On Sunday, 11th April, 2021, popular Nollywood actress, Wumi Toriola, launched her two-in-one business outlet at Iju-Ishaga, Lagos. It came as a surprise to many, including her colleagues when the star actress released the photo of the new office she built in the outskirt of Lagos. Her brand, “WT Signature”, stood elegantly tall in the air like one of those luxury outlets on Admiralty Way, Lekki. However, it is at (the new outlet) Elliot Iju Ishaga area where it is located. It houses an Aso-Oke ready to wear outlet, a cream store and tailoring department. WT Signature was introduced to the public with a classy event in its compound. The event played host to the famous and classy Madam Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje), Faithia Balogun, Foluke Daramola, Kikelomo Ayoola (Ijesha Ni ere) Toyosi Adesanya, Omo Banke, Allwell, Lola Ajibola, Kunle Omisore, Rotimi Salami, Titi Osinowo, Akeem Adeyemi, Tokunbo Marvins, Officer Gaji, Kayode Adebayo and many others.
Wunmi Toriola, speaking at the event, thanked everyone present, signifying that even at the expense of everyone’s time and comfort, they made it to the event. She also made it known that acting profession is a hectic choice, but her love for a beautiful skin made it easy. She said that not all celebrity stores sell expensive products including hers. She appeals to her friends and fans to patronize her fabric and skin care products.
She took guests on a tour of the building to catch a glimpse of WT Signature’s interior. The reception was an already to die for sight as it was beautifully decorated with the brand’s logo. The dressing room looked very homely and comfortable. The shelves display numerous beautiful and classy native wears. She did not also leave the racks empty. They held ready-to- wear Ankara for women. As the event went on, she addressed the guests on her intentions for the brand. The cream store was filled to the brim with various skin/beautifying products. Her second outfit really gave off a look of a true owner of a ready-to-wear outlet. The emerald green dress enhanced her spotless skin as it runs down her body embellishing her figure. She truly held the spotlight of the day as she launched WT Signature.
Head of City People Tv, SUNDAY ADIGUN and City People TV Reporter, DAMILOLA AKANDE, went round the 2-in-1 beauty outlet and also had an exclusive interview with her, where she revealed how she combined her 3 businesses with her acting career. Below are the excerpts of the interview.
What year did you start your cream business?
I started in the year 2015, when I was in school, so when I finished schooling, I went fully into it in 2016 by then I had started selling online.
Why did you go into the business?
I started when I realized people like my skin. I was used to mixing creams, so when people started asking for the cream I was using, I decided to fully go into it and also learnt how to produce organics. I produce organics because I understand the long-term benefits of a good skin. I don’t do creams that makes the skin white quickly or change and I want my customers skin to serve them for a long term.
What inspired your choice of site for your store?
Aside from the fact that I wanted to start small, I grew up in Iju-Ishaga and I want to give back to the community. Also, as the business requires logistics, it easy to be run from here.
How do you cope with competition?
Where there is no competition, there is no growth, but what I do is try to have a healthy competition. I like to learn from people who have done well for themselves in the business, who have built good reputation with products that are reliable. I also believe that the world is big enough for everyone.
How do you combine acting with your other businesses?
It is honestly a tough one. It only gets easy because of the love I have for acting. This is what happens when you do what you love to make ends meet. It becomes less stressful. If it wasn’t what I love, I would have left one to focus on the other. In my house, they say I have the strength of a man.
Tell us about your skin care products and their durability?
I am of the school of thought that says that “a healthy skin is a good skin”. I am more of making the skin healthy, something you can be proud of in 30 years later. That is why I work with organics, because a skin that will last long is not by magic.
How long do your products last on skin?
Basically, I am more of the slow-and-steady skin care therapist because consistency is key. I tell my clients that it is not just by getting fair and lighter; it is about how you will feel about your skin in 30 years to come. I like glowing skin because it stands the test of time.
What other things are you passionate about asides all your other businesses?
I am passionate about acting. In fact, acting comes first because it is my first love and I am coming with a blockbusters soon. I am just looking for the strength to manage it.
Since your clothes are ready-to-wear, do you also get involved in the sewing process?
We do not only do ready to wear outfits, we also sew from the scratch for people, who have their fabrics. We also sew for weddings like bridal wears and many others. What most people don’t know about me is I also went for tailoring apprenticeship in 2017 in a fashion school. Therefore, I don’t depend on my staffers alone, I know how to work on machines too.
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