Ever heard of the saying “Good Shoes Take You Places” indeed they do, especially when it’s perfectly handcrafted by Emmanuel Aanuoluwapo Victoria, the CEO of Vicschoos.
Emmanuel Aanuoluwapo Victoria is an undergraduate but currently running a successful footwear brand, Exquisite Magazine decided to have an interview with her and hear her growth story. So read up!
Tell us about Yourself
I am Emmanuel Aanuoluwapo Victoria, the founder and creative director of Vicschoos, a Nigerian-made footwear brand. Simultaneously, I’m currently an undergraduate law student at the Federal University of Abuja, Nigeria.
What does your business do and how it started
Vicschoos is a made-in-Nigeria footwear brand, without any bias toward the male and female gender, We use innovative ways to build and design footwear ranging from high heels to shoes, palm slippers and sandals.
The whole journey started in 2020. I’ve always been a passionate lover of designing and building objects, nevertheless, in 2020, I took a special interest in shoemaking after coming across Elina Lindarkis’s designs (Elina Lindarkis is a footwear brand based in Italy).
I surfed the net to watch most of their videos and also perused through their designs this further sparked my interest in the craft of shoemaking. I completely decided to commit myself to learning about shoemaking.
The corona break, at that time, gave me an opportunity to maximize the time to learn the craft of shoemaking from a family friend. That was how my journey into shoemaking began.
Who are your ideal customers?
Our targeted audiences are professionals, creatives and students within the age bracket of 19-55.
Men and women who love creativity and have a high regard for fashion and comfort.
Men and women who aspire to make a statement with “not just their outward appearance but their inward appearance”.
Can you describe/outline your typical day?
My typical day starts around 4 am or 5 am. I observe my quiet time (morning devotion) then I map out my To-do list for the day, and then proceed to receive my lectures in school. When I’m done with my lectures, I usually go to my workplace and work till evening. If I have deliveries to make that day I attend to that as well. This is basically how my day looks like.
How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
My family has been supportive thus I can’t say I’ve experienced any negative effect on my family life. This has helped my passion for this work to gain more cognizance in my family.
What motivates you?
I’m extremely conscious of the fact that I’m God’s ambassador here on earth. Which equates to me representing him here on earth. That is my greatest motivation.
So in all, I do business related or not. I must represent him effectively in character, conduct, speech etc I cannot afford to underrepresent him in anything I do.
What is your greatest fear?
Hmmmmmmm… none that I can think of.
How do you define success?
Success to me is “doing daily all I have to do”.
What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
My favourite aspect of entrepreneurship life is the opportunity that has been presented to me which is the ability to network and connect with people.
I can not underestimate the privilege afforded to me to make an impact in people’s lives and solve problems in my community in addition to the various lessons learnt from the ups and downs that are interwoven in the path of the entrepreneurial journey.
If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I will ensure that excellence is involved in all I do. I will bear the flag of excellence and pay attention to every minute detail and make sure it’s all plastered with excellence.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
1.) Effective money management
2.) Ability to think outside the box
3.) Negotiation skills
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Mrs Anne Ekwueme the CEO and Founder of Zibahbyanneekwueme
What advice would you give to people who want to become entrepreneurs?
You don’t need to have it all to start, start with the little you have and the little will multiply. You need to make use of what you have to get what you don’t have.
I started my business with a tiny table and a stool in a shared apartment. But today I have my workshop well furnished with all the necessary equipment and machines.
Lastly don’t just pray for your business, pray for your clients.
What business-related book has inspired you the most?
The go-giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann.
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
Hmmmmm… I will name it “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD”
Please share the contact details you wish to be made public.
Business contact: 08083589580
Instagram: emmanuelaanuoluwapo_victoria
Instagram account: Vicschoos
