MEET TAIWO OLUSHOGA

Meet Taiwo Olushoga

 It was a very interesting and inspiring time with Taiwo as she shared her passion, gave an insight on who she is and what she does. It challenges you to see such a young woman working so hard to carve a niche for herself, to become economically empowered and striving to take her business to the next level irrespective of the circumstances surrounding her. In her very words "it’s not so rosy but I love what I do, who I am and I know where I'm heading, that’s what keeps me going".

Taiwo Olushoga is the founder and CEO of Teeshogs clothier, founded 2011; she is a fashion designer and stylist. Be inspired as we take you through the journey of the interview we had with her.

Q: Why did you decide to start your own business? A: Initially it was a hobby but as time went on I fell in love with what I was doing and then it became a passion for me.



Q: Did you always know you will start your own business? 
A: Yes, I knew I was going to be a business woman. When I was doing my first job I enjoyed it but I just got tired of the 9-5 job routine, because I get restless and bored when I do the same thing over and over again. I just love a new twist to things, to life. The fact that I am on the move doing business just makes me happy.

Q: What’s the story behind your company’s name? A: I had this nickname; brownie back in school, there after my friend Salami started calling me Teeshogs. Initially I didn’t like it but the more I heard it, the more it sounded nice. So when it was time to name my company I didn’t know what to use so I decided to use Teeshogs after all it wasn’t that bad and it sounded unique. 

Q: What was your career path prior to starting your new business? 
A: When I was in school I had always had the entrepreneurial spirit, I engaged in buying and selling of accessories, make up and things that fascinate ladies. Immediately after school I worked somewhere called the 'Etiquette Place' for four months before I went for service and now am doing my business.

 Q: What type of clients do you work with and which of your services are most in demand?A: I don’t have a particular age range. I do for both guys and female, as much as I would love to streamline my audience I also want to give everybody an opportunity to wear Teeshogs, so I work with everybody; male, female, old, young as well as babies. Casuals are mostly in demand and native wear as well.

Q: What are you working on right now? A: I have so many ideas in my head that I have started to put into writing. I want to do a fashion shoot, fashion show, a website and have a catalogue by August. Right now the right capital for that is holding me back. I style as well, but the clients I really want to work with always ask for my look book, so that is also something I am working on, especially with artists. 

Q: Can you describe your typical working day? A: Okay, Mondays to Friday I do my weekly office job since am serving at the moment, then majority of the time after 5pm I do business. Saturdays are just awesome, because I visit up to 5 places in a day as well as Sundays to see clients. I hardly have fun and that is the sacrifice u have to make as an entrepreneur. Clients expect you to be super human and you cannot afford to get angry even when they put pressure on you. I hate to disappoint and thank God so far I haven’t.

Q: What has been the highlight of running your business? A: My friend’s wedding I guess. I made her bridal train dresses. Although I have other highlights, but this is special because I was just four months into the business when it happened.

Q: What is the hardest part of running your own business? A: Customers are not the hardest part of my business but capital is, to be able to communicate my ideas to the world through photo shoot, runway shows, having the necessary materials to style my artist.

Q: If you could select anyone as a mentor, who would it be and why? A: Ermmmm, I like to learn from different people so I don’t stick to one person. But one major person is my mum. She is very hard working, relentless at what she does, a goal getter and very independent. I like Lanre Dasilva, Deola Sagoe, they are very unique and add a twist to their styles. Then also Pastor Bimbo Odukoya of blessed memory and Pastor Taiwo Odukoya

Q: What has been your proudest business moment so far?A: Before I started my business, my former boss didn’t know what to wear for an event and because of the things I used to say about having my own fashion house, she gave me the Ankara for the event to pick a style for her and sew it. I did and she loved it especially since she is not a fan of Ankara. I got really proud of myself.

Q: What or who inspires and motivates you? A: I believe in the saying about humble beginnings. Genevieve Nnaji, She has been able to achieve so much from what she does, she is focused and best at what she does. She is very hard working, a goal getter, intelligent and she started really small, look at what she has been able to achieve for herself today.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who is considering starting a business? A: I will say be sure you want to do it. You have to be ready to work hard. You have to be determined. People say I'm lazy because I love to sleep, I love to have a lot of time to myself, but trust me when its business I am very hard working. You also have to be ready to forfeit a lot of things. You have to stay focused.

Q: Fast forward five years from now, where do you think your business will be in 2016?A: God willing, I want my staff strength to be 20 in number, I want to have and run a big fashion house, I want to have styled a lot of artistes, I want to have had at list 10 fashion shows, want people to order for my clothes abroad. Go international, my brand been everywhere.

Q: Taiwo is there anything else you would like to share? A: ‘I believe in simple is more’ and adding a little complex twist too, that people cannot understand. Then also ‘humble beginnings’ do not despise.

www.teeshogs-fashionandlovers.blogspot.com

For more information on the Interview an Entrepreneur please contact mszoeyspeaks on 08155553390 or email badmuseun09@yahoo.com

Do you have a question or comment for Taiwo? If so, please feel free to post a comment below:

LEADING WOMEN

Saudi female entrepreneurs exploit changing attitudes

By Rose Hoare, for CNN

June 8, 2012 -- Updated 1144 GMT (1944 HKT)

Rumman Company founder and general manager Maria Mahdaly in her Jeddah office.

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Although they can't yet drive, some Saudi women have started successful enterprises
• Entrepreneurial activity is mainly confined to already wealthy women, says researcher
• Saudi's leader has been softening legislation, making it easier for women to work
• Young Saudi businesswoman Maria Mahdaly feels more supported, she says

(CNN) -- It's not easy being a female entrepreneur in a country where women need a male guardian's permission to work, rent property or travel.

Yet in Saudi Arabia, a small but determined number of women are overcoming these obstacles to build their own thriving businesses.

Social constraints in the conservative Kingdom have not stopped women from amassing substantial individual wealth. An estimated $11.9 billion is held by women primarily in bonds and bank accounts, according to asset managers Al Masah Capital.

As it seeks to hedge against its overdependence on oil, there is increasing government recognition that women have a part to play in Saudi's economic development.

It has led to a moderate winding back of restrictions on women in the Kingdom smoothing the way for a new generation of young entrepreneurs, like Maria Mahdaly.

I never felt any resentment or problems...Mind you, I was very tough and strict.
Maria Mahdaly, Rumman Company

In 2007, aged 19, she started Rumman (Pomegranate, in English), a media and publishing house in Jeddah, with Enas Hashani and Bayan Abuzinadah. The company runs two ventures: A monthly city magazine with a circulation of 70,000, called Destination Jeddah, and a social network called Fainak (Where Are You, in English).

To read more on this, click on the link;

 http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/30/business/saudi-female-entrepreneurs/index.html

LEADING WOMEN

Part of complete coverage on

Leading Women

Baidu boss: China helps women succeed at work

From Kristie Lu Stout, CNN

June 5, 2012 -- Updated 1632 GMT (0032 HKT)

Baidu's Jennifer Li offers some tough love: "We as women, we need to start and act; not thinking about the issues -- because I feel gender in the work environment should not be a factor when it comes to how far you can go."

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Jennifer Li: A woman to watch in technology

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• China's work environment gives women more opportunities for success, says top businesswoman
• Jennifer Li is CFO of Baidu, the world's largest Chinese-language search engine
• Baidu, which has 78% share of China's internet market, employs slightly more women than men, says Li
• Li: "Gender is not a factor. To be a successful career person, it's about a passion for excellence"

(CNN) -- Women in China have a lot more opportunities in business because it is "not gender-based, it's merit-based," says one of China's top female businesswoman.

Jennifer Li, CFO of Baidu, the world's largest Chinese-language search engine, sometimes referred to as "China's Google," adds that China is a very female-friendly business environment.

"The society is very open and many companies create a level playing field when it comes to employment," adds Li, who controls the corporate functions of a company worth nearly $32 billion.

According to data from Beijing-based research firm Analysys International, Baidu has secured a staggering 78% share of the world's largest internet market -- China's 500 million internet users.

Baidu, founded by search engine expert and entrepreneur Robin Li (no relation) in 2000, employs slightly more women than men, according to Jennifer Li.

Woman at the heart of 'China's Google'

"They're very open, very communicative, very assertive and sometimes can be very aggressive, too," she says of Baidu's female employees.

"These women are all women with great ambition. You can tell their focus is not about, 'How do I fulfill a woman's role as a mother or as a young woman trying to get married?' They're more thinking about their lifetime career objectives."

Beijing-raised Li began her career in finance at General Motors, following an MBA at the University of British Columbia. She worked there for 14 years before joining Baidu in 2008.

Here Li talks to CNN about her management style, on balancing creativity with control and how to succeed as a woman in business.

On women and work ...

To read more please visit the link:  http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/05/business/baidu-jennifer-li-women/index.html

A woman of global relevance, Claudine P. Moore

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/inspiring-woman/38805-a-woman-of-global-relevance-claudine-p-moore

Talk about one gorgeous and intelligent black woman doing the womenfolk proud and Claudine P. Moore comes foremost on the list. Currently in America and to visit Nigeria soon, Claudine is committed to providing consultancy services to companies, brands, PR, advertising and marketing agencies.

Her expertise in media strategy, media relations, influencer marketing, corporate communications, strategic positioning, and branding is leveraged for both US and global initiatives on behalf of her clients and agencies. Claudine was recently recognised on The US Network Journal’s ‘40 under Forty’ list of honourees for 2011, and was also listed on The UK 2010 PowerList, a list of Britain’s top 100 most influential black people endorsed by the British Prime Minister.

She was the US director, Marketing, Media Relations and Business Development at the prestigious global PR firm, Hill & Knowlton – the first person of African descent to hold a regional position with the firm – and her appointment was featured in the Wall Street Journal as well as a slew of trade publications.

“While at Hill & Knowlton, by God’s grace, the firm’s share of voice within top industry and business media significantly increased and won key strategic public affairs and multicultural accounts for the firm. I was responsible for all business development activities in the US region,” she reveals.

Prior to joining H&K, Claudine worked with WPP sister company G2 as the director of corporate communications for G2 Branding and Design and G2 Promotional Marketing. In addition, she has worked with McCann ‐Erickson (MRM Partners) as the worldwide relations and business development manager.

Claudine’s deep passion is building brands and providing strategic thinking, creative execution and sponsorship activation for brands and companies, such as Nike, L’Oreal (Ralph Lauren Fragrances), Hewlett Packard, AstraZeneca, HSBC, The Plaza Hotel, Bank of America and Coca‐Cola.

“No known brand wants to be at the bottom. Every brand that is known wants to remain at the top, and those that have not made it there yet put in their best to be at the peak of the business. What I do for either ‘party’ is to help build them to their point of satisfaction, by suggesting and giving advice on the way forward,” she affirms.

Then she adds, “Africa is rising and key countries including Nigeria are experiencing economic growth. This is such a golden moment for the continent and investors are eager for opportunities, but African brands and organisations need to raise their global visibility in order for investors to know about the opportunities.”

Previously, Claudine has worked as the events director for iCrossing, an international interactive marketing firm, where she was responsible for planning and executing corporate marketing campaigns and special events. Her wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise in the general and multicultural markets, in combination with her superb reputation in the US, have firmly established her as a sought-after consultant and advisor.

She currently consults for clients that include Sampo Corporation (China) in conjunction with the government of Dominica, Equinox (US), Arik Airlines (Nigeria and US), award ‐winning creative ‐design agency YARD (US), and House of Tara (US and Nigeria).

A native Brit, Claudine has lived in the US for 12 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Social Science from South Bank University, London, a Diploma in Counseling and Psychotherapy from Regents College, London, and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Communications from Durham University, England.

She has taught Marketing Principles and Practices at Baruch College, New York City, and is frequently requested as a guest speaker in the US, UK and Africa. Her favourite topics include international branding, international corporate communications, global public relations, international public affairs, marketing and entrepreneurship
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Be Yourself

The battle of identity has been the struggle of many over time; who we are and what we want to be known for. In doing this we often live in the shadows of other people's identity. Waking up to this reality leaves a lot of questions rolling  in our minds: when, how and why?.

The earlier we understand who we are and our capabilities the better. We erase things and activities from our lives that are of no benefits. That moment we define our value system and our beliefs, we help people around see who we really are and help them put their expectation of us in the right place, saving them and us a lot of disappionments. As a woman, it is necessary to know the strength and power that you carry. By so doing it saves you a lot of hurdles especially when you think that man is right for you yet he is not acting the right way or does not make you feel like the Queen that you are. You can raise your shoulders, put that smile of confidence on your face and take a charismatic walk of identity that you are just too special and irreplaceable to have to worry over what is not.


 knowing that He Alone will make all things beautiful in His time. Or perhaps you feel you cannot measure up to some friends or people around you because of their level of achievement or the flashy lifestyle they have carved out for themselves. You see, misplacement of identity can come in any form, that is why it is necessary to be YOU.  You can't afford to live in the shadows of others at the expense of the power and beauty that radiates from within you. So please BE YOURSELF. Thats is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Girls Talk

Hello girlfriends .hmmm its been a while now since  i did this and i miss doing this.but not totally abandoned this part of my life just been involved in other things.okay lets get down to the biz of today. Have you ever had a crush on a guy, have you ever admired that particular dude and wish for him to only say, baby have been waiting for you all my life where have you been, don't you know you complete me .

Hello wake up, back to reality and stop fantasizing .you know,the only way to go about this is when next you see him grab him and and give him a long wet kiss and before you know it he will be infected by the thoughts in your subconscious and then he becomes your love slave. Or what do you think!!!!!wink wink

Not a Nobody but a Somebody

God did not have time to create a nobody, only a somebody. I believe that each of us has God-given talent within us waiting to be brought to fruition. Mary Kay Ash

A Woman Of Virtue

A woman of virtue is one who knows her identity in christ and emrabraces the full potential that God has deposited in her. This is a woman who knows who she is, knows what she wants and know how to reach for it, rather than than wallow in self pity.