Adegoke Awalade-Ologbenla, young and innovative fashion designer, is a graduate of Sociology from Crawford University. He is also the chief executive officer of St. Calypso Couture International, which deals in premium fashion, ready-to-wear collections, footwear production and general fashion merchandise.
He started his business in 2008 during his 3rd year in the university and was inspired to go into the fashion world because of his love for designs.
“Growing up with an industrious parent birthed my passion for fashion in 2008,” he says. “I grew up being conscious of my appearance and looks. This led me to start sketching my own designs, creating new looks and making money with my creativity,” he says..
Unlike most entrepreneurs, Awalade-Ologbenla started his business with zero capital, which goes to show that there are many businesses in the country that can be started with little or no money.
Awalade-Ologbenla’s secret was that he so advertised himself that he got a major contract worth almost N300, 000. This gave him a big break and opened doors for larger contracts and more opportunities.
He says that although running a business can be difficult, he has been able to record ample growth and even operates on a larger scale while fostering partnership deals with other enterprises. Because he runs his business on a large scale, he gets raw materials in large quantities from major markets in Lagos and sometimes outside the country such as Turkey and China.
Ologbenla further says his company creates affordable outfits to suit clients’ tastes while being prompt both in delivery and time. These have allowed continuous patronage and generous referrals, he admits.
The young entrepreneur reveals that since its establishment, the company has attained high-profit margins and an extended customer database. It has over 10 permanent workers and 15 ad hoc staff members. He plans to expand his business by having the biggest bespoke and ready-to-wear garment factory in Nigeria. He has an eye on 30 percent of the Nigerian population, he tells Start-Up Digest.
Despite the love for fashion, the entrepreneur says he faces challenges relating to epileptic power supply, inadequate funding for business expansion, unfavourable exchange rate and the high tariffs.
He urges the government to address issues around high duty and tariff charges and unfavorable forex. He points out that providing business grants and encouraging skills acquisitions will go a long way in supporting the growth of businesses.
The entrepreneur attends trainings and workshops both digitally and physically as he believes there is a room for improvement. He believes that such trainings and certifications improve his business as he tries to deliver global values while running a local brand.
Advising other entrepreneurs, he says, “There is no shortcut to success. You have to learn by the ropes, be accountable, smart, different and know when to quit and, above all, nothing is impossible.”
Gbemi Faminu
