Stitching up to success

She knew that the only way to fill the void in her spirit was to give her dream of being an interior designer a shot. Today, the Oyo State-based entrepreneur, Mrs Ngozi Maureen Ojiego, has designed her way to success. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

OYO State-based woman entrepreneur, Mrs Ngozi Maureen Ojiego  has stitched   her way to success through a leap into interior decorations.

A graduate of Linguistics from the University of Calabar, Mrs  Ojiego knew that the only way to fill the void in her spirit was to give her dream of being an interior designer a shot.  She has a huge passion for interiors.

Her words: “I have always had the flair for colours, spatial arrangements, decorating spaces, and my strong belief that we could have functional and beautiful spaces without breaking the bank.”

She registered  Timorin Concepts Limited in 2011 and its opened doors for business in October of the same year.

As Chief Executive of TMC Interiors and the Managing Director Drapes & Stitches and Bubu & Zara’s Kid’s Salo, she started with  about  N3million, which she spent on rents, renovation, stocks, and stationery, among others.

Though she started out slow, she stuck in long enough to break through and now she owns a thriving interior design company. She believes she creates beauty with her fabric, prints and designs. The good quality of her products delivered on time at an affordable price, are the reasons for her soaring leap.

She said: ‘’To the glory of God, we have moved from a staff strength of six  to 11, and we have invested proceeds from the same business into two other new subsidiaries: TMC retail outlet and Bubu and Zara’s Kids Salon. So, I would say that we are taking baby steps and are moving.”

Today, she is garnering attention not just to her company, but also to her self. As an entrepreneur, she is amazing.

Mrs Ojiego ensures that every garment is a beautiful work of art. Her background has always been creative. She covered all areas of interior designs. Through learning, she has branched out into so many areas she wasn’t even considering when she started. She has been involved in window treatments, curtains, blinds, art and bedroom designs. Sourcing fabric is a fun, though sometimes time-consuming, aspect of her work. She looks for fabrics that will hold up to regular use, and which design sets them apart.  She’s looking forward to expanding her skills and services, but she’s had some challenges.

“We had a production line that tied down huge capitals, which overtime depleted in terms of shelf life.

‘’I learnt to do away with the lines that were not working, diversify into other interior-related lines and produced upon request.”

On  sacrifices to be a successful entrepreneur, she recalled: “ I have had to deny myself a lot of luxury and vacations, just to stay afloat and pay salaries. I had to sacrifice a well paying job to follow my dreams, balancing between personal life and work, as I occasionally have to attend to projects outside my primary location, but at the end of it all, it’s been worth it.”

Her advice for young entrepreneurs. “I would advise the young entrepreneurs to believe in themselves, take the risk, and take action. No one ever gets anything by doing nothing. They also would need to define their market, spend wisely, join groups and get mentors.

Where do she see herself and business in 10 and 20 years from now? I have got very tall dreams; all things being equal 10- 20 years from now, I hope to have grown my sales by over a 1000 per cent, Turnover  in billions (beaming with smiles)staff  strength of  20 to 30, hopefully capturing 70 per cent  of the southwest market and also exporting my services and probably, be the best interior journalist  and designer Nigeria ever produced.”

SMrs Ojiego is happy with what she has accomplished so far.“I am humbled by the trust people have reposed on me. I give God the glory. I thank my family for believing  in me and supporting me and my  team for believing in my vision and not giving up on me. I also do know that there are a lot of grounds, yet to be conquered,” she added.