Over the weekend, the media team met with Ms. Sanusi, Creative Director of Katineo by Liza to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, her new collection and to learn from the struggles she has overcome in her business. Read and enjoy.
Let’s meet you ?
My name is Seyifunmi Sanusi. I am the creative director of Katineo by Liza
a woman’s fashion brand in Nigeria which means something new by Liza. I am the second born, only girl of my parents, from Lagos state and a proud Christian.
Tell us about your business.
Like I mentioned earlier, it is a woman’s fashion brand created to cloth an everyday woman uniquely. I was born into a fashion conscious family with my mum being that fashionista aunt or sister that everyone liked. Growing in this environment helped me as I grew into seeing and knowing how to look good. At a certain year in the university, I had people tell me they liked my outfits and I just thought it’ll be nice to actually make these clothes people liked and sell them since they didn’t look so difficult to make.
There was this time in my final year where we went on a long ASUU strike in uni and I decided to learn. This is how the KTL journey started. At the time, I didn’t launch professionally immediately as I had to resume to school. I maximized the use of my service year where I was able to make few things which I was getting money from. I was really excited seeing people where outfits I had made for them.
While my mission at that time was to make women look beautiful without having to break the bank, my mission at the moment is to help women create a good first impression about themselves through the beauty and uniqueness of their outfits and help in growing the Nigeria’s economy by reducing the importation of clothes. Through this, I aim to help women gain confidence and comfort wherever they find themselves.
How do you define success and the major challenges you’re experiencing with your brand?
Errr, I define success by being a solution and a blessing wherever you meet yourself. We were all created for a purpose and I believe I am on the path of fulfilling my purpose on earth.
In the next few years by the grace of God, I would have one of the biggest ready to wear brands in Nigeria and also a factory where we can help other people who wants to start ready to wear in Nigeria produce their outfits .
What’s the toughest decision you have had to make in your company in the last few months ?
Hmmmm, starting my ready to wear collection. I had several doubts. Questions popped up like “What if people say it’s too expensive? What if I make them and they don’t buy?”. But I’m like, it’s better to start and learn than never start. Also pricing and choosing who I want to make clothes for can be hard choices to make. You know sometimes, African tailors just do it all for the money without thinking of delivery. Now if I know it wouldn’t be convenient to make your clothes, I just tell you rather than accepting the job and disappointing.
What keeps you motivated as an entrepreneur?
To be honest , it has not been a smooth journey at all. I have had a whole lot of ups and downs that I didn’t even see coming. Above all, I realized if they didn’t come I wouldn’t have had room to grow and learn . So I’m grateful for the rough parts , it assures me that I’ll never go less than I am right now, it’s for the better days. Also someone somewhere is watching to take that leap of faith cause of what they see you doing , you can’t afford to let them down. I have a purposeful life which I’ll live to the fullest.
You recently launched a new collection, tell us about it ?
Yes! I’m excited about it and the feedbacks I’ve been getting. It’s called Glamour in the workspace. In Nigeria, the average woman has a need for outfits that are stylish , comfortable and elegant. I know a lot of people who like to get their work outfits from Turkey(Istanbul) ,the USA or UK.
I thought this was a problem I could bring a solution to so I said to myself, “women don’t need to wear clothes from these countries before they get the look they want, let me put something simple and stylish together to satisfy their needs”.
How would people reach you if they want to purchase?
They can send us a direct message in Instagram @katineobyliza.
Email katineobyLiza@gmail.com
Call or WhatsApp 08168829530 to make orders. We will be happy to be a part of everyone’s wardrobe.
How do you wind up the days stress?
I watch series, surf the internet and listen to music.
Which movie would you view again irrespective of how many times you have viewed it?
Vampire diaries ( series) , titanic
At Developing Afrika, we believe so much in reading books. What books would you suggest everyone on the team reads?
Think big by Donald Trump and Bill Zanker, The Girl Entrepreneurs by Ibukun Awosika.
What is your advice to every entrepreneur and aspiring entrepreneur out there ?
Always put God in everything you do no matter how little it is, God will never do you bad. It’s never an easy journey, it keeps getting better through the hard times! Don’t just give up, someone’s baby step might be depending on you.
Could you share your social media handles please?
Instagram- @katineobyliza
Facebook- katineobyLiza
We hope you learned a few things from Ms. Sanusi. Please share lessons you learned and things you can relate with from her story in the comment box below.
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