stop the search for a paid employment.

What are the challenges of the businesses?

One major challenge faced by cassava farmers, especially in the just concluded year is that many of us did not get the loans at the appropriate time. We started getting the loans from November to December, at time in which the raining season was already gone in some areas and was about to end in many other locations.

Another challenge is that farmers were unable to access the mechanised equipment like tractors, fertilisers, etc, in order to ensure mechanised farming and boost productivity. In terms of the variety of the crops, many farmers look out for an improved variety. You know the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, normally gives a specification. This specification of an improved variety was expected by cassava farmers but they did not get it. These are the major challenges.

What is the minimum capital needed to set up a garri/cassava processing plant?

The minimum for a garri processing plant, I’m not even talking of a flour processing plant, with the capacity of producing at least a ton of garri per day, will cost you about N2.5m.

Part of the challenges of cassava farmers is that they are not close to processing plants, especially those in our area. So the distribution of processing plants across the country is not okay for these farmers because you have to travel some hundreds of kilometres before you can find a garri processing plant.

And you should know that cassava is a raw crop and before you take it to a distant processing plant it will dry and that will diminish its value. So this is also part of the challenges our farmers go through.

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The 30-year old Chief Executive Officer of Igbadun Concept, Mrs. Abiola Akinsulire, tells UDEME EKWERE the demands of her hospitality and lifestyle business

At what point did you decide to start your company?

I had tried to start my business in 2008 but it did not work out and I had to go back to paid employment. By 2010, my husband and I took a decision that I should go back to the business to enable me to effectively balance work with the activities at home; and I have been doing that since 2010.

I have always had a mind for creativity and I believe owning my own business will give me the leverage to expand the frontiers of my creativity. A typical 8am to 5am job would be restrictive especially for my kind of business. I see the company as a veritable platform for me to express myself creatively and build up another group of creatively minded individuals.

 What do you think prepared you for this challenge?

Growing up, my siblings and I were taught to be independent by my father. Also, we were taught to be fast thinkers using our initiative and delivering at all times. I also had to a bit of home stay before I went into the university and that changed my perception about a lot of things. It taught me to put my creativity and resourcefulness to test.

 Essentially, what does your business entail?

Igbadun Concept is a hospitality and lifestyle startup and has two business areas – catering and event management on one part and designing of fashion wears and accessories on the other. The catering and event management arm provides catering and event planning services for corporate events such as dinners, trainings, end-of-the-year parties or more informal social events such as weddings, birthdays, housewarmings, babybirth celebrations, funerals.

The fashion and accessories business focuses on designing and making clothes, accessories and wears suitable for all, using primarily African fabrics such as Ankara, Woodin, among others. We also have trainings that we organise for the public. Our vision is to be a recognised brand which produces African\Nigerian-styled clothes, wears and accessories which will be exported outside the country.

 What has your experience been in this business – the success stories and challenges?

The experience has been a mix of stories – there have been the good times and the challenging times. When I first went into it in 2008, I was not encouraged at all. It looked like it would never survive. When I couldn’t bear the risk anymore, I opted out. I am sure most owners of Small and Medium Enterprises will complain about the usual deficiencies such as capital and infrastructure; I will like to add one more thing, which is the lack of capable and trustworthy personnel.

Going back, I did not have any collateral to take bank facilities. My husband and I decided to use our family savings to start the business. It was tough at the beginning because of the limited funds. There were so many things we had to put in place for the business to stand; such as renting a space, making major renovations, sourcing of raw materials, providing infrastructures, which are meant to be in place. We also had to contend with the fluctuation in the currency, among other challenges then.

The market acceptability too was a challenge, especially entering an existing market. But we were tenacious and remained focused on what we set out to achieve. It was slow but it is a lot better now. There is still a lot to be done.

In starting my business, I had to rely primarily on family savings and its subsequent growth has been due to the income generated by the business.

 What action will you say determined the turning point for the business?

It was the decision my husband and I made that for the first few years of the business, my income would not come from the business. As a result, I have had to deprive myself of a lot of earnings to ensure that I put back whatever it made back into the business. It was and still is not easy to access credit from any bank. Beyond that, the interest rate could literally kill the business especially when you add the cost of providing infrastructure (power) to run the business. It pays to have the support of friends and family members to drive the business.

 What strategies did you adopt to expand the business?

Some of the initial businesses I got were referrals from friends and family. To fund a number of business initiatives, I have had to rely on our family savings. We may not have had deep pockets but we had ‘disciplined pockets’ and we were able to rise up to the challenge on a number of occasions. I think it is important for government at all levels to ensure that they provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive if they want to encourage the establishment of more SMEs in Nigeria.

 What is your advice for young people who want to start their own businesses?

I will urge any young person going into a business to stay focused and tenacious because there will be threats to your business. But being focused will make you stand firm and stronger. Make sure you surround yourself with the right people that will help to grow the business. Also, you need to continue to build your capacity and improve on your skills in order to grow the business. Also, you need to develop the staying power for the business.  And finally, keep praying.

 What is the secret of your success stories?

I have been addressed as a hard-worker, and that has been clear in the way I run my business. Some other characteristics such as being focused and improving on myself constantly have also helped me to achieve a lot in my business. I have also been blessed with a supportive family and spouse and that on its own has gone a long way to ease my stress.

 How exactly has your family been supporting you?

My husband has been my number one supporter. He helps me throughout all my frustrations and advises me through every step. He is fully involved. My parents and siblings are very supportive. Also, my in-laws have been exceptional. I could not have had a better one.

 What is the motivating factor that has sustained your interest?

I have always been a creative person, meaning I love to use my hands a lot. I enjoy every bit of what I do because I discover new things daily. Also, in doing this, I can be myself and reflect on who I am.

 Can you give an insight into your growing up?

Growing up was fun as I am the last child of my parents’ five kids with two elder brothers and sisters each. My parents are devout Christians and we grew up in an academic environment. My father was an administrator at the University of Lagos and my mother, a seasoned teacher. I started my formative years at the University of Lagos staff school. I then went to Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba, for my secondary school education, before proceeding to the University of Lagos to study Mass Communication. I also attended other professional development training programmes with Daystar Leadership Academy (Basic and Advanced Certificate) and the Enterprise Development Centre (Pan Atlantic University) and got a certificate in Entrepreneurial Management). At the outset, I observed by mandatory NYSC attachment at the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, then proceeded to Lloyd Anderson, a facilities management firm and Media Strait Nigeria Limited before I commenced the journey in entrepreneurship.

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The 29-year old Chief Executive Officer, Browser Based Nigeria, Mr. Noah Godwin, tells UDEME EKWERE why he took to a creativity job in a highly competitive Information Technology industry in Nigeria and the challenges of the business

 Can you give an insight into what you do at BBN?

Browser Based Nigeria emerged out of a hobby and the curiosity to satisfy a passion as well as communication needs in the environment. For instance, one of the products we have developed is the BBN SMS — a web-based text messaging platform which provides a consumer messaging end and a messaging gateway for businesses to broadcast automated alerts at transaction time. Fascinated at how people, organised groups and businesses embraced and appreciate the platform, we decided to develop new products.

We have also been able to develop different messaging products like the BBN SMS Messenger – a mobile compatible free, group and bulk SMS messaging platform; BBN SMS Gateway – a product for businesses that desire to send notifications to their customers, especially financial service providers, software developers, shops and store; and e-Commerce platforms.

With the increasing accessibility to smart-phones, we have developed the BBN Comet – a mobile application for sending free, group and bulk text messages leveraging the user’s phonebook contacts. The BBN Comet is presently available for Android and BlackBerry devices at the Google Play Store and BlackBerry App World, respectively.

 How did you get into the business world?

In 2005, I got into the world of web designing and animation. I worked with a very small project group of three at Ebute-Meta, Lagos. Also, I had a brief experience with a paid employment at the Oak Computers Limited in Lagos where I worked as a web software developer for three years.

During the period, I developed browser-based digital library software which ran on an Internet – that project was developed for a government agency. I also supervised the development of a few projects such as hospitality management software and fixed asset management software, among others.

With time, I became fascinated by the web browser; I discovered that it was the most accepted window to the Internet of life. So, rather than just staying fixed to the animation as a certified 3D animator, I redirected towards the web of opportunities, mastering the most popular language of the web development world, the PHP and I became a web software engineer.

I attended the Enterprise Development Centre (Pan Atlantic University) where I obtained the certificate in Entrepreneurial Management) among other professional programmes.

 At what point did you decide to establish your company?

Having worked in a paid employment for a while, I decided to explore my talent as a creative individual. I discovered that the regular 8am to 5pm job was not sufficient to meet the quest to express myself creatively. Moreover, in the Information Technology industry, the joy of one as a content developer lies in the ability to receive credit for whatever one innovates. Working under someone wouldn’t give me that.

Also, I had this strong urge to become a solution and a job provider. All these led to the incorporation of the BBN in 2009 because that’s what our customers wanted. They loved the service.

 What prepared you for this job while growing up?

I grew up under a versatile single mother who would go the extra mile to fulfil a customer’s order. She was a seamstress but ventured into other petty businesses to sustain the home.

As soon as I came of age, I joined her in those businesses. On most days, we would work overnight. As far as she was concerned, you could never over-satisfy a customer. That’s how built a customer-centric businessman – a trait which I have sustained in the BBN.

 Doing business in Nigeria is often considered as tough. In your case, what has been the experience as a small business operator?

Selling a messaging product to a prospective customer is very easy if you sell the right feature to the right customer. This is because the market is ready for our product. Doing business in Nigeria is as easy as ABC if your objective is not to make quick profit and back-off afterwards. The business must be tailored towards achieving ABC objectives, which represent Acquire; Build and Continue. There will always be a premium for whatever business one wishes to acquire, build and continue with. At some point, the premium could be challenging but once it is paid, the business will move up to a new reach.

In our experience, we have been paying a lot of premium between 2011 and now. The encouraging part is that we’ve become a recognised name among the text messaging platforms in Nigeria.

 What is next target in the business?

The next level for us is the introduction of new products, which will be our driving force in 2014. So far, over 90 per cent of our funds have all been raised internally and we’ve had to avoid capital-intensive projects.

 What are the challenges of the business?

Like most businesses in Nigeria, power has been the major challenge overtime. But early enough, we had to invest in inverter systems to power our computers for a longer period of time, so that we spend less on diesel and generator maintenance.

Furthermore, it’s a highly saturated market where the number of people going into it almost daily is as high the number of firms exiting from the venture.

 What have been the factors sustaining your interest?

Being creatively free to express myself and getting handsomely rewarded for simply doing what I like is exciting to me.  It has almost turned me into a workaholic. But what motivates me more today is the discovery that I’m revolutionising businesses and people by what I love doing.

 What is your advice for young people who want to start their own businesses?

For people going into new businesses, they need to identify their passion, build a strong capacity there and acquire the relevant skills to effectively manage and drive that passion. They need to build a good team that can get the job started and carry on with the dream.

 How has your family been supporting you in the business?

I receive tremendous support from them. I don’t know if I would be able to do this business without the prayers and moral support from the ladies in my life – my mother, sister and also my beautiful wife.

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Gbenga Dada, 24, is the Chief Executive Officer of Artsmith Collections. The accessory designer and Philosophy graduate speaks with KEMI LANRE-AREMU on why he chose a female-dominated business and his experience so far

 How long have you been making accessories?

Professionally, I’ve been creating beaded jewellery for six years now, but I made my first amateur attempt in 2005.

Do you do the job as a full-time or a part-time?

Accessory making is not a full-time job for me; I also work as a freelance fashion journalist and jewellery tutor.

How did you discover the trade?

I’ve always been fascinated by beautiful, handmade creations; I would stare for long minutes at aesthetic statues, abstract paintings and fashion items in lifestyle magazines. Somewhere along the line, I took a step towards making my passion an enterprise by learning how to string beads from a kind church member who noticed my keen interest in fashion. She gave me the first opportunity to actualise my dream.

Did you study fashion in school?

I studied Philosophy at the Ekiti State University.

Did you go for any fashion training after the university?

Not really; after getting adequate knowledge of the basic rudiments of jewellery making, I’ve consistently honed my skills by learning new techniques and designs as I discover them. The learning period in this trade is unending, else you become redundant. Putting an end to knowledge acquisition is like slipping into a coma; if at all you come out of it, you’ll find yourself struggling to fit in.

Who was your first customer and how much did you make from the first job?

My first customer was my elder sister’s   colleague. I designed a necklace and a pair of earrings and she bought them for N1,500.

As a man in a female dominated business, did people ever discourage or make fun of you?

I can’t remember being discouraged by people’s perception of my career choice because my conviction or passion was very strong. Of course, I was made fun of by folks who just didn’t understand why I chose to be an accessory designer. But when the accolades and recognition for my talent started pouring in, these people changed their attitude towards me.

Do you still encounter people expressing doubts about your ability to deliver because you are a man?

To the glory of God, my works always speak before I even have the opportunity to utter a word. Prospective clients see my works and hear testimonies from people before making up their minds to patronise me.

How much was your start-up capital and how was it sourced?

I started with no penny. My first jewellery tutor was so impressed by my creativity that she provided me with the materials I used in making my first job – which I sold. Little by little, from my first sale, I developed my business.

Where did you derive the entrepreneurial spirit from?

I’ve never really thought about this before but I would say my parents were professionals before they retired, though they engaged in one or two ventures after retirement. I think I just love doing business. In retrospect, I remember every family vacation, I would spend part of my shopping allowance buying stuffs (especially fragrance and hair treatment products) to sell on return to Nigeria. Selling what people need and desire always gave me joy.

What were the challenges you faced at the initial stage and how did you overcome them?

A number of women used to mock or take me for granted when I started the business. I was quite young then.

The other challenges ranged from clients owing me to clients under-pricing my products. This caused some kind of financial setback for me; but with God, I was fortunate enough to make good profit from some jobs that came my way much later and this helped me to bounce back.

I also developed the habit of saving; I saved every naira I got, and it helped me to cushion the effect of clients who owed or underpaid me.

How do you get your clients?

One of the major means through which I get clients is referral. Satisfied customers and kind people who have seen my works on blogs, my Facebook/Twitter/Instagram page have always referred clients to me. It’s like a flowing stream. I just do my thing, post pictures on social media and the clients contact me.

As a man, would you say it is easier relating with your clients who are entirely female?

My clients are not entirely women; I also make accessories for men. Dealing with women is not a walk in the park, especially when it has to do with money. I particularly find it difficult dealing with petty women because as a man, I’m not familiar with pettiness. When a client shows up with such an attitude, it’s not a small deal for me to handle. Forget gender bias, men are a lot easier to deal with than women.

How much impact has social media had on your business?

Social media is a major blessing for entrepreneurs who have enjoyed its benefits. Social media has helped to register my business identity in the minds of the people; my work as an artist has gained widespread visibility, thanks to the social media. Twitter, for instance, is a showroom for many rising mobile entrepreneurs. God bless the geniuses behind the invention.

What advice will you give young people like you who are willing to start their own businesses?

Never ever let money be your number one motivation or your reason for starting a business. Start a business because you want to create a legacy and leave a worthy inheritance behind for generations after you. Think about Rockefeller and Arthur Guinness. Let it be that you are doing this or that business as a method of providing solution(s) and contributing your quota towards the development of your community and the society at large. I made big mistakes when I put my focus on money; it made me to take irrational actions that led to me losing clients. I used to harass debtors for payment because I was obsessed with money-making and this wrecked some havoc on my business (you don’t harass people for money in an indecent, pestering manner and expect regular patronage or referrals from the same people). Also, when you work hard and your enterprise doesn’t yield the harvest you expected, there’s the possibility you’ll give up on the venture if you’re primarily motivated by money.

What is your staff strength?

Presently, I have six people working with me.

How do you keep track of your cash inflow and outflow?

I have a record book in which all details of sales, profits and expenses are documented.

What measures are you putting in place to grow your business?

I keep myself abreast of changing trends so I provide services that are not only good, but timely. That way, I stay relevant in business. Improving the quality of the services I provide through rebranding is another measure. I also don’t downplay the power of publicity and networking with individuals within my field (so I’m well-informed about what I need to do to continually advance my business interests).

What measures have you put in place to be ahead of competition?

The truth is that I see no competitors. All I do is set goals for myself, ensure I outrun myself and systematically evolve as an artist as I let my skills transform. Let’s face it, it’s an individual race; we have different standards, different design ethos and cater to different categories of people. So, I can’t be ‘tussling’ with other jewellers whose ideologies are not the same as mine. My business is to stay focused on my target, strategise for success and gradually, I am ahead of competitors, one person at a time. I’m not interested in being touted the first place winner by public rating; as long as I keep winning, it’s alright with me.

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Anthonia Osho, 27, the founder of Toniques, a clothing store, tells DAYO OKETOLA, the importance of a business plan for the overall survival of a new business, among other issues

 What is your educational background and why did you choose to go into business?

I have a science background. I hold a BSc in Microbiology from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State.

I delved into business unconsciously while I was in a boarding student in the secondary school. I would trade some of my provisions that I didn’t like for money or by barter.

My parents are into business in their various professions, and as a child growing up, I was very eager to help out and run errands for them. This was where I got the exposure. I started going to Lagos Island to get supplies for my dad’s company. And from there, I noticed other goods and services around Lagos. When friends told me they needed some things, I helped to get them until I realised I could buy most of their essentials and sell to them at a good rate and still make a small profit. That was how I got into it fully.

What is your business called and when did you start it?

During my university days, I like to say I was unique and my friends coined a phrase for me any time I brought goods for them to buy; the name is Tonique as in unique or boutique. When it was time to set up my business, the name Toniques just resounded and seemed perfect.

While I did a vacation job, I started selling things before I gained admission into the university, and this continued in the university. I participated in trade fairs around the campuses, and went from hostel to hostel to sell my goods. It turned into a mobile business until I completed my National Youth Service Corps programme. While waiting for a well-paying white collar job, I decided to open a boutique for selling shoes, bags, accessories and jewellery.

Did you write a business plan before embarking on the venture?

Yes, I did write a business plan because I had to prove to my sponsors that I was serious and knew what I was getting myself into.

I wrote a business/marketing plan as a foundation road map to guide me through from the starting process and continuously. It is an unambiguous personal and business objective towards succeeding as an entrepreneur. I had to layout the sales and product data, miscellany, demographic research as well as financial management strategies by reading books, consulting the Internet and speaking to a lot of successful business owners. I wanted to have a strategic location and great clientele base.

What are the chances of a venture succeeding without a business/marketing plan?

The possibility of failure is high without a business plan. As an entrepreneur, you have to factor in challenges, quantified or predictable outcome for your business and have an objective for the business. With your plan, you can measure the sales performance and realistically manage the business.

What challenges are you facing in your business?

As an entrepreneur, you have to face many challenges. I source for most of my goods abroad; and the cost of shipping and clearing is exorbitant, thereby impacting slightly negatively on pricing. Also, the delay when shipping is a factor.

As an entrepreneur, I have a great vision of becoming a brand possibly and branching out into other products and services as well as becoming a wholesaler of my brand. This requires funding and the different options of loans from financial institutions for SMEs like mine are not favourable to enable me to carry out such big plans now.

Also, as a seller on one of the online retailing sites, deliveries of online sales can be difficult as the cost of courier of goods is high. Hopefully, I will  like to have the service operating from the store instead of relying on other courier companies that are not effective so as not to affect the credibility of my business.

Globally, most start-ups die in the first five years. Do you think you can sustain your boutique business for five years?

Yes, I will be able to sustain the business in the first five years. Of course, there are lean and good periods of sales. That is why I have a business plan. I realised my mistakes and learn everyday about the business because it’s a growing one. All I have to do is see the bigger picture and forge ahead hoping to get better and bigger every year; become a success story with a lot of hard work and build a business empire.

What motivates you in running the business?

What motivates me on a daily basis is the idea of offering quality services to my customers, interacting with them and ensuring they walk out of my store with a huge grin on their faces.

Why did you go into online business and what has been your experience?

I keyed into the online business when I noticed its global and nationwide appeal as well as the opportunities. I observed during my mobile business days that Nigerians, especially the working class, don’t have the time to go for shopping at the market. So, I contacted a few major online retailing sites to join their affiliate programmes, and I got some responses. Now, we are a top seller on their sites and it has been great ever since.

It’s a great platform and avenue to reach customers that can’t walk into your shop to buy goods because of their locations and it’s relatively cheap. All I have to be worried about is logistics.  It’s relatively cheaper than paying rents and I get to increase my customer base nationwide. Credit to the social media, I have a BBM group boutique and I am also about to set up a Facebook page and have someone to manage it. I also get to keep my customers for reviews, after-sales feedback as well as continuity in business relationships.

Can customers pay with their ATM cards when they buy something from your boutique?

I am actually working on getting a Point of Sale machine for my store, but the online banking platform has also been of great advantage in handling cashless transactions, thereby not losing any sales and making it easier for our customers to shop.

How has this impacted your business?

It has impacted positively my business. Before the cashless policy, there was a reluctance to spend beyond the amount in your wallet. With the use of online transfers, customers now buy more because you can easily convince them to pick more than the cash with them and our sales performance is boosted.

Do you have mentors and what have you learnt from them?

I have learnt a lot from my dad, who is an accountant by profession. I have to be prudent and also have the zeal to always raise the bar and not to set limitations for myself. Most importantly, I have learnt that maintaining a healthy relationship with customers improves communication skills as well as help build a honest reputation.

My husband has also been of great influence on me. He is sales personnel where he works and he gives me insights into visualising, merchandising as well as understanding marketing demographics.

I also read good books on sales and management understanding that to succeed in business I need to have passion, vision and tenacity.

I have also come to realise that whatever choice you make, you can make the best of it by following your own muse and become irreplaceable.

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Adeola Adeuja, 26, the founder of Esther Mélange Clothing, tells IFE ADEDAPO the need to be creative and take advantage of opportunities to excel in business

What does your business entail?

We specialise in making and selling professionally tailored wears, making use of carefully selected sophisticated fabrics. We use Western and African traditional fabrics to create classy designs that accentuate both the male and female figures. For now, the brand has three different lines which are the heritage, noble and bridal.

What was your growing up like?

Growing up was challenging for me because I lost my dad when I was four years old, so my mother single-handedly trained my brother and I. What I am today, I owe it to God and my mother. My education was a bit fast, at age four, I was already in primary one, started my secondary education at age nine and wrote my WAEC exam at age 14. Soon after, I gained admission into the university.

As a child, I wanted to do everything. I wrote a lot of unpublished books. I would bake cake and all kinds of pastries. At the same time, I practically turned our backyard into a farm. I planted a lot of crops such as yam, tomatoes, and pineapples. I also went into horticulture and surrounded the house with a lot of beautiful flowers, some of which are still in my compound. At a point, my mother got confused because I would plait my friend’s hair and make clothes for dolls with needle and thread and redesign my clothes. Also, at the sight of Benita on the television I wanted to become a musician.

I joined the drama group in school because I really love acting too. In my first year in the secondary school, we acted a drama called ‘Rags to riches’ in which I played a major role. We did so well that the drama was taken to a cinema hall and people had to pay to watch us then.

How did you get involved in business?

As I grew older, my love for fashion design superseded all others. I realised I like making people look good. I would sketch my designs and give to tailors to make but it was sad that they never got them right; so I decided to learn how to sew. Initially, I trained as an apprentice and later proceeded to a fashion school after my National Youth Service Corps programme. I started making my designs and people appreciated them on me. Before I finished from the fashion school, I was already receiving overwhelming orders from people. It was really demanding for me but I enjoyed what I was doing and I was making money from it.

What challenges have you been facing?

At first, electricity was my major challenge but this was solved when I started running on generator because there was really no way we could do a perfect work without electricity, even though it increased our expenditure.  The job is quite demanding; as a fashion designer, one needs to combine creativity with managerial skills. One must be highly creative to combine colours, shades and textures. Then designing for people with different personalities, values, and lifestyles comes to mind. I overcame this by learning on my own how to work for people with different personalities, styles and values so I always have in mind the adventurous, the conservative and the simply elegant. That aside, fashion is dynamic and you have to be on your toes all the time so as to be relevant.

Another problem we constantly encounter is getting committed tailors to work with. Most young people prefer white collar jobs. Most of the people we get are the Togolese or Senegalese. Even after giving them so much, they still betray one; they take off without any notice and sometimes take some of your customers along.

How did you start Esther Mélange Clothing?

It all started in my bedroom in 2009; from the and later to the corridor, sitting room and now where we are today. It began officially in 2011, which means the company is just two-years-old. Over the two years, EM Clothing had grown as though it has existed for years. Our combination of high sense of creativity and style, colour expertise, good taste and optimum attention to details make the brand a sought after. Our clientele which also consists of prominent people in the society has grown tremendously and I can say that 80 per cent of our customers came through referral. We also train interested youths, some have graduated and are doing fine already.

What strategies did you adopt to expand the business?

I believe when a man commits his ways unto God, his plans will be established; so that was what I did. The other thing involves hard work and determination. There were times I would work overnight, sometimes stay up late trying to meet up with some customer’s demands because I was working all alone and getting overwhelmed. For me, I made it a point of duty from the beginning never to disappoint my customers. Once we agreed on any day of collection, I made sure the clothes were ready, even if it meant working overnight. And that has really helped the business to grow.

I also attend fashion shows to network with other designers and get updates on fashion trends.

Apart from that, I spend a lot of time developing myself. I read books and attend seminars.

Being focused is another strategy that has paid off. I had some discouragement from people. Even the ones you thought would support were among those who discouraged me. Even my mother is yet to come to terms with the fact that this is what I really want to do for a living. There were times we had serious arguments on this issue. She encouraged me to take a second degree which I did and even though she is happy with my progress in the business, she just does not want me to stop there. So, the ability to stay focus in the midst of confusion is important.

What plans do you have for the future?

Our plan is to take the Nigerian fashion industry to another level. There are opportunities for growing; there is always room for improvement. God willing, I will like to make Esther Mélange a household name in Nigeria, Africa and the world as a whole.

What impact are you making on the society?

We derive pleasure in teaching interested youths the art of fashion design. We have trained a number of youths who have also started something on their own.

We make the concept of tailoring very simple by offering a step by step tutelage to enable even a novice to comprehend. Last November, we organised a free training in basic tailoring for two weeks which many people benefitted from. That is our own little way of giving back to the society.

What advice do you have for young unemployed graduates?

It breaks my heart when I see graduates searching for job for years when they should be creating these jobs. I believe everyone has talents; all we need to do is discover and develop it. Let us all find something to do and strive to be the best at it. There are a lot of opportunities out there. All we have to do is take advantage of them. We need to be really creative to identify these opportunities. It may not be easy initially but it is always worth it in the long run.

Would you take a paid employment if the need arise?

That is one question I was wishing you would not ask. Well personally, the answer is no. Why would I want to work for anyone when I can use the same energy, time and talents to develop my business? The Nigerian labour market is not even for young talents like us. No training, no seminars and workshops, just the same routine every day; how do we develop ourselves in such an environment? However, if I have to, the pay had better be quadruple what I am making now.

Do you have mentors and what have you learnt from them?

My mother is my major mentor. I learnt hard work, perseverance, patience and tolerance, among other things from her. Another person is my boss, Mrs. Ronke Olubanjo; she and her husband taught me so many things.

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Mrs. Chinemenma Umeseaka, 30, combines motivational speaking with a number of other jobs. She speaks with NIKE POPOOLA about her passion

What business do you do?

I am a transformational teacher, better known as motivational speaker. I am also a teenage coach, a social entrepreneur and a people’s builder.

Asides from these, I am also the publisher of 9ineteen, a motivational/teenage magazine. It’s for everyone, including parents and adults. I organise motivational events. Last year, I organised two major events. The first was a free motivational get-together for youths and select celebrities who used their stories to inspire us. Dr. Cosmos Maduka of Coscharis, Emeka Ike, Bovi, Lolo 1 and others graced the event. We also partnered with the Lagos State Ministry of Education to organise an all girls affair under the theme ‘Groom the teen girl child’. I am also into interior decor and general merchandise.

What is your educational qualification?

I am a graduate of Mass Communication from Abia State University. I also have a certificate in entrepreneurial management from the Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan- Atlantic University. I graduated at the age of 21 and I got married a month after I left school.

Did you ever look for job after school?

No. Even before I left school, I knew I wanted to create jobs for others. I am creative and a goal-getter but I was extremely timid. Although I had job offers from two banks during my NYSC year, I decided to conquer my fears by starting my first business.

How did you start the business?

Although I was very shy at that time, I knew what I wanted from life very early. I have always been hard working but I like to work at my pace. That was why I never considered taking up the banking job. Also, having heard a lot about the high rate of unemployment in the country, I said to myself I could help to create jobs by being a solution provider.

What job experience did you have before you started your business?

When I graduated from school, I went back to Daily Independent Newspaper where I did my internship programme. But I resigned after a month. I moved to a soft-sell magazine and left a few months later. I wasn’t sacked. I was loved by all because of my humble nature. I was not really satisfied with what I was doing. I moved to an architectural firm. It was my boss there who urged me to go and start a boutique business and he even assisted me to get the office next to his at the Tafawa Balewa Square. He told my husband about my leadership and entrepreneurial skills. He said I could make business out of anything.

Why did you start with motivational speaking?

Going into motivational speaking wasn’t a walk in the park for me. Like I said earlier, I was so shy that I could go into a place and won’t say a word to anyone unless I was spoken to. However, I had to conquer this challenge in order to help fellow youths. I was sexually molested when I was young. I wanted to teach the teenagers how they could live beyond any physical challenge or emotional trauma and make the best in life. Nigerian youths are extremely talented, but they need to be rightfully guided.

What does motivational speaking entail as a business?

I really don’t know about the business part of it yet. I have just started. However, I believe in doing what I am passionate about. I love to change the focus of fellow youths to improve their lives. I can see that not many people are helping to guide our teenager right; and that is the gap I want to fill. I will like the business part of it; but it is a gradual thing. I will get there soon. I must pay my dues and make my impact felt first.

Are motivational speakers well appreciated in Nigeria?

I will say yes. Just like comedians, motivational speakers are well respected and celebrated too.

Did you have to get a special training for this?

No. I didn’t attend any special school for it. I attend a lot of seminars; I still read a lot of books. But when I speak, I speak more from my experience. No one can give what he or she doesn’t have.

Are you making money from motivational speaking?

I have not made any money since I started; instead, I have been investing all I’ve got into my passion. Even though I love money being an Igbo woman, I strongly believe in doing what gives me joy and satisfaction. I sold my laundry business and my car a few months ago to put the money into the 9ineteen, my initiative. We are in partnership with Lagos State and Abia State ministries of Education. I go to secondary schools, mostly government schools, to speak to the students. I give awards to exceptional students and teachers. We established Book Club in over 25 schools in Lagos and Abia, giving out over 70 books and hundreds of our magazines free. I go to anywhere I can find a congregation of youths to speak to them. No monetary payment whatsoever. I’m happy when some of the students, parents and other youths call or write me to appreciate my work. But I know the monetary rewards will come soon. For now, everything I do is charity. My magazine, though it is for sale, I have been giving it out for free. I have been speaking for free at events. My purpose is to impact my generation and the generations to come positively.

What can be done to build entrepreneurial skills in the country?

I think our youths should stop waiting for jobs that are hard to get. They should look inwards and discover their God-given talents and skills. Everyone has something unique they can do to make money. Our universities should include entrepreneurial studies in their curricular to help the youth to face the real world’s challenges after graduation.

Is university degree essential to be successful?

My answer is yes. Education is vital; no matter what career or job you intend to do, please get quality education. It will help you to make better and more informed decisions.

A lot of our youths believe they can only make it in Europe or America. They are wrong. They need to believe in Nigeria. All we need is to be smarter and look inwards. Many Asians, Europeans and Americans are coming here and they are making it. We need to wake up. The youths are the future of this nation. We can’t run away; we need to hang in here and help to save Nigeria.

What impact is this attitude having on our economy?

Obviously, it is not helping our economy. Our leaders need to do more for the young ones; they are the future of the nation.

What can be done to maximise the potential of the youth?

I think our youths need to stop expecting so much from the government and start thinking of how they can positively impact the society. The youths need to educate themselves more; read a lot more; think outside the box and make history. The next Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook can be a Nigerian. Let’s use our creativity more. It’s not enough to be a graduate; the issue is, what can you show for it? That’s my message for the youth.

What are the job opportunities unemployed graduates can explore?

If you can’t find a job, create for others. Everybody must not work, be a solution provider. There are a million problems in all the sectors in this country waiting to be fixed, please be the answer to some of the problems, be diligent at that thing you are doing and you will be rewarded as well. There is nothing wrong with you if you are jobless, it could be a blessing in disguise. What is your passion? Do you have a dream or an idea? That is the answer to your joblessness. Don’t be idle, get busy. God can only bless the work of your hands.

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The Chief Executive Officer, INACEptsus Technos, an ICT firm, Mr. Josef Kolawole, 29, tells OYETUNJI ABIOYE how he defied all odds to start his company

What do you do at INACEptsus Technos?

INACEptsus Technos is an Information and Communication Technology company which is also into consultancy, procurement and service delivery.

Our services include but not limited to server installations and configuration; networking-in-enterprise infrastructure; microwave and VSAT internetwork wireless solutions; digital and analogue close circuit television surveillance system.

Others are fibre-to-home and network solution; fire alarm system design and installation for all buildings; digital multimedia interactive and systems engineering; and accounting solutions deployment for local and remote access.

When did you establish the firm?

The company started operations in 2001 but it was registered in 2003. Our first office was on the Mainland before we moved to Ikeja, the capital of Lagos and ICT.

We are also a Microsoft-certified partner firm in affiliation with network accessories producer, R&M Switzerland and Egypt.

How did you develop interest in the ICT?

After leaving school, I went for further professional studies and I became a Microsoft — certified systems engineer. I applied to some organisations for employment. But asides the qualifications, these organisations’ main interest was one’s years of experience which then must be at least three years on the field. I did not have up to that. So, it was an uphill task getting a job. I then decided to start up on my own company. I started by fixing my friends’ computers and running Windows 95. Later, some other individuals and business centres stated inviting me to fix their computers running Windows 98, Millennium and Windows 2000. I moved to installing a computer networking system for cyber cafes (It was the era of the cybercafes then).

Then the vision was not really clear because I still wanted a bite of the mainstream corporate world which was far-fetched. So one day, I had a Sunday afternoon appointment to trouble-shoot a small network computer system for a small newspaper media outfit that had been experiencing problem with its network. The media house was located in a residential estate having similar structures. As a result of the semblance of the homes, I missed the house address of my destination and went to another house in the neighbourhood. I knocked and behold, they also had stand-alone PCs that were malfunctioning. Then, it occurred to me that about one in every two homes would have at least a PC. So if I fixed their computers to satisfaction, I would have a greater chance of getting to manage their office computers and network. That was exactly what happened. As I fixed the home computers, I began to get referrals to corporate clients. I rode on the home advantage, taking my risks. This was how corporate clients started engaging us.

Did you bother to look for job again since you started having corporate clients?

Whether I was going to make it was not too clear to me until the episode where I went to another house by mistake and I had a computer waiting for me to fix there. From then on, I knew I had a better chance of making it working for myself than getting a paid employment.

What were some of the challenges you faced?

As a young entrepreneur, one of the challenges I faced initially was with the start-up capital. After registering my company with what I made from my first corporate job, I applied to a business initiative that grants loans to start-ups with very low interest rate. I was not given the loan though I scored the highest in the interview, reason being that my name, Josef, was spelt ending with an ‘f’ and not the usual ‘ph’. Whereas my certificates and other papers bear Josef, they were not comfortable with the style.

How did you come about the Josef style?

When I was much younger, I wasn’t very conventional. I questioned my Joseph name ending with a ‘ph’ and I tinkered with it, and switched the f to the Josef. Then I used to see myself as a restless person. I would fix a faulty radio, gramophone, convert a walkie talkie to a transistor radio with a tuning capacitor, convert a steam iron water container to a speed boat and make a satellite radio and TV receivers from fairly large radio or damaged loud speakers.

Having failed to secure your first start-up loan, how did you get money to run the business?

After failing to secure the loan, I began to turn over the profits of my business from my home-service delivery and the business started growing.

The other challenges I faced had to do with getting more clients. For companies that already had consultants or contractors, it was very difficult winning such organisations over. For some other organisations operating the open system of job contracting, one could win them with very convincing presentation technique. I think I had about three of such organisations. However, it took me about three years of persistence approach to get them.

The other challenge was the ‘teething period’ of start-ups. Within the first two years, I had only one regular client with an expected income of N24,000 per annum. Also, you might not find support from most people you know. In my own case, I had people telling me they had MBA and they were not starting a company. I was urged to drop the idea, especially in the early years. But I persevered and I am better off today.

Looking back where I was some years ago and now, I really enjoy what I do especially when my company helped to solve problems others couldn’t tackle. My profession is my life; I dreamt about it; I’m living it and I still look forward to achieving more successes.

Where do you see your company in the next five years?

Every five years, I come up with an updated business plan with a better drive to gain new ground. And this year happens to be the beginning of another five-year plan and I must confess to you, I already gained two major corporate client accounts and that’s a big achievement.

What are the major problems facing ICT companies like yours?

This has to do with the challenge in getting clients, who are really willing to pay for professional service. There is also the challenge of efficient service delivery which relies on more skill acquisition from research and training. As new devices and techs come into the market, additional trainings are needed for the ICT personnel and often times, this requires relatively huge amount.

What is the solution to youth unemployment in Nigeria?

The solution to youth unemployment varies among disciplines and professions. Self-employment would work for some and not for others because we all don’t have the same driving force and same skills. The government has roles to play in creating the enabling environment and bringing other untapped and defunct sectors alive. Like the solid minerals and agriculture, they should support research centres so we can move from being a consumer to a manufacturing nation. This move will help in generating employment, reduce individual spending, improve individual purchasing power and also curb inflation.

What advice do you have for young people that are interested in your kind of business?

For people with interest in the ICT and any other related field, with your degree or higher diploma qualification, endeavour  to get professional certification and training as a plus to boost your confidence and efficiency in service delivery. Never stop doing online research and also use Twitter network to follow the companies that manufacture the ICT devices you deploy for your service delivery to keep you updated and equipped to take on challenges in the industry.

What are the qualities needed to succeed in the ICT business?

Making it in life in our time requires innovation and persistence. if you observe well, there is always the gap that you can fill. Be patient, be quick, persevere, start small, start somehow as you go along and you will be better defined. Then re-define yourself with changing times and trends.

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The Founder/Chief Operating Officer, Solution Point, Mr. Kayode Olayeni, tells IFEANYI ONUBA his experiences in a number of businesses including farm support, forex trading and Internet marketing

How did you get into the business world?

I started my business life with forex trading in 2008 and later ventured into a livestock/farm support business. Later that year, I became the sole distributor of an innovative product called D-skin protective disc skin. I was saddled with the responsibility of appointing major and sub-distributors in all the states in Nigeria.

In 2011, I started a brand development and an Internet marketing company for small and medium organisations. We provide advisory services for start-up companies, class branding, marketing and creative services for our clients without the kind of price tag charged by large agencies. We also offer services such as logo/brand development, web design and development, interactive/media presentations, business registration and online marketing.

Why did you decide to go into business and not a paid job?

My passion for creativity is the first reason for starting my own business. Secondly, I have always had the desire to proffer solution to challenges and problems around me at any given time.

The desire and determination to be in control of my own life and work in a company where I can apply and maximise the return of my most valuable asset also spurred me into setting up my own business.

How do you manage your business?

I have been in business since 2008. We make it our topmost priority to retain the interest of all stakeholders including our clients and vendors in order to operate a successful business. Our business efforts and activities are geared towards marketing. This is meant to bring in new clients. We also develop and deploy strategies and business models to grow the business. We try as much as possible to maintain good relationships with our clients, partners and manage them well. We develop and maintain winning business processes, procedures and systems.

Who are your target clients and how do you get them?

Our target clients range from established small businesses to new enterprises that cut across all sectors. Depending on the industry, we win new clients using a wide range of marketing approaches such as referral systems, joint ventures, advertising, direct mail, telemarketing and endorsement.

Is your business capital intensive?

I will say yes.  Every business requires a takeoff capital. But for me, I started out with almost nothing. There is a general belief that one needs money to start a business. But my opinion is that you need to possess the right knowledge and have the perseverance and dedication for a business for you to succeed. Being prepared to fail a few times is also vital to the ultimate success in any business. Most of the capital that will be needed is in marketing and for the expansion of the business.

What is your advice to graduates in search of paid employment?

Our school system has somehow narrowed the thinking of students, making them to believe that education only ends with the acquisition of good grades and using the certificate to look for jobs.

Our graduates should stop hoping that government will give job to everyone; rather they should put on their thinking caps and come up with ideas. No matter how small it may be, we should be thinking about generating jobs. The fact remains that every multi-national company existing today started with an idea and that idea became bigger over a period of time. So my advice is that they should engage themselves in such ideas and watch the ideas grow. The essence of being educated is to proffer solutions.

How can government encourage young people to embrace entrepreneurship?

There are several ways the government can encourage young people to embrace entrepreneurship but the most important aspects are through financing and giving opportunities. A lot of young people have ideas but limited opportunities have been the major constraint. For instance, if a young man who has his idea penciled out tries to approach a government institution for finance may be turned down, not because his idea is bad, but because the agency is asking him for documents that he will never be able to produce. He may be requested to produce tax documents for five years; some certificates for his properties and so on. All these make things difficult for people who want to go into business.

A lot of young people have started their businesses but got stuck midway because of limited funds with which to continue. Financial institutions in Nigeria will not give out loans to young entrepreneurs; rather they prefer to give loans to multi-national companies.

Since government is also responsible for formulating policies that will grow the economy, there is the need for government at all levels to be more involved in youth empowerment programmes such as skill acquisition, the creation of friendly business policies and micro-credit programmes that will help to provide funds after acquiring skills. What I have seen in my few years of being an entrepreneur is that a lot of people have the required skills but they do not have money to start their business. Some do not even want to acquire any skill because they do not know where to source for money after training. So, I think there should be a programme that can guarantee some form of funding for young entrepreneurs. It is only through this means that the government can discourage the people from spending years looking for white collar jobs instead of creating jobs for themselves and others.

What are the challenges that young entrepreneurs like you encounter and how do you tackle them?

Without challenges, there is no entrepreneurship. Business is born out of challenges; it is the bedrock of great entrepreneurs. So, I see challenges as a springboard to success. In Nigeria, there are many challenges for any entrepreneur. In my case, I faced and I am still facing a lot of challenges; but the biggest of them is finance. Financial challenge can derail the company’s expansion plans and lead to reduction in quality of products (commodity goods and house products). You are denied the opportunity of employing additional hands.

These challenges can be addressed by looking inwards and thinking up ideas of how to raise capital from friends, family members and other people in your areas who are financially buoyant.

I will advise that government’s policies should be geared towards making it easy for small businesses to get loans from banks and other financial institutions.

What are the key investment principles young people in business and those aspiring to go into business should imbibe?

Well, the first thing I will say is that you should not eat all that you have got; there is the need to save some for the ‘dry season’. A lot of young people have some money in their bank accounts and they go to their banks to withdraw every time they run out of cash. This is a wrong thing to do. You should spend the profit that accrues from the invested sum to expand the business. Entrepreneurship is not an escape route from skilful work; it is more about developing the business skills to be able to survive in this terrain. Entrepreneurship involves hard work and creativity.

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Ezekiel Solesi, a 28-year-old business consultant, speaks with TOBI AWORINDE about the inspiration for and challenges of starting his firm, LIMBsimple

Why did you go into business?

Whenever people hear my first degree is in Chemistry, they often wonder how I came about leading a business consulting firm. But I am always quick to tell them that together with my dad, I started as a manager of a soap manufacturing company, where we used pawpaw to make soaps. That was before I went to the university. So you see, the entrepreneurial influences preceded my career and choice of course of study.

I started a personal business development when I was in JSS3. I was fortunate to have great friends who encouraged me to read books and attend conferences from a tender age. So, from that time, I knew I was always going to be an entrepreneur.

I Studied Chemistry so I could fulfil my ambition of establishing my own business in the manufacturing industry. I’ve always been consumed by the desire to acquire and share knowledge. In the university, a senior friend and I started an initiative called the Purpose Group. The great thing about the Purpose Group was that it prepared people for both academic and business excellence. That platform, in many ways, is the foundation for almost everything I have achieved today.

What informed the name of your company, LIMBsimple?

It started with my book, ‘The Game of Money.’ After it was published, I got a lot of good feedback about it being a really simple book on financial education. So, with that, and the fact that the company’s name I chose first wasn’t approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission, I started to brainstorm with my girlfriend, who is now my wife. That was in November, 2011. Around that time, I wanted to start writing a free newsletter. So we started with names like “Money Made Simple.” And then I thought we could expand it to include all of the things I was always talking about. So, we expanded the newsletter to include sections on Business Made Simple; and later, Investing Made Simple. One day, after our discussion, I was leaving my girl friend’s house when she asked why I did not want to add “Life Made Simple.” That was when it hit me that we could have’ Life, Investing, Money and Business Made Simple’. T hat’s how we came about the name ‘LIMBsimple’.

What are the core values of your business?

There are four core values of the LIMBsimple, which are in tandem with my life philosophy. First, is being teachable. I am teachable and I love to work with teachable people. We all can not know everything we need to know, so being teachable is one strong value for me. The second is integrity. The word speaks for itself. Integrity, for me, is just the standard. The third value is excellence. To me, that simply means always ensuring your last work is your best. The final one is simplicity. I like everything being simple. I sometimes think that my obsession with simplicity is the reason why I dread wearing ties, except when I am facilitating a training in an organisation that considers it a huge part of its corporate identity.

What has been your greatest challenge in doing business?

I trade with knowledge. I am not going to follow the pack in saying that access to funding, or whatever, has been my greatest challenge, because I learnt early to start with what I had and I have grown from there. I started a shirt-making business in school with just N5,000. In consulting, however, the biggest challenge has been gaining the access to train and consult for the big organisations. So what have I done about it? I have worked with mentors and various collaborators to facilitate trainings for these big organisations. They do not have the LIMBsimple on their payroll yet. But I have got several opportunities to co-facilitate and execute several projects for them from the background, while I focus on building a client base from the bottom up; in essence, starting from the micro small and medium enterprises.

What is your book, ‘The Game of Money’, about?

The Game of Money is a book based on a very simple ideology. I call it the game of who is indebted to who. For example, you are wearing a nice shirt, fancy wristwatch and a good pair of shoes. All these things were bought. Even if they were given to you, someone somewhere paid for them. I try to help my readers see the big picture that for everything you buy, you are paying somebody else. For instance a soft drink company sells about a billion bottles every day. That means, every day, about a billion people pay their debt to the company. They might not know it, but sometime during the day, when they buy a bottle of the drink, they have paid their debt. Everybody owes, but the problem is that most of us wake up every morning paying everyone else and have not asked the most important question: who is paying me? In the book, I also link being paid to solving problems, because money is only a reward for solving problems.

Where do you see your business in the next 10 years?

In the next 10 years, we hope to have helped over one million businesses, entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in building and sustaining their businesses. At that time, we will have started consulting for the big companies in some African countries. Also, I will be getting ready to step down from being the CEO at the LIMBsimple, so as to transit into the real sector businesses, face my manufacturing business, and focus on some other interests that the opportunities of networking and learning will afford me. That is what 10 years from now looks like for me.

How has keeping a family challenged your business?

I married my best friend. Remember I told you how she was even responsible for the name of my company, LIMBsimple. For me, family is important. It’s just one of the reasons I had always wanted to be an entrepreneur so that I could have control of my time and have as much time as I want for the family. Besides, being married is fun. My wife, who’s also an entrepreneur, always makes me learn more and more about business, because she engages me at business strategy level. Our home is a blend of two business and life partners. I don’t think I would have wanted it differently.

What is the greatest success story of the LIMBsimple, so far?

Our greatest success story so far is the Enterprise Development Conference, which we hold in Abuja annually. To date, we have been able to help 1,200 entrepreneurs set up, grow and sustain their businesses. We adopted a different model from the one popularly used for entrepreneurial trainings here in Nigeria. Some of our products have gone on to build successful businesses from the ground zero; some have become YouWin recipients. And some have been able to build their businesses such that they have attracted investors. I would also say success stories are best told by satisfied clients. When we train an organisation and the CEO gives us feedback after about a month, saying profitability, morale, and/or productivity have doubled or tripled. That for us, is a great success story, because a satisfied client becomes an evangelist.

Who is your role model?

My biggest role models are my parents – my dad particularly. He is, for me, the epitome of the never-give-up mentality. I’ve seen him go from failure to failure, and then to success. He never, ever gives up on anything. Professionally, my role model is Niyi Adesanya.

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In this interview with SEGUN ADEOYE, 29-year-old Chief Executive Officer, Wades & Groovepark, Mr. Adewale Adesina, a microbiology graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, speaks about his foray into the fashion industry

How did you get into the fashion business?

I used to have issues with the size of my clothes. Whenever I bought 14-and-a-half shirts, the sleeves were usually not long enough. So I thought it would be better to make my own clothes. In my penultimate year in school, during the ASUU strike of 2005, I decided to do something with my time. I thought it would be a great idea if I could just learn how to make my own clothes. So I just decided to venture into it. Although two weeks into my quest for tailoring skill, I gave up; I had developed interest in fashion designing and I actually sustained the interest. When I got back to school, I came up with a logo that would become my fashion label. I just had it there – on standby.

How has it been?

It’s been good so far. In my final year in school a lot of my classmates came to ask me if I could make clothes for them. That was in 2006, and it all turned out very well. That really helped me. I had my service year at First Bank Marina. I was the best staff at the branch and I had the opportunity of being retained. I also went for training in another bank. But later I just decided to take up what I had passion for. In 2010, I was selected for the Diamond Bank Scholarship to participate at a training programme at the Lagos Business School tagged Budding Entrepreneurs Today. I was surprised to have been chosen along with 50 successful applicants because more than 1,000 people actually applied for the scholarship programme.

How do you assess the impact the strike made on your career choice?

My belief has always been that every single thing we do and every single thing that happens to us can actually be used in a positive way. For me I chose to use the strike in a positive way. I was a bit inquisitive, and this I believe, is one of the ingredients for success. I tell students affected by such strikes to endeavour to use the period to acquire a skill. If a strike shows up, which most likely will always show up (because we don’t have a hand in trying to get them to end it) then the best bet is to use the period to improve oneself by acquiring new skills, because you have nothing to lose by the decision.

What’s your business philosophy?

For me it is one word – excellence. For business, it is excellence. Diligence comes in more as an attitude to achieving excellence. I keep trying every now and then; thinking of new ways to remain in the minds of my clients. There has to be something new every time. One must ensure that one’s brand stays in the minds of people. Even now, I already know what next we want to do. I know which sex I want to sell to and the things I need to do to achieve the type of impact I want.

You read microbiology in school; has it turned out a waste?

No; it isn’t a waste. The truth is that there is nothing you do that is actually a waste. I believe that in the scheme of things, everything works out to propel one to achieving ones’ goal in life. I believe going to school has helped in my approach to business. I applied for medicine, but the university said, they were merging two sessions together, and because of the population that wants to study medicine, they gave us the option of crossing over after the first session, if one makes a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 out of 5.o. After the first session, more than 150 had 3.5 and above. I was on 4.33. The university later said it had increased the required CGPA for crossing to 4.0 which I still met. In the long run, however, the university declined to allow anyone of us to cross. A lot of us felt bad, but I just told God, what’s best for me, you can weave it anyhow and I’ll still get to the top.

How did you come about the logo for your fashion business?

Interestingly, I still have the sheet where I sketched it on, back in school. I learned graphics designing just after I finished secondary school while waiting for admission. That has helped me a lot in my fashion work as I use graphics software for my designs. I used the knowledge in graphics design to make the logo. ‘Wades’ is an acronym for my name. The ‘Groovepark’ came up way back in school, and came out of my love for music. So it’s something I’ve had back then in the university.

What exactly do you do in fashion?

We conceptualise, design, and manufacture and sell garments. We do corporate branding for companies (as regards clothing). We also brand gift items. We started out with T-shirts, polo shirts, and we’re also into making jerseys. We’ve also included formal clothing into our range of products – office shirts, suits and jackets.

Will you refer to yourself as a tailor?

I tell people I’m a fashion entrepreneur. I’m a budding fashion designer. I do a lot of things that include branding. I’m a businessman and fashion is the way I express my art. Some people just sew, but some do more than that; they think and conceptualise. It’s the aspect of conceptualisng, branding and executing the concept that makes you the fashion entrepreneur or designer. But even at that, the network of highly placed people also makes the difference. For most popular fashion designers high up there both in Nigeria and abroad, it’s the level of their network that enables them to be at that top level. Craftsmen usually stop at skill acquisition; they usually lack the business attitude and work ethics. What drives them is different, and what they actually want to do with their business is also very different. All they do is just to sew for survival. A fashion entrepreneur on the other hand not only has skills, but also takes branding seriously while being exposed to a whole lot of information and network of highly placed people.

Who are those in the fashion industry that motivate you?

I don’t have one particular person. I look up to a lot of successful people. However, a brand that inspires me is Ralph Lauren, basically because the company does what I like – they are into a lot of things. They are into furniture, homemade stuff and I’m also thinking in that direction because interior design is one thing I have a flair for. Having played around with colours and fabrics, you should be able to do a lot of things beyond clothes, and I think that’s one thing that worked for Ralph Lauren. They are into everything related to fabrics including bedding collections.

Do you have a website and how much role does Information Technology play in your business?

Yes I do – shopwades.com and I must say that Information Technology is doing a whole lot and has come at a time when people need to expand the frontiers of their businesses. I sell all of my products online, and I also utilise mobile platforms to sell my products. A number of banks are also coming up with platforms for e-commerce and we’re also taking advantage of that.

Are there books that have helped you in your business?

Books have been very helpful. I’m a huge fan of Malcom Gladwell. I just read his book, “David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants”. It’s a story about improbable victory and the whole small fish in a big pond effect. I’ve also read “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference”. I like his books because they talk about a whole lot of things that you probably won’t consider – things you would push to the background. He’s the first person to define failure so aptly for me. He said sometimes when people fail, it’s not because they are not good, but more often than not, it’s the complexion of the environment. I’ve also read “What the Dog Saw.”

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