Ijeoma Okonkwo is an entrepreneur, a public speaker, and an international event planner. She is the wife of Nigerian celebrity, singer and songwriter, Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo, also known as Kcee. In this interview by Kingsley Alumona, she speaks about her work, advice for single ladies, among others.
You have a first degree in Mass Communication and a second degree in Business Administration. How do you combine these degrees in your entrepreneurial endeavours?
I think being an entrepreneur comes naturally to every Nigerian. I never thought I would be an entrepreneur. I studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos. I always thought I was going to either work in a media house or be a Public Relations (PR) executive. Never did I imagine that I would own an event management company. One thing I have learnt over the years is that there is no knowledge you gain that is wasted. I can easily communicate with my clients and understand that each of them is unique and treat them differently.
Your passion for events and event planning led you to found Pixie World Event. How long have you been in the business?
I officially started Pixie World Events in February 2016. We have been in business for the past 8 years. The company started as a children’s event design company. However, over the years, we included adult social events decoration and corporate events decor before venturing into event planning. I must say that these transitions have been easy and seamless because I have a passion for events. I am always open to learning new things and seeking knowledge when the need arises. I also have a very capable team that is passionate about our work. They put in their best to make sure everything works out well.
You were the official event planner of the Naija Brand Chick (NBC) London Trade Fair event, held between 17th to 18th of August in the UK. What was the planning, organising, and execution of the London trade fair like to you?
As someone who has been planning all the NBC Trade Fair events across Nigeria since 2018, I must tell you that planning for NBC Trade Fair London was a different ball game. It is worthy of note that this was our first time of taking this trade fair outside of Nigeria and starting in London was a giant leap.
Firstly, we were exposed to a society that was very organised and structured, and we had to do everything according to the books. There was no time to make last-minute changes or cut corners in between. The experience taught me the need to put structure into everything we do, the importance of planning early, amongst other things. It has opened up new opportunities for me on planning international events. I have event professionals from other countries asking me to come and work with them.
For Nigerians who were not at the London trade fair, what could you tell us about it?
I think the biggest highlight of the NBC London Trade Fair is that 85 percent of the businesses exhibited at the fair were Nigerian-owned businesses that came from Nigeria with their goods to sell in London. The representative from the Nigeria High Commissioner, when he came to the fair, said, ‘You people brought Yaba market to London’.
It was an amazing opportunity for Nigerians in the diaspora (the United Kingdom and neighbouring countries) to physically see their favourite online vendors they had been shopping from in person, bought from them, and connected with them.
Since 2018, when Nelly Agbogu founded the NBC Trade Fair, it has hosted 11 trade fairs across five cities in Nigeria and impacted over 10,000 businesses. Do you think a trade fair like this is a source of hope and a vital resource for SMEs in Nigeria?
I was introduced to Nelly In 2018 by our amazing mutual friend, Tricia. Listening to Nelly talk about the passion she has to see SMEs grow and flourish is the major reason I came on board to work with her. Every vendor/small business owner who has exhibited at any of our trade fairs can testify to the positive influence the NBC Trade Fair has had on their businesses in sales, visibility, and growth.
Over the years, my relationship with Nelly has evolved past a working relationship and has blossomed into a friendship. I remain the official event planner for all the NBC Trade Fair and exhibitions happening within and outside of Nigeria.
Nigerian economic realities are affecting the rate at which people and organisations are hosting physical social and business events. Are these realities affecting your event business? How are you coping with it and what do you think the future holds for your business in this regard?
There are so many factors affecting the number of social and corporate events happening in Nigeria. Ever since the COVID pandemic happened in 2020, the dynamics of events took a hard hit and it has not fully recovered. Also, with the current inflation experienced in Nigeria and other parts of the world, people are spending less money hosting events. Another challenge the event industry is experiencing is the insecurity that has affected some regions across the countries — people are finding it difficult to host events in these areas.
All these factors have drastically affected the events industry. The key to survival in times and seasons like this is to diversify into other businesses that may either be affiliated with events or not. I also think this is a good time for event professionals to collaborate both with their counterparts in Nigeria and around the world.
Let us talk about your husband, Kcee. In what ways do you support his music career and how does he support your business and work?
I work as an executive assistant for my husband. This gives me access to his emails and calls, and makes me a part of his negotiating team and those handling his bookings. Regarding my business, my husband understands that it involves me moving around within and outside the country. And, sometimes, it involves me spending late nights. He is okay with it and is very supportive. He also tries to connect me to his people (friends and clients) who are into events and let them know about my business — and, most of the time, they give me jobs.
You have been married for 14 years now. What marriage advice would you offer single women planning to married?
No two marriages are the same. Find what works for you and your partner and stick with it. There is no manual for marriage. Understand that both of you come from two different backgrounds and are just getting to know each other. Be patient and kind to one another. Respect is very important in marriage. Be your partner’s biggest cheerleader. Let your home be a safe space where you and your partner always look forward to coming back to.
As a busy businesswoman, married to a busy celebrity, how do you create time for your family and children? And how do manage the stress associated with your work?
I am a firm believer in “It takes a village to raise a family.” I have my village and they have helped to make things easy for me, especially in areas of running my home and raising my kids. Being married to a celebrity means our lives are exposed to everyone, but I make sure I protect my children from the public and the internet. We have dedicated times we have set aside as our family time and we make sure nothing interrupts it.
When it comes to stress from my work, I do not see it as stress because I am doing what I love.
If you were to write a book about your life and life experience, what title would you give it and why?
I honestly have not thought about writing a book or having a title for it. However, if I ever decide to write a book, it would be written in sequels because every stage of my life is a different experience that I would want to share with the world. The book would not just be about my life, but the things I have learned from the lives of the people around me.
What five things people do not know about you that you want them to know?
I have a few things I think a lot of people do not know about me that I would like to share with them:
I love God. He is the centre of my existence. Everything I am and have comes from him.
I can never look like my problems. Irrespective of whatever I am going through, I will always have a smile on my face.
I do not care about public opinion. I try my best to live a good life and treat people as good as I can.
My family is my greatest achievement in life. No amount of money, power, or fame can replace them in my life.
I am a home buddy. If I am not travelling around the world, I would rather stay indoors.
