I trained as a lawyer but now, i own and run a bespoke handcrafted leather manufacturing company - CEO Siod Handcrafted Leather Ltd
By Kemi Mobuse - Tuesday, April 05, 2016
The CEO of Siod Handcrafted leather ltd popularly referred to as Siodleather, is a living proof of someone who took time to cultivate something she loves,and turned it into a business. In a very casual interview, she told KMB how she ended up in her line of business.
See excerpts of the interview below:
Kemi Mobuse blog: Can we meet you?
Siod Leather: My
name is Yemisi Oladapo. I am the founder and CEO of Siod Handcrafted Leather Ltd; a
wholly indigenous Nigerian leather manufacturing company in Ikeja. I am a
lawyer by profession, but I no longer practice
Kemi Mobuse blog: What do you do?
Siod Leather: Siod
products are bespoke, handcrafted leather goods ranging from home & office
accessories, footwear, leather storage & packaging, furniture &
interiors.
Kemi Mobuse blog: What is the name of your
brand? and how old is it?
Siod Leather: Siod
Handcrafted Leather Ltd. Our brand is nine years old.
Kemi Mobuse blog: What inspired your going
into this field? Why leather especially?
Siod Leather: I
trained as a lawyer, but I have always loved leather. The look, smell,
durability and versatility of the
material; so when I was approached some nine years ago by a young cobbler who
had persistently pushed to make leather slippers for me; seeing the quality and
designs we later came up with; I suddenly realized this was for me.
Kemi Mobuse blog: How did you now start up?
And how has the market reception been?
Siod Leather: We
started on a small scale with footwear; slippers. At the particular time I had
a sister living in the U.S and I was going away on holidays with my children.
We made 50 pairs of slippers; in an assortment of designs and concepts with an
Afrocentric touch that would appeal to that market and we scored big time! That
Summer I sold everything I took. The slippers were sold at $20-25 each; but
what was more satisfying for me was the fact that, I had sold products we had
come up with and people liked them. I came back from the U.S with firm orders
and started supplying 2 shop owners in a franchise basis. I would supply and
they would pay my sister who would remit to me.
On my return I
used the money made to buy an industrial machine and set up a mini workshop.
That Christmas we added storage boxes to our product range and got our first
order of 80 units
Kemi Mobuse blog: Wowwww!
Kemi Mobuse blog: What challenges have you
experienced since inception that almost made you give up?
Siod Leather: We
faced many challenges; manufacturing here in Nigeria is particularly tough.
Energy and running costs are prohibitive but one can't really afford to give
up. Working with Nigerian craftsmen and artisans is probably the most
frustrating aspect for me; because sometimes it's just so difficult to get your
concept across. Luckily, most of the time we do. That's what makes the end
product more satisfying!
Kemi Mobuse blog: What has being in this business taught you as a person?
Siod Leather: To
persevere. To follow your vision, no matter how long it takes. In my
experience, Knowledge is key.
We must continue
to improve and add to our knowledge. We can't stay in one place; travel widely
for exposure, if possible & if not, research widely. That, is the key to
the survival of a business and certainly for me as person.
Kemi Mobuse blog: And what has been your most
memorable experience?
Siod Leather:
Apart from seeing my first child for the first time?? It's a difficult one! When
you create and design things you have
many of these. I think for me it's that moment the light comes on and you realized
that you have done It.! That the product or item could not be any better!.
Kemi Mobuse blog: Awwww!!!
Kemi Mobuse blog: What advice do you have for
upcoming entrepreneurs?
Siod Leather: To
follow their dreams. It's always good to take things one step at a time. Our
plans never fall into place as expected, especially in Nigeria. But we should
not allow these mini obstacles to deter us. Stay Focused.
Kemi Mobuse blog: Lastly, how can you be
contacted?
Siod Leather: Our
website is siodleather.com.ng
Email :
siodleather@gmail.com.
Instagram page @siodleather.
Tel: +234 703
3124884.
Kemi Mobuse blog:Thank
you for your time
Siod Leather: The pleasure was mine.
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