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| Dolapo Babalola |
Dolapo Babalola, 26 is the Managing Director of Dolapo Creations. She says her success in jewellery making has been through good management and service delivery in this interview with IFE ADEDAPO
Tell us more about yourself.
I am the first child from a family of six. I graduated from Tai Solarin University of Education where I studied Educational Management/Economics. And I have a Masters degree in Industrial Education from the University of Ibadan.
Why did you go into business instead of taking up a paid job?
We all know that unemployment is a major problem affecting in Nigeria. But with the confidence that Nigeria will be a better place to live, I decided to start my own business. I believe everyone is gifted and talented in one way or the other and we all have something we are interested in.
We shouldn’t put all the blame on the government because we can as well help ourselves. After my first degree, I searched for jobs but none came my way. So, I had to enrol for a Masters programme. While doing this, things were still the same. Because I did not want to stay idle, I decided to go into business. This was what led to the establishment of Dolapo Creations. I detest staying idle, even when I was in school, I did different kinds of business.
What services do you render?
Dolapo Creations is all about creativity. We are into jewellery making, which includes; wire works and bead making. We design and make jewellery for brides, bridesmaid and individuals.
What makes your business different from others?
Well, no one is perfect, but I try my best to make my work different. I also hold on strongly to a common saying of my father that “Whatever you know how to do, do it well and diligently.” As a result, I ensure that my work is well designed and neat. I love researching into new designs that can help to upgrade my skill and my business. Also, we don’t disappoint our customers. There is also a cordial relationship or a bond between my customers and me.
How much was your startup capital?
I started with something good but not as much as I had wanted. And I thank God things are better than when I started.
How did you source for funds?
I thank God, my parents have been there for me and may God grant them long life. I sourced for funds from them, which I added to my little savings.
What lesson have you learnt as an entrepreneur?
As an entrepreneur, I have learnt to put my trust in God and also to be tolerant, patient, accommodating.
How do you market yourself?
When I first started, I went about telling friends and family about my business to show them different designs and what I had got.
Technology has also made everything easy. I also market myself through Internet and social media platforms like Facebook, BBM, Instagram and Twitter. Dolapo Creations is on all these social media.
How do you handle customers’ complaints?
Every time I receive any complaint, I remind myself that customers are always right. I listen attentively to their complaints and I ensure that they are attended to immediately. For example, some customers often request that their jewellery be delivered to them personally, which I oblige because it is part of the services we render. We make sure our customers are satisfied. For instance, there was a time a customer wanted her beads to be delivered to Lagos, where she resides. Thank God her work was done and delivered to her even before the day she wanted it but there was one mistake – her earrings were not packed and I did not notice.
It was only the necklace and hand bracelet that were packaged. When the package got to her and she noticed it, she was so furious that she called me and started complaining, and I told her that I was sorry, it was just a mistake and that I accepted my fault. She told me that if she didn’t get the earrings the next day she would send the package back to me. I had to calm her down, talked to her and promised her it would get to her the next day. And I kept my promise. Since then, she had been a very good customer, just because I was able to satisfy her and I did not disappoint her. We have been very good friends since then.
How challenging is the business?
Well, it is not too challenging, but there is no business that does not have its challenges. There are sometimes that there won’t be sales for a long period of time. There was a time I didn’t get sales for some work I had then; it got me so annoyed that I wanted to quit. And I had to give out the jewellery.
However, I had a feeling that I would not get my money back if I quit. I changed my mind and kept the items and I later got sales for them. I was happy when I got my money. Also, there were moments when there would be a lot of work to do that I would fall sick and some customers won’t understand what I was going through at the moment.
How do you manage the challenges?
Those periods that I faced challenges, it made me want to quit, but since it’s what I love doing, I tried to manage the situation. For instance, a client from Osogbo got my contact through a referral. She called me a day to the day she needed her jewellery. She called one Friday that she needed it on Saturday, the next day and I had got a lot of designs to finish and deliver the same weekend she wanted hers.
When she called, I had a feeling that I should turn down her request because the design she wanted would be time consuming. Again, I thought of how to design and get it delivered on a short notice considering the volume of work I had. But I told her that I would get back to her. I quickly thought of what I could do because I did not want to lose a client that I got through a referral. I felt I could reach her the following day because I also wanted to deliver some work same day outside Ibadan.
After a while, I called her back up, we negotiated and I agreed to do her job. Though, the pressure on me then got me chocked up and I fell sick after, I did that jewellery perfectly and it got to her very early on Saturday. She was so happy that she kept on calling to show appreciation. Ever since then, she has given my contacts to other people and she has been a good customer. I believe challenges will come and go but they are not permanent, I face them.
Do you consider finance as the most important input in a business?
Yes, I consider finance as one of the most important inputs in any business. But the most important thing is that we should put God first in anything we do and all other things will be added. Finance is very important, but you do not need a huge amount to start a small business.
What is your advice for young entrepreneurs?
I will advise young entrepreneurs to put God first. And we should not wait for huge funds. The little you have can start up something and it will later yield interest.
Source: PUNCH NG.
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