ENTREPRENEURS' WATCH - DRESSMYCLOSET EDITION

         

   WHEN IT COMES TO UNIQUE READY-TO-WEAR PIECES,  BRIDALS AND FASHION DESIGNING TRAINING,  THE BRAND " DRESS MY CLOSET" IS ONE WHO HAS MADE LASTING FOOTPRINTS, NOT ONLY IN IBADAN,BUT IN NIGERIA.
ON THIS EDITION OF "ENTREPRENEURS' WATCH", THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND FASHION CONSULTANT OF "DRESS MY CLOSET" ATINUKE AWOBODE , SHARES WITH US WHAT THE JOURNEY HAS BEEN LIKE. 
       

   COULD YOU GIVE US AN INSIGHT INTO YOUR BACKGROUND? 
I  was born in Ibadan and also grew up in Ibadan. 
I  attended The International School, Ibadan, then I proceeded to Obafemi Awolowo University, where I studied Microbiology and graduated in 2008.

AS A SCIENCE ORIENTED PERSON,WHAT INSPIRED YOUR CHOICE OF CAREER IN FASHION? 
Although while in school, I used to model, being in the fashion industry was not what i dreamt. While awaiting NYSC mobilization, I was looking for what to do, I stumbled on a place where they were learning fashion designing and a friend advised me to learn which I did. Later I met another Lady who taught me and I admired the way she comported herself. After NYSC, I moved to Lagos to look for a job but I could not compromise my moral standard, so I moved back to Ibadan and decided to start my fashion business.

I started with nothing but my mum's sewing machine and a table. 
   

HOW HAS THE JOURNEY BEEN SO FAR? 
It has been a lot of blood and sweat. In any business especially when you start small, you have to pay your dues and I believe I am the stage where I have paid my dues. 

Also I am at the stage of expanding into a fashion school called "Dress My Closet School of Style" ,targeted at career people who want to develop more skills and young people who have no direction yet. 
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE SKILLS NEEDED TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN FASHION IN IBADAN?
First, its basically the same skills you need to build any successful business anywhere that you will need to build a successful fashion business in Ibadan.
Persistence when nobody is seeing you or believes in you yet, but we thank God.
For me, I don't believe my business is location biased because I am in Ibadan. I don't feel less advantaged compared to people whose businesses are in location where business seems to be " booming".

That is where mindset comes in. The way you see yourself goes a long way amongst other things. 
  

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU HAD TO CONQUER IN YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY? 
The biggest obstacle for me was trying to get my target market right. I realized I could not please everybody. A lot of people will come with the belief that your standard should be low because you are in Ibadan, some tend to look down on you and others come because they think you do a good job and they should patronise you.  So I had to shuffle and find a way to sort my target market. 
Also as a startup, you have to work for free to an extent so as to develop your skills, so the target was not money at the beginning. 


WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST STRENGTH? 
God has placed a lot of abilities in me, so I won't give myself credit before giving credit to God first.
That aside, I am like Voltron. I believe nothing do me,  I have that can do, can die spirit.  Nothing ever breaks me. That strength has sustained me a lot. 
There were times I could not pay my rent and was harrassed by agents to move my things out. It got to a stage where I was advised to go get a job but I believed what was mine was mine and was able to sustain myself , glory be to God.

And of course passion for what I do. 
    

AS A FASHION DESIGNER AND STYLIST, DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FASHION ERA?
I  absolutely love the 70s. The 70s appeal to me a lot. Very glamourous and full of glitz 
ARE THERE DAYS WHEN YOU FEEL THE FASHION INDUSTRY FATIGUE?
I  still felt it yesterday, there are days when I dont feel like doing anything. There are times when you feel the fatigue but the best way to get out of it is to remember why you are here. Also make time for inspiration and meditation. As humans we need some time off at some point. 
ANY ADVICE FOR BUDDING FASHION STYLISTS STRUGGLING TO GET A RELIABLE ROSTER OF CLENTS? 
 Get your process right, doing one man army will not help maximize your potential. 
Start small even when you have the resources. Intern somewhere for a while.

Also dont be afraid to work for free ( not literally ) 
     

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BRAND IN 5 YEARS? 
Eyes have not seen.... *laughs*.
My true passion in  fashion isn't even sewing for people. My main purpose is to inspire people in training.
The DRESS MY CLOSET school of style kicks off next month by God's grace. It is going to be a standard school of style that will help people to explore different aspects of fashion that suits them.
Its going to be one that is serving the whole of Southwest Nigeria by then.
Also there will be our walk in boutiques at different locations where people can buy very unique ready to wear pieces at affordable rates.
ANY ADDITIONAL THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? 
 Usually , in interviews like this, you are asked how do u manage your business and home successfully as a married woman. 
My view on this is that as human and a woman, the position Africa has put women is not really palatable. Thank God for banks and other financial institutions that have seen that women are more capable of handling financial responsibilities.
As a woman in business,  you need to be self confident because a lot of things will try to stop you. 
Develop the steel preferably before marriage so the kind of man you will attract is one that will respect and inspire you more. Be sure of who you are and don't be afraid to be submissive to your husband.
For the unmarried, build yourself, and surround yourself with good company.  Do not be mediocre.

Thank you .
.
.
FOLLOW @DRESSMYCLOSETDMC ON INSTAGRAM 
FOLLOW @IBADANSLAYERS 

ENTREPRENEURIAL TIPS- TIPS FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

                                             

World domination is the dream of most startup entrepreneurs. The dream to attain a level whereby billions of people use your product around the world.

However, attaining this level  requires constant growth.

                                

 NEED FREE CONSULTANCY ON HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS?

click here 

 

Growth in business is not really about “hitting it big” but about developing the right processes. The best type of growth any business can have is one that is carefully thought through and planned out. Growing too fast without proper planning is likely to harm or even destroy a business. 

                                          

When businesses expand too fast, the quality of service often drops ,which can have a negative impact on the reputation of the brand.

Before undertaking major growth initiatives, an entrepreneur needs to understand the future of that particular industry.

There are several ways to grow businesses but choosing the suitable one(s) will depend on the type of business you run and the resources (time and money) available to be invested.

Here are some tips that can help the growth of your business:

v Diversify your business – Diversification of your business allows you to have multiple streams of income that can fill seasonal voids in your business and thereby increasing your profit margin. An example is by going into sales of complementary products or service in your line of business.

v Target a new market – Even though your current market is serving you well, determine other markets that could use your product . Expanding by opening a new location is also a good way.

v Get your company registered and your product licensed.

v A great way to expand quickly is by forming an alliance with a similar type of business. 

v Win a government contract – Usually, having the government as your customer is one of the best ways to grow your business.

v Expand to the internet – Having a heavy web presence is an integral part in today’s  business environment. A lot of times, customers discover businesses through online search engines. To maximize your exposure, ensure that your business has a heavy online presence.

Indirectly, your business has gone global

Hope this article was helpful.

 NEED FREE CONSULTANCY ON HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS?

click here 

 

ENTREPRENEURIAL TIPS - NETWORKING TO GET AHEAD

         

Someone smart once said, the opposite of "networking" is "NOT WORKING.

 It’s important to network thoughtfully and effectively. To be the best at what you do, you need to surround yourself with people who inspire you, who motivate you, and who challenge you. 

          

People who ask you difficult questions and provide honest feedback. Networking is the practice of intentionally seeking out these people. Your personal network is your resource — it’s just as tangible and necessary as your technical skills. 
Let’s go over some of the important, necessary networking skills. 

  

First, just be open to meeting new people, listening to new ideas, and engaging with people outside of your specific business or industry. Be authentic in how you present yourself and your business. Networking requires a genuine interest in others. They deserve your respect and your attention. Be a good listener for common goals and interests and establish useful relationships. Be punctual and respect how much time your contacts are able to give you. Be proactive and conduct research on the individual, the employer or the industry with whom you would like to connect.

                   

Here are some ways to develop your network:

1. Reach out to friends, family members and alumni - they are a rich pool of people with connections.
2. Seek to connect with people informally at conferences and meetings or at  formal networking events. Begin your conversation with what you know about the person, or the organization, talk about your common interests, and build your conversation from there. Let them know how you possibly can help them.
3. Make connections through social media such as Linkedin. 
4. When you communicate with people through face to face interviews, over the phone or through skype or some other system, be prepared with questions. Use the internet if you have access, choose and adapt questions that will be personally and culturally relevant to you. if a chance meeting offers you an opportunity, ask for contact information and a business card.
5. Reciprocate - be a resource for those in your network. Your network is built over time because all connections you make become part of your personal and professional network. 

Think of your network as something that is alive and requires your time and attention to stay healthy and relevant.

Here are some ideas on how to maintain your network:

1. Reach out to your contacts when something reminds you of them. Let them know you are thinking about their needs and not just what they can do for you. This will help you build a strong foundation for a continued relationship. 

   Send along occasional updates or interesting relevant information about yourself .

   Reach out to your contact in advance of coordinated job searches. Send your resume and the job description to the position that you are applying. Keep your contact informed about the outcome and write them a thank-you note if they in any way help.Remember what you talked about with your contacts when you met them. A good way to remember is to write quick notes on their business card. 

   Be sure to follow up with a new contact within 24 to 48 hours. If your contact connects you to a valuable resource, please let that person know what happened as a result of this connection. Be sure to thank both of them. 

   In conclusion, you need to understand that networking is an ongoing process, not a discrete event. success comes from continuously making new contacts, following up and keeping in touch.

.
Kindly drop a comment if this article was helpful.
 click here to get free consultancy on how to grow your business
Follow @ibadanslayers on instagram

ENTREPRENEURS' WATCH- MEME AMETHYST EDITION

              
On "Entrepreneurs' watch" this week, our focus is Miss Adebayo Adetoun @mz_amethyst .
A graduate of Ladoke Akintola  University of Techology, Ogbomoso where she studied food science.
She is the creative director of Meme Amethyst Interiors, Events and souvenirs ( @meme_amethyst_interior ).
The enterprising lady had an interesting session with the Ibadanslayers team where she shared with us her journey in the entrepreneurial world so far.

                  

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN DESIGNING?
  Yes I have, I have always had flair for beauty and creativity.

COULD YOU PLEASE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN INTERIOR DESIGNING AND INTERIOR DECORATION ?

Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design..
      
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE SKILLS NEEDED TO BE AN INTERIOR DECORATOR?
Creativity, imagination ,artistic flair,good communication and listening skills, good colour sense and an eye for detail.

WHAT ARE THE COUPLE OF QUESTIONS YOU WOULD ASK TO DISCOVER YOUR CLIENT'S TASTE?
  What's your choice of colour?
What do you love most in a room?  and Do you have a favorite look or style that you want to create?” First,  address the reason, understand such customers taste and painstakingly deliver till the client is satisfied.

WHEN DESIGNING,  WHAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR TO YOU?

Customer satisfaction 💯

          
HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE A SITUATION WHERE A CLIENT KEPT REJECTING ALL YOUR DESIGNS?
     First, address the reason, understand such customers taste and painstakingly deliver till the client is satisfied.Patience is virtue... find a  comfort zone of the client and I'd keep trying .
Also researching on wat changed & make the best out of it by bridging the gap through innovations & creation of new idea.
          
AS AN INDIVIDUAL INTERIOR DESIGNER, WHICH KIND OF FIRMS CAN YOU PUT YOUR SKILLS TO GOOD USE?
   architectural firms and construction companies;interior design companies;exhibition centres and events management.
           
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT IBADAN ?
   The serenity .

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES FACED IN YOUR LINE OF WORK?
  Fussy clients,increased competition for jobs

ANY ADVICE FOR
ASPIRING INTERIOR DESIGNERS? 
@meme_amethyst_interior : Be you, be free, when you  fall stand up tall. Never give up.
.
.
.
The #ibadanslayers team appreciates the CEO @meme_amethyst_interior for this enlightening and amazing session.
God continue to bless your work.
Keep repping Ibadan beautifully 😘😘

ENTREPRENEURIAL TIPS

   RAISING CAPITAL FOR YOUR BUSINESS          

Peradventure, one of the most common questions asked by new entrepreneurs is “How do I raise capital?”.  What a lot of entrepreneurs fail to realize is that when your business is ready, it is actually not that difficult to raise capital. But if your business is not ready, then it can be almost uncertain.

Before one starts to raise capital, there is a need to understand the different types of capital that may be available to your business.

                        

               

• FAMILY AND FRIENDS : If all you have is an idea, but you are yet to build a product or have any real usage that can validate your business model, then you are likely looking for friends and family to invest in you. The only reason they are going to invest in you is because they believe in you as a result of prior experiences with you.

             You would really need to hold up that trust they have in you by using their money judiciously.

                              

• SEED INVESTORS : Seed investors may be professionals who invest and help their investments to succeed or people with another full time occupation whose passion is investing in startups.

If you have a product or at least a working prototype and strong evidence that your product will be used and ideally paid for by customers, then you could approach seed investors.  

A seed investor needs to see more than just an idea, but not fully developed business.

• VENTURE CAPITAL: This is the type of capital raise that’s dreamt about by most entrepreneurs. This type of capital comes from firms/ groups of professionals that specialize in finding promising companies that are ready to grow rapidly make investments in such companies, and often over a number of years help them grow as fast as possible.

                     
         These type of investors usually need to see a mature product and compelling facts that you have a great way to make lots of money and grow very quickly.

Other types of capital that might work for you include:

1. crowdfunding sites like kickstarter

2. Loans from banks. 

In conclusion, connecting with the right investors require weeks or even months of painstaking practice.

Wish you all the best in your entrepreneurial journey.

P.S – Kindly drop a comment if this article was helpful.

ENTREPRENEURS' WATCH - EXQUISITE LA'DIVA EDITION

CHOOSE A JOB THAT YOU LIKE AND YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.
          

This week's edition of Entrepreneurs' watch is focused on another of the city's budding entrepreneurs,
Miss Sunmonu Lateefat Olaronke (@exquisite_ladiva )CEO La'diva makeup and bridal hair.
Born into a family of five and hails from Imeko, Ogun State.
The beautiful diva is an all-round artist and a graduate of anthropology from the University of Ibadan.
The Ibadanslayers team had a wonderful exclusive session with her, where she expressed her views about the beauty industry amongst other things. Enjoy.
                    

WHAT LED YOU TO BECOMING A MAKEUP ARTIST?
@exquisite_ladiva : I used to paint on canvas and cardboard back then in secondary school. And when I discovered my passion for beauty,  I thought I should try my painting on humans and see what happens. And I am happy it's becoming interesting as each day unfolds.


  IF A CLIENT ASKS FOR A STYLE THAT YOU ARE SURE WOULD NOT SUIT THEM, HOW DO YOU CONVINCE THEM TO GO OTHERWISE?
@exquisite_ladiva : I try to convince my clients to get what suit their faces. And if you insist,  I'll definitely do what you want. After all, nobody feels sad after La'diva's touch. So you can be sure I'll make the makeup suit your face and personality. And you will surely love it.
   
           

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS THUS FAR?
@exquisite_ladiva : My first award as a child made me really proud of myself, I was only 7, and the second one as an adolescent. The memory is evergreen. I remember that day back then in school. I was extremely happy, and I am still very happy.

                                     
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACED BY MAKEUP ARTISTS?
@exquisite_ladiva : Fake products (even some of the so called recognized stores can't be trusted when it comes to fake products). Some clients are impatient.
Half-baked makeup Artists are a big problem. Like a client once told me she has someone that is willing to do her wedding makeup at a ridiculous amount I won't like to mention.

FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT'S THE ATTITUDE OF IBADAN RESIDENTS TOWARDS INDIGENOUS BRANDS?
@exquisite_ladiva :  Ibadan is a good place for business. The residents are encouraging and supportive. Just that some people are prudent, and they price too hard.
           
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BRAND IN 5 TO 10 YEARS?
@exquisite_ladiva : In five years to come,  I hope to be a world class beauty artist. .

       
ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING MAKEUP ARTISTS?
@exquisite_ladiva Be focused,  consistent, do not feel intimidated,  never let yourself be affected by negativities, be optimistic,  be creative,  be smart, and above all be prayerful.

Our heartfelt gratitude to exquisite la'diva boss,  keep being awesome. 

Keep repping Ibadan city 

Ps- 

Don't forget to vote "ibadanslayers" in the "wedding social media handle of the "Ibadan Wedding Awards 2017 " Follow link below 

http://whatsupibadan.com/?p=21868

Voting ibadan wedding awards 2017

Need inspiring and awesome interior decor? Contact Meme Amethyst Interiors 

Follow @meme_amethyst_interior on Instagram: 

Entrepreneurs' watch - IroyalCocina Edition

 This week's edition of entrepreneurs' watch is focused on another of Ibadan city's finest entrepreneurs. A young woman who has carved a niche for herself in the baking world amongst other ventures.
Ibadanslayers had a wonderful session with her and we are sure you will gain one or two tips from this week's edition. Enjoy.

Ibadanslayers: Can we meet you?

Iroyal:  My name is Ifeoluwapo Opajobi. I am the CEO/Creative Director of iRoyal Cocina which specializes in Cakes, bartending services(cocktails & mocktails), finger foods, desserts & grills for events.
            
Ibadanslayers: Could you please share with us the most critical talent you possess in your role as a business owner?

Iroyal: The most critical talent I possess as a business owner is the act of business management. The ability to manage my business perfectly despite any obstacles or hindrances that come my way.
              
Ibadanslayers: When you started out in this business, what was the process of financing like?
Iroyal:  When I started my business, financing the business wasn't easy at all for me because I had just completed my service year and you know a typical nigerian youth at that level wouldn't even have much savings as a result of the Nigerian NYSC monthly "low income". So I just had to start with the very little I had saved up to buy the basic tools and equipment to get me started in the business.

Ibadanslayers: What are some of the biggest lessons that have impacted the way you work?

Iroyal: Well....some of the biggest lessons that have impacted my business and helped me a lot so far and is still helping me are, the lessons of "putting God first in every job", "always giving a client more than what they ask", "treating every client like a King" and "giving clients the wow factor that always make them come back for more".
            

Ibadanslayers: If you were to do some venture again, what would you differently?
                 
Iroyal: Hmmm, what I'll do differently if I was to venture again. If I'm going to venture into business again, I'll start off in a much better way and I'll make sure I double the efforts I started off with previously.
Ibadanslayer: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Iroyal:
My most satisfying moment in business, lol. Nothing is more satisfying than getting 100% positive feedback from a client, I mean that's just the definition of fulfilment in business to me.

Ibadanslayers: Any challenges faced as an Ibadan based entrepreneur?

Iroyal: Of course there are challenges I've faced as an Ibadan entrepreneur. You find situations where a client has a classy taste and knows you're good enough to deliver then comes at you with ridiculous prices just because they feel "this is Ibadan now, things ain't usually expensive here", like who does that? But the beauty of it is that Ibadan is taking a new turn and people are beginning to have broadened vision to be able to see that what we have here in our city can not be compared or underrated and the people who know the worth of what we carry and deliver, respect it and treat us right.
Ibadanslayers: In your opinion, what are the top three qualities needed to be a successful entrepreneur in Ibadan?

Iroyal:  In my opinion, the top three qualities needed to be a successful entrepreneur in Ibadan are Passion, Consistency & Hardwork.
Ibadanslayers: Where do you see your business in the next five years?

Iroyal:  Hmmm that's a big one. Well....in the next five years, I see iRoyal Cocina as one of the leading brands in Nigeria.
           
Ibadanslayers: Any word of advice to budding entrepreneurs out there?
 Iroyal:My advice to budding entrepreneurs is, "Fall in love with your business, be consistent. The bad days will come, yes you can't help it and you just have to be determined within you about what you want for your life and where you're headed. Have someone who has been in the business for long as a mentor to guide you and direct you when you get stuck. Just be unique and do you, there is enough room for you in the sky to spread your wings so just keep spreading them. The world awaits you"

A big thank you to the amiable CEO of Iroyalcocina for the amazing session.
Keep soaring!
Keep repping Ibadan city!

Ps- Don't forget to drop a comment 💋💋
Follow @ibadanslayers on Instagram