Today we have the CEO of Slay 4 Less 9ja share her brand story with us. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LINE OF BUSINESS. HOW DID THE IDEA OF YOUR BUSINESS COME ABOUT?

Slay for less 9ja is a fashion store. I have always wanted to be self employed even as a teenager. But my entrepreneurship journey began when I got a job in one of the most famous banks in history as a marketer with my office located in the busy street of BALOGUN MARKET.

which is ostensibly the biggest market in Nigeria and without a doubt West Africa. I was marveled at the rate in which people visit the market everyday. On one fateful day, while I was along the market doing my daily marketing and trying to meet up my daily targets. A question came to mind, “Do you know majority of the people that visit this market make plans to buy and sell to make money”? Unlike me that doesn’t have a choice other than to wake up very early everyday to do my bank job and collect peanut at the end of the month.

Few days after, I met people, asked questions, made inquiries and chose to start my fashion business along with my banking job.

I must admit that it hasn’t t been an easy journey. I faced different challenges but to God be all the glory I am not there yet but also not where I used to be.

WHY DO YOUR CUSTOMERS CHOOSE YOU OVER YOUR COMPETITORS? 

I guess i speak their language and provide value for their money.

HOW DID YOU FUND YOUR BUSINESS AT STARTUP?

I started my business as a DROP SHIPPER (Drop-shipping is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn’t keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product using the drop-shipping model, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer.

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR FAILURES AND WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THEM? 

Failure is inherent in business and entrepreneurship. In fact, many entrepreneurs consider failure to be a natural stepping stone to success. They celebrate failure, because they’ve learned firsthand that our mistakes are our greatest sources of learning. Below are some of my failures and what I learnt from them.

1. I TRIED TO DO EVERYTHING BY MYSELF

The biggest mistake I made at the starting point of my business was trying to do everything by myself. Instead of getting out and about meeting new people, sharing ideas and exposing myself to new opportunities, I chose to work in isolation.

The more people you know in business the more likely it is you will find new opportunities and connections that help you succeed earlier. These days I make it a point to meet as many people as possible. A large network of connections makes starting a new business much easier.

2. I ALLOWED MYSELF TO WORK WITH NO CLEAR STRATEGY

It’s key to understand your direction, know how to make decisions, and focus on what is most important next. I set aside time at the beginning of each week to review quarterly and weekly strategy at a minimum for my business now.

WHAT SACRIFICES HAVE YOU HAD TO MAKE AS AN ENTREPRENEUR?

1. WORK/ LIFE SPLIT

When you become an entrepreneur, the lines between your working life and your personal life will blur. You’ll start thinking about business even when you’re away from the office, sometimes because you want to and sometimes because you can’t help it.

2. SLEEP

Sleep is vitally important, but no matter how hard you try to preserve healthy sleeping habits, you’re going to sacrifice some sleep in order to run your business. I’d be lying awake at night, restless and wondering about the future of my business.

3. COMFORT

Being the boss of your own business means the buck stops with you. Part of being an entrepreneur means stepping out of your comfort zone, often multiple times every day. You’re going to have to wear dozens of hats, make decisions you’ve never made before and delve into subjects you’ve never before considered.