Williams Babalola
is the chief executive officer of Willbak Clothing, an arm of Dewillbak
Enterprises, established in 2008. A business administration graduate
from Covenant University, Williams is also an associate member of the
Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria (ISMN) and Nigerian
Institute of Management (NIM). He speaks to X2 about his business.
Tell us about your business.
Willbak Clothings
is a fashion and brand management company under the umbrella of
Dewillbak Enterprises, based in Nigeria. At Willbak our major aim is to
satisfy and please our clients because we see them as kings, and
without them there will be no Willbak today. The name Willbak was
gotten from the 1st alphabet of my names Williams Babalola Adeoye Kunle.
What motivated you to go into business for self?
I have always had
the dream of owning a business or a company from my childhood days.
Then there was this thing in me that always wanted to be an
entrepreneur and also an employer of labor so I could help my immediate
environment and the nation instead of waiting for the government.
How did you raise your startup capital?
Frankly, my startup capital was from my savings, all little money that came in was usually ploughed into the business.
Did you face much opposition before starting business?
That is one sure thing you face in whatever endeavor you engage yourself in, be it business, personal development, whatsoever.
Yes I did but it
was very minimal, oppositions from friends on how I intend running the
business and also from few critics. I just picked the necessary facts
in them, built myself and neglected the rest.
Did you have a regular 9-5 before starting the business?
No. My 9-5 job has
been Willbak Clothings. The only time I had a 9-5 experience was when I
did my industrial attachment as an undergraduate.
What are the upsides of running the company?
Well I could say
the joy of being creative, innovative, and also outdoing the
expectations for my clients. Also, creating a change and proving that
we as Nigerians do not have to always look overseas for products when
we have organizations that can provide products that can compete in any
part of the world.
What challenges have you faced over time?
First on the chart
is the electricity issue in Nigeria. This is a serious factor that
gives proper drive in business in any country. Next is the quality of
fabrics made in Nigeria. The price increases bi-monthly and the quality
depreciates simultaneously, which is really ludicrous. Although there
has been lift on the ban on importation of fabrics, there are still
challenges of getting them in because they still get seized. There is
also the absence of basic materials for production that ought to be
manufactured in Nigeria.
Ever thought of packing up in frustration?
The challenges
could be annoying but not to the point of packing up. I could think of
giving it [Willbak] a break, then questions like “should I really be
doing this?” props up but the truth is I keep moving no matter how
little the progress may look like.
I am of the same
school of thought with Albert Einstein, and I follow his philosophy
that says, “if you cannot fly, run; if you cannot run, walk; if you
cannot walk, crawl but just keep moving.” So I try as much as possible
to be surrounded with encouragement and positive thinkers.
What have you learned that they do not teach in books?
A lot that can’t be
put in words. I think I’ll just call it ‘street’. Understanding the in
and outs of the system–not corruption and getting stuff in dubious
means but knowing how the business is run.
What projections do you have for the future?
I intend to make
Willbak a household name not only in the branding and fashion industry
in Nigeria but in other organisations which cannot be disclosed yet,
also as a major employer of labor in the country. At least in 10 years,
there should be one Willbak product in every home in Nigeria.
What advice would you give potential entrepreneurs?
Dream big and live
your dreams. Do not let anyone kill your dream. See it, believe it,
confess it and you’ll get it. Mohammed Ali, kept saying he was the
greatest boxer long before he won his first WBC title and he sure was
the greatest boxer in history.
Keep you dream
alive and keep saying and believing in it, the sky is just the starting
point and there’s much room for all of us.
