Miss Seyi Jideonwo is a boutique operator at Ilupeju, Lagos. She says passion and commitment can transform a small business into an upscale one.A graduate of French and International Relations from University of Lagos, Jideonwo ventured into boutique business shortly after leaving school. She started the business two years ago after completing her National Youth Service Corps programme with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria in Lagos.Today, the business has blossomed into a successful enterprise with a posh boutique at Ilupeju.She says her passion for classy and trendy clothes has helped the business to grow fast. She adds that many of the wears, mostly imported materials, come with affordable prices.Narrating her story, Jideonwo says, The story of La et Le (boutique) started after I finished my NYSC programme. I have always had the passion and love for selling good looking, elegant and beautiful clothes.I was looking to working in a well-established corporate organisation, either private or government owned. As you know, the search for job in Nigeria as a fresh graduate, may not come as fast as one would have expected it.Having discovered that I have passion for buying good looking and fitting clothes for people, I decided to go into the business. I did not want to sell clothes bought from just anybody within the country. Hence, I chose to start by travelling overseas for top grade new clothes that people love. Today, I am glad I started that way because it has helped to facilitate the growth of the business.According to her, she often travels to Dubai every two months for new clothes to replenish her stock and expresses delight in giving her numerous clients good look through top quality clothes.There is virtually no type of trendy and fitting clothes you will not see in my shop; to God be all the glory, she adds.On how she raised the initial capital to start the business, she says, It was not easy starting the business. But because I managed to save some money during my NYSC programme, I was able to use it to start. I also borrowed some amount from friends and relatives to add to what I had.The boutique operator says the secret of success in the business has been discipline, commitment and courage.The French graduate, who is still interested in an office job, says she is currently training some good hands, who will be able to run the business whenever she gets an interesting job offer.Mr. Joseph Oketumbi is young man who operates a flourishing boutique in the comfort of his home in Isolo.A graduate of Town and Regional Planning, Oketumbi also started the lucrative business a few years ago after leaving school.The self-motivated entrepreneur started the business when he could not get any job. He later got a job in one of the government agencies.However, owing to his passion for boutique, Oketumbi still runs the business through some assistants. He sells mainly top grade suits and shirts.The young businessman says he supplies classy suits and shirts to top and middle grade workers in banks and other government-owned and private establishments.I think the relative success I have had in the business comes from my passion for the business as well as hard work. As God permits, I intend to grow the business to a point where I can establish a relatively big boutique in a very accessible area, says Oketumbi.For Mrs. Olajumoke Oladejo, another boutique operator, who has made impact in the business, says her style is a bit different.She says, Often, I make sure I get a very vivid description of what my clients want before going to the market. Most times, I dont collect deposits for this. When Im back, I invite them to check if it is their taste. If they like it, they buy and pay, if not, I go back to get what they want.An online report on the subject published by www.howtorunyourbusiness.com gives some guidelines for running a successful boutique.According to the site, running a boutique is as professional as any other business.It says, From getting the best products to selling, to effective marketing campaigns and from a good business plan to serving customers the best way, there is a lot needed to run a profitable boutique.Specifically, it advises anyone that hopes to do well in the boutique business to sell quality clothes, maintain good prices, excellent customer service, seasonal stock and avoid over stocking.It also says, Effective and targeted marketing campaign is absolutely necessary for running a boutique business; plan your advertising to meet the requirements of your potential clients, to attract them and offer them great deals they cannot resist.Professional account maintenance will help you to cover the financial aspects of making your business profitable and help you expand the business wisely. Proper account handling plays a very crucial role in avoiding financial pitfalls and ensures a profitable business.Profit is the left over amount of money that you get after covering all expenditures and it can vary, depending upon how you sell your clothes, how you serve the clients and what methods you use to make your boutique business a profitable and successful one.
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