My Love for Children inspired my Brand and my NGO - CEO Omosekids

By Kemi Mobuse - Wednesday, April 27, 2016

It is refreshingly beautiful to come across different people who aspire to make a difference with their resources and sometimes their brands. I was really awed when I came across some beautiful "made in Nigeria" African inspired bibs and guess what, they have matching shoes to go with them, I can tell you for free, that I fell in love with them immediately and was actually willing to have a baby right there on the spot, Lol!

I was even more inspired and humbled when I got to meet the Lady behind the brand. Her passion for what she does was really obvious in the way she talks, and I realized that, this is certainly someone i would love to feature, today, tomorrow and every Blessed day.

Excerpts from her exclusive interview with KMB below:

Kemi Mobuse blog: Can we meet you?

Omose kids: I am Tricia Ikponmwonba-Yusuf

Kemi Mobuse blog: What do you do?

Omose kids: I’m a brand strategist and a social entrepreneur

Kemi Mobuse blog: A social entrepreneur in what sense?

Omose kids: I run an NGO called “stay in school” where we provide orphans and vulnerable children with primary school scholarships.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What is the name of your brand that makes clothes for kids?

Omose kids: Omose Kids, it launched on Feb 27, 2016.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What inspired you starting your fashion brand and why was it centered on kids?

Omose kids: I love children which necessitated a charity. So that's a given. Also, I have a flair for fashion, colours and prints. In deciding what I wanted to do, I took a hard look at the children's fashion industry in Nigeria and realized that; the options for affordable, trendy and African inspired outfits were limited. I had to buy ready made items I liked for my son from Kenya. While we can get such clothes from tailors, that option is not feasible, as it is mostly done on request and thus, can be expensive. Thus, the idea to use African fabrics and bold prints to create unique pieces for kids, that are ready made, available and affordable developed from there.

Kemi Mobuse blog: How has the market reception been?

Omose kids: Really Great. In just 2 months of operation, We have warmed our way into many hearts and currently retail in Ghana as well as Nigeria.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What benefits can the Nigerian society hope to gain from your brand?

Omose kids: Readymade and availability is key for us. We want to build a brand that is easily accessible and available.

2. Omose kids will also empower artisans in Nigeria through employment with emphasis on women.
With that in mind, that's why, our cobbler is a woman, and three out of our four tailors are women as well.

Kemi Mobuse blog: What major challenges have you experienced since inception? And what can you say those challenges have taught you?

Omose kids:1. Getting people willing to work: Most of these artisans want fast money and are not willing to work hard.
2. Getting quality materials like zips, buttons in d market; There are loads of poor materials in the market.
Most importantly; getting people to believe in made in Nigeria brands ... there is this wide perception that; things made in Nigeria are substandard and fake, So we make use of best materials with great finishing to show them that, great things can also be made in Nigeria.

Kemi Mobuse blog: Do you make strictly by orders or do you have an outlet?

Omose kids: Remember it’s about filling the gap of none availability of ready made items, so we produce and sell ready made Clothes.
And, there are also some items made on order. So in ratio; ready made is 80% and orders are 20%

Kemi Mobuse blog: Also, your NGO, how many children has benefited so far?

Omose kids: We have sponsored 300+ children into primary schools across Idoluwo-ile, Dustbin estate, Orisumbare nd Ejigbo communities in Lagos while 50 kids in Guzape village Abuja.
And also provided pysco social support for over 500 children and adults through free medical check ups etc

Kemi Mobuse blog: What advice do you have for future entrepreneurs?

Omose kids: Advice - Just do it. There will never be a perfect time to launch your idea or business. There will never be adequate money to start. Once you have an idea and conviction just go for it.
Also, do not follow other people's stories. Create your own path. e.g, People told me I needed to resign to run a successful business from the start. But here I am with a 9-5 job as a senior brand manager in Glaxosmithkline Nigeria (gsk) and also running a business that is doing well and attracting investment. So, draw your own path and work with it

Kemi Mobuse blog: Lastly, how can you be contacted?

Omose kids: Email tricia.ikponmwonba@gmail.com

Instagram: @triciasisng

@omosekids

Facebook: omosekids

Website: www.omosekids.com

Call/Whatsapp: 08084389404.

More pictures below: