She is one woman who has proved her mettle in business over the years. Her store at 290, Elizabeth Newark, New Jersey is a one stop place for African foodstuffs. She is also into real estate and a philanthropist of note but doesn’t make noise about it.
Alhaja Olubunmi Lawal is a woman of class and substance too. At 62, she remains as beautiful and stylish as ever. She is one of the most respected society women in Ibadan and America social circles. She is also a prominent member of Oluyole Classic Sisters.
Last week, City People’s Correspondent, DARE ADENIRAN (08057639079) was a quest at Alhaja Olubunmi Lawal’s mansion, located off Akala Way, Ibadan. Where quintessential Alhaja Lawal opens up on her very private life and how she hits it big business.
She also talked about the award recently given to her by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII). It was a indeed a very interesting and revealing interview. Read the excepts
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) recently honoured you with Omoluabi Ibadan Award, what do you think culminated into you being give such recognition?
Honestly, saying that I’m highly elated and feel honoured for the recognition will be an understatement. I’m just doing my things the way God has laid in my mind, not knowing some people somewhere are watching. The award, for me, is nothing but a challenge for me to do more for Ibadan cause, the development of my immediate environment and the society generally.
Tell us about yourself and what you do for a living?
My name is Olubunmi Sakirat Ayoka Lawal. I’m an Ibadan woman proper. I was born and raised in Ibadan. My father’s compound is called Parakoyi Compound, the popular Ile Osa (Olugbiji) at Isale Ijebu in Ibadan. My mother is from Olugbesan Compound at Oke-Agbeni, Ibadan. I am a businesswoman. In fact, I can say it with all sense of pride that the business acumen runs in the family.
My great grandmother, grandmother and my own mother all played big in fabrics business. I have only worked for 3 years as an employee in my life. I worked at The Institute of Agricultural Research & Training (I.A.R &T), Ibadan between 1980 and 1983. I voluntarily resigned my employment in March 1983.
What informed your resignation from I.A.R & T?
Because I wanted to go into business fully. My mom, in her active days, used to be a businesswoman. She deals in fabrics back then. She is still alive but a bit of age now. I’m talking about the time we used to hawk cloths in trays. Whenever my mom came back from Cotonou, I always followed her maidservants (about four of them) with tray full of cloths on my head. So that was basically where I learnt the rudiments of fabrics business from. I later graduated to looking after her shop whenever we were on holidays. That was my secondary school days. After my secondary school education, I took charge fully. Of course, I have known all along that I would end up in business. But in 1982, I went for leave vacation in UK for the first time. I bought night dresses and underwears as gifts for friends and family. At the end of the day I realized some people bought from those stuffs and I made some profits. That was what actually gingered me to go into business fully.
Interestingly, I only traveled with #800 back then, which included ticket and 4 pounds BTA. I was so happy when I made that profit so I was like yes, this is it. So I taught it was just an honourable thing for me to resign and face business squarely in 1983. In 1986, I realised people were going to Liberia to buy guinea brocade. It was while on the trip to Liberia that I got to know that most of those traveling were with different markets to sell over there. Whereas I was traveling with cash because I didn’t know it wasn’t ideal. A dollar was #400 then. So I recorded some loss on that particular trip. But after then I always took different stuffs like cocoanut, pineapple, creams and all to sell in Liberia then use the money to buy guinea brocade on my way to Nigeria. It was in the cause of my business trips to Liberia that I also learnt a lot about exports.
So at what point did you relocate to US and how did foodstuffs business start?
At some points when we started having issue with fabrics business, I switched to shoes and bags business. In fact, I don’t go to any country that I won’t be able to take markets to to sell before buying things to sell at home back then. I took business trips to places like Cairo, India and Bangkok. Funny enough you can’t enter Thailand without UK visa. We normally process Bangkok visa from London. As a businesswoman, I felt why should I just buy ticket to London to get Thailand visa? I also started buying things including foodstuffs to sell in London before going to Bangkok. So in 2007, I decided to move to US because I find that doing business over there was more profitable. That was when I started the foodstuffs business fully in America.
Which among all the businesses you have involved in was a big break for you?
That was around 1993 when I was dealing in shoes and bags. That was when I can say I made my first million in business.
How would you describe your experience in business?
It’s been a mixture of bitter and sweet experience. I have seen it all in business; the good, the bad and the ugly. But in all, I give glory to God. I’m still very much in business and doing great too. I have remained in business because I have been persistent. I’m determined to be focused to make positive impacts, not only in business but in my immediate environment and also in other people’s lives.
So with all the challenges you have encountered as a businesswoman, what would you say has sustained you over the years?
The grace of God, and by dint of hard work too. Another thing that I think has been working for me over the years is the premium attention to details. From the day one I ventured into business, I have decided to always give my customers value for their money. I don’t joke with that at all. For example, while I was dealing in shoes and bags, I always go for quality designs that were always irresistible for my clients. Same goes for fabrics and that has also been inculcated into my foodstuffs business. I don’t just look at the profit alone but also the best services. You need to see me on the field. I don’t mix pleasure with business. Everybody knows that when you get to Supremacy store, you will find all the things you can see in Nigerian markets.
How do you source for these foodstuffs when you are not in Nigeria?
When I first started the business I normally come home to buy these things. Sometimes I would stay for like 3 or 4 months sourcing for Foodstuffs. In fact, it got to a point that I was going to villages around the south west to get things by myself. Stuffs like Cassava Flour, Yam Flour, Honey, Locust Beans, Yam, Shea Butter and all. But after I have established the network and contacts I don’t have to come home that often again. I just place my order, they already know what I want.
You are many things rolled into one; a businesswoman, mother and a philanthropist. How do you juggle between all these?
It’s just for the grace of God. I have been asked that same question severally. All I can say is that it’s the grace of God. I don’t even know how I do it. Despite the fact that I have capable hands working for me, I still make sure I supervise most of these things. I don’t know where always get the energy from. Maybe for the fact that business runs in my veins (laughs)..
Apart from the fact that business acumen runs in your family, was there anything in your background that really pushed you to be the kind of woman you are today?
My father and mother. I could remember in 1980 when I got my letter of job appointment, my father sat me down and said to me, Oluwalobunmi, as he loves to call me, here is the appointment letter. What worth doing at all worth doing well. Punctuality is the soul of any business. You must not late for work. If you want to work, do it like your life depends on it. If it’s business you want to do, make sure you do it the way it should be done. Those words have been my guarding principles. So my parents are my role models and that has really shaped my private life and business sense too.
You are also into real estate, tell us about that aspect of your business?
The real estate thing started like a joke. It was borne out of the fact that I like good structures. Today, we have many projects that have been commissioned and there are still many on the way.
What makes you happy the most?
Seeing smiles on the faces of people around me. In fact, everything that is good makes me happy. There has never a dull moment with me. As busy as I’m, I always crack people up.
What turns you off about people?
Lies. I detest dishonest people.
Let’s talk about your philanthropic gestures which you don’t make noise about?
I don’t believe in show off. I’m not blaming those who like it that way. I know where I started from, I know where I am and I know the family i came from. We are not rich and we not beggars. We are just comfortable. Our parents were not rich but they took good care of us, it may not be to our expectations though. So all these things I have always put into consideration whenever I want to give to people. I don’t make noise about it.
How do you spend your leisure time?
I go to parties or engage my family in deep conversations.
Tell us other things people don’t know about you?
Some say I’m tough but I don’t see myself in that manner. I’m just being thorough and disciplined but very nice. I’m the second child and the first daughter of the family. I attended Agbeni Methodist Primary School, Ibadan, St. Williams Primary School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan and then St. Paul Primary School also in Ibadan, due to some circumstances which I can’t go into details now. Then Iroko Community Grammar School, Ibadan for my secondary school education. After secondary school I joined my mother in business till I got an administrative job employment at The Institute of Agricultural Research & Training, I.A.R &T, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. I worked there for 3 years and voluntarily resigned in 1983 and ventured into business fully.
