One needs experience before starting a business… — Romoke Ayinde

Romoke Rahmat Ayinde, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kayroom Lee Group of Companies, is a woman of many parts. She is into agriculture, sport, hospitality and the fashion business.

In this interview with TAYO GESINDE, she speaks about her foray into the business world and the need for people to acquire working experience before starting their own businesses. Excerpts: 

How it all started

I started with catering and later decided to go into farming so that I can be using my farm produce like vegetable and fruits in my catering assignments, so, instead of buying everything I will use it in the market, I can get them from my farm and that will make the business more profitable.

I also have a poultry business where I used to get the eggs I used for baking cakes for my customers. I also supply eateries and some hotels fruits, vegetables, yams, cucumbers, fishes and so on.

Along the line, I developed interest in the fashion business and travelled to China to learn how to start a garment factory as well as the necessary equipment I needed to procure.

I was taught how to get the best materials and how to run the business effectively.  In China, I discovered that you don’t have to start a business immediately you finished learning a vocation.

First, you have to work and gain more experience. You also need to know the area you are good at and specialise in it. It is after you have gained experience and saved enough money that you can now start a business.

Training the younger generation

I decided to impart what I learnt on the unemployed graduates so that we can train them to be self employed.

So, we trained and even employed some of them because at the Kay Lee Fashion and beauty centre, we are manufacturing in large quantities. We started three years ago.

We produce sport wear, swimming trunks, shirts, corporate wears and native attires. We also brand and make souvenirs and bags.

On how I manage the different aspects of the business

This year, we opened the 360 Degree Innovation. This is the headquarters of all the businesses. We have brought all the businesses together in one place.

I am grateful to the Almighty God for giving me the strength. It is not that easy; there are some challenges that one faces. It could be having challenges with electricity or the employees but despite that, I have structures that I have put in place to make things work.

You know I told you earlier that I went for training. I passed through different levels before coming here to establish my own business.

I have incorporated some of the things I learnt in my business. I have a vision and anybody who wants to work with me must key into that vision so that things can run smoothly.

Anybody who cannot align with the vision cannot work with me. I also take good care of my staff. They go on break to rest and refresh themselves.

Tips on how to start a business

Nowadays, people want quick money. They are not ready to endure. My advice is that whatever you want to do, put God first. It is very important. This generation is not religious.

If you go to church or mosque regularly, you will be able to hear messages that will encourage you and give you hope for the future. Then, they need to learn a vocation.

That is the only way out for us in Nigeria. We can’t continue to fold our hands and wait for the time that the country will change for the better.

Check yourself, look at the thing that you can do that can fetch you money. It doesn’t have to be fashion, it can be something else. Instead of being idle and going into crime, you can get busy and do something constructive (“an idle hand is the devil’s workshop”).

For instance, they can learn a vocation and stick to it and they should make sure that they do it well. If you are a graduate and you learn a vocation, your education will give you an edge over an illiterate doing the same business.

With your education, you will easily prosper if you learn a vocation because the way you will package your work will be different from the way someone who is not educated will do it.

Your degree should, therefore, not stop you from acquiring vocational training.

Advice for Nigerians

Vocational training is very essential even for people who are already working. Do it on a part time basis so that you can always have something to fall back on in the future.

The only thing is that you should do something that you have passion for. Don’t force yourself to do something that you are not passionate about. It is your passion for your job that will make you succeed at it.