She is an
entrepreneur with her hands in many pies. At just 20 years, armed with a degree
in philosophy and seed money from her teacher/business venture- Bijoux Unisex Collection
in 1986, with branches across major cities in Nigeria and selling sportswear
for young people. For one who likes to break new grounds and constantly
challenging herself to do more tasking things, she veered into the production
of Uniforms, making her company in Nigeria.
Married to Honourable
Niyi Oyemade, and blessed with a set of twin children, the Managing Director of
Sam and Sara and Omoluabi Garment factory, Mrs. Folake Abosede Oyemade turned
50 recently. The woman with a zero tolerance for mediocrity took time out to
chat with Allure on business and life...
·
What inspired you to veer into
uniform production at a time others were doing regular fashion?
Well, one thing
business is that it is very dynamic. You have to move with the times otherwise,
you will find yourself doing something outdated or something that is not worth
your while anymore. I am bold to proclaim that I am a pace-setter. I have always
been. At the time I did retail clothing, we were the first to start selling
sportswear. I was just in my 20s and as a young girl; I traveled, brought
things in and sold. It was quite exiting. But as I grew older, that fulfillment
wasn’t there anymore. I needed to move away from what everybody else was doing.
I figured I had to do something more challenging, more tasking and original
because, anybody can buy and sell but not everyone can actually run a factory
or go into manufacturing which required certain skills.
In the early days, I had
factories abroad that produced for me. When I did that, I provided jobs for
people there. But as a patriot, I decided that as long as we manufactured these
things abroad, we won’t create jobs here in Nigeria. So the passion to put food
on the tables of many Nigerians made me to go into uniform production. I love
the fact that, I am creating opportunities for people here in Nigeria.
·
Was there something you saw with
school uniforms then that made you decide to start designing new ones?
Oh yes! A lot of
uniforms were awful and tacky; only a hand-full of them had presentable
uniforms and I kept telling myself that Nigerians deserve better. In the whole
of Africa and the black race, we are the most fashionable and most intelligent.
Nigeria has everything going for it, but it just looks like there are some
forces that dragging Nigerians and Nigeria backwards. But, I believe that I am
an agent of change, even before the change mantra came. I am a stickler for
perfection. I like everything around me to be prim and proper.
So in my own little
way, I just felt this is the least I could do for the education sector. But things
are getting better now. It seems schools are competing amongst themselves. They
have all trying to look the best because now they know that when you are well
kitted, you are confident and your rate of assimilation is higher. Statistics and
research show that students, who love their uniforms, enjoy going to school
than students who don’t.
·
Did you get any mentoring from
anybody as an entrepreneur?
Well, I wouldn’t say I
got any official mentoring but when you grow up with a mother like mine, what you
get is a form of mentoring. My mother was a trained teacher and business women
even before I was born. I grew up in a business environment and about people
driven by passion and how some people to die because they are not driven…
Passion is stronger
than drive, because if you have drive for something but aren’t passionate about
it, if you experience one or two disappointment, that drive will die
·
What is the major challenge you
have an Entrepreneur?
We have lots of challenges
that are what makes manufacturing the worst type of business to get into in
Nigeria. I don’t know which to tell you is worse than the other, because the
manpower bit is a very big one and then the issue of electricity, funding with
high interest rates, unstable government policies, too many issues. That’s why I
said passion and drive is necessary, we have to keep at it
·
What area of business do you envy
and want to break into?
I would rather not
tell. I would say I have broken into it already but I can’t share that on the
pages of newspapers. It’s an area where you don’t employ too many it begins to
unfold, you would know. I don’t want people to know my next move. Let that be
my surprise.
·
You recently turned 50. What are you
grateful for life for?
I’m grateful for the
life for too many things. God has been gracious to me in every area in every
area of my life; God has been marvelous in my marriage. He has been wonderful
in the lives of my children, in my business, He’s been awesome. There is no
area of my life where I have not experienced the greatness and mercy of God.
·
How would you describe your
style?
I like things that
are smart. I’m not really the type that likes loose clothing. I like things
that can help me carry myself easily. I like things that can help me carry
myself easily. I hardly traditional clothing except if I’m going to an environment
where they will raise an eyebrow. I am not a traditional dresser. I love
wearing English clothes. It’s smarter
·
Where is your travel destination?
I like exotic
destinations like Hawaii, the French Riviera, Waikiki beach, Fiji etc. The
truth is if they are really exotic and they are far, you don’t go back there so
quickly. You just look for another one o go to. So far, the one I have enjoyed
most is Hawaii.
·
What do you splurge on?
A Good Friday holiday!
The memories stay with you forever. People put so much money on clothes and jewelry
after a few wears, you get tired of it. But, a holiday especially with your
family, you never forget that. You keep talking about the experiences over and
over again.
·
Do you have a philosophy that
guides you?
Yes! Whatever you
want to do, do it well. I’m not a mediocre. I don’t like it. It really annoys
me.
·
What do you look forward to?
I look forward to a
lot but I won’t say here
-Allure Magazine
About TRENDY
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