Hey Flexxers! On the first episode of our repackaged Flexxpreneur, we interviewed Fisayo Ajomole who owns a bead making outfit and also empowers youth within her circle to engage in career development activities in their spare time.
Let’s meet Fisayo!
1. Let’s meet you (Your name and what you do)
My name is Fisayo Ajomole, I own a bead making business which creatively reproduces fashionable handcrafted jewellery. The business also empowers the youth, through the implementation of its career development program tagged “CREATIVES”
2. How long have you been doing this?
Four years.
3. What inspired you to go into business?
I have always appreciated the entrepreneurial aspect of a business, especially the ability to marry creativity, spontaneity and originality to produce something amazing. This love for creativity has also propelled me into encouraging and empowering young individuals, helping them believe that their skills are invaluable and that there is a place for them in whatsoever sector they decide to go into.
4. What was your highest and lowest point since you started this journey?
My lowest point in this journey was in September 2017. I made it to the final stage of the FCMB #FlexxYourCreativity season 2 but didn’t win. It was a really challenging time for me and my business because it made me realize that there was so much more I needed to improve on.
My highest point since I started this journey, however, was in July 2019. My business “Opalod Beads” through the implementation of its career development program, held a meetup for CREATIVES(studentpreneurs and entrepreneurs in Ibadan).
It was a social meetup for all entrepreneurs across the University of Ibadan and its environs. The objective was primarily to promote entrepreneurial activities, inspire young minds and provide information, connections as well as communication channels that businesses need to thrive.
With over 100 Entrepreneurs in attendance and two facilitators, we pulled off a spectacular fashion show, trade fair, and real-life sessions for entrepreneurs. The event also raised the platform for entrepreneurs to showcase their skills and creativity. It was pretty amazing.
5. What do you aim to achieve in the next 12 months in relation to your business?
In April 2019, Opalod Beads launched its unique product of Natural Stone Bracelets. It has been doing good so far, and within the next twelve months, I intend to explore more exquisite designs and employ new strategies to help gain more grounds and improve my market reach.
6. What are your short- and long-term goals?
My short term goal through Opalod Beads is youth empowerment and the introduction of a new product to complement existing products while meeting other identified needs.
My long term goal for Opalod Beads is to influence the jewellery market on a large scale by building a brand that cuts across all class of people globally while maintaining uncompromising quality and standards.
7. Which individuals do you draw inspirations from and why?
Arese Agwu, and Oluwatosin Olaseinde. These two give amazing financial advice.
8. You were a previous winner of the FCMB #FlexxYourCreativity; how has the impact of the initiative helped your business?
I was able to meet amazing people that gave good and helpful business advice which would never have been possible if I hadn’t participated in the contest. For Opalod Beads, the FCMB #FlexxYourCreativity grant has been properly channelled into the growth of the business and its operations. This has made it easier to purchase materials that the business could not naturally afford and reach a wider scope of people.
9. What advice would you give your fellow Flexxers who are on this path?
You can achieve anything you want if you have the passion for it, the hunger for it and the guts for it. Don’t let anyone talk you out of your dreams, share it with the right company and make sure you have folks that will always watch your back.
10. What are your social media handles?
Instagram – @opalodbeads
Instagram – @creativesofficial
Twitter – @oluwafisayomi_a
Were you inspired by Fisayo’s journey? Would you like to be part of the Flexxpreneur? Send in your applications by clicking HERE!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK’S FLEXXPRENEUR SERIES
1. To participate in FCMB’s Flexxpreneur Series (“the Initiative”), participants must be aged between 18-30 years and have a running business.
– Duly signed Flexxpreneur Agreement
4. FCMB reserves the right to edit received interviews for grammatical correctness and suitability for its audience.
5. Submission of details does not guarantee that a participant will be featured in the Initiative. FCMB reserves the exclusive right to select those to feature and when they would be featured.
6. Participants will have their interview and products/services showcased on one or more of FCMB’s social media platforms, its Flexxzone WhatsApp groups and its microsite flexxzone.fcmb.com
7. FCMB’s decision in respect of all matters to have to do with The Initiative will be final and binding on all participants.
8. There is no fixed time as to when participant’s interview/pictures will be used. FCMB will, however, make every effort to notify participants one week before featuring their entries
9. FCMB reserves the right to use all creative assets including participant pictures, products/services image, interview and other materials related to The Initiative in promotion of its Flexx product.
10. By entering this initiative, participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
Nice one Fisayo!!!
Fisayo is a very astute entrepreneur that sells beautiful beads and has great customer service. Have patronized her a lot of times and she has always come through. Glad to see she’s getting the recognition she deserves. Keep up the good work
Nice, more Business connection the CEO
You go girl!
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This is really inspiring ?
The fact that you didn’t let not winning stop you from trying again clearly complemented what you said here “You can achieve anything you want if you have the passion for it, the hunger for it and the guts for it”
Great read❗️