Women should be able to take major financial decisions on their own

You have been in the fashion business for almost two decades. What has been your staying power?
I have to acknowledge God who gave me the passion and the strength to pursue my vision. I love what I am doing so, for me, it is as if I am playing, I can cut cloth at any time of the night. And as I work, I get inspiration which has helped my brand to grow and evolve into what it is today. As I am growing as a woman, my brand too is evolving. The quality is better, the finishing and production has improved. I use top range fabrics and my workers are professionals. We use size charts to produce our ready-to-wear line so you can get from size 8 to 28.Also, the fact that it has been rewarding financially has helped me to stay in the industry. If the business has not been profitable, I would have thought of doing something else.

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Can you share with us tips on how to succeed in the fashion business?

The industry is highly challenging and highly competitive but also highly rewarding if you do it right. I always tell my students that they must be a step ahead at all times. They must be able to think of what their customers will need tomorrow. They should keep coming up with new designs that is what will make them to continue to be relevant. A customer won’t want her designer to make the same design she made for her yesterday, today. Creativity is very important; they must flex their skills as designers. They should allow themselves to make mistakes because that is where their magic will come from. Also, don’t get carried away by the glamour, yes it is a glamorous industry but to succeed in it, they must strategically display their glamour in such a way that it brings in money.  For starters, don’t go and open your business in a location where you cannot sustain your rent for ten years. Any business under five years is still in the nurturing stage. It is better to start from home so that you can reduce the overhead cost. Basically, these are the things I tell young people who want to take up a career in fashion. Like I said earlier, it is a very rewarding career but if you don’t have the staying power, you will fizzle out.

 

You are a fashion instructor and a designer . Which one do you find more fulfilling out of designing and teaching?

I have asked myself that question several times. In fact, there was a time the academy was doing so well that my husband advised that I stopped the clothing line because at the time, I was making made to measure and some customers were being problematic. I love teaching and I get feedbacks from my students that they love being in my class, so I decided to stop making clothes but being artistic, I couldn’t stop sketching designs and once I sketch a design, I  want to see the design come to life. These days, I find myself playing more of supervisory roles in the schools I work and consult for. Teaching for me is in born, designing is inborn too. So, I have to create a balance between the two. I do syllabus creation for schools and I also set up technical schools from the scratch; equipping, recruiting and training the trainers and grooming them for professional examinations. To answer your question, both give me fulfilment. However, I can teach for free but I don’t think I can design for free.

 

What is the most defining moment of your career so far?

It was when I got my City and Guild certification. At that point I knew that as a professional, certain things were expected of me in the industry. It defined my career journey and that even helped me to balance my passion for teaching and designing. I knew I could not do the two alone so I employed people who assist me to do them. I was also able to structure my fashion business in such a way that even if I am not around, things will go smoothly. So that qualification made me sit up, I have fourteen certifications from City and Guild so I knew that I am not just a tailor, I am a qualified fashion educator/consultant of an international repute. I had to invest more in myself and my library. I read a lot and also do a lot of research. I am writing a book on garment construction that will be published soon.

 

What motivated you to go into women empowerment?

I just love to see women who are not laid back. A woman who is resourceful will be an asset to her man. When a woman handles a project, she gets a better result than a man because she is a multiplier. Women in leadership positions are not emotional and not easily swayed so they tend to get better results. Some women are sitting somewhere in a man’s flat and they have a lot of potentials; all they need is a push.

I am into motivational speaking and most times when I talk, at the end of the programme some women will come and say that they have been encouraged and from that point, we begin to see changes in them. I mentor and push them to utilise their God-given potentials.

Every year, I give scholarships to four women to come and train in my school. Most of the times, their husbands come to thank me for it. I  spoke at a men’s gathering last year and told the men that;  a wise man releases his  wife to pursue her passion so that when the storms comes in his business, he will have someone who will fill the gap.

I am also into women empowerment because I feel there is a side of women that is too competitive .I believe smart women collaborate, they don’t compete. In December, I had a programme tagged; Sip and Shop and I invited two women to come and showcase their products. I believe we should all grow together and strengthen one another.  I was able to provide the avenue for them because I believe it is God that prospers.

I believe there is something God wants to me to do for women who are struggling with their identity and finances. Women should be able to take major financial decisions on their own, even if the man wants to refund later, which is fine.

 

How have you been combining your career with the home front?

I want to thank God for the kind of man God gave me. He has been supportive. We do things together and when I am not there, he helps me to do what needs to be done. The boys too help a lot in the house. They also assist me in the store. We are just four so it is easy for me to control. That is one thing I tell women; don’t live by chance, and have a plan for your life.  The more children a woman has, the more worn out she gets and the longer it takes for her to be able to sit down and chase her own dream. The children will grow up one day and chase their own vision. Some women will say my vision is to see my children do well in life. Yes, I want my children to do well but I also want them to see me as a warrior who conquered territories in life.

 

What advice do you have for young girls?

Be an asset. Don’t be afraid to lead. Every girl has a voice, amplify your voice; express yourself.  You can be whatever you want to be in life. Get the necessary qualifications and work hard. It is only a weak man that an intelligent girl will intimidate. A strong guy will want you to be his queen.