Quick Chat With Shola Adewumi

Shola Adewumi is a serial entrepreneur, having started with Touch of Glamour Unisex in 2006, she hasn’t looked back but keeps on blazing trails. CEO of Glamour Chic Clothes and Accessories, Ocean Drops Limited, she’s about to launch her new project, Grubbies Fast Food, Restaurant and Catering services Limited. She passionately shares her entrepreneurship journey with Bimbola Segun-Amao.

Your educational history lists a degree in Journalism from Howard University and a diploma in Law from Unilag. All that studying gone to waste?

Oh no, not at all. They haven’t gone to waste and I don’t believe would ever go to waste. I have used my expertise in journalism to write for a couple of magazine home and abroad. In the US, I wrote for my college’s newspaper called “The Hilltop” and for an online magazine. In Nigeria, I wrote my own column called “FYI” for a soft sell magazine called Global Excellence. I have written and still writing various articles for several online blogs till date. Also, having majored in Communications has helped me a lot and is still helping me. For instance, with my professional life, I have been able to put to use my communication skills in various aspect which has proven beneficial to me.

Regarding my brush with the Law, lol…I mean my diploma in law that has been another educational gain that has and is still influencing my everyday life and dealings. It has enhanced my knowledge regarding the basic information needed for a smooth operation of my businesses.

So, all that has never gone to waste and I don’t believe they ever will.

You have come a long way as a CEO; what’s been the secret to the staying power?

Thank you! Yes I have come a long way, almost a decade now. They may be secret but I always share so I don’t consider them secrets but reasons. Therefore, are several reasons to my staying in power or business and relevant but the first and most important one is God! He is the Almighty power giver so He alone has kept me here and still going! Then I have my family (parents and siblings), they are my rock truly! My very close and small circle of friends that are more than friends. All these people are like my advisers, my go-to people and a strong part of my success story. Then of course, I have my entrepreneurial rules, regulations, ethics, social, marketing and advertising strategies and continuous years of experience to guide and groom me onto the right tracks.

Do you believe that opportunities are emerging to accommodate more women in the business climate of today’s Nigeria or is it still a perceived male dominated environment?

Oh! I love this question so much. Reason being that I’m, like,  a female activist- always in favour of women rising up to entrepreneurial roles and substantial positions in the society. I advocate this to our female youth regularly so they can have that mentality while growing and when their time is ripe, they will be ready. I do believe that opportunities are FAST emerging to accommodate women in today’s business environment and they are definitely taking advantage of this opportunities. Look at me for instance…and several other women I know, read and hear about.

What’s one of the toughest lessons you’ve hard to learn on the job?

Now that’s tough but thinking right off, I will say Patience. It is said that Patience is a virtue and I am constantly working on it. In my line of businesses, one needs to have an immerse dosage of patience. I deal mostly with people on a daily basis and we all come from different nationalities and backgrounds hence our behaviour, morals and principles differ. So having to manage and accommodate everyone and making sure that their always a positive ending to every transaction as much as I can be very difficult. But I am glad that I have my years of experience to learn from and work on any loose ends. For me I think to be a great entrepreneur, you need to be a good leader, a great listener and a fast learner. The 3 L’s, i just formed that now. I think it should be written in some self-help books or something. (Hahahaha. Lol. Just kidding with the book though)

Grubbies is the new baby. Why a Restaurant and catering services? What should we expect from Grubbies? How does it stand out from every other fastfood?

Yay! That’s my new baby indeed. Why? Simply because you can’t go wrong with food. But only when done well in every aspect of its running and organization. Besides, I have always loved to go into the food industry for like 10 years now so my dream is finally a reality.

Grubbies is an eatery that will provide accessible and affordable high quality nutritious, delicious and healthy food in a unique clean and conducive environment.  The eatery will feature a detailed menu of moderately priced tasty food influenced by African and Continental cooking traditions.

Grubbies will provide a combination of excellent food at its physical location, decent packaging ‎for its delivery services and stylish execution and consistency for its corporate catering services.

It will stand out by promising to be different in every aspect and maintain its standards by always providing quality product and services while remaining competitive by maintaining a decent and affordable price on its menu.

Why do you believe this business can succeed despite the fierce competition in the hospitality market?

Like I mentioned above,you can never go wrong with food if you manage it well and run it. Grubbies is birthed to be a solution to an increasing demand for homemade type fast food to be consumed any time of the day.

No matter how fierce the competition is in the food industry, there’s always room for more eatery and catering services. Our population in Nigeria answers that of the Eatery while our corporate and social societies answer that of the catering aspect. Then, with my hard work, unique well thought out Keys to success and their implementation, I believe Grubbies will be a success story in the food industry with or without competition.

Most people believe a woman must rely or have a key male figure on the horizon to win in the business stakes. What do you say?

Like you said, “Most People” believe…this is definitely the thinking of a lot of people and sadly even the women that want to win this business stakes believe so. I don’t think it has to do with gender, whether you have a male or female figure assisting you or backing you shouldn’t determine your success in business. I would say believe in your God and then the abilities He has given you and watch doors open left, right and center. Your help comes from above and can be in any form, shape or sex!

You are really seem to enjoy fashion and its offerings. What inspires your style? Do you still style other people? Well, I’m a classic dresser. That’s me and my style. I wear and tend to buy mostly things that I can wear anytime, any day, any era but with some exceptions though. Lol. I love to be unique, classy, feminine and different with my style. Yes, I style others sometimes but mostly close friends and family.

What do you do to unwind considering your many projects?

Well, I love to dance and spend quality time with my close friends. I forget my worries and just have good old fun time and create wonderful memories with them.

What’s do you take Pride in?

Nice! I like this question. Well I take pride in my siblings a lot, in the person I am becoming and in the services I have contributed to my various work industries and society at large.