The Nation Newspaper

Category: CEO

  • Princess Kelechi Oghene: I built myself to become what I have always admired

    Princess Kelechi Oghene: I built myself to become what I have always admired

    The Executive Director of Gmyt Fashion Academy , Princess Kelechi Oghene, who doubled up as the Founder of Gmyt Foundation and CEO of Gmyt African Humanitarian Awards is undoubtedly one of the success stories of entrepreneurship in Nigeria after starting small, grown and now helping many women to eradicate poverty by training and empowerment. The fashion entrepreneur speaks with Chinyere Okoroafor on her vision, experience and humanitarian efforts of her organisation.

    Few years Gmyt Fashion Academy kicked off you started Gmyt Foudation, what lead to it?

    I have always had the passion to create millions of entrepreneurs who will become great ambassadors and tomorrow’s leaders. Like I have always preached and done over the years and so you will agree with me from the ongoing pandemic that we need it now more than ever.

    What are the challenges and journey of been an entrepreneur?

    The life of an entrepreneur is a journey on a contorted road dotted with bumps and craters. At certain points, the bumps could seem as high as mountains and the pits as deep as lots, making this journey appear quite despondent.

    The vision evolved 15 years ago when I started building myself to become what I have always admired, a successful entrepreneur who will raise millions like me in this nation and in diaspora. This optimistic philosophy that I have adopted had been much v to me in my own journey towards achieving my goal. It was not at all easy.

    I am also a big reader with a strong appetite for learning which prompted me to attend several Workshops, Training and have bagged several Executive degrees and qualifications from notable institutions which have made me more structured in my business dealings today because I am a leader with purpose. Every journey begins with one small step. I took that step, 15 years ago when I opened a boutique and later venture   d into bespoke; This metamorphosed to the Gmyt Fashion Academy of today. The one positive trait that had proved to be highly efficient in boosting me out of hitches and deadly pits is ambition. I know that too much of it could corrupt a person, but so far it had only empowered my spirit with much-needed optimism.

    Princess Kelechi Oghene

    What areas of life issues has your passion led you to solve?

    I’m dedicated to my commitment of eradicating poverty through training and empowering women with the necessary skill-set to thrive and become financially independent thereby reducing what women go through like abuse, rape and other vices and because of that, I founded the Gmyt Foundation, a non-governmental organization set aside to help women and youths.

    On the grounds that I have seen how women and youths are suffering and so using my position, I took it upon myself together with my team to reduce the suffering in our society by conducting free entrepreneurial sessions, seminars, workshops and scholarships for women and youths worth over 200 million naira.
    By the grace of God, we have empowered over 300 women and youths with industrial sewing machines through my proclaimed Initiative and we have trained over 500 women and youths that aspire to be Fashion designers.

    My life, passion, vision, dream and mission is to contribute more to societal growth, that was why I organized the SME’s Scheme to support and encourage women and youths with brilliant ideas and so far, we have given millions of naira to support this movement; I do this because I am a philanthropist and it is in my nature to give and I want to encourage everyone to use their positions to help because I believe it starts with individuals.
    As Albert Pike said and I quote “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

    You also started Gmyt African Humanitarian Awards, what is purpose behind it?

    My avid love for fashion coupled with my passion for humanity propelled me to create the GMYT AFRICAN HUMANITARIAN AWARDS & FASHION SHOW, an Award ceremony that recognizes and celebrates philanthropist like myself.

    It is important we recognize and appreciate their efforts, as you can see it’s not an easy task. It is also a platform that celebrates The Best Fashion Designers that have graduated from our prestigious school (Gmyt Fashion Academy students/Alumni) and it might interest you to know that we have done the 6th edition of this prestigious award over the years and counting.

    The reason for all these initiatives is that the economic system in Nigeria is not only relentlessly harsh; it is sadistically cruel. Society has deemed that your school degrees does not guarantee you job opportunities.

    Your vision and aspirations as a young boy or girl would be despicably downtrodden. In addition, Nigeria possesses an enormous population and too few job opportunities to match, thus eliciting nervous breakdowns among many, some were even impelled to commit suicide due to the immense pressure.

    I on the other hand, I am indescribably glad to have helped to reduce this through empowering youths who can become ambassadors and future leaders. Today, as I celebrate a new year, looking back at what I have been able to achieve, I feel proud and still have the urge to do more and God’s willing, I will get there. In a bit to celebrate my birthday, we are giving out 20 scholarships because now more than ever, we need to adopt the habit of giving back to the society so that the world we live in can become a better place.

    Princess Kelechi Oghene

    Your word to young persons who wishes to join the fashion industry

    We look forward to meeting our amazing aspiring fashion designers that would take advantage of this opportunity into becoming students of GMYT Fashion Academy bringing us into their world as we can’t wait to impact our knowledge so they can achieve their dreams and aspiration going forward.

  • Bolatito Salami: My passion for Zanzeespabeautynstyle

    Bolatito Salami: My passion for Zanzeespabeautynstyle

    Our Reporter

    With passion, an entrepreneur possesses an inherent fuel and inexhaustible stamina that constantly drive his or her actions forward.

    This is not farfetched from the profile of Bolatito Salami, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zanzeespabeautynstyle; an Entrepreneur extraordinaire.

    For the Fashion and Lifestyle Boss, her passion for seeing people look good made her venture into different businesses.

    “The idea of being an entrepreneur is very attractive; building something from the ground up and becoming your own boss. Just like you’re in control of your own destiny. But the life of an entrepreneur – as much as it is glorified – is not all sunshine and roses. It’s hard.

    However, if you have a deep passion for what you are venturing into, then it would make your path a bit smoothened. In my case, I love to see people look good, dress well, smell nice. That informed my decision to kick start Zanzeespabeautynstyle which comprises of different chains of businesses; Luxurious Day Spa, Saloon and Exclusive Boutique. I am also a Personal Shopper and Beauty Therapist,” she hinted.

    Bolatito Salami also battled different challenges to keep Zanzeespabeautynstyle afloat which in a short run made her one of the renowned self-made Nigerian Female Entrepreneurs.

    Nigeria’s fluctuating economy and copyright infringements, she says are part of the issues she fought hard to overcome.

    “Copyright has been my major challenge since inception. Then I also face economic challenges especially exchange rate. In addition, our kind of business also tackle unhealthy competition too,” she stated.

    Although not a Roller Coaster, Mrs Salami has paid her dues and enjoying the fruits of her labour.

    She says, “It has not been a smooth ride but we are happy with how far we have come. I am not contended with the journey so far, so I am not relenting. I still want to make more money and build a house, that’s part of my aspirations. I was able to conquer my early days challenges with perseverance and determination. I made sure I put in enough hard work without excuses.”

    Bolatito Salami, the 42 year-old Ekiti State indigene also believes in philanthropy, as she continues to promote the welfare of others with her generous donation of food and money to good causes.

    According to her, it gives her a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment, “I have helped lots of of underprivileged women and children in Nigeria. I also regularly cook for the needy. I visit hospitals and less privileged homes to contribute my quota. I am always extremely fulfilled putting smiles on the faces of the needy,” she noted.

     

  • ‘Appetite for foreign brands affecting shoe-making industry’

    ‘Appetite for foreign brands affecting shoe-making industry’

    Our Reporter

     

    Nigerian shoe-making industry holds a lot of prospect, but elite appetite for foreign made products is its bane, says Gbenga Olanipekun, chief executive officer at the Ibadan based Melandre shoes

    Olanipekun, in an interview, argued that Nigerian shoemakers make good stuff but face poor patronage especially from the elite members of the society who prefer foreign products in the face of a better local substitute.

    “The Italian shoes use the same leather as many Nigerian shoemakers. The difference is in the quality of the machines they use for finishing.

    ” In Nigeria, our shoes are largely handmade while theirs is industrially produced. But do you know that handmade shoes abroad are far more expensive! But here, our work is looked down upon,” he said.

    Olanipekun shares an experience he recently had when a client ordered for four shoes online from Lagos.

    He said the order also came with a question about the shoes’ origin, which he ignored to answer knowing that the answer could ruin the transaction.

    He said when his agent in Lagos delivered the shoes to the prospective buyer, the man first showered so much praise on the shoe and asked for its country of origin.

    The agent happily answered that they were made in Ibadan.

    He said the prospective buyer’s enthusiasm quickly waned and opted to buy only the one he wore.

    He appreciated Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for showing support for made-in-Nigerian products as he did when he came to Ibadan in 2018 for a small and medium scale (SME) clinic.

    He said Osinbajo really encouraged him at that event when they both pose for a photograph to show off a customized shoe he made for the number two Nigerian.

     

     

  • We’ll help vulnerable women, children rediscover their potentials — Aisha Secrets boss

    We’ll help vulnerable women, children rediscover their potentials — Aisha Secrets boss

    An entrepreneur and founder of Aisha Secrets, Aisha Tolu Idris, has pledged her commitment to float a Non Governmental Organization, that will see to helping vulnerable women and children rediscover their potentials.

    She was speaking at a programme organized by Women Empowerment Forum, to educate women on self reliance and skills acquisition. Aisha who was a guest at the programme, said, her non-profit organization will be floated soon, to address some of the lingering issues that affects women.

    “In terms of corporate social responsibility, and reaching out, we have done well in that regards. We try to encourage Small and Medium enterprises, to see what they can also contribute to making our society better.

    “If we have SMEs who take in two women per year or at six months intervals to train them, we would have achieved a lot. Some of these SMEs are individually sponsored, without government interventions, while others, in one way or the other, receive loans to boost production,” Aisha said.

    Shedding light on happenings in the industry, she said, “The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are businesses that maintain revenues, assets or a number of employees below a certain threshold, and they outnumber large firms considerably, employ vast numbers of people and are generally entrepreneurial in nature, helping to shape innovation.”

    In this regard, she said, “whatever innovations are planned, our NGO will partner with them, to achieve our set target. Aisha Secrets has come to stay. We work round the clock with dedicated staff, and clientele based population.”

    “We do not mind partnering governments at different levels, as long as it is in synchronization with our tenets of women empowerment, Aisha said.

  • Omokpia making name with skincare business

    Omokpia making name with skincare business

    Our Reporter

    Skin care and beauty business is a gold mine. Over the past few years, a small but promising league of women-led natural brands of all sizes has burst onto the beauty scene creating an estimated global market of over $445 billion. It is a much fledgling industry in Nigeria and many entrepreneurs are beginning to key into it.

    Blessing Uwayemwen Omokpia, the young Chief Executive of Blemiviv concept, Vinto logistic and London waters, is one of the leading entrepreneurs, who has made a name for herself in the skincare space.

    She started the business in 2017 and has since moved from making natural skincare products at home to having a standard factory in Lagos.

    The entrepreneur makes her skincare products from natural ingredients and offers targeted treatment for various skin concerns.

    Prior to the establishment of her beauty line in 2017, Omokpia didn’t give much thoughts about starting a business and she definitely didn’t know much about creating beauty products.

    What she did know, however, was that she had a very good idea: skincare products that addressed specific consumer concerns, from dark skin to body spots.

    So she spent more than a year researching and acquainting herself with the space before bootstrapping and launching Blemiviv Concept.

    Over the past two years, the Lagos-based company has grown into a profitable venture with branches across Nigeria.

    READ ALSO: Susan Chanel makes waves with skincare business

    Omokpia is not oblivious of the challenges inherent in the skincare line business. Her goal is to keep up with the rapid innovation of materials and ingredients that go into beauty products while also keeping an eye on maintaining the utmost safety of her products.

    Staying on top of consumer tastes is a constant endeavour for her. She prides herself in the quality of products she delivers and a brand that contributes positively to the environment, to society, and to supporting individual expression.

    The young entrepreneur was also poised to creating a brand that leaves very little room for disruptions that slow delivery, as there are many competitors waiting to fill any delayed order.

    With this in mind she launched Vinto Logistics – a fast and reliable delivery company to facilitate her supply chain and put her at advantage over those with weaker order fulfillment solutions.

    “I would say delivery was a major challenge when I started,” she admitted.

    “People needed the products home and abroad and getting to them at first wasn’t easy, especially within Nigeria as bus parks and riders weren’t so reliable which was what actually gave birth to Vinto Logistics. The moment we had our own logistics company, everything else was taken care of,” She recounted.

    In the last two years a lot has changed in her business with branches established across states in Nigeria yielding improved patronage. But the entrepreneur is not satisfied with that; she looks forward to establishing more branches in and out of Nigeria where she can roll out more products.

  • ‘Why Nigerians lack trust in insurers’

    ‘Why Nigerians lack trust in insurers’

    A lot is happening in the insurance industry despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The President/CEO, Standard Insurance Consultants Limited, Dr. Ahmed Olaniyi Salawudeen, speaks on why the public does not trust insurance firms, brokers’ role, recapitalisation, among others, in this interview with OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO.

    What is the attitude of Nigerians toward insurance in the last 40 years?

    This question is very important judging by the attitude of the insuring public over the last 40 years that our company, Standard Insurance Consultants Limited (SICL), has been involved in insurance placements. My honest assessment and opinion as an independent gladiator is that there is not much improvement in the acceptability of insurance in Nigeria. The reason is very glaring. The public perception towards the way insurance business is being conducted in the country is such that Nigerians do not have confidence in taking an insurance cover. The perception of Nigerians with due respect is that insurance business in this country is a “legalised robbery”. Incidentally, this is not so. Insurance business is an intangible product based on trust.Therefore, when a client who has paid his or her legitimate premium and is unable to be compensated claims wise, such a person will be dejected and disgruntled. From my point of view, insurance image generally has not helped matters in the development of insurance particularly with the life policies. From my experience over the last 40 years, the public appears not to trust the companies because of the happenings in the marketplace. I believe many are perceptions, and some are real. However, this can be avoided by going through the channel of a professional insurance broker that can read the “small print” of the policies so that it can be interpreted logically in the best interest of the assured.

    In addition, if effort is geared to improve the image of the Nigerian insurer, I strongly believe that there will be a lot of Nigerians who will agree that insurance is a better solution to the inherent risks that abound everywhere. My advice as always is that all the arms of the industry in the country, starting from the regulator, the risk carrier, the intermediary fraternity, the education sector, and others should come together as a block to put in place a blueprint that will ensure the improvement of insurance image in Nigeria.

    How would you assess insurance brokerage business?

    Generally, to my assessment, the provision of using insurance brokers as intermediaries by the public in Nigeria is still very far behind. The services being provided by the brokers are still not well known probably because of perception or misinformation. Therefore, I believe that the brokerage fraternity will have to do a lot more with the present awareness of the benefits associated with the usage of professional brokers’ services in the industry. Simply put, by practice, brokers will not take fees from their clients, rather brokerage commission is paid by the risk carriers or underwriters with whom insurance business is placed. This doctrine has been in practice over centuries and I feel the brokers fraternity need to make this well known to the generality of the public. We should let them know that the insured is not losing anything by going through the medium of an insurance broker.

    In reality, the benefits to be derived by the public in arranging their insurance requirements through a qualified professional insurance broker is enormous. For example, the public will benefit from paying equitable premiums for the risks being carried by underwriters, and not only that, the responsibility of collecting claims from the underwriters lies largely with a professional broker. In the circumstances, I think the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), the umbrella of insurance brokers association, should continue on a positive note to explain this to the public, particularly moving forward in the area of life insurance cover, which is very important to the economy of Nigeria. Brokers are friends of the insuring public and their role should be seen as a symbiotic relationship between the insured and the intermediary.

    What is your view on NAICOM’s recapitalisation agenda?

    This is a very topical issue in the insurance marketplace and surely anybody in the insurance business must be highly capitalised. Therefore, the idea of recapitalisation will help the industry. As at the moment, some of the companies are not adequately capitalised and in the circumstances, there is a need for many insurance companies to be thinking of mergers. That is to say, all the small-sized companies should come together and form a united front to be highly capitalised. For your information, in the early days of insurance in Nigeria, the companies were at the forefront of investing their insurance funds with the banks. So, the banks rely so much on the investment being provided by the insurance companies.

    First and foremost, the premium being generated on a countrywide need to be invested in one form of investment or the other, and this is done through the banks. The idea is if the fund is provided to the banks, the bank will be able to lend the fund at a reasonable interest rate to the public. They will be able to lend to those who are in the communication, housing, industries, and other various infrastructural developments. The government and others have been talking about the “Housing for All” scheme since 2000. The idea is that if the insurance companies provide funds to the bank, the bank will provide these funds with reasonable interest, particularly to the mortgage banks. I remembered there was a special mortgage bank put in place by the government for this purpose long before the year 2000. However, it appears like any other thing in Nigeria, everything is now history.Therefore, the recapitalisation of insurance companies appears to be very important and in the right direction. It will be beneficial if the companies and the banks play their role as it is being done in other civilised societies around the globe. Nigerians will be better off if things are done properly.

    The Commission has also been talking of recapitalisation of insurance brokerage companies.

    For your information, brokers’ fraternity provides insurance professional services and they do not require high capitalisation as they are not carrying any risks. What is very important in brokerage business is the employment of qualified professional insurance personnel that will be a good technician in the interpretation of policy terms and conditions. From our company’s point of view, what we have put in place is adequate Professional Insurance Indemnity (Error and Omission). This means that we have sufficient insurance cover in place so that in case we provide wrongful advice to our mutual client whereby they suffer losses and they are unable to collect their legitimate claims, we can be sued for professional negligence. As far as Standard Insurance Consultants Limited (SICL) is concerned, we are having over a N1 billion insurance protection from a very strong, reliable, and highly capitalised financial risk carrier/underwriter. That is all we need as a professional broker.

    What is the effect of COVID-19 on insurance business?

    Unfortunately, the emergence of COVID-19 has affected insurance businesses dramatically around the globe, including Nigeria to which you referred. The COVID-19 epidemic has opened a lot of Pandora boxes that are going to affect the insurance businesses generally not only in Nigeria but globally. However, with what is in place at the moment, the industry needs to be proactive and take decisive actions to ensure that financially, insurance cover is provided for those affected or will be affected by coronavirus. For example, companies are known to provide medical checkups for their teeming clients when they are taking life cover or some other contingencies. By these tests, it is apparent that the virus can be detected to save the lives of billions of people in the world. Again, the cover can be provided either for an individual, group, professional basis, or otherwise, and if this could be done proactively, it means a lot of business generation for the industry as a whole. The most important thing is to be proactive, think positively, and determine how this will be done to ensure that lives are protected and that financial benefits are provided in time for those who have taken the insurance to cover death, burial, medical expenses, and others.

    What is the future of insurance business post-covid-19?

    The way I see it, the future of insurance business post-COVID-19 in Nigeria and globally looks brighter. The issue at stake is that the companies are providing cover for the contingencies known and unknown and for the future. Therefore, with Covid-19, a lot of insurance covers are being developed to cater for virus and other viruses’ unknown to ensure that adequate cover is provided. For example, if there is an Insurance cover in place against COVID-19 and the breadwinner of a family dies due to coronavirus, if the deceased is having an insurance cover in place, the insurance company will be able to provide financial backing to the family left behind to ensure that the family will not disintegrate even though the breadwinner of the family is no more.

    Another example of this can be drawn from mortgage protection insurance cover. In this case, insurance protection can be arranged for an individual or group of people through a bank, a mortgage organisation, or from his employer for building or purchasing a private dwelling by using the medium of a loan from these sources. In case of his or her untimely death, the mortgage protection insurance cover will be made available to liquidate the loan so that the family is not put in a precarious situation.Therefore, for companies providing cover, they are getting more businesses. So, as I said earlier, the future of the industry is still brighter post-COVID-19. The most important thing is for the industry to be proactive and let the public put trust in the business.

    People are requesting for insurers to reduce premium because of covid-19. Is it the right thing to do?

    Insurance has to do with issues of exposure of risk. The fact that there is Covid-19 makes the risk to become higher. Look at what is happening in United States of America with houses and shops being burnt. The insurance industry will be responsible and what is the contributing factor. So, I do not think it is right to reduce premium at this time.

    What has it been like running a business for 40 years?

    What has kept the company going is like a slogan of a bank: I keep to my word. My ‘A’ is A and won’t come back later and say it has changed to B. And because of that when people are coming to me, they know that they are going to hear the truth from me. Again, modesty and humility too has helped over the years in this business. So, I try to live above board and maintain integrity. I try not to be selfish. With that, things will come to you easily without struggling for it. Finally, if I have the means, I try to help my fellow human beings. Running a successful business in Nigeria is an arduous task but at SICL, we started 40 years ago on a very sound foundation. The basis of the foundation is Trust, Integrity; Selection of Underwriter/Risk Carrier; Remittance of Premium to Risk Carriers/Underwriter.

    Trust in business is very important and is a key to success, particularly in the insurance industry because insurance is an intangible product. Therefore, trust is very essential. As a matter of fact, the foundation of the insurance business is based on the principle of utmost good faith (Uberrimae Fidei). Also as a matter of interest, our foundation is based on proper selection of underwriter or risk carrier, assuring that any risks passed to us to provide cover is arranged with a reputable company that in case of an insured event, claims are promptly settled. Therefore, the selection of a financially sound underwriter or risk carrier who will be able to pay claims as at when due is very essential. We also ensure that premiums paid to us by our clients are remitted to the companies as soon as same is collected notwithstanding the 30 days of grace stipulated by the Insurance Act. With the above criteria, we have been able to run our business effectively, and happily our business retention as of today is about 95 per cent.

    What is the role of a broker when people can walk into an insurance company and buy any product?

    Insurance business is a three legged race. You have the client on one side, you have insurance company and then the insurance broker who will look into whatever policy insurance companies have all over the world. Insurance companies have small prints which is used to replicate claims and that is why broker look at it and they can now see what claim is to be paid. This duty is free of charge to you because by tradition the broker gains their commission from the insurance industry. So the service of a broker decreases your premium and doesn’t add to it.

    If you check our company record, the business retention is over 95 percent because we have a very robust claims collecting department. And this is also one of the reason why recapitalization of the insurance companies is very important. Any risk carrier must be financially sound. They must have enough capital. It will be good for small insurance companies in the industry to come together and merge and form a very good viable company that can weather the storm.

    But insurance brokers don’t need recapitalization because we do not carry any risk. All we do is advise our client and if a client loses money because he is not properly advised, we call it error and omission. So clients are unable to get their claim, they can sue the broker for error and omission and that is where professional indemnity cover comes in to protect the insurance broker.

  • Susan Chanel makes waves with skincare business

    Susan Chanel makes waves with skincare business

    Our Reporter

    Popular entrepreneur and cosmetologist, Susan Chanel, has continued to make waves with her skincare line of products.

    When she founded the Susan Chanel Skin Beauty Line, her mandate was clear – to make African women beautiful while restoring their confidence and pride.

    The UNILAG explains her quest and passion for cosmetics business prompted her to start a skincare line.

    “I have always had this passion even back at the university. I sold cosmetics to my friends and from room to room in the hostel. I have always had passion for it.

    “If you asked my friends, they would say the same thing. I have always had a dream of going into the cosmetics business because I love good skin and light skinned ladies. I love good skin because good skin makes a good impression,” she explained.

    The young entrepreneur has since undergone professional formulation trainings to create a clean and sophisticated beauty brand that addresses specific and general consumer concerns, including dark skins, face and body spots, skin discoloration and exfoliation treatments, to name but a few.

    Susan believes nature has more to offer than what exisiting products offer, which explains why she explores natural ingredients that can nurture, nourish and even repair the skin, and bring true wellness. This belief drives her to produce a unique line of body care products.

    READ ALSO: Kim Oprah launches skin care line

    According to her: “Susan Chanel Skin Beauty Line is initiated as an end for African women skin disorder. The average African skin is exposed to different disorders and imperfections due to the nature of our weather, poor diet, poor skincare routine and the quest for perfection with the wrong skin products containing harsh chemicals that can cause damage to the skin.

    “At Susan Chanel Skin Beauty Line we are not only interested in making African women beautiful, we are here to restore the confidence and pride in the African woman. As we all know, the skin is the largest and most fragile organ of the body and should be treated with so much care and attention. A beautiful, glowing and flawless skin is the true beauty of a woman,” she stated.

    As with any other business that comes with the challenge of facing stiff competition from similar brands, Susan believes that having a strong passion, commitment and determination are the keys to keeping afloat in the skincare business.

    “Self-discipline is the key and you also need to have passion for what you do. Passion is the basic thing in running a business. If there is no passion, the moment any challenge comes, you would just want to give up. But when you have passion there is always the determination to succeed.

    “I don’t really see anyone as a competitor. Susan Chanel is a brand that stands out amongst others. I think we lead and others follow. Our signature products speak for us, so I don’t see anyone as a competitor. The sky is wide for all the birds to fly. Susan Chanel is a unique brand and our clients can testify about us. Our brand is good and we sell authentic products. We don’t sell imitations,” she added.

  • How Eli Saig is building Bogart Man into formidable fashion brand

    How Eli Saig is building Bogart Man into formidable fashion brand

    Eli Saig, CEO of Bogart Man a revered fashion brand, is one entrepreneur making waves in the South African fashion industry.

    Bogart Man was established in the year 2000. What makes Bogart Man a unique fashion brand is that Eli personally designs each and every detail of the items with careful treatment and consideration.

    Saig who is an Israeli fashion guru has positioned Bogart Man to be for the modern gentleman seeking sophisticated edge in his daily look.

    On how he has been able to build Bogart Man into a top fashion brand, Saig noted that it hasn’t been without planning, creativity and other factors.

    According to him: “We used planning, creativity, networking and patience to overcome all the challenges that have shaped us to being the brand that we are today”.

    Every success story worth it’s salt isn’t devoid of challenges. The trials Bogart Man experienced during it’s early stage has contributed immensely to its growth.

    “Like most successful brands, we did pay the required price for the rise. It is very rare that one finds the right people right at the beginning of a business venture. Building the right team doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time to build the right one. The major challenge that we faced when we were starting up was establishing ourselves in a new market, as well as mastering the know-how of production, styling, pricing and marketing of Bogart as a new brand back in 1991.”

    Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Bogart Man is still committed to excellent delivery, customer satisfaction and giving back to the society.

    “The Corona virus is a major concern as it affects the lives of our customers, our staff, our people and the whole world. This is why a portion of our sales go towards the COVID 19 Solidarity Fund”, Saig said.

    Bogart Man is not a usual fashion label, it’s an aspirational brand. It’s a fashion brand men aspire to have.

    “The main inspiration behind the Bogart Man brand is aspiration. Our mentors and idols are our customers for having such great taste,” Saig noted.

  • Hair production challenging in Nigeria, says Itua

    Hair production challenging in Nigeria, says Itua

    Beautician and hair producer, John Itua, has lamented the challenges involved in production of hair in Nigeria.

    He expressed concerns vendors also saturate the market with fake hair products.

    Itua spoke at the launch of J.I Emporium’s new product at the corporate office in Abuja.

    “We are in the world of hair production and distribution.

    We care for our clients, as they are the ones who keep us in business. Our hair is a well thought out product that helps in the natural beautification of people with lots of positive feedbacks.

    Read Also; My Body, My Pride: Actress Wini dedicates film to Tinubu, Bello

    “If you want to keep your beauty glowing, you have to consider our products. For our hair product to be in the market, it has been certified by relevant authorities.

    “We offer effective and professional services, and there are no side effects to our products,” he shared.

    He added: “The production process is cumbersome, so one must be prepared to be fully involved in the procedure. If you make mistakes, the adverse effect could be disastrous due to such errors.

    “I studied Chemistry in the university, which helps us in our production process. So, I can share a classroom experience and practical experience. So, when it comes to hair, I speak as an experienced field man.”

  • SF Record Label’s game-changing moves

    SF Record Label’s game-changing moves

    Our Reporter

    As the entertainment industry in Nigeria continues to grow in leaps and bounds, commercializing talents for the benefit of everyone involved becomes necessary.

    It is a known fact that a record label won’t sail through without joint effort, and apart from the team workers who are backstage, it takes talents of song artists to keep the ball rolling

    What is a record label? This is a question for all, and people provide casual definitions.

    A record label is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing, promotion, and enforcement of copyright for sound recordings and music videos, while also conducting talent scouting and development of new artists (Artists and Repertoire or A&R), and maintaining contracts with recording artists and their managers.

    In order to execute plans as regards music growth, the Nigerian music industry has broadened its spheres of record labels to house artists and discover new music talent.

    There are millions of both upcoming and big record labels in Nigeria that would be rewarded excellence in terms of productivity and expertise.

    Among the record labels presently ruling the Nigerian music industry are Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), Flux Factory, SJW Entertainment, Marlian Music and of course, SF Record Label, an urban record label owned by music buff, Mr Temidayo Agunbiade Joseph.

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    He kick-started earnestly with the sole determination to brainstorm his ideas with talented songwriters and songsters that would generate more success for the label by adding to the Labels portfolio as whatever success the record Label is awarded for, the team workers would be recognized.

    The record label sets a platform where talented songsters and vocalists would be endorsed and also a great platform to produce hit songs that would earn team members who put in collective effort, accolades and an opportunity for collaboration with more artists signed into the record label.

    The record label is known for all genres of music and recently has endorsed an Afrobeat/pop artist with hopes of scouting for and endorsing more talented upcoming artists.

    He has collaborated with his creative minds in the music world to produce hit jams.

    SF record label is of no doubt cutting edge and credible as regards endorsements of talented artists.