She is very curvy. She is very pretty, Ololade Abuta is one of the few successful female players in the real estate business. She runs a very successful real estate company that plays big on the Island. She is one exceptionally brilliant lady who through her skills, stands out among the few ladies in the real estate business. Few years ago, it was believed that real estate business in Nigeria was a male dominated sector, but lately, the story has changed, as a few number of women are even doing far better than men, and Ololade Abuta happens to be one of them. She practically built the Gracias Group from nothing to one of the outstanding real estate brands in Nigeria today.
She is known for her ability to listen and understand client’s needs and thereby meeting their expectations and even surpassing it, and through this, she has been able to acquire an exceptional and distinguished network of clientele. Today, she is one of the most successful real estate practitioners on the planet in luxury housing.
For many who are not familiar with her journey, Ololade Abuta started her career as an actress, with the Yoruba movie industry to be precise. She featured in a good number of movies and also produced few. While still in the entertainment industry, she also ventured into buying and selling, owned a wine shop. She also owned a fashion store in Magodo.
She is one lady that is not always comfortable achieving little in life. She always has the desire to acquire and attain more, so many were not surprised when she ventured into the real estate sector. Within a short period in the real estate sector, she became one of the most successful ladies in the sector.
She is an iconic realtor, a corporate strategist. She knows what she wants and goes for it. She also supports, increases the confidence of her team as well as take responsibility. Many describe her as a highly dynamic personality that is very passionate about unlocking opportunities for emerging mass realtors offering global standard. The pretty mother of three keeps expanding her business. Besides real estate, she is into logistics as well, and few months ago the real estate mogul went into rentals of luxury furniture for both adults and children in the United Kingdom. With many awards both home and abroad, Ololade Abuta has remained an inspiration to lots of young ladies out there. And many of them see her as their role model.
At the just concluded City People Real Estate Award 2022, her company Gracias Global Property bagged “Outstanding Real Estate Company Of The Year” and she also bagged “Outstanding Female Property Player Of The Year” One very unique thing about Dr. Ololade Abuta is the fact, that despite all her achievements and success in business, she has remained very humble and down to earth.
City People’s Editor WALE LAWAL and BIODUN ALAO spoke with her, and she talked about how she has been able to combine motherhood and her very time consuming business. She also shared the secrets of her success in real estate and how she has been able to maintain her very curvy figure.
Congratulations on the birth of your twins. So how have you been able to cope with them, and running your business empire?
Hmmm, Motherhood, the lord is our strength as women. You are a mother as well, so you know what it takes to be a mother to multiple kids. Motherhood is not even the issue but rather, combining motherhood with the kind of business I do, is the major issue here. Honestly, it has not been easy at all. But I thank God for my mum, my sister, my brother, in short, my entire household they have always been of great help for me. Right now, my kids are in the U.K. and am here struggling and we keep pushing.
If you were to make a choice, what sort of sacrifice would you make in terms of ensuring that despite all you do, you will still remain a great mum?
My first child is 8 years old, so he is knowlegeable already, he knows lots of things and I ensure I spend lots of time with them once I travel to the U.K and shower them with massive love.
Thank God for technology, we do video calls every day, so with that, they still see you in their lives and still respect the fact that you are there. Like I said, thank God for my entire household we live together and very used to each other. I honestly don’t pray to be in a tight corner. My children are very important and my job is important too, my life is important too, so if am to sacrifice anything, I think it is what Jesus Christ has already sacrificed for all of us on the cross (laughs!!!) So, I think we are free.
The sharp transition from doing movies to real estate, how did that come about for you?
When I left the movie industry, I didn’t go into real estate immediately, I tried my hands on other things before real estate. I had a Wine Shop, I had a boutique, I did little event management before I got into real estate, so, it was not a direct switch.
We know you are doing exceptionally well with gracious, but how challenging has it been so far?
Real estate is one tough business to do in this country, it is not that tough in advanced countries, but here, we have to deal with lots of things. It has not been easy. Forget what it looks like from the outside, it has not been easy. It used to be a male-dominated business but now, the women are taking over (laughs!!!)
As a woman in the real estate business, what are the 5 things one needs to do to succeed?
Number one is hard work, you need to work as if your entire life depends on it. Number two is consistency, you need to be consistent, else you won’t stay long in the business. Number three, you need to be confident, if you are not, my sister, then you are just joking. You need to be sure of what you are doing and be confident about it, stand with your head high. Okay, let me rearrange it, it’s hard work, confidence, consistency then number four consistency, number 5. Consistency. Consistency is the key. When I started this business, I lost a lot of transactions at the initial stage. Some will be like, who will want to buy from you, this small girl? People will talk down on you, they will make you feel less of yourself, at the initial stage it might not be rosy, though it could be for some people, everybody does not have the same destiny, so whatever you are doing. I tell people hard work is hard, and poverty is hard too, so you have to choose whichever you want. So consistency is the key, just keep moving.
Besides real estate, you have ventured into lots of other businesses, what inspired that?
The love for people inspired it. I will tell you today, that most of those businesses you see, I don’t make a profit from them. As much as we invest in them, we don’t make much profit, but the passion to see people grow and see them get busy and make something for a living inspired it.
I have a lot of people working for me. I know what unemployment is like in this part of the world, so what inspired me is the desire to grow and see people grow. We came to this event through Third Mainland Bridge and a lot of people died while putting that bridge together. My dream is to invest in people’s lives. It’s not even all about me anymore but how people will benefit from it. So venturing into different other businesses is to see people benefit from it, that is just it.
In the next few years, where do you hope to see your real estate firm?
Forward forever, internationally. Do better, keep getting it right and the most important one is to still be in the business till thy kingdom comes. Even after I have gone, the legacy must continue by the grace of God.
How come, you have been able to still look this gorgeous, even after 3 kids?
(Laughs!!!) In fact, that is one question I get all the time. Honestly, I can’t explain it, but on my part, I ensure I take good care of myself and am very particular about appearance. I like looking good.
Do you make efforts not to add more flesh and all that?
Yes, part of looking good is watching what you eat and drink. I am very particular about my looks and body shape. If you see some women in their 60’s from behind, you will still admire them until you see their faces before. you will realise that they are older than you, so that is my aim in life. As I am growing, I want to keep looking good come rain, come sunshine.
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