Folashade Kasim is the creative head of Glam up interior design limited, a design firm and furniture production company based in Lagos, Nigeria.
In an interview with BusinessDay, the microbiology graduate from the university of Lagos tells us about her journey into the interior design world and how it has evolved into a successful business.
Tell us about your journey into interior design?
I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. About 11 years ago, a friend got an apartment and insisted that I furnish it. I thought he was crazy at the time but he insisted that I could do it because according to him, he always watched me while I arranged a pillow here and a vase there. That was the beginning of my interior design journey.
What has been your experience in starting and running an interior decoration business considering the fact that it’s a fairly saturated industry?
It has been a good and fulfilling journey with the regular highs and lows. The seemingly saturated industry isn’t a problem for me because individual skills and results will always set one apart. Also, it’s a creative industry so new talent is always welcome.
READ ALSO: #EndSARS: Nigerian insurers fear unprecedented claims in business history
Coping mechanism during this pandemic. With financing, raw materials and workforce? How has it been growing the business?
My mantra has always been ” evolve or die”, the pandemic actually brought with its opportunities for my business. One has to be fluid with one’s business structure so that it can be easily adaptable to unforeseen situations.
Have you had issues in terms of running a successful business in this period?
Importing was really difficult especially during the lock down as most of the companies where I usually buy materials from had shut down operations. But so far things are gradually moving back to normal.
Do you think Nigeria is ready for your kind of business and what issues do you face in running a profitable business?
Definitely Nigeria is ready, in fact it has been ready for a while and the industry has seen tremendous growth in the country. The main problem is getting the right people with the right set of skills.
How can small businesses enter into this kind of business, is it capital or labour intensive?
It is mostly service based; one can start very small.
Do you think the government should intervene or not in your line of business in terms of resourcing and how can they support you?
Every business sector needs the help from the government. Generally, business owners in the country are very resourceful, so what is really needed is ease of doing business in the country. The government needs to stop paying lip service to that.
What are your recommendations for policy makers in Nigeria?
I don’t think making good policies is the problem, it is actually the implementation of such policies. So, don’t just make the policies, make sure it gets implemented. Also, most of these policies are often reactive, this thing where everything gets banned is almost ridiculous, there should be adequate room for importation of some materials.
What advice would you give SMEs that wants to go into the interior and furniture business?
Firstly, make sure you have the raw talent and love for interior design. It shouldn’t be a case of going into the business because it seems cool and also try to have a mentoring relationship with someone already established in the industry. Keep honing your skills and also very important in getting an industry related education and also join IDAN (Interior designers association of Nigeria)
What have been the lessons learnt so far?
Keep learning, it’s an evolving industry. Also having contracts with clients is very important, every step and agreement should be documented.
Where do you hope to be in the next five years, are there plans to expand?
Expansion is never off the table, servicing the real estate companies is what the next five years is all about.
