We met with Shade Fatusin, the owner of Houston-based wedding planning company A Conceal Affair, to learn about her business, and get advice for couples and up-and-coming vendors. Here’s what we learned from the fun, energetic and charismatic owner:

Please tell us about yourself and your business?

My name is Shade Fatusin and I am the creative director for A Conceal Affair. I have been in business for 8+ years. I started off as an usher in church and then I got called to help with a wedding, and then it just took off from there. I went into full planning, that is, I quit my corporate America job to focus solely on planning, in 2015. So now I solely plan and also run a restaurant, Secret Recipe, where we cater for events.

How did you start A Conceal Affair? What inspired you to get into the wedding industry?

I wasn’t really trying to get into wedding planning. I was just trying to get into the entertainment industry. I was doing makeup funny enough. While I was an usher in church, I used to help out ladies particularly brides, bridesmaids and aunties attending weddings, with their makeup. It started from my ushering days in church.. lol, I was asked to help coordinate a wedding one particular day and was told by one of my sisters in church to pursue planning. I helped with other weddings soon after that, and my goal of wanting to help make people’s day special, helped begin my love for wedding planning.

Would you start A Conceal Affair if you were to do it over again? What would you do differently?

I’m not sure. I don’t think there’s anything that I will change. I think I’ll go into it more focused due to the fact I started off with it as a hobby. I’ll say getting more knowledge about the business, educating myself about several aspects of the business, and also knowing how to add more aspects of the wedding planning process.

What has been your greatest motivation?

My greatest motivation I’ll have to say are my couples. I love the look on their faces after the planning process, actually seeing everything come to life on their special day. It’s definitely the joy of watching two people come together as one uniting both families. That is, watching God work in their lives as they enter the sacred union called marriage.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

Most definitely! People are up on the newest trends and want to start the newest trend. I see a lot of people these days wanting destination weddings. People are now gearing towards having private and intimate affair rather than just big weddings. That is what I have noticed with Nigerian/Ghanaian weddings.

Have you planned a Ghanaian wedding?

Yes, I have planned Ghanaian weddings.

Photo: IMG Artistry

What do you like about A Conceal Affair and working in the wedding industry?

I like meeting people – all sorts of people, communicating with them, and helping them. I like running an event. I am a people’s person to a fault. You have to be a people’s person as a planner. You have to know people’s needs, how to meet people’s needs, and how to help them with budgeting and bringing out their vision. That’s kind of like my favourite aspect of planning, that is, being able to do all of that – getting a vision from my couple, getting to hear them talk about their wedding and be able to produce their vision.

What differentiates A Conceal Affair from others in your line of business and location? What are your greatest strengths?

I’ll say my passion for my business and to help my brides / couples. Also my vendor relationships – knowing the best vendors in town and working with the best of the best to produce an event. So definitely, it would be my passion and commitment to my couples.

What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?

I’ve learned in this business not to expect too much. Everything is always changing. The only thing I expect from my couples is to have fun. It’s a wedding. A lot of people focus on that day that they lose focus on the entire process. I talk to my couples into understanding that yes it is their wedding and it is one day, but it is a life-long process. It is a marriage.

Photo: IMG Artistry

What is (are) the most rewarding aspect(s) of providing your service? What are the most frustrating aspect(s)?

Rewarding aspect is seeing two families come together with friends flying in from all over to celebrate with the couple. The bride and groom finding their one true love despite all odds. Trust me a lot comes up during wedding planning. Despite all odds, the couple still walking the aisle very happy and very enthusiastic about their future. That’s definitely one of the rewarding aspects of my business.

Every planner has a frustrating moment. For me, it is usually when people don’t know what they want but they don’t know how to communicate that they don’t know. So It’s a bit frustrating but once you develop a relationship with them and show them the different parts of wedding planning, it pretty much just eases off.

What advice do you have for future brides and grooms regarding planners?

Definitely hire a planner that has your best interest at heart. Hire a planner that is very knowledgeable about the industry, has vendor relationships and is able to produce your vision. At the end of the day, you need someone to be your eyes. That’s what you need your planner for. You need your planner to be able to navigate through the process for you without you saying too much. Definitely look for a planner that knows what they are doing, is able to communicate your needs to vendors, and is able to produce your vision. That’s very crucial at the end of the day.

Photo: Daniel T. Davis Photography

What advice do you have for up-and-coming planners?

It is tough! Nowadays you have brides turned planners, aunties turned planners and best friends turned planners. One advice is to educate yourself. That’s very crucial in this business. Build relationships because you will need it in the event industry. You have to have relationships with your vendors, the bride/couple, and the parents. Funny enough, I have had situations where the mother and bride didn’t see eye-to-eye and I was their mediator. So you have to have relationships with everyone. Build lasting relationships and not just be in it for the money. If you do it for the money, you are going to get burnt out. You have to have passion behind everything you do. You have to have a motive. You have to have a caring aspect to work with a bride who wants heaven and earth. You have to have that vision to know that you can’t give her heaven and earth, but can give her close to heaven and earth. That’s something an upcoming planner needs to have or at least work on having.

What award(s), if any, have you received?

I have received awards from The Knot and WeddingWire for our reviews. My work has been published in Grace Ormond, Weddings in Houston and Munaluchi Bridal. Also I have been featured several times on Bella Naija and a few other blogs.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

Just enjoy the day. If you are a bride / couple looking to get married, remember if you spend all that money, you need to enjoy your day. It goes by so fast. Make sure when looking for vendors to find vendors that align with your vision and are willing to go above and beyond for you.

Klala is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, in the business when it comes to photography plus marketing that you’ll find in Nigeria. We have observed his work for sometime now, and we can certainly say so. If you are a bride or a photographer/videographer, you can benefit greatly from our interview with Klala and get great tips/lessons.

Tell us about yourself and your business

My name is Adebusoye Kunle. I hail from Ondo West local government area in Ondo State. I read accounting in University of Ado-Ekiti and served as a teacher in Adamawa State. Three months after my service year, I got my first job with aviation logistics of Virgin Atlantic at the international airport, Lagos and worked there for 2 years. I resigned and joined Virgin Nigeria’s ticketing department, when Virgin Nigeria started, and worked there for another 2 years. I resigned again to study photography in the US and then came back to Nigeria to start my business. I later went to London School of Photography to study advanced editing.

How did you start? What inspired you to get into the industry?

I didn’t just start now; I started a long time ago. I remember when I was in secondary school, my cousin wanted to have a party and I wanted to be the DJ, MC and photographer. I looked for a free camera to take the pictures and document the event. I couldn’t find one anywhere. Eventually, I used the money meant for my JAMB exam to buy a Fuji camera. I took all the pictures, printed them and they all came out good. My father was pissed when he found out that I didn’t enroll for JAMB that year. I thought I could raise the money through friends and family but I wasn’t able to.

In university, I was the social director of the student union government and my office organized Jambites Fiesta, Mr & Mrs Campus, Award Night, Most Beautiful Girl in Ekiti State and saw to the affairs of the campus social life. We also worked with the State indirectly. I remember when I won the election, my brother in the US who was coming back home had asked what I wanted and I said a digital camera. Then I had only heard about it, but haven’t touched it. He bought me a digital camera that uses a memory card. I documented all the events that I organized and took the pictures. So that was how I started and cultivated the idea of taking photos.

While working with Virgin at the International Airport and on night duty, I got someone in Texas to teach me how to edit videos on Adobe Premiere. I’ll spend two hours online with free internet. At a point in 2007, I went to London and got a Canon 7D camera. I then started shooting musical videos and learned editing from DJ T.

Would you start Klala Photography & Films if you were to do it all over again? What would you do differently?

Yeah, I would do it over and over again. Sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t have gone to school. Why didn’t someone just tell me to do this business. Going to school actually has contributed a lot to my business. While I was in school, I was well known and contested the first time for social director of the student union government and I lost gallantly. In my final year, I contested again and won unopposed. That process of campaigning, winning hearts and having people vote for you, made a lot of people to know me. It is the same name Klala that I answered then. Some people just call now and say “Oh Klala, are you from University of Ado-Ekiti?” and I say “yes”. Then, they say “Oh wow! You are the one that will cover my wedding”. The name still resonates and has been spreading for so long. If I have to do any business, it has to be this same business. It has been awesome.

What has been your greatest motivation?

It is my staff. I started as a business man and see myself as a business man. A business man will always care about the interest of the company, want to maximize profits and have the interest of his clients at heart. So I treat my clients with courtesy, respect and empathy. This keeps us going. I have a wonderful staff that works with me. My crew is number 1. I train them and they deliver well. This keeps me going and we are one family.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

The wedding industry to me is the largest and fastest growing industry. Nigeria is always ahead of every country in Africa when it comes to social activities, entertainment and events. We’ve flown to different parts of Africa for events. They see us as a stakeholder, and always look forward to us and our trends.

What do you like about your business and working in the industry?

I like the fact that we do both photography and videography. I equally love videography and photography. We started shooting videos like documentaries, because I started with musical videos and then launched into wedding videos. It therefore has an influence in our wedding videos. We trim a lovely song and lay it in the background, and then get short clips aligned to make a story. I get inspired when I see great comments on social media platforms.

What differentiates Klala Photography & Films from others in your line of business and location? What are your greatest strengths?

The fact that I’m a business man. As the CEO, I love customer service. At Virgin, we went out every 3 months for customer service training. We did a lot of training. There, I learnt that if a customer mistreats you, you still have to apologize. If a customer complains, you look into it and fix it. For photographers who don’t have that background, it might be a problem. Great customer service is what I have passed on to my team and has helped the business.

What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?

Every client can’t be the same. Some are rich, some are average and others are not. We have different packages that meet their demands and budgets. We are not meant for the wealthy, but for everyone.

We expect our clients to know that there is a lot that constitutes great pictures, like the cloth you wear and the makeup which transforms and makes one more beautiful especially on her wedding day. We expect you to get a good makeup artist. We expect you to look your best on your wedding or event day. We expect great ambiance for the venue. It all comes together to create good pictures. So we expect our clients to at least strive to make things work.

We don’t expect our clients to schedule us ahead of time as Nigerians are used to coming late. For example, your makeup starts at 8 am but you tell us to be there at 6 am. For us, when you say 6 am that is 6 am. We work like foreigners. When you give us a time of arrival, we make sure we arrive before that time.

You can imagine a wedding we had recently. We asked for the expected time of arrival, and the bride said 7 o’clock. For an engagement ceremony, I told her that it was too early. She said it wasn’t early and later agreed for 8:30 am. We got there before 8:30 am and the makeup didn’t start until 1:30 pm. That is terrible. Your photographer is already tired, hungry and can’t think. He is going to work till the event ends. So we don’t expect you to give us a wrong time.

What is/are the most rewarding aspect of providing your service? What is/are the most frustrating aspects?

The most rewarding is when we get calls from different parts of the world and the potential clients are so excited. There is also excitement when they check for availability and we tell them that we are available. When we deliver their jobs, the smile on their faces and the feedback that we get is always awesome.

The most frustrating aspect is when you are not ready and we have to wait for hours before we start shooting.

What advice can you give to brides/grooms?

It is very important to book your best photographer. It is very important to book not just your best photographer, but a professional photographer. It is very important to book not just a professional photographer, but a professional wedding photographer. The only thing you have to walk away with after your wedding, is your wedding album and videos after you have spent a lot on venue, decoration, makeup which you have to wash away, etc. You also keep your wedding ring. Your wedding pictures and videos will bring a lasting memory. From the pictures and videos you can tell who attended your wedding, especially since you won’t know all who did. My advice is to go for a professional wedding photographer and videographer because they capture great moments.

What advice can you give to up-and-coming businesses in your line of business?

You must have passion for what you are doing. When you have passion, then you will surely get it right. The beginning is always very tough. Before you are accepted by the social media people, bloggers and other vendors, it might take a while. Make sure you always do great jobs and be consistent. Never give up. It’s always tough at the beginning. Keep pushing hard. Never rush to become a millionaire. Build your brand and make sure you deliver quality jobs. It’s going to speak for you in the future.

What awards, if any, have you received?

I haven’t received any award but I was a panelist for the first and largest wedding event planned by Baileys and Bella Naija. I was also a panelist for Wed Expo, the largest wedding exhibition.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

It took me so many years to study in school. I graduated, got a job and was well paid. I went for my dream career. While studying accounting in University of Ado-Ekiti, I never really saw myself as an accountant. I dropped my work to study photography abroad, because I believe in myself and that I would make it in this life. My advice for those that think they have a passion for something, is it is not late and can never be late. Start building interests, make inquiries, and start building your profile. Start something. We are going to be great and make our country great. Thanks.

VISIT Klala Photography & Films on Iludio

“There are little gems around us that can hold glimmer of inspiration” – Richelle Mead. Such gem is the work of Mina Stones. We knew little about Mina Stones or the gemstone business before our interview and we were literally in awe. Her craftsmanship in designing and producing gemstone jewelleries is astonishing. Before we digress, here’s our interview:

Please tell us about yourself and your business?

My name is Lotanna Amina Egwuatu. I am a gemstone professional/jewellery designer and I manufacture handmade gemstone jewellery.

How did you start? What inspired you to get into the wedding industry?

I’ve always had a passion for gemstones, so that inspired me to use gemstones to make jewelleries. Jewellery for me is like an outlet for the gemstones.

Would you start Mina Stones if you were to do it over again? What would you do differently?

Definitely I would start it all over again, I am not sure I would do anything differently. I think maybe I would just believe in it more. Asides that I think I would do it the way I have.

What has been your greatest motivation?

Passion for gemstones and divine inspiration.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

Yeah, I think it has. I think now it has more recognition. People are trying to import our traditions and culture in weddings. Social media has helped to put our culture and traditions out there and people are seeing how beautiful it is. So the wedding industry is at the forefront now and it is growing daily. Definitely has changed over the years, and social media has played a very big role in that.

What do you like about Mina Stones and working in the wedding industry?

I like the fact that I use Nigerian gemstones and precious metals. Most of my raw materials are sourced here and all my jewellery is made in Nigeria. I like the fact that it is different. The jewellery is handmade from scratch. The gemstones are picked from Nigeria, cut and polished, processed in Nigeria and every piece of jewellery is unique to the client. It has that originality since raw materials are sourced here and it is custom made to fit the clients specifications.

What differentiates Mina Stones from others in your line of business and location? What are your greatest strengths?

I know a couple of people who make handmade jewellery, but I don’t know too many people that are involved in the whole process/value chain. From sourcing the rough to cutting and polishing the gemstones and then setting them in metal. I also believe that the creativity in the designs are unique. Mina Stones has gained some recognition both locally and internationally.

What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?

I expect them to know what they are getting. I figured out that lots of people don’t know what they are getting especially here in Nigeria. They don’t know the difference between gemstones and glass or simulants. So I have to lecture people and let them know that these are not diamonds, these are cubic zirconia or moissanite. Or this is not silver, this is stainless steel. etc. At least have an idea of what you are getting because you are going to spend a lot of money. You want to pay for what you get.

What is (are) the most rewarding aspect(s) of providing your service? What are the most frustrating aspect(s)?

Rewarding is when a client likes what I have produced. I guess always having to explain that not all shiny looking glass like objects are gemstones. It is kind of new to people
here. Not everybody knows the difference. I am not really frustrated by that to be honest, I’m happy to explain these things.

What advice do you have for future brides and grooms regarding your type of business i.e. venues if you are a venue, photographers if you are a photographer, etc.?

I advice that they buy. If they find someone like me, they should hold me dearly and be thankful to God that they met me, because they’ll likely get a far better deal than they will get anywhere else. I get all my stuff locally so it cuts a lot of cost and I make them to their taste. Can I get an amen?

What advice do you have for up-and-coming businesses in your line of business?

Be persistent and consistent.

What award(s), if any, have you received?

I actually haven’t received any. Maybe I should give myself one. LOL!

What else would you like to share with our readers?

You can actually have faith in some Nigerian products. Don’t be too scared to buy made in Nigeria products. Don’t forget to smile. (say cheeeeeeese!)

VISIT Mina Stones page on Iludio.

DJ Babus is an incredible DJ with a vast pool of experience in the music industry. He is friendly, humble and creative. In the short and amazing time we had, he shared a lot about himself, his business and working in the wedding industry.

Please tell us about yourself and your business?

I am Babatunde Bashir-Bello, better known as DJ Babus. I have been a Professional DJ since 2007. I started in America when I was in college but have been DJing in an inaugural form since I was a kid. My father was a DJ when he was in university and my uncle ran multiple night clubs growing up. Another uncle ran the biggest children’s party company and I got to hang out with the DJs most times. My first DJ gig was at my school’s Christmas party when I was just in primary 5. Those days, I performed at my school’s boarding house parties but instead of CD players, I would get tape decks. I would have 3 tape decks play in sequence; play one and when right before the song ends, I would play another. It has always been my passion to DJ.

I remember sneaking into clubs and hiding in a corner just to see a Disc Jockey, when I was about 10-12 years old. I was always attracted to the art of DJing.

I continued doing events when I moved to secondary school and really went into it when I moved to America in 2006, I joined my college radio station and started DJing professionally. That’s how I started. Apart from being a DJ, I am a producer, song writer and audio engineer.

What inspired DJ Babus to get into the wedding industry?

I did a bunch of gigs when I was in America; including children’s events, birthday parties and clubs. I didn’t get into weddings until I moved back to Nigeria in 2012. When I moved back I started working at a club called One Eleven. Someone saw me and asked me to DJ at their wedding; that was the first time I performed at a wedding event. Once I did that, lots of people started calling me. I started doing lots of corporate events, DJing in art galleries, DJing for brands like Campari, Ciroc and Puma. Every client referred me to another and that’s how I really got started in Nigeria. My inspiration for DJing was built by my background and childhood. In my house till this day, I have over 300 records, 5 record players, speaker and other things.

Would you start your business, if you were to do it over again? What would you do differently?

I would definitely start, I have no regret whatsoever in doing what I am doing right now. For me, it was a little different but I think I did it in a more intelligent way. I got back to Nigeria from America but instead of just jumping straight into it, I started working for free in different aspects of the industry. I started working for Trybe Records as a sound engineer with Eldee as a mentor. I was able to learn from that aspect. After I left, I joined Knight House as a road manager and producer. I got to travel with their artists and I learned a lot.

I also worked with TV stations as a DJ and Producer and even managed a couple models and video vixens. I did a lot and soaked up a lot of knowledge from these experiences. These experience helped me approach my business from what I believe was a more sensible angle. I learnt what to invest in, how and what to avoid as well as what ought to be done and how. I also learnt the importance of branding. I think if I should do it again, I will do it the exact same way.

What has been your greatest motivation?

Apart from the money (laughs), it is when you can be part of someone’s event that they remember forever; that’s truly something. Being a standout at people’s events is a great motivation. What I mean by this is after an event when people talk or review the event, I want the DJ or music to be a point everyone raves about. I have done weddings where the venue cuts the power to shut down and the guests start clapping for me and screaming my name because they had an epic time. I have had bras, cash, champagne rained on me. Till today, I see some people who I performed at their events still rave about my work. These things, not the money (which is good), are my greatest motivators. Being part of the experience is amazing.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

The Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry is amazing. It‘s also incredible that the industry has expanded despite the bad economic woos these last two years. I was already preparing to put a pause on weddings and refocus but people are still having weddings every week. Many halls are packed every weekend for weddings like they were before the recession. I am still performing all over the country. The wedding industry is as strong as its ever been in my opinion.

What do you like about your business and working in the wedding industry?

I love controlling the crowd; taking them on a musical journey. When I play a song you like and you react in a certain way, for me that’s priceless. Yes, you can have all the songs in the world but when you can take your listeners back through their life e.g. when they were in JSS1 (Junior Secondary School one) and play a couple of songs in sequence, it’s amazing seeing, hearing and feeling their reactions. I think that’s what makes me stand out in a way.

Is that what differentiates DJ Babus from the rest in the business?

I think that’s it. One thing is this, first of all, I am best known for playing house music. The second thing is the journey I take you on using music. Before I work with a bride & groom, I give them a questionnaire. I want to know everything from their age, where they schooled, what year they graduated, and what kind of guests are coming for the wedding. People think it’s stupid, but when I get all that information I use it to weave the music for the occasion and it is incredible how powerful this kind of preparation is. The peak part of your years like your JSS1 is very important. Sisqo was the reigning musician at one point. I mean, if you came up to the UK in the 2000’s you probably like Grime. Good Music is one thing but the “journey” is also important. I tease the crowd too. I might play a cool song and stop the music. They are like “DJ what’s up?”, “What’s wrong”. People love that, and you can gauge their attention level.

What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?

I expect them to respond to the questionnaire. I always give it months in advance. Some people think the questionnaire I give them is stupid but for me it’s an important tool. You don’t have to complete everything but the important parts. I want the couple to work together in figuring out the questionnaire. I want couples to really be honest and be open with me about the whole thing. It is frustrating, when I give the questionnaire months in advance and they don’t answer it and on the day of the event, they request new songs.

I want couples to care about music their guests would like but also stuff that might be niche that they love. It’s my job to take their ideas and incorporate them into my set, this really sets me apart. Many of my clients appreciate my vast knowledge and ability to play House or R&B or maybe even Rock tunes that are hardly played at weddings.

With the questionnaire, you can get the kind of songs they (bride & groom) want?

Exactly, even down to the songs the couple want to dance in with, and the song for their first dance. I list everything out so everybody is in-the-know and to ensure we are all on the same page. Some couples don’t mind me just playing whatever because they know me or they just want me to work off the crowd.

What is (are) the rewarding aspect(s) of providing your service? What are the most frustrating aspect(s)?

Of course, the money is good but it’s not simply about the money or the profit. Like I mentioned earlier, just having the right reaction from the crowd makes me sleep well at night when I know I killed it. When I can text someone and say, “Yo! I just killed this wedding”, that’s the most rewarding.

The most frustrating would be weddings that are not well planned. I prefer working with some wedding planners because everything is organized. Communication with the couple, venue and vendors are crucial. I like working with planners and couples who are conscientious and fulfill all agreement or contract terms. When a wedding is not well planned, I think that’s the thing that frustrates me the most and it can make me look bad as a vendor.

What advice does DJ Babus have for future brides and grooms regarding your line of business?

Main advice is to know your priorities and work that into your budget. Some couples prioritize venue or décor over food for example, in this case spend your money on the venue and décor. If you know you have guests that want to dance, especially a diverse crowd, then spend money on a great DJ.

It’s your own wedding, choose right and choose what best suits you.

What advice does DJ Babus have for up and coming businesses in your line of business?

Professionalism and punctuality go hand-in-hand. Clients definitely appreciate this. If I am given an appointment for 11:00 o’clock, I make it a point to be at the venue at least 30 minutes earlier. By so doing, you are always in the right. Listen to and advice your clients. Some clients might not really know what they want, so you guide them. Ask your clients questions. Some clients might want things that are outrageous. I once had a gig where the couple requested that no Nigerian music be played. I asked if their friends like Nigerian music, and explained to them that on that day they wouldn’t be the only ones dancing. What if their friends have a horrible time, then what happens? This helped them re-assess their decision, they saw my point and agreed with me. Ask the necessary questions; work with the bride and groom.

I never do weddings where the couple and I have first contact on the day of the event. If the bride and groom are unavailable to meet prior to the wedding day, at least the questionnaire should be filled and submitted.

Also know your limitations. If someone tells me all he/she wants is Fuji music, it is not my style. If it is not your style don’t say, “Oh don’t worry” just to get the money. No, pass it on to the next person. I recently had a gig where they got a DJ specifically for house music. He couldn’t do that. He took off with the money and I was called a day before the wedding as a replacement. You have to be professional and not greedy. A reputation takes you further.

Another essential point is “don’t do it for the money”. What I mean is that, when I started as a DJ, I did free jobs. For 3 years, I didn’t make money because I was learning to DJ. However, some DJs just want to make money right away. What happens is that you take the easy route and there are so many things you don’t learn. You may get by for years, cool, but sometimes when you get to an event for instance and the equipment doesn’t work well, what do you do? You don’t know what to do because you are stuck in a particular way. If you really learnt how to DJ, you can overcome many things. DJs really, really need to learn their craft. Don’t just jump in to make money, be patient and you will stand out. In the long run, what happens? The successful DJs who have been in the business for years like DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Neptune and co, know their stuff.

What else would DJ Babus like to share with our readers?

Brides, grooms and event planners really need to figure out who they are working with. It is not enough to simply find the cheapest person or hire your brother’s or sister’s friend. Finding a DJ or vendor who really suits you or your client is key. The bride and the groom are the most important people of the day. Not the bride’s parents, not the groom’s parents, it is the bride and the groom. Don’t have weddings that will make only the parents happy. I performed at a wedding some months ago and the bride was crying because the wedding was made around her parents, so her friends were bored. They only allowed me to DJ for about 30 minutes. Understand the bride and groom and make it for the bride and groom. Hire people who are good. There are loads of good DJs out there, so look for a good DJ, talk to the person and understand each other. I am a pretty dope DJ. There are also dope DJs on Iludio.

VISIT DJ Babus on Iludio

A lot of Nigerian love stories have been written on the back of MTN, and this one isn’t any different.

This has one failed relationship, one “happily ever after” and the promise that many other Nigerian and Ghanaian couples will be blessed by the hands and the craft of Lanre Esho.

Introducing Lanre

Lanre is the Lead Cinematographer of Lanre Esho Films.

If you ask him what he does, his answer is more often than not…

“We tell stories with weddings”

He always had a fascination for moving pictures which he could never actually pursue because back then he was in a relationship with Nigeria’s largest Telco, MTN.

He was with the Digital Services Support team and it was their job to “digitize” MTN’s products and services using video graphics and such.

One day he decided to try his hands on wedding films after he had seen some incredible weddings online.

He fell in love with Ray Roman, the Film Poet company, and Rob Adams.

The works of these guys was beginning to light a love affair with wedding videography in the heart of Lanre.

Eventually, he couldn’t deny the desires of his heart anymore, so Lanre had to tell his former love MTN, goodbye.

Looking back now he has this advice for others in his position

“If I could do it all over, I would have started earlier”

Before he took the leap, the fears and uncertainties had kept him from resigning his office job.

God, Hard Work, Motivations and Easy Fun Loving Couples

Lanre cites God as his greatest motivation because…

“God rewards diligence.”

This is something Lanre can say for certain because of the growth he has made over the years even with the changes in the Nigerian and Ghanaian Wedding Movie industry.

He describes these changes as “extensive!” because the old school style has given way to the advent of film style shoots and edits.

What are film style edits? These are edits made to a wedding to make it look like a theatrical movie for the big screen.

Lanre and his team deliver both shorts and longer edits.

Before then wedding videos weren’t thought to be important.

You just got someone and let the tape roll for 8 to 12 hours and you had your wedding video!

What does Lanre like best about the wedding industry and working with couples?

“I like the fact that every couple has a unique story to tell… this keeps my blood flowing.”

And of course, the whole goal is to see how each couple’s unique story can be incorporated into the shoot.

To make this “unique story” the heart and soul of the wedding video, he expects a few things from each couple he works with.

“I always look forward to clients who want to express love and share their everyday friendship for us to make movies from… It can be challenging when I don’t get enough content for the film”

Because some couples can be shy, excessively worried, or are “camera aware“ as we pros like to call it, he has this advice for couples on their wedding day…

“I always advise clients to have fun on the big day… This is because I usually get the best footage from fun loving and easy going couples who are relaxed on the wedding day… If clients want the perfect wedding video, they shouldn’t worry too much about perfect details… just concentrate on having fun! That’s when all the elements of a good film come together… sound, pictures, feeling, and emotion.”

Advice to the younger cinematographers in the field

This one is easy.

Lanre says…

“Constantly evolve… Study hard and enjoy your craft… This job has many rewarding aspects because we travel all around the world doing what we love.”

Lessons on Love and Marriage

His failed relationship with MTN and his experiences around that has taught Lanre a few things about marriage.

“Decision are better made when you talk with your spouse about issues.”

At the time he was going to make the jump into the wedding cinematography business, he was already married to his loving and supportive wife. She had some anxieties as well, and they spoke through everything and planned the exit together.

Today they are better of for that decision.

Lanre’s advice to young couples is the same. Especially for young husbands.

“Talk through all issues with your wife”

Sounding Off

Just like Lanre, before I got into the wedding industry I didn’t study a course that was directly related to what I’m doing now.

So for the record, I was wondering what that was, and if he’d like to talk about it.

Lanre said…

“I Studied Mass Communication in school… Mass Communications has come in handy with my story telling ability… It was a good foundation.”

As we round up the interview, I can’t help but think about how failed relationships yesterday can create beauty today.

Lanre’s exes; MTN and Mass Communications have led him to a love affair with Wedding Cinematography.

Whether in Nigeria or Ghana as you pick up the phone to call Lanre Esho Films, you can be sure of one thing; your love affair and your marriage to your spouse are going to be better off for it. Take the leap, take the plunge and together write your own love story, write your own love movie.

VISIT Lanre Esho Films page on iludio

We had a fantastic time chatting with Olayide Badmus, the creative director of Browneyes Makeovers. She is soft spoken, easy going and very detailed. She shared about her business, working in the wedding industry and gave solid advice for couples as well as vendors. Here’s what we learned:

Please tell us about yourself and your business?

My name is Olaide Badmus, a graduate of Computer Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University. I started makeup artistry in 2011. I used to be a model but I knew I couldn’t be a model for the rest of my life. However, I wanted to remain in the showbiz and fashion industry, so I thought about what I loved to do that relates to modeling, showbiz and fashion. I know I can’t act or sing. I love colours and I like painting my face a lot since I was child. I mimicked my big sisters. I just thought to try makeup. As a model, I admired makeup artists when we went for jobs, so I said “I think I need to do this”. I needed to learn a skill and wanted to remain in the industry, that’s why I went into makeup artistry. I chose weddings instead of fashion and beauty because I love weddings. In fact, wedding is my favorite party when it comes to going for parties and all. I enjoy weddings to other events.

How did you start Browneyes Makeovers? What inspired you to get into the wedding industry?

I was doing my IT in a financial firm and one day I sat down and asked myself if that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life; leaving home at 5 am and coming back at 9 pm. At least when I start my family, I don’t want to do this every day. I want to be there for my kids. I knew I had to learn a skill, so I asked myself what I love to do and enjoy doing. I love painting my face, even when I wake up late and I am supposed to leave my house at 4 am. I will do my makeup even if I had to use candle light. I do it because I enjoy it. Since I like do my makeup, I decided to do something in that field. I started watching a lot of YouTube videos although I had not taken it seriously then. I went for a three-day training. After the training, I offered to do a friend’s bridal makeup, although I didn’t have a tools or products that I could use for her aside from mine. That happened to be my first bride and since then it’s been from strength to strength, going from one training to another, trying to perfect the skill. I opened officially November 8^th 2015, that’s when I started my studio.

Would you start Browneyes Makeovers, if you were to do it over again? What would you do differently?

Yes, I will choose makeup artistry when it comes to learning a skill because I enjoy it. That’s the only thing you can get me to do when I’m sick. When I’m down and you want me to be useful to you, get me something makeup related. If it is something else I will be sick again. If it is makeup related or something to do with colours, the energy comes from nowhere and I really don’t get tired until the job is done.

What has been your greatest motivation?

Motivation to succeed and have a better future. I thought about my future, my family although I am not yet married and what will happen in the next five years. I don’t want to do long hours. Not me, not possible. I don’t want to leave my home for a house help. I want to be there for my kids, be an integral part of their lives, and be their lesson teacher, best friend and all. Honestly, it’s hard with a career job. That’s actually the inspiration to learn a skill and start a business.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

Yes. Before I joined the industry, I admired a lot of makeup artists in particular the late Ewar. She was one of the people that inspired me.

The industry has grown and things have evolved. You see different trends every day. My married sister wonders when makeup artistry became a big thing. When she looks at her wedding makeup pictures, she wishes it was now. The change is drastic when you compare pictures from say 2009 to what we have now. It is a different world entirely. I think we are doing well for ourselves.

What do you like about Browneyes Makeovers and working in the wedding industry?

I love that you can change something that looks ordinary to extraordinary. Sometimes when I look at someone, I envision that the person has a very sharp cheek bone that I can do something with or brows that would be nice if it was done a certain way. I am already doing an invisible makeup on that person. I love that the job allows me to do all of these things on another person which come out strikingly well.

What differentiates Browneyes Makeovers from others in your line of business and location? What are your greatest strengths?

I believe what differentiates me is my customer service experience and my passion for excellence which I learnt from my 9-to-5 job. There are so many things you learn from a 9-to-5 job that can’t be taken away and you can incorporate into your own business. I think customer service and getting to customers would be the difference. It is not as though I have everything but there is something about me, according to a lot of my customers. Sometimes, they apologize when they go somewhere else because I wasn’t reachable. They just choose to be loyal to this girl not because am better than other colleagues, but because of my personality and the received service.

What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?

Not much, I just want them to stick to our agreement. No late surprises. For instance, we are to meet at a particular time and I have to wait for two hours. I like being punctual, so I like it when people are punctual too. I don’t like it when we have an agreement and I get to a place only to I hear sorry there has been a change of plan. It destabilizes me. I like people to stick to our agreement so everything just works out seamlessly; agreements such as time, location, etc. Another instance, we had an agreement that I will have a room to myself and I get there only to discover that I’ll share a room with six other family members. I am not up for those kind of surprises.

What is (are) the most rewarding aspect(s) of providing your service? What are the most frustrating aspect(s)?

For most rewarding, aside the money which obviously is one reason that everybody is in business, it will be the satisfaction on my client’s face after the job. I love the look and the expressions of “wow”, “are you serious”, “I look beautiful” and “love this”. In fact, I look forward to it while doing the makeup because some clients don’t get to look at the mirror till I am done.

What advice do you have for future brides and grooms regarding your type of business i.e. venues if you are a venue, photographers if you are a photographer, etc.?

Ensure privacy especially for the bride. They need a bit of privacy with the makeup artist, hair stylist and probably the photographer, to prevent situations where a room is stuffy / crowded and one person is saying “she didn’t blend this place well” and another is saying “no, it’s too dark”. They won’t wait for you to finish what you are doing before commenting. As a result, the bride is worked up and worried that she will look horrible for her wedding. That’s the essence of privacy.

What advice do you have for up and coming businesses in your line of business’?

My advice is not to go into the business because everybody is doing makeup. Don’t do it because your friend is a makeup artist or just because you want to own a business. Do it because you enjoy doing it, have a passion for it and think you can be successful. It takes consistent and continuous practice, the ability to accept ‘no’ because you will get a lot, and the ability to manage disappointments. Be ready for surprises, not just good ones, but also disappointments even from fellow vendors in the industry. So you have to prepare yourself. Money shouldn’t be the primary reason you are in business because if it is, you will pack up in the first year. If you have other reasons, the passion is there and you are not ready to give up, then you can start. For instance, if you are talking to ten different vendors and the first nine say no, don’t give up, talk to that last one. You never can tell as that last person might say yes and that collaboration might be the one that will sell for you.

What award(s), if any, have you received?

None yet but am looking forward to it.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

If you want a good makeup, you should be ready to pay for it. This business is not child’s play. There are a lot of people in this business who are B.Sc and Master’s Degree holders, so it’s not a question of what do they know. It is a business that is meant to fend for us and pay our bills. So when people look down on it, and refuse to pay much, then they shouldn’t expect to get good services.

For people that want to come into the business, I will advise that they seek God first and God’s direction. When you are sure that’s what you want to do and have a passion for it, then prepare your mind to be successful no matter how hard it is and how many people are in the business. Just have the mindset that you are going to make it. Mindset is the key.

VISIT Browneyes Makeovers page on Iludio

Zeezee Cruise is a fast growing wedding planner and makeup artist based in Nigeria. In our interview, the founder shares information about her business and provides great tips for brides/grooms and upcoming makeup artists and planners.

Tell us about yourself and your business

My name is Chisom Azodoh. I am a Doctor and my business is Zeezee Cruise. It started off as a beauty and skincare outfit and has expanded in recent times to include wedding planning.

How did you start? What inspired you to get into the industry?

I have always loved weddings. They make me so happy. It’s like a light bulb lights up in my head when I see weddings, brides and wedding dresses. I have always wanted to be in a position where I can help dress those brides, plan and make their day beautiful.

Would you start Zeezee Cruise, if you were to do it over again? What would you do differently?

Well my business is just starting, so yeah. If I had to start again, I’ll do my business. What I would like to do differently is to spend more time, may be to do more makeup internships with other people so I could see how they run their makeup artistry businesses. However, these are not things that I can’t learn as my business grows. Maybe it would have helped with better preparation. I think I’m as prepared as I can be right now and I can always do an update class for anything that I need.

What has been your greatest motivation?

It is really encouraging when you are able to make somebody happy by your efforts. When you have a support system that supports your dreams like family that also motivates.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

I think it has exploded tremendously especially with direct visuals of other people’s weddings on Instagram and Facebook. A lot of weddings you see now are not just about the couple getting married but a display of what was put into the wedding – pomp, pageantry. Couples try to outdo previous weddings and vendors their former work.

What do you like about your business and working in the industry?

I like that I’m able to meet different people. As a wedding vendor, I have to interact with other wedding vendors. In addition to trying to get my business out there, I also want people to know me personally and be able to recommend me first for the kind of person they think I am and then the type of service they think I can deliver. It doesn’t make any sense to be an excellent wedding vendor then my personality is crap.

What differentiates Zeezee Cruise from others in your line of business and location? What are your greatest strengths?

I think my greatest strengths are the facts that people like my personality and energy and I’m able to give assistance even beyond what is required of me so I’m very helpful to clients as well as vendors I work with.

What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?

I expect my clients to be honest and on time. I don’t expect a client to contract me for wedding guest make up and then you get there and it turns out she’s the bride. A lot of brides do this. I expect my clients to be honest about their financial situations so that if they cannot afford the service that they want, I can recommend someone else who can deliver the service they want at their budget. I really dislike tardiness and I try my best to be on time for appointments.

What is/are the most rewarding aspect of providing your service? What is/are the most frustrating aspects?

Most frustrating aspect is people who change their mind on the go. As a planner, I don’t like when I have discussed details with the couple, vendors have been contracted and after lots of time and effort, there’s a change of heart, and we are back to square one. It invalidates all the consultations that were supposed to help the couple articulate what they want and also makes your planner look unserious especially when vendors are disengaged at the last minute.

Most rewarding is when a client thanks you and then they are really happy and eager to recommend you to someone else. This is really rewarding and there’s no monetary value that can equate the happiness that I feel when a client is really grateful and excited. It is priceless.

What advice can you give to brides/grooms?

Please do not assume that makeup is an afterthought, because a lot of people do that. When they have budgeted for everything, they will now look for maybe one ₦10,000 that they just put aside for the makeup artist. Makeup does not cost ₦10,000 if it is good makeup artistry. You need to start on time, have your budget and try your best to stick to it.

What advice can you give to up-and-coming businesses in your line of business?

You need to be honest and upfront with your clients. You need to be careful with documentation because it is so important. If you need to have a conversation with your client on WhatsApp make sure you have a record of that conversation. If you are going to make your client sign a document, make sure you have a copy of that document so that everything that is discussed is tracked. You are not saying oh we talked about it and it is based on your memory. You can actually see that the conversation was had and an agreement reached.

It is so important for you because sometimes when people begin to change their minds or when mistakes happen, they try to blame you. You need to have those documents so you can say and prove the things that were discussed. You need to be honest. If you are not honest, no matter how good you are it will begin to tell eventually.

What award(s) if any have you received?

Not yet. I have a long way to go but hopefully I’ll get there sometime soon.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

You need to learn to focus on time. The way that I have structured my business is based on the scripture Psalms 139:14 that says “I praise you Lord for I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. The theme for my business is “wonderfully made” and for every business that I plan to do: makeup artistry, event planning, wedding dresses, whatever the business grows into. When you have some backing, for me as a Christian it is the scriptures, even when you face challenges, you have something to fall back on that encourages you even when there is no one to encourage you. When your business is just starting and things are not easy, it is very good to have something to fall back on.

VISIT Zeezee Cruise on Iludio

Photo Credit: Mtouch Multimedia

Most of us are already used to the wonderful imagery that comes from the stable of Imagio Photography.

What is little less known however is the man behind those elegant photos.

I had the pleasure of chatting with him not long ago while we were putting together this feature for Iludio.

The man behind the images

Somto Maduka is an easygoing, cheerful, playful and a focused individual.

His meticulous side came across over our conversation when we started going into the details of how he approaches his work on the wedding day and how he is dedicated to giving the best experience possible to his clients.

Through Somto’s efforts, Imagio Photography has now become a well sought after portrait and wedding photography outfit interested in telling stories and capturing everyday people in the most beautiful and intriguing manner.

2014… The year it all began

Imagio Photography was born sometime around 2014.

Back then he didn’t really understand what the wedding industry was about, but after a few weddings he was able to find an intimate connection with all the different forms of emotions that are displayed on the wedding day.

He was able to describe really strong emotions ranging from “intense love” to “envy” but I’ll leave that later bit for you guys to talk it over when you get to meet Somto Maduka in person.

These are the emotions that have inspired him to document weddings.

It also doesn’t hurt that Somto likes meeting and talking to people.

He loves how shooting weddings gives him easy access to interacting with people on a very personal level in a very short period of time.

The “do over” – How he would do things differently

The man behind Imagio Photography has absolutely no regrets about how he has gotten into wedding photography.

In his own words…

“Well, I don’t think I would have done anything differently if I were to start it again… personally it’s a journey and everything I have experienced so far has geared me up to do better in the future”

The happy bride – the ultimate Imagio motivation

What is Somto’s greatest goal in shooting a wedding?

His honest answer pretty much says it all…

“…a satisfied bride of course! …I remember one of my brides Nneka
who lost her granny months after her wedding… the only photo she has of her granny was one I took of both of them.. preserving life in prints is another strong motivation of mine”

Thoughts on the Nigerian and Ghanaian Wedding Industry

It’s no surprise that he thinks the wedding industry in both countries is rising really fast… especially in Nigeria where Somto Maduka is based.

He hasn’t photographed a Ghanaian wedding yet, but he had this to say…

“I am really looking forward to photographing a Ghana wedding soon”

We at Iludio hope you’ll open up your doors when he comes knocking at the shores of Ghana.

Changes in weddings over the years

Has the wedding industry changed? And how?

Somto had this to say…

“The wedding industry has changed a whole lot especially with the rise of Instagram… weddings are now not just for the couple to get married and share their affection for each other, but it has also become a means to show style, wealth, and social status…”

So I asked him…

“That’s the reason why you get paid the big bucks eh?”

He laughed… and had to reply something his fiancee asked when she walked into the room.

Somto is set to walk down the aisle in a few weeks like some of you are about to do.

Stay tuned to Iludio for the picture of the new Mrs. Maduka when the nuptials are over and done with.

What sets Imagio Photography apart in the wedding industry

Somto has taken the time and the skill to build up a unique and dynamic wedding portfolio.

It is something he likes and is very proud of…

“…there is no room for the status quo… you have to be on your toes.”

What differentiates Imagio from the list of others in the business? What are his greatest strengths?

His answer is simple…

“…what differentiates me from the other guys is Me! …I’m not a wedding photographer to just photograph your wedding… I become your family and you become mine too… my ability to form really human relationships is my major strength irrespective of the fact that I’m an outstanding photographer…”

I complimented him on his humility and he followed with his usual infectious laughter.

Expectation from brides and groom

What does he expect from his clients? What do they need to do to ensure that the magic flows through the lens on the wedding day?

“…all I expect from brides and grooms is just to be happy and enjoy their special day… smile and have fun because you have taken a great step to a better level of life… I don’t like it when they frown.. that hurts me”

On the rare occasion that there is a frown, he is up to the challenge because the most rewarding aspect of being a wedding photographer for him is to provide a level of service that will make any client happy.

Advice for future brides and grooms in selecting a wedding photographer

I’ll leave his words to do all the talking here…

“…make sure you connect with you photographer because you are going to see him or her all day on the wedding day …be sure to look at the photographer’s body of work and ask questions …do not hire anyone who is not detailed and clear on what the deliverables will be”

What advice do you have for the up and coming in the photography business?

He gave one word…

“Be honest… Honesty is key.”

What awards if any, have you received?

He laughed as usual.

But before he cut the phone to walk out with his future bride, he replied…

“I’ll be looking forward to receiving one soon!”

And with that, we had to end our phone interview.

He had to run out with the future Mrs. Maduka.

Like we all know, he has a wedding to plan and a life to build with his partner ahead of him.

Remember that when you stand before his lens.

He is the dedicated artist and friend who has walked the same path as you and will do his best to get you happily over the altar.

VISIT Imagio Photography on Iludio.

Hadassah Bridal House is a growing bridal business and an Iludio Vendor (Visit Hadassah’s Page). In our interview, with Ifedolapo, the founder, she tells us about her business and how she got into the wedding industry. She also shares great tips for brides/grooms and upcoming wedding businesses.

Tell us about yourself and your business

My name is Ifedolapo Olayemi-Okewole. I am married with a little son. The business I run is Hadassah Bridal House which is a bridal and fashion outfit in Lagos. We make affordable and trendy wedding gowns. We target people who want trendy and affordable wedding gowns and who can shop online for their wedding gowns.

How did you start? What inspired you to get into the industry?

My wedding actually inspired me. When I was getting married I didn’t have the luxury of time to shop around for my wedding gown. So I did most (about 90%) of my shopping online. After that, I started thinking that there were a lot of women in my shoes who couldn’t go around to shop. So I started sourcing for materials and stuff. We started with the online platform before we moved into our own store.

Would you start Hadassah Bridal House, if you were to do it over again? What would you do differently?

Yes I would start my business over and over again. I would do it every time. When I started, I did only custom made pre-order wedding gowns. If I were to start again, I will start with stocking up wedding gowns in my store.

What has been your greatest motivation?

Well I am always very happy when my brides are happy. So when a bride comes into my store and walks out happy, I am happy. My day is make when that happens. When I see the wedding pictures and the smiles, I am always very elated.

What do you think of the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry? Has it changed over the years and how?

Well yes, the Nigerian/Ghanaian wedding industry has changed. Our demands have changed. Our budgets have changed. Our planning has changed. We have evolved and we have become more social. Everyone has something they are looking for and want to see in their wedding. However, one thing I have a problem with, is matching our budgets with what we can afford.

A lot of us are online including on Instagram and we see a lot of things we admire and love to have. However, we don’t check our budgets. So once we see those things and we want but can’t afford them, we have problems. We can’t match what we do in terms of planning our wedding with what people and society expects. That’s where I think a lot of people struggle. Matching their budgets with what they can afford

What do you like about your business and working in the industry?

It’s a dynamic industry and that’s a thing I like. Things are always changing. Wedding gown styles always change. The makeup industry is growing. I like the fact that it is dynamic. I like the fact that it is growing.

What differentiates Hadassah from others in your line of business and location? What are your greatest strengths?

What differentiates Hadassah Bridal House is the fact that even though our wedding gowns are trendy, they are very affordable. We are able to help brides get affordable wedding gowns. Now with regards to our location, we are not bound by Lagos. We are in Lagos but have served brides in many states in Nigeria. So we are not limited by our location. Over the years, the brand has grown and more people have trusted us. They commit their funds to us, expect to get what they want and we deliver.

What do you expect from your clients (brides and grooms)? What don’t you expect?

I expect my clients to have a budget. I have talked about budgets a lot, because a lot of people have plans but no set budget. So I expect my clients to have a budget and I expect them to work with their budgets.

What is/are the most rewarding aspect of providing your service? What is/are the most frustrating aspects?

Seeing brides from everywhere with our wedding gowns. Seeing my bride tag me from Gombe. Seeing my bride tag me from the US. It is very rewarding.

The most frustrating is seeing a bride-to-be walk into the store already tired and can’t find her wedding gown. It is not just frustrating for the bride but also for me, because I understand what she is going through. Trust me it can be very tiring when you have searched and searched for a dress.

What advice can you give to brides/grooms?

In life, one thing that helps us grow is knowledge. When you are planning a wedding, beyond just searching for pictures, search for information. Search for the things you should do while getting married. Apart from preparing for your wedding day, prepare for life after the day. That is something that has helped me in marriage. I have been married for 5+ years. Beyond preparing for my wedding, I got equipped for the life. I remember being dumped with loads of books to read. I look back at the information I gathered then and it has helped me. I am not a bride who is frustrated in marriage, because I have been well equipped. So beyond preparing for your wedding day, you need to prepare for the life after.

What advice can you give for up and coming businesses in your line of business?

I always like to say that the world needs entrepreneurs. People that are daring. People that are patient enough to go through the process. The world needs people that will learn. So if you intend to get into the bridal industry, try and get the education. I have had to go to school and recently did a course at Pan-Atlantic. Really for me, it was a turning point in my business life because I was exposed to things that I didn’t know. I was more about using social media whilst not doing a lot of things with our books, our HR, our customer service on paper. So if you are looking into entrepreneurship and have a dream, write that dream down and create it. Then get the education, get the right network and meet the right people.

What award(s) if any have you received?

I got a WomenX scholarship award from World Bank and Lagos Business School (LBS). It was based on entrepreneurship. They were looking for young women-owned businesses in Nigeria. I applied and got the scholarship award. After six months of learning, I received a certificate in entrepreneurial management.

What else would you like to share with our readers?

Always smile. Life is full of challenges. The economy in Nigeria is not smiling. We are exchanging dollar at 500/505 naira. In the midst of that, always find a reason to smile. You can always be happy.

VISIT Hadassah Bridal House on Iludio

We had a wonderful time with Sheila from Prime Shades. She is a beautiful soul, very passionate about her work and an inspirational being. You only need to read the text of our interview to be inspired. Here’s our chat broken into multiple pages.

Tell us about yourself and your business?

I’m Sheila Enuson and the CEO of Prime Shades Ltd. We do interior designing and events i.e. weddings, parties, etc. We also do construction. We’re based in Ghana and have been in operation since 2008. By God’s grace, we are humbled to say that we are among the top names in Ghana when it comes to decor. We are very reliable in what we do and we offer our clients the best of services. The main thing we do when it comes to events are weddings and we take particular interest in weddings because we want weddings to be beautiful for every couple. We don’t believe in discrimination. We work with everyone and make sure every bride feels special and happy. We’ve been building our profile since we started and over the years we have worked with over 50 couples. We limit the amount of couples/workload to make sure we put in our best for the couples we work with. Our monthly target is a maximum of two weddings to allow us time to achieve beautiful, well-packaged weddings especially considering that some weddings are destination weddings and those take a lot of time. We also take our time to focus on the bride, the groom and the families involved because you can’t say you’re having a wedding and ignore the bride’s mum. NEVER!! If the bride’s mum is available, she’s your first contact. The bride knowing that the mum is in agreement with most of the things, and the mother-in-law or father-in-law are also in agreement brings a lot of peace of mind and understanding on the day.

We give our best to every wedding – making sure everyone comes with their head up high and goes home with their head down (where they are happy and knocked out from having a good time at a great party) but we make sure that there is proper coordination – with an MC to cheer the event, with good food and drinks, great ambiance for a good event. It is important to us that we don’t just complete our aspect of the decor but we ensure the totality of the wedding; being in sync and making sure it is a memorable event. That’s what we always aim to achieve and we try our best for every client, irrespective of their budget. We make sure we cater to everyone. We have the high-end clients and the budget-friendly clients and we make sure that in all our endeavours, we give every bride that special attention.

How did you start and what inspired you to get into this industry?

Wow! how I started. I started at home and church. I always loved to setup the tables for dinner, lunch and I loved to see all the dressings ironed, paid so much attention to what we call ‘the home decor’. The regular home where your mum does the cooking and you want to make the food and garnish it before presenting it. That was something within me that I didn’t realize I had until after school. It was after I had completed my tertiary education that I said to myself “do I really want to be a journalist?”. I worked at a radio station for about a year and felt that I was missing something. I missed when I arranged flowers in church. I was in the girls fellowship. I am a Methodist and so at the girls fellowship, we learnt a number of things from crocheting and home detailing. You’re taught a whole lot and I grew fond of always playing with the fabrics and the floral. I didn’t know I had a talent in me until, I think in 2005, when my attention was drawn to what my potential was. We had events at church where sometimes we needed to put the tables together and sometimes we waited on the decorator in vain so we improvised and put the decor together. People were happy with our decor. My cousins subsequently sought me out saying “we have an event coming up, since you’re the planner, how do we do it” and I would provide a list of items and tasks to be completed. We worked with plastic chairs. It was a lot of fun for me. I wasn’t getting paid for jobs but I was always happy doing them. It was out of this passion that I grew interested in developing my talent.

I believe I am where I am today, with the help of my friends and family, because without them no one would have known me. They gave me all the encouragement. My mum would give remarks like “this is beautiful, keep doing it” and also my sister, may her soul rest in peace. She is one of the special people in my life. I still keep her memories. I remember her telling me 10 years ago, that the work I’m doing now will take me to a lot of places. At the time, I didn’t understand her but I wish now that she was still alive for me to tell her that “sis, see what I’ve been able to do with events”. Every time I see videos of my work, I cry because I wish she could see what I’ve been able to do with the little things I used to play with at home. Every time they found a broken vase, they knew I broke the vase. I grew up loving what I do. I still love what I do and I’m still passionate about it.

I think I’ve grown interest in having a taste of Nigeria; a twist of Nigerian and Ghanaian flavor in my work. I want to to be a little unique and stand out from the usual Ghanaian style. I like glitz and glam and I see that Nigerians do and that’s why I’m drawn to visiting Nigeria often. When I come, I look for vendors, accessories, all the necessities I think my bride requires – from her outfit to her shoes. In Nigeria, you have a wide variety and that’s why I’m here.