Six Skills To Have As A Creative Business Owner

Six major skills that would take you to your next level in business

Running a creative business is like steering a ship in uncharted waters, and having the right skills is your map to success. As a creative business owner, you’ll need six essential skills to make your journey smoother. From working well with your team to making smart deals, let’s explore these skills that can turn your creative passion into a thriving business

 

1. People Management and Leadership

Leading with care and guidance is vital for effective people management. It’s about understanding, supporting, and inspiring your team to succeed together. In a creative business, this creates a positive environment where everyone can thrive.

Six major skills that would take you to your next level in business

2. Negotiation

In creative business, negotiation is like working together on a puzzle and finding solutions that make everyone happy. It’s about talking, understanding each other, and creating partnerships that go beyond just a simple deal, setting the stage for success we can all share.

Six major skills that would take you to your next level in business

3. Sales and Marketing

Marketing gets attention, and sales steps in to seal the deal, creating a cycle of new customers and growth. It’s like a tag team where they each have a role, making sure your business keeps growing and bringing in more happy customers.

Six major skills that would take you to your next level in business

4. Decision making

Decision-making is like being the boss of choices. It’s about thinking, picking the best option, and steering towards success. In business, it’s not just one choice it’s a bunch of them that lead to growth and success, like driving a ship to where you want to go.

Six major skills that would take you to your next level in business

5. Innovation

Innovation is like having awesome new ideas to make things better or create something totally new. It’s the key to progress, helping businesses grow and stay ahead by finding smarter and cooler ways of doing things.

Six major skills that would take you to your next level in business

6. Money Management

Handling your money is a bit like being the boss of your wallet. It’s about making smart choices, like saving up and planning for what’s ahead. Whether it’s saving a bit each month or being careful with how you spend, good money management is like steering your financial ship, making sure you’re ready for whatever comes your way.

Six major skills that would take you to your next level in business

Meet Bukola Asafa, creative director for Oba Couture

 

Africa is blessed with talented creatives, and Bukola Asafa, CEO of Nigerian  brand, Oba Couture is not an exception. Her amazing shoe and bag collections all have indigenous names, and that’s one thing we love about her brand. Read on to see what else there is to know about Oba Couture.

 

Please introduce yourself and your background.

My name is Olubukola Asafa, I was born into a family of five comprising of myself, mum, dad, 2 brothers and 1 sister.
My Dad worked with the Nigerian Television Authority and my mum was an Entrepreneur. I was born in Ilorin, Kwara State, and moved to Lagos at age 3.
I attended Queen’s College ( Yaba, Lagos) for my secondary school education, then went to the University of Abuja for my tertiary education.

 

Tell us about your work. How did Oba Couture Limited start?

It started in 2011 while studying for my MBA. I wanted to be an Entrepreneur and I wanted to start to implement all that I was learning.

Prior to that, I had been praying to God for direction. I started selling readymade shoes and bags, but because I love to create and work with my hands, I knew that I had to start making them.

I also noticed that a lot of footwear and bags which were made in Nigeria always claimed to be ‘Made in Italy’. I had many questions and so I decided I would make a difference and bring ‘made in Nigeria’ back. That was my mission.

Brown Leather sandals from Oba Couture
OBA ‘Laura’ smooth leather sandal.
How did you come about the name and what does it mean?

OBA means KING in Yoruba Language, but the brand OBA is referring to GOD the King of all Kings. OBA is also my initials: OLUBUKOLA BODUNDE ASAFA.

Croc leather bag
OBA ‘Donna’ embossed croc skin bag
What is your niche and how did you know it was a market to get into?

My niche market is buyers like me who are fashionable and want something unique and of exceptional quality.

Where do you get the inspiration for your products?

I get inspired from everyday living, time spent with loved ones, my quiet time, and sometimes just interacting with my customers.

Can you remember one of the first products you made? What makes it memorable?

Yes. I remember a bag I made for my Pastor  (Pastor Mrs. Bemigho).

She ordered a bag to encourage me when I just started. It was an ankara bag and what makes it memorable is that it was made of carton (lol).

What are some of the challenges you face in your business?

Some of the challenges are poor infrastructure, inadequate power supply, lack of adequate skill, and unfair competition with imported shoes and bags.

OBA 'Remah' snake skin bag
OBA ‘Remah’ snake skin bag
Do you have any regrets venturing into this line of business?

I have no regrets whatsoever. I love what I do and I am very passionate about my craft.

What is your most popular product?

Hmm.  It’s difficult to say which one, but customers tend to purchase our unique line of male sandals more than the rest. So I guess those are more popular (lol).

 

Oba couture male sandal
Oba couture male sandal
OBA 'Harold' sandal
OBA ‘Harold’ sandal
To what extent do you draw upon your Nigerian (African) heritage for your work?

Our exotic leathers are gotten from the northern part of Nigeria. We also try to make our products as natural as can be. We do not use the professional processing machines used abroad, and most of our products have unique African names.

What are some of your short term and long term goals, both in your business and life in general?

For my business, my Short term goals are: Engaging in more unique strategies for sales and marketing , getting the word out and making our products more accessible to our target audience.

My long term  business goals would be building a sustainable brand that will stand the test of time and build a lasting legacy.

For life in general, my short term goals would be to  read more books and exercise more. In the long term, I’m working towards eating healthier, making every second count and impacting the world positively.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am a shy girl

What profession would you be in if you weren’t in this Industry?

I would be a Lawyer

If you could give one piece of advice to anyone who wants to start their own business in your industry, what would it be?

Do not despise the days of humble beginnings, you don’t have to start big you can start small and then grow.

And finally, please share images of some of your work and tell us a little about each product, and their Prices

OBA ‘Tutu’ crocodile skin bag is made of original crocodile skin and is our most expensive product. It is priced at N220,000.

Oba Tutu croc bag
Oba Tutu croc bag

I also have the OBA ‘Lala’ bag which has an edgy front flap which makes it unique it is priced at N40,000.

Oba Lala Bag
Oba Lala Bag

 

 

See more beautiful bags and Footwear by Oba Couture

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