When Tolulope Oloyede, a graduate of Surveying and Geoinformatics from Yaba College of Technology, could no longer cope with her 9-5 job, she resigned in 2018 to fully embrace her skill in bead making.
By Eberechi Obinagwam
When Tolulope Oloyede, a graduate of Surveying and Geoinformatics from Yaba College of Technology, could no longer cope with her 9-5 job, she resigned in 2018 to fully embrace her skill in bead making.
Tolulope had learned bead making in 2010 while awaiting her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) call-up letter, but her paid employment limited her involvement. When the job became toxic and stifled her growth, she quit to turn her craft into a full-fledged business.
She told TheNiche: “I left the toxic job because I had a craft that could fetch me money. The working environment was becoming too toxic, and I was not growing financially in the job I was doing.”
Now the Chief Executive Officer of Teebuz Multiconcept Global Ventures, Tolulope has expanded beyond bead making to include sales of jewelry pieces, fashion items, and household essentials. She has built a wider reach, with customers in Nigeria and abroad.
Tolulope finds satisfaction in her business, reaching both male and female customers near and far with her handcrafted pieces.
Starting up
After completing her Higher National Diploma (HND) at Yabatech, Tolulope was at home awaiting NYSC mobilisation.
While waiting, her church, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Lagos organised a training session for youths, so she seized the opportunity to learn bead making. After a few weeks of training, she began practising and further honed her skills through online tutorials and classes.
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“After my training, I developed myself with online tutorials and classes over time,” she said. “I started practising my skills fully after I finished NYSC. Whenever I had an event, I would make beaded accessories for myself, wear them, and that often led to jobs from others.”
She added: “I started making sales right after my training. I made neck beads, earrings, and bracelets for children and displayed them at my mum’s shop during Easter celebrations, so I made some sales.”
During her NYSC posting, she couldn’t do much bead work because she was in a new area and needed to focus on her teaching assignment. “It was after I finished NYSC that I started all over again, and I still make beaded accessories till today,” she said.
The CEO of Teebuz Multiconcept Global Ventures chose bead making over other skills because she loves jewellery and enjoys working with her hands.
Start-up capital
Tolulope’s initial capital came from her husband, personal savings, and a grant from her place of worship.
Penetrating the market
Tolulope began by posting on social media platforms for visibility and gained traction through referrals from clients, family, and friends. Over time, consistency helped her penetrate the market. “As an online vendor, it takes a lot to penetrate the market,” she said. “I was consistent with my postings, and with time, I started getting referrals from clients, family, and friends. Today, my brand is well positioned compared to when I first started.”
Entrepreneur’s experience
The CEO faced rejections and customers who bought on credit without timely payment in the early days. “When I first started, I carried my products to offices to sell, and some would buy on credit without paying on time,” she recalled. “Some would even order items, and when I went to deliver, they would reject them and say that’s not what they wanted.
“I have had a whole lot of challenges, but those experiences have made me stronger now,” she added.
Breakthrough in business
Tolulope’s major breakthrough came from her first bulk order, from a stranger, and it ran into six figures (in the millions of naira), which encouraged her to keep pushing.
The business environment
Tolulope identified funding as a major challenge for doing business in Nigeria. She noted that if the government could provide accessible funds for small business owners, it would make a huge difference. Other challenges include unreliable electricity and the high cost of materials.
Choosing to stay in Nigeria
Tolulope believes she can build her business successfully in Nigeria, so she has chosen to stay rather than relocate abroad (“Japa”) like some others amid economic hardship. However, if an opportunity to relocate arises, she would consider it primarily to expand her business.
Tolulope in brief
Tolulope Oloyede is the CEO of Teebuz Multiconcept Global Ventures, where she creates beads and sells jewellery pieces, fashion items, and household essentials in Lagos. Born in Sapele, Delta State, she holds an HND in Surveying and Geoinformatics from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
She has received online recognition from the Buyerskonnect Kommunity as the most consistent vendor. Tolulope employs and trains others in her craft.
