Socialite and businesswoman, Toyin Kolade, the CEO of Fisolak Global Resources, has her hands in many pies ranging from clearing and forwarding, oil and gas, pharmaceutical to household items. A workaholic, Kolade, who is motivated by her aspiration to attain greater heights, shares with Adetutu Audu how her humble beginning transformed into a big brand as well as her noticeable presence in high society events which she says is out of obligation to her colleagues and customers.
YOU became a millionaire at 21. How were you able to achieve that feat?
Thank God for the journey so far. When you are from a good background, it will help in shaping your life. My mother taught me how to make money early in life. So, by 21, I was already counting my millions. If I see anything that I could sell to make money, I will sell. I learnt the ropes in business from my mother. I remember that I used to travel on her behalf up north to buy these things. With time, I started doing my own personal business, buying and selling and by the time I was 21, I had almost N5m in my bank account.
Were you not scared of amassing such kind of money?
Never! What about Bill Gates and the owner of What’sapp? I was focused and I wanted the money to multiply. It is by God’s grace.
You were in school when you started your business. Were you not carried away by the influence of money?
No. It is just as if I was playing by the side. Some people like to play table tennis, football or other activities while in school. So, it was like that for me too. I used to buy corn and supply to people doing poultry. I was involved in clothing too. I studied logistics at the then University of Ife.
Having gone this far, what were the challenges you encountered along the line?
There are the good, the bad and the ugly. I met bad people, people that I can never trust again. Some people can lie to you. For instance, I travelled to Dubai with one of my friends. I had another business in mind, but she encouraged me that I should buy something else – that it was fast selling. After we came back to Nigeria, she started dodging me. Eventually, I sold the goods for half of the price that I bought them. She wanted to ruin me. Another challenge is to get good staff to work with. Another is electricity. But I pray we sort it out soon. Nigeria is a country that I love; if I come back again, I want to be a Nigerian
How did you now arrive at Fisolak?
From the little buying and selling, this is how far God has taken us. It is now a big brand in Nigeria; we are into oil and gas, shipping, clearing and forwarding, supermarket. And we are not there yet. I want my business also to be like Walmart in America and Marks & Spencer. That is my dream, which I also know that God will do for me very, very soon. It is better to be knowledgeable about the business you want to do. Also make sure it is a very good business.
Anytime I want to take on a new business, I always take my business proposition to God in prayers. I won’t venture into anything I do not get assurance for from God, and this has helped me greatly, as I don’t invest in any business that I won’t be successful in.
You were already in money before you got married, how easy was it for you settling down?
It is God that arranged it for me. It was love at first sight between me and my husband. He is very trustworthy and smiles a lot. That is what I like about him. He is always advising me. We are like Siamese twins.
What is your source of inspiration
God.
Many people say that women cannot be successful, except they pay with their bodies. Have you ever been harassed?
Some people can do that. Men will only use and dump you. It is better to start small. It is because people want to be like others. There are women who are successful; so, why should mine be different?
Don’t you feel intimidated by men in your line of business?
As I speak to you now, it is no longer dominated by men. The ratio is now 50/50 and that is because we women are doing better than the men; people rely more on women than the men because we are good business managers.
Why do most successful women not have successful marriages?
Some of them have bad friends. So, when they are making money, their friends will tell them, don’t mind that man, and don’t honour your husband. My husband is my boyfriend, he is my everything. I still cook for my husband and my children. I don’t have a cook. Anything I want to do, I will first get his blessing. God is my Alpha and Omega, but my second alpha and omega is my husband and I love him so much.
What makes a good businesswoman?
What makes a good businesswoman is to ensure that in everything you are doing, you pray before going into it. You don’t just venture into things by saying because my friend is making money in this business, I want to do the same business. It is better to be knowledgeable about the business you want to do. Also make sure it’s a very good business. Your friend is selling clothes and you want to venture into it, no! Somebody is selling maybe rice and you jump into it, no! Any business you want to do, you pray over it. And if it is truly your line of business, God will be there to watch over you.
As a successful businessman, why do some people attain success and lose it?
For instance, I want to be like Shoprite, I want to become like Marks & Spencer and instead of me to be doing my business little by little, I want to make it quick. Some of them will go and collect money from the bank; maybe $1 million, $5 million, $50 million and at the end of the day, they don’t know how to control the money and no matter what happens, they are going to lose it. Let me give you an example; if I start a business with N10, I will work on how the N10 will become N20, how the N20 will become N50. But I cannot just wake up one day and say I need $50 million to start one business, which is not possible. That’s why at the end of the day they will lose.
Aso-ebi has become a fad to the detriment of taking care of one’s family. What is your view?
Some people want to belong. I don’t do that. I have seen people borrowing clothes, shoes and bags to go to parties.
Do you believe in a woman being a full-time housewife?
If the husband is ok and can take care of the family. But as for me, I can just sit at home.
Do we see you in active politics?
No. I will not take any elective post. But I will support any party or people I have affiliation with.
Does your husband at any time feel threatened by your success?
No. I have a supportive husband. He is an asset to my various businesses with his invaluable inputs.
What does money mean to you?
Nothing, because it is God Almighty that owns everything.
How do you keep fit?
I am now on fruit diet. Before now, I used to be fat, but you can see I have reduced. I don’t want to die young. I discovered that living food cure dead cells.
You seem to love parties
I don’t go to all parties. But I love to be in the midst of good people. Attending parties and social functions, for me, are basically out of obligation to my colleagues and customers.
How do you relax?
Sincerely, I don’t have time to relax.
Many one-man businesses have collapsed after the demise of their owners. How do you think this can be forestalled?
Try to allow your family to know about your business. Bring in your children, even if they want to do the business. Don’t keep secret about your business from your family.
