IN JUST ABOUT A YEAR DRESSMEOUTLET HAS BUILT A GLOBAL STANDARD ACCEPTED BY THE FASHION CONSCIOUS MINDS, THE COCKTAILS AND DRESSES EVENT IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND WE ARE JUST AS EXCITED AS OUGHT. EM’S DAMILOLA SHOTE GOT MS OLATORERA TALKING ABOUT THE BRAND “DRESS ME OUTLET”
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF BRIEFLY TO EM…
1.YOU HAVE BEEN IN YOUR FIELD FOR HOW LONG?
I have been managing www.dressmeoutlet.com for almost a year now. We went live in January 2016 and had an official launch in May 2016.
2.HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO MERGE THE GAP SATISFACTORILY BETWEEN DESIGNERS AND CONSUMERS TO ACHIEVE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION?
We build relationships with all parties in a fair and business-focused way. To ensure we always give our customers the very best, Dressmeoutlet.com ensures that all vendors we retail undergo thorough quality analytics, pricing analytics and market-fit analytics. We aim to retail only the best made in Africa products at the best affordable prices. Our customers trust us and this is why our returns rate is extremely low and our repeat customers loyalty is extremely high.
3.TIPS ON HOW YOU STARTED?
Business planning is much more important than I could have fathomed. Throughout my time in business school, I knew about and practiced the importance of drafting thorough business plans but I didn’t realize the dire essential until I was ready to push Dressmeoutlet.com out to the public. Business planning helps us think through our ideas very thoroughly and perfect all operational, marketing, financial and sales strategies prior to launching.
4.YOU ARE A FORCE TO RECKON WITH IN THE SOCIETY, HOW DID YOU GROW TO THIS LEVEL?
By being humble and open and ready to work with any and everybody. I am a big believer in the fact that we can all be great by coming together to do great things. I am big on partnerships and collaborations and ready to explore new ideas, customer recommendations and growth proposals.
5.EVERY BUSINESS MINDED SUCCESSFUL PERSON HAS A STORY, WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE?
I find it amazing how many times this question gets asked in interviews. Mostly because I’m not one to focus on challenges. I’d rather not take the time to think of challenges. When they come, we override them and turn them into success stories. We focus on results, on growth, on the massive opportunities ahead of us. We push dreams; we move stumbling blocks out the way and keep on conquering all the way to the top.
6.WHAT SETS YOU APART?
Hardwork maybe? If it means staying up for 72 hours straight to get all customer orders dispatched within 24hours to fulfil all our promises, I’m always ready to do it and I believe that’s the spirit that’s being driven across the team at Dressmeoutlet.com. I don’t think Donald Trump would call Dressmeoutlet.com employees lazy despite referring to all Africans as lazy. Whatever it takes to achieve results, I’m always ready to work and so are most Dressmeoutlet.com employees.
7.YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY, WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Thank you. It means a lot to know that I inspire others and this is probably why I am always ready to speak when called upon. I’m inspired by the potentials of Africa and we citizens. There’s so much more we can attain and I’m always gladdened to meet entrepreneurs and aspiring magnates who are doing amazing things in their chosen fields from agriculture to manufacturing to healthcare. I’m inspired by all things related to developing the continent of Africa.
8.WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
Results motivate me. I want more results and success milestones. All day. Every day.
9.PLEASE KINDLY SHARE SOME OF YOUR SECRETS TO BECOMING SUCCESSFUL WITH EM?
Hardwork honestly. My mum told me a phrase when I was young that has stuck with me all my life. She said “Hardwork breaks no bones”.
10.DRESS ME OUTLET IS AFRICA’S FOREMOST RETAILER FOR GOOD BRANDS (CLOTHES, HEALTH, BEAUTY PRODUCTS ETC), WITH THE RAPID RECONGITION AND ACCEPTANCE GIVEN TO THE COMPANY DO YOU HAVE PLANS OF MAKING IT A GLOBAL BUSINESS THAN ITS LIMIT TO AFRICA?
Oh yes! In terms of customers, Dressmeoutlet.com retails globally. Our customers are global. We ship to the USA, UK, Canada, France and other countries outside of Nigeria. Our customer base continues to grow on a daily basis and we’ve structured partnerships with the best logistics partners that have helped us expand globally. In terms of the products we retail, our goal remains to magnify the African fashion, beauty and home industries thus more of the products we retail will be sourced within the continent of Africa.
11. KINDLY SHED MORE LIGHT ON THE EVENT “COCKTAILS AND DRESSES” TO EM READERS
Cocktails & Dresses is Dressmeoutlet.com’s technology, retail & fashion industry sales & exhibition event promoting high-quality manufacturers across Nigeria and Africa. Cocktails & Dresses would Feature over 50 established and emerging highest-quality manufacturers and retailers across Africa & International. The event would be a grand full-day of Special Speakers & Personalities, Music, Fashion, Food, Networking, Glamour and Celebration. December’s edition is tagged The Largest Gathering of Made in Africa’s Best.
12. WHAT ADVICE WILL YOU GIVE TO MODERN DAY LADIES AND YOUTHS WITH THE ZEAL TO GROW?
Push you dreams. Don’t let anything stop you from doing anything great for the world. You have a lot within you to be your greatest and outpour greatness to the world.
