Lessons for the Journey: Ifeyinwa and Moni.

God has a purpose for every one of us, we all must dig deep and pray that we find what it is before it is too late – Ifeyinwa Ighodalo

Never meet a male client alone (even in his office) and never judge a book by its cover or by your own standards – Moni Fagbemi

 

Our Personality for the week is none other than our delectable, committed and hardworking young lady...                                                          

                                                                  Miss Folasade Idowu

 

 

Miss Folashade is a graduate of English from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University. She is the current director and CEO of Beyond Surface Hair and Arts Gallery. Inspired to transform and beautify our thoughts about hair services, Miss Shade infused exceptional customer care service in her dealings with her clients ensuring that they are extremely satisfied and this has set her apart.

 

She started her hair styling business back when she was in the university and has gradually begun making a business for herself. Today, she has a space located in No 14 Simeon Shosanya Street, Sango Ota where she welcomes and caters to the beauty needs of her clients, all this started it with little or no financial assistance at all.

She believes no African woman has to prostitute herself or get involved in any illegal activity to make money; with strength, diligence, hard work and commitment, any woman can make wealth for themselves.

 

Miss Shade hopes to everyday put smiles on people’s faces, by transforming them into beautiful and ensuring that they are extremely satisfied and more confident with their looks.

Join me and let’s celebrate Miss Folashade Idowu, she's one great Nigerian woman to look out for!

To the main gist of the day...

This week, we will be learning from two of our “Girl” entrepreneurs because they are actually business partners who started their businesses together. They are:
 

NAME: Ifeyinwa Ighodalo

Business: DO II

Post: Founder/CEO

Industry: Furniture

and...

                 

Name: Moni Fagbemi

Business: Design Options

Post: Director/Partner

Industry: Furniture

(Sincere apologies for not having Mrs Moni Fagbemi's picture up here, internet wouldn't let me upload, the best I could even do for Mrs Ifeyinwa was to screen grab a shot I already had on my phone, forgive me please, this post just had to be published today)

So,

1.       While Ifeyinwa grew up having the various  career dreams every girl has, Moni for a long time didn’t have a clear cut definition of what she wanted to be

       2.       They both met and discovered their interest and passion for creative arts and designing

3.       They immediately drew a clear road map for where they were headed

4.       The business for years was financing itself, no bank wanted to give them loans It took almost 17 years in business before any bank was interested in helping them with one

5.       Numerous attempts to raise funds was met by several doors shut in their faces

6.       They both had the immense support of their husbands and had to learn how to balance family and work

7.       They had the fear of God

8.       Because of our non-existent education system, one challenge for them was that everyone recruited still had to be taught afresh

9.       As partners, they needed to work in trust and had respected third parties they could go to when they reached a deadlock

10.   Imbibed the culture of honesty and truthfulness regardless of the loss or gain it might attract

11.   Had various mentors for both business and personal life

12.   Learnt early the principles of break-even analysis and goodwill in business which has been their watchword

13.   Developed a culture of always staying focused on their client’s needs

 

Their Advice to us:

1.       Change is inevitable, learn to embrace it and find a way to make it work positively for you

2.       Be detailed, attentive and thorough with your work, it will stand you out

3.       There has been and will continue to be challenges, face it and conquer it

4.       Be daring, hold on to your dreams and passion, never give it up

5.       It’s a competitive world so you have to keep fine tuning your processes and procedures to stay up to date.

6.       People are very important, people make the world go round, so value them

Now let’s talk!

1.       Am I the only one or have these women been saying mostly the same things?

2.       Did you notice that they’ve all been talking about identifying your passion, following it doggedly and never giving up on it?

3.       Then the part about the spouse being carried along all through the process

4.       Writing your business plan, making it time bound and sticking with it

5.       There must definitely be a reason why they are all saying the same things and giving the same kind of advice, it must be because it is what works

6.       In addition, they’ve advised us to seek for good partners if the need be, someone who can complement your business and help you forward. Sometimes, all you need is a good partner who shares your passion, goals and values.

7.       It’s almost certain that funds might poses a challenge, you can’t let it stop you!

 Get fired up guys and don't forget to read the other post 'At the Moment' just so you can have
a glimpse into what these lessons have birthed.

Till next post guys, keep soaring!