Lessons for the Journey: Tobi, Muni and Kofo

Unlike our male counterparts who understand the dynamics of money and how to play with it, one of our greatest failings as women is that we are not financially literate – Muni Shonibare

 

 Being an entrepreneur in Nigeria isn't a walk in the park. First, a lot of people think you are crazy for launching into the unknown so early with minimal experience - Tobi Eyinade 

Being a Visionary is a lonely place to be and it takes the love of God to find people that can even see a bit of what you are seeing - Kofo Akinkugbe 

 

Hi guys, let me first apologise for not posting on the blog last week Tuesday. Didn’t actually know so many people visited us here until they started fighting me, e jo ema binu (don’t be angry). If you read my second post last 2 weeks, you will remember I was on location in Ile-Ife throughout last week and honestly, I don’t know what they did to network in that place. Anyways, I’m back now and yea, there's gist for us today.

So this week, we have the privilege of celebrating one of our very own. Tobi Eyinade is one strong determined young woman who is constantly growing and blooming in her entrepreneurial journey and in her quest to impart her generation. Here is what she has for us:

 

I am a 23 year old Nigerian with an entrepreneurial interest in books. I am an ardent reader and I grew up in a house filled with books. Outside of my home, I began to notice a dismal interest in reading amongst my peers at an early age. My contemporaries were not acquainted with the kind of books I am deeply fascinated about and couldn’t share my excitement about books. A degree in English Language from the Obafemi Awolowo University, a side hustle selling books for my bibliophile siblings made me realize that books need to be brought closer to both reluctant and enthusiastic readers.

I had a brief stint as a writer and content provider for a news site and jobsite blog in Lagos after graduation. I decided to walk the talk and focus on the one thing that gives me the most fulfilment – making reading cool again, one book at a time. I am a bookseller.

Journey so far? The ups and downs:

Being an entrepreneur in Nigeria isn’t a walk in the park. First, a lot of people think you are crazy for launching into the unknown so early with minimal experience. Needless to mention the extra burden inadequate infrastructure leaves you with. Banks do not provide succour for growth and expansion either as their interest rate on loan can leave one with sleepless nights. The fluctuating foreign exchange rates have not been helping matters too in recent times as you might just end up with more losses than gains.

In all, the unflinching support I have enjoyed from family and friends have kept me going. I have enjoyed a listening ear from mentors who continually encourage and give wings to my dreams as a woman and entrepreneur. And of course, these words of Steve Jobs leave me undeterred: “Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”    

 

The big picture- Where we hope to be in the next five years:

In the next five years, we hope to have earned the loyalty of millions of Nigerians by not just selling books to them but by giving them genuine reasons to buy books and provide them with unforgettable customer experience.  As a socially minded store, we look forward to becoming a one stop shop for all books fit to read. This we hope to achieve through several branded neighbourhood brick and mortar stores within Lagos and environs that are complemented by a robust e-commerce site where books can be purchased online and delivered.

And then the women of the day…

 Name: Kofo Akinkugbe                                                                

Business: Secure ID and Interface Technologies                              

Post: Managing Director                                                        

Industry: IT and Security    

                                                  

 

Name: Muni Shonibare

Business: Ethniki ltd Interior  Options

 Post: Managing Director

Industry: Furniture

 

 

 

 

1.   They have always believed in God and the fact that with him there was no height they could not attain

2.      Their restlessness, Appreciation and love for creative arts plus a compulsive need  to add value to lives birthed their entrepreneurial journey

3.       Remained jobless for some months but during that period, sought  information, mentors, networks in all areas of interest

4.      While the first thing Kofo did was to draw up a business plan, one of Muni’s regrets was not drawing up one early enough

5.      Had the challenge of combining their roles as a mother with going after their business goals so they carried their spouse along in every step

6.      Has a value system that is benchmarked on the word of God with standing value system; integrity, quality, innovativeness, sincerity, creativity, discipline and commitment

7.      Greatest challenge was the lack of skilled human resources

8.      Encountered several delays and road blocks, but always stuck with the plan

Their advice to us

1.      Develop a thick skin in pursuing your dream, never give up

2.      Be innovative, strive to create new things. Always be prepared so you can easily take charge when opportunity comes

3.      Not every strategy or method you have applied works for every level or stage that the company is at, there is always a need to go back and rethink

 

4.      It’s important to have a clear roadmap as to where you are going. It’s also very important that you take time to recruit the right people that will go along with you

5.      Learn that doing business God’s way cannot be compromised

6.      Always dress appropriately; in a way that people will take you serious

7.      It’s good to try and get a job first; exposes you to the requirements of working in a structured environment

8.      Find the right mentor that will guide you from stage to stage and be patient with each growth phase

9.      Get financial literacy, acquire it before you venture into entrepreneur ship

10.  Think big, not of what you can achieve today, but of what generations after you can enjoy from what you are starting up

11.  Never feel comfortable where you are, keep moving forward, keep setting higher goals, keep raising the bar and never give up

12.  Wearing the cap of an entrepreneur goes beyond profit, of course profit is good, but it’s a service; see it as a service!

 

 

Now lets talk!

Actually, they’ve said it all.

If you think Madam Muni and Madam Kofo had things easy during their time hence their success, at least Tobi Eyinade is one of us. She’s making headway every day. Attending business development trainings, reaching out to the world, doing exhibitions and people are beginning to listen to her, what are you waiting for? I wanna write about you!

Till next post peeps, do something this week!

And hey, I still await more mails recommending young entrepreneurs; both male and female making impact. Let’s celebrate them.