One of the most sought after fabric store on the Island is DD Fabric and it is owned by pretty and flawless queen, Bisola Adelaja, we can also call her one of the biggest fabric seller on the Island because her so is also one of the fastest selling fabric store in Lagos. She is an ex-banker, lawyer and has worked in different oil companies and there was a time she worked with a real estate company. Her store is situated at Aaron’s mall, Lekki Phase 1.
Did we tell you that her mom is also into fabric business? She is a very popular fabric merchant in Lagos Island and she has been doing fabric business for over 30 years, we guess it will be right to say, she took after her mom is fabric business. Despite the fact that she started her business few years ago, she has been able to create a niche for herself in that sector.
She sells exquisite fabrics for both male and female and another thing that makes DD fabrics different is because she sit with her suppliers to design the luxury fabrics she sells which make it very unique and you can’t find them anywhere except her store. We should also add that she sells regular fabrics for those that are on budget and she has also anchored several aso-ebi for many big parties in Lagos.
In her chat with City People Society Reporter, TOYIN OGUNDIYA, she spoke about her life, how she started her fabric business and some of the challenges she faced while starting up her own business. Enjoy excerpt of the interview.
We know that you are a popular fabric seller on the Island but we want you to tell us more about yourself?
My name is Bisola Adelaja, I’m a lawyer but now an enterpreneur. I stayed in the U.K for 14 years then I came back to Nigeria for my NYSC. I use to work in Oil company such as Mobil, total and I also worked in a real estate company. Then I also worked in the bank for 5 years. But it was a bit contracting and I got tired of the 9 to 5 job. I left banking to start up my own business.
I had always love fashion right from my childhood and I decided to go into fabric business. My mom is also an enterpreneur and she has been doing fabric business for over 30 years, she has a store in Lagos Island, more reason why I decided to go into fabric business. I have done it successfully for close to 3 years, I sell exquisite fabrics, normal fabrics for male and female.
Would you say the fabric business has been paying your bills?
Well, business is not easy. For me, it’s more of passion, I love to look good, although every business is not easy but when you have passion for what you do, you will eventually gets there. I have support elsewhere, little investment and savings from when I used to work. My business is new but I thank God for how far he has brought me, I can’t complain but I know I will definitely get there.
Did you ever regret leaving your 9 to 5 job to start up your own business?
Not really, I don’t miss waking up by 5am, of course, everyone knows that banking can be very stressful but I do miss gettling the monthly salary because now I pay other people salary. But with time, I am very certain that I will get there.
What are the challenges you faced in starting up your business?
Oh yes I did, it comes with every business. First of all, I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision. Of course, you will always have cold feet if you are going into a business but for me, consistency matters. Once you are consistent. Put your eye on the ball and have the goal in mind, you will get there. So far, so good. It’s been awesome and we are hoping to do more and may open another branch someday. I also want go into the Abuja market but I want to be very solid in Lagos before I do that. Because I have noticed that some of my customers live in Abuja, Kano, so I am thinking of having another branch there.
Tell us about your love life?
No, I don’t want to talk about it, let’s keep it business.
Many young ladies now go into Skincare business, why did you choose fabric business?
Like I said earlier I have passion for it. And I didn’t want to dip my hands into something I do not know, remember I also mentioned earlier that my mom has done fabrics for over 30 years. I took after her in the fabric business. She still have a store on the Island too. She is a popular fabric merchant on the Island.
So what makes DD fabrics different from other?
A lot of people sell fabrics, and I won’t say the kind of fabrics I sell is not out there. But I have 3 kinds of fabrics, I have the regular fabric i.e. if you are on a budget or you want to do aso-ebi, I also sell exquisite fabrics that you can’t just find it anywhere, strictly luxury fabrics, I sit down with my sullppliers and we design something good. Then I also sell silk, brocade and the rest.
Where is your store located?
Well. DD fabrics is located at Aaron’s Mall, Lekki Phase 1.
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
