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Sharon Olachi George is the chief executive officer and creative
director of Olaedo, a fashion line that deals mainly with ethnic and western wear.
A graduate of mass communication from Lagos State University, Olachi speaks to
X2 on the company she berthed in 2009.
What motivated you to go
into business?
Though I have been trading clothes for a long time, I have
always wanted to have my own outfit. Then I used to buy lots of clothes
whenever I travelled out of the country for resell. Later on, I started a
boutique but closed it down to start my own fashion line.
Did you face much
opposition before starting the business?
Yes, I faced lots of oppositions. Starting out was very tough
and I’m still facing some of the challenges I had when I started out. This
business is capital intensive. For example, if you want to put a button on your
shirt, there is a machine to do that and if you do not have that machine, it
will affect the delivery of your work because you would have to wait for some
days so you can take all your clothes that need buttons to someone with the
machine. There was also the gender issue since I focus on men’s clothing. For
example, someone would call me on phone and after discussing with them, they
would ask to speak with the CEO and when I tell them I am the CEO they would
bluntly ask “A woman?” They always think women cannot make good clothes for men
but when Im done with their clothes, they always come back to encourage me.
Did you have a regular
9-5 before starting this business?
I have never worked with my degree. It’s been business, business
and business even while I was still in school. I can remember in my secondary
school days, I would get some clothes and my friends would ask me where I got
them from that they wanted it too. Then I would ask them to give me some money
to get it for them. Even in my teens, when tailors are making clothes for me, I
would always tell them my specifications and it all came out nice.
What are the upsides of
running the business?
Now, I can be in the workshop from morning to evening and I’m
not obligated to anybody. But if I were working for someone, they would not
give me that opportunity. I can also take care of my family.
What challenges have you
faced over time?
My major challenge is electricity. Now I have the finances, the
staff and the models but still no electricity. Sometimes, there won’t be power
for about one to two weeks and you have to work running a generator which needs
money to fuel. There are also challenges making cloths for ladies. They (women)
know their sizes and what would fit them or not but they would opt for styles
that won’t fit them and when it comes out, they start complaining that they do
not like the way it looks. That is why I am doing just 20 percent female and 80
percent male.
Ever thought of packing
up in frustration?
No! I can’t; it’s me and fashion. I am fashion until I drop.
What have you learned
that they don’t teach in books?
Even if I had gone to a fashion school no lecturer would teach
me how to be creative. I sleep and wake up and say this is how I want our
design to look like for the week. They would only teach you how to make clothes
but not creativity. There are some tailors that are colour blind so these
things are not taught in schools.
What projections do you
have for the future?
I have asked God this question and he has never told me
anything. But I know he would keep me in the best place in the next five years.
Maybe we would go international.
What advice would you
give potential entrepreneurs?
Be focused, patient, be prayerful and hustle. I am a focused
person and it has helped. If I tell you this is what I want, just give me time
I will get it.
