Exquisite Magazine had the opportunity to have an interview with a Beauty Queen and entrepreneur, Ositelu Deborah, the Ceo of Anike Alaso Fabrics. Let’s read up on her story!
Tell us about Yourself
My name is Ositelu Deborah Mia, I’m from Ogun State, and a graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I’m a model, a fashion enthusiast and an entrepreneur.
What does your business do and how it started
Anike Alaso is a fabrics brand, we offer beautiful and quality fabrics for affordable prices. How the brand started was a limelight of my taste for good colour and nice outfits.
I always want people around me to show up all nice and elegant without having to worry about breaking the bank and still standing out.
How do you solve your customer’s challenge?
Being a psychologist has helped me in understanding that all customers are unique in their own way and should be treated as individuals, so I try as much as getting to know my customers so that I can serve them better base on their uniqueness.
Who are your ideal customers?
Everyone, as long as you are human and as humans, one needs to cover their nakedness.
Can you describe/outline your typical day?
My day is always interesting because I enjoy helping individuals get nice fabrics for their use. I go as far as advising some of my customers on the styles they can make with the fabrics and the style that will fit their body shape. In other words, doing this gives me joy but on a few occasions, the stressful part gets to me.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
It has affected my personal life and family life in the sense that I don’t have to depend on my siblings and Mom being the last born (not that I still don’t collect money from them but at least not like a pest). It has also helped me in improving the way I even relate with my family members and also earn me some level of respect and accolades.
What motivates you?
Poverty!!!, yes poverty!Whenever I feel like quitting or having doubts like (I can just be fashionable for myself, I don’t have to worry about others, or that feeling of “The customer is not buying the fabrics from me to look good” ) I remind myself that if I give up I won’t have anything to support myself and poverty will begin to set in gradually.
What is your greatest fear?
Poverty. I fear not breaking the yoke of poverty and not giving myself and my generation the kind of lifestyle I so much desire to have.
How do you define success?
Success to me is the combination of all my little wins.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
The part that challenges me to do better and diversify.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I would start earlier than when I started.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Good Communication skills
Good/Positive Attitude and
Good customer relations.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My Mom.
What advice would you give to people who want to become entrepreneurs?
Get to know yourself first, build on what you like doing, and don’t be pressurized, it may not go as planned but never give up because slow and steady wins the race.
What business-related book has inspired you the most?
George S.Clason’s The richest man in Babylon
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Miss worry.
Please share the contact details you wish to be made public.
Call line: 09061572348
Instagram: Anike_alaso_
