Priscilla Suchi Best is the Chief Executive Officer of Suchille Clothings,established in
March 2010. Priscilla is a Public Administration graduate from Edo
State University, though she is now based in Lagos,
Priscilla was born
and bred in Benin City, Edo State. Focusing on the female folks,
Priscilla says Suchille Clothings offers female garments for all kinds
of occasions at an affordable rate. She speaks to X2 about her fashion
line.
What motivated you to go into business for self?
First of all, I do
not see it as a business because I don’t get so much profit from it but
I am doing it for the love and interest I have in fashion and I believe
that is what really counts. I get enough to put food on my table. My
mom told me about how I used to cut up my skirts to make it short when
I was young. Judging from all what they told me, I can actually say, I
have always had a passion for fashion. So I am in it because I am
passionate about it.
Did you have a regular 9-5 before starting this business?
Yes, I actually
worked at Meros Capital Management in Lagos after school for about 2 to
3 years, that was before Suchille Clothing came up.
What age range are you focusing on?
Now, my clientele
is mainly younger people; I have not really had elderly clients but I
don’t want to put any age limit to people I make clothes for. For
Suchille Clothings, we want to focus on anybody that wants to look good.
What are the upsides of running the business?
The benefit is that
I am in charge of my time, I wake up when I want to , I sleep at my
terms too, am not under compulsion to wake up at a particular time.
It’s flexible and I am enjoying that.
What challenges have you faced over time?
Since I am not from
a rich background, I had no financial back up while starting the
business; I used my personal savings to start Suchille Clothings. Also
because I am not known, it was difficult breaking into the fashion
industry. Also the lack of reliable staff and competent tailors, you
tell them one thing , most times, they deliberately do otherwise. There
is also the issue of power supply.
Ever thought of packing up in frustration?
The thought comes
once in a while when I get frustrated so badly by some clients. Then I
start thinking that maybe I am not good at what I do, but I don’t let
the thought stay in me for long, I will tell myself, “you are good,
don’t let that weigh you down”. So I try not to let it get into me to
the extent of actually giving up.
What have you learnt that they don’t teach in books?
I have learnt to be patient and always make sure my clients are satisfied and also to put my all in everything I do.
What projections do you have for the future?
I want Suchille Clothings to be a household name, to become a trendy ‘must have’ for every lady out there.
What advice would you give potential entrepreneurs?
You have to know a lot about fashion and you have to like to design; these are the two things that have been keeping me going.
