MORIN OBAWEYA is the CEO and Head Designer of the MORIN O. Designs Ltd, which started four years ago and has gained local and international recognition amongst fashionable individuals and leather lovers who adore quality materials. Her works and designs have been featured on platforms such as the Huffington Post and her bags have been carried by different A-list celebrities. With over 1000 bags and accessories produced since inception, EM’S DAMILOLA SHOTE spends 5 minutes with Morin O.
EM: How long have you been in business?
MORIN O: Morin.O has been in the business for 4 Years now.
EM: Tell us about the service you provide?
MORIN O: We deal in design and manufacturing of Leather handbags and accessories.
EM: What inspired you to start this sort of business?
MORIN O: I was inspired by my love for creativity and the love for leather; I’m quite captivated by the process of leather making.
EM: How did you find the business when you first started?
MORIN O: I found it new and challenging, but was inspired to innovate. The perception clients had of our bags at an early stage of the business was encouraging and helped to spur us on.
EM: What are the challenges you faced?
MORIN O: Adequate funding and lack of the set skills. One of the major challenges business owners face in this country, is getting good artisans who can produce to our quality. Quality control and detailing is something we need to focus a lot on, being able to produce products as good as when it’s being made abroad.
EM: What is your staff strength, and how do you manage them?
MORIN O: Currently, we have 10 full time and 6 Part time staffs. We invest a lot of time training them, as we have a bigger vision for the brand and our goals are set in creating more job opportunities.
EM: Did you have to train your staff so they can effectively advise your clients?
MORIN O: Absolutely Yes, It’s very important for our staffs to know the nitty-gritty of our brand; what we stand for, our mission and most importantly our product to best advise our clients.
EM: What is most exciting about what you do?
MORIN O: Creativity is invigorating and seeing the acceptance and appreciation of the brand is both rewarding and exciting.
EM: What is the vision for the company?
MORIN.O: Our Vision, is to be the leading manufacturer of contemporary-ethnically inspired handcrafted leather accessories, to discerning and fashion conscious individuals worldwide.
EM: What word of advice would you give to women and men who want to start a business in your field?
MORIN.O: They should research and fully understand the value chain. Invest in training and international exposure and look for the right skill set for the industry they would love to grow in.
