Salary cannot make you wealthy, entrepreneurship will —Bebe Clement

Author of ‘How to Go from Employee to Entrepreneur’, and founder of Bebe Clement and Associates, Bebe Clement is a serial entrepreneur, with a background in employment law for over 20 years. In this interview with SEGUN KASALI, she speaks on her entrepreneurship background, departure into employment law, family life and other issues.

How was growing up?

Growing up was good. My mother was an entrepreneur, while my father was an accountant. My mother was wealthy but she died prematurely. When she died, the money died with her. My father was a salary earner. I realised very early that salaries don’t go very far. So, that kind of made me understand that if you want to do well financially, you have to have your own business. Hardly anybody becomes wealthy from a salary job. It might be a good start, but you don’t become wealthy off a salary.

How has this early knowledge shaped your growing up?

When my mother died, money was very scarce. We had to manage. We were not sure where the next meal is coming and all those kinds of things. So, I was determined. You must have your own money, particularly as a woman. Growing older, I saw many women who were in relationships and I knew that for the fact that they were not financially free and they could not walk out of abusive relationships and the like. So, it is important for women, especially in this dispensation, to have their own money.

How brilliant were you growing up?

I was actually very academically smart. I have a number of degrees. I was never academically bright but I knew I needed to work extra. But, having said that, I decided to be a lifelong learner. I learnt that academic achievement is not the same thing as money smartness. I found that you might not be very bright academically but if you understand how money works and if you understand the environment you operate in, you can still become wealthy.

One of the things I learnt is that a capitalist system, which is what most economies are today, is not built for employees to become wealthy. In fact, employees become the casualty of the capitalist society. It is those that own the core factors of production – land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship – who become wealthy. So, I began to look for things I could own. How could I own stocks, shares and other people’s businesses? That is what I set out to do.

And your career ambition was what?

I wanted to be a lawyer which I did become eventually.

Why law?

I am kind of an auditory person. I like words and I like reading. And I felt that I had good communication skills. All kinds of came together, and I felt okay, let me do law. Nobody in my family was a lawyer.

What would you have studied if not law?

I don’t know, honestly. Part-time, I lecture at the University of London on professional business skills. I might have done that probably full time. Now, I do it as a visiting lecturer.

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Tell us about your university days…

It was quite interesting. I came from a political family. My mother was the first female chairman of the then Action Party, UK branch. My father was also a politician. So, I had a great interest in politics. So, when I went to the University, I was the first woman to be elected into the Students’ Union, Ogun State University. So, I have always had these leanings: politics, law, and human rights.

A memorable experience at the mentioned university…

One of the things I enjoyed the most was I used to write stories, plays and things like that. I wrote a monologue. It was surprising to me to see people’s reactions. I think I was in year two or three studying English then. I studied English before I studied Law. Based on the reactions, I realised that people with good communication skills do well. So, I said to myself, “let me develop my communication skills.

Why did you switch from English to Law?

My father said to me, “Bebe! You have just spent four years in the university and I know you did study English. Are you going to be a teacher? Go and look for something to do”. (Laughs). So, I thought, “okay”. What else could I study? So, I chose Law. It is more in line with who I am.

So, why specialising in employment law?

So, I actually wanted to be a criminal lawyer because I was fascinated with crimes and all. I was quite older when I did my second degree in Law. My husband just did a conversion from Nigerian law to UK law. We didn’t have any money. Law school at that time was about 11,000 to 12,000 pounds. We did not have that kind of money. So, I found out that if I did employment law, I can appear in courts without having to qualify. So, I began to read employment law and I kind of liked it. So, I built my law career in the trade union.

How did you meet your husband?

(Laughs). We met at work. And when I met him, he was with a group of people and all I wanted was to invite them to church. I wanted to tell them about Jesus. But then, him and I became friends and from there… (laughs).

What fascinated you about him?

He is gorgeous. He is also a man of integrity. That is important to me. I know this is not very popular; If you give me a man of integrity and a millionaire, I will choose a man of integrity. I was never fascinated with money but having principles, integrity, and being a man of your words. Those were the things I was looking for and he had them in bundles.

Advice for young girls who are looking forward to marriage?

I know the world has changed from when I got married but notwithstanding, I still think certain things are important. If you find a man who has a sense of purpose and direction and he has the principles that stand the test of time, I would go with that kind of man over any man with nice cars and the likes. Those things come and go. But, having principles, integrity and being a man of your words. I think that is what women should look for. I get a bit dismayed when I hear young women ask what the man is bringing to the table and how much it costs to maintain them and all that? Really? There is so much to relationship than all that. At the end of the day, money is not going to hold you during the nights. You need a man who is a man.

What experience shaped you to becoming who you are today?

Giving my life to Christ, not just a nominal Christian.