Twenty-nine-year-old Bolatito Ogunseye is the founder of Styled By Tito, a Lagos-based bridal collection founded in 2018. In this interview with IFEDAYO OGUNYEMI, Ogunseye whose fashion academy, SBT Fashion Academy, has trained over 500 young women, speaks on the lack of access to opportunities for young people to scale and provide solutions to many challenges facing Nigerians, among other issues.
Would you say youths who are into entrepreneurship get enough opportunities to scale their business ideas?
I would say that youths who are into entrepreneurship face many challenges and not enough opportunities to scale their business ideas. On one hand, there is a growing demand for local and creative fashion brands, both within and outside the continent. Technology has also enabled young entrepreneurs to access wider markets and customers through e-commerce and social media platforms. On the other hand, there are still many barriers and gaps that hinder the growth and sustainability of youth-led businesses. Some of these include limited access to funding, inadequate infrastructure, high costs of production, lack of skills and mentorship, and regulatory hurdles. Therefore, I think that more needs to be done to create an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship, especially in the fashion industry, which has a huge potential to contribute to the economic transformation of Nigeria. I believe that with the right policies and support, young entrepreneurs can overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities to scale their business ideas and make a positive impact on the society.
How would you then rate the kind of overall support that comes to youths in Nigeria today?
I would give it a four out of 10 rating. In my opinion, the government should prioritise addressing the current issues and improving the overall situation for young people. This includes areas such as healthcare, education, and public infrastructure. Allocating more resources and implementing effective policies can greatly benefit young citizens in the long run. The government can, and should, do better.
You’ve had the opportunity to train many youths in the past. How would you assess their level of interest towards business, personal and professional development?
It’s great to see that young people are enthusiastic about developing themselves. While it is important to have fun along the way, it is also crucial to understand that success often comes from hard work and dedication. By participating in our training programme, we have helped young people gain valuable skills and knowledge that help them achieve their goals. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day and it takes time and effort to succeed, but with the right mindset and training, anything is possible. Overall, we have seen that the interest is at an above-average level.
What are the impacts and takeaways from such training?
As a result of these trainings, we have seen young women gaining increased knowledge and awareness, enhanced skills and competencies, increased confidence, motivation and inspiration and enhanced networks and relationships.
As a young person who’s doing well in entrepreneurship, would you advise other young folks to venture into the same or branch out into the 9-5 world?
It’s important to discover your strengths and weaknesses to determine your path in life. While entrepreneurship may not be the best fit for everyone, some people thrive when assigned specific tasks and completing them with precision. It is perfectly fine to feel overwhelmed by the idea of being responsible for something on your own.
Many young people are finding their feet in their respective careers. How would you advise them?
To truly grow and expand our knowledge as young people, it is important to approach new experiences and ideas with an open mind. Being open-minded means being receptive to different perspectives, opinions, and ways of thinking. It is about setting aside our own biases and preconceptions to learn and grow. By doing so, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and opportunities that we may have otherwise overlooked. So, let’s stay curious, be willing to listen and consider other viewpoints, and always be ready to learn.
There exists a perception about you people in the fashion and tailoring business which borders around late deliveries, and persistent failures to meet up with deadlines among others. How does this shape your brand?
For us as StyledByTito, because of this perception, we have consistently delivered nothing short of excellence and on time for the past seven years. We make sure that we always take orders that we can handle, and we are excellent at communicating, so even the slightest changes in design are duly communicated as agreed during consultation with clients. This has set us apart in the market and always give our clients the SBT experience.
You have an academic background in accounting and business administration as well as a stint in a financial institution, why the switch to the fashion industry?
Fashion is one thing I’ve always been passionate about and I enjoy doing even when I’m knackered. I didn’t even set out to do accounting, I was an art student in secondary school. I had always wanted to become a lawyer but there was a mix-up during my GCE registration and accounting registered for me instead of literature. I took classes and read for it and I passed. That was how my journey changed dramatically. I had a good run in banking but fashion designing will always have my heart.
Do you still see yourself doing something with your background in the two fields?
I still do something with my knowledge in both fields, how do you think I’ve been able to run a brand successfully in a country like Nigeria and its haphazard economy?
How did you come about your brand, StyledByTito and what are the challenges you’ve come since your launch?
The company was originally called HouseOfTito, but I discovered that a brand with that name already existed while registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and decided StyledByTito sounded better. After praying about it, I was even more convinced it was a better fit. You know businesses in Nigeria do not get a soft landing, and there are several problems with finding quality tailors; hiring tailors can be extremely challenging. If you’re as passionate about excellence as I am, you can interview ten candidates and not find a good fit. This led us to create SBT Fashion Academy. Over the last four years, we have trained excellent young women, and this, in turn, has created a pool of qualified workers for the brand. After graduation, the top students are allowed to intern and gain insight and knowledge, and if they wish to join the team, they will be offered a permanent position.
What’s the envisioned future like for you and your brand?
The vision is to establish a prominent bridal dress line that empowers intending brides to effortlessly find their dream wedding gowns off the rack. We aim to create a seamless shopping experience that combines the elegance of traditional bridal boutiques with the convenience of modern retail. We envision our stores as havens of beauty and inspiration, offering a diverse collection of high-quality, ready-to-wear gowns in various styles, sizes, and silhouettes.
Our initial focus will be on two pilot countries –the United Kingdom and Canada. These markets have a strong demand for bridal attire, and we believe our unique concept will be well-received by brides-to-be. Our stores will be strategically located in prime shopping districts, providing easy access for customers and creating a memorable experience for their special day.
To ensure a successful launch and sustained growth, we will partner with reputable suppliers and manufacturers who share our commitment to quality and innovation. Our team of experienced designers and merchandisers will carefully curate each collection, and pay close attention to current trends, fabric selections, and embellishments. We will also offer personalised styling services to assist brides in finding the perfect dress that complements their unique style and personality.
By combining a curated selection of exquisite gowns, exceptional customer service, and a convenient shopping environment, our bridal dress line aims to become a trusted destination for brides seeking an unforgettable experience. We are passionate about helping every bride feel beautiful, confident, and radiant on their wedding day, and we are committed to delivering an unparalleled level of service and satisfaction.
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