TOYIN LAWANI aka TIANNAH’s EMPIRE IS A HOUSE HOLD NAME AND A ROLE MODEL AT THAT IN DIVERSED LINE OF CRAFTS. SHE ALWAYS CRAVES FOR THE BEST AND IS AT HER BEST AT THE GAME WHICH SPEAKS FOR HER HOME AND ABROAD. AMONGST HER CREDIT WAS THE STYLING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ARTIST CIARA DURING THE LLAM 3 (LOVE LIKE A MOVIE) EVENT. SHE HAS BADGED SEVERAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION INCLUDING THE POPULAR FEMALE AWARDS, ELOY AWARDS.
TIPS ON HOW YOU STARTED
I started from my boutique in UNILAG with just my spa, supermarket and boutique and I was doing well at the time but I saw the need to expand my horizon. You have to travel far and wide to learn new things. I left for England. While there I did so many things, I would cook for parties and store the food in coolers and sell. I also used to make hair for people. Still I didn’t loose focus of what I was doing there. I enrolled at Carlton Institute for my spa degree. After I was done with school I came back to Nigeria, relocated to Victoria Island as well as my business along with me. Our work space was so small then, I cramped all my tailors to fit into the boys’ quarters. I started styling my first major event EME concert. I was a success, people loved it..The buzz I got was just something else. It was after then that people started knowing me, went on to style Davido, D’Prince and a host of lots after that.
YOU ARE A FORCE TO RECKON WITH IN THE SOCIETY, HOW DID YOU GROW TO THIS LEVEL
Hard work and consistency is key. You must always have fresh new ideas to stay relevant. You have to travel far and wide, go to different training’s because you have to know what the international market is saying. Most importantly “Creative is not normal” you have to step out of the box and do things outside the box and then come back into the box. My talent is in my fingers, every time I design my fingers brings life to creative imagination.
You have to constantly tell yourself you can do it because everyone would tell you differently.
EVERY BUSINESS MINDED SUCCESSFUL PERSON HAS A STORY, WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE
You have to lose to gain. If you don’t take risk you’ll be at risk. Be who you want to be not be who they want you to be.
WHAT SETS YOU APART?
My talent and creativity. The fact that I can create something from nothing. I’m not your everyday styling. Styling is one of my various passions. I wake, drop my kids off at school, go to the empire, create, pack skin products for shopping, teach my children a few tricks cause I love when they shadow me, I pay a visit to the academy to see my students, make up for clients and go back to my lads.
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MANY, WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
My kids, my late mum inspired my lifestyle. They gave me focus and I don’t get distracted by travel things. I love positive energy around me which is a source of constant motivation and inspiration.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?
Haters motivate me, I hate when they say nothing can be done. I hate women coming up with excuses with their choice of lifestyle because I believe with dedication and hard work you can get anywhere because when they knock me down, then I knock me up. Most importantly when I see the finished outcome of my imagination I’m like yeaahh…I killed it.
PLEASE SHARE SOME OF YOUR SECRETS TO BECOMING SUCCESSFUL WITH EM
OK let’s be sarcastic, I won’t give you my secret, but I’ll give you some tips. Always tell yourself you can do it, always stay positive and always give because when you give, you create space for more to come in. Travel wide and far to see different parts of the world, don’t just Google and see it, experience it. You must be content. Alright let me let you in on my secret, God is my backbone. Build a world for yourself and rule it. Be a queen in your own fashion. Always remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. When choosing your team, ensure they are as hungry as you, even more. There’s no friendship in business. Make sure holes are not drilled in your boat else you’ll sink. Most importantly you must be humble.
WHAT ADVISE WILL YOU GIVE TO MODERN DAY LADIES AND YOUTHS WITH THE ZEAL TO GROW?
Most compete with each other. I pray the incoming generation see a lot. Don’t use another’s time to run your race. Cut your coat accordingly. Think it, do it instantly. I am the creative director for my brand because I love what I do , to styling, directing, choreography and lots. Don’t think you are too small to grow. Knowledge is power; teach yourself, start small cause gradually turns big.
