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Congrats on the completion of your new complex. Why was there a need to move into this big showroom/factory?
Basically because the old factory we were had become too small for our operations. We were getting all choked up. We needed a site that was our own. All our showroom sites are rented properties. So we need a base to operate from, that would be permanently ours. Here now, we have the factory, and the showroom space.
Basically because the old factory we were had become too small for our operations. We were getting all choked up. We needed a site that was our own. All our showroom sites are rented properties. So we need a base to operate from, that would be permanently ours. Here now, we have the factory, and the showroom space.
What are your customers expected to see, here?
They will be able to see in one location a wider range of what we do. At all our smaller branches it was almost impossible to showcase even 50% of what we do. But here it is possible to see a much fuller range, much fuller choice. It is just choice galore. That is basically what we want to achieve here.
They will be able to see in one location a wider range of what we do. At all our smaller branches it was almost impossible to showcase even 50% of what we do. But here it is possible to see a much fuller range, much fuller choice. It is just choice galore. That is basically what we want to achieve here.
At what stage is CMC Interiors right now, in terms of your own vision for the business?
I am at the stage where I am beginning to think of transition, seriously. I have been doing this for 21 years now. I have a few other things I will like to do. But this job has taken over and consumed me fully. Hopefully in the next 5 years I will be comfortable enough at least to do less and do more overseeing.
I am at the stage where I am beginning to think of transition, seriously. I have been doing this for 21 years now. I have a few other things I will like to do. But this job has taken over and consumed me fully. Hopefully in the next 5 years I will be comfortable enough at least to do less and do more overseeing.
At the time you started off what did you have in mind?
…I had nothing in mind, absolutely nothing. I didn’t even think I will be here 21 years after’ The fact is. I didn’t have much in mind. The vision was very limited. I was new in town. I just wanted to do what I enjoyed doing, which was interiors.
…I had nothing in mind, absolutely nothing. I didn’t even think I will be here 21 years after’ The fact is. I didn’t have much in mind. The vision was very limited. I was new in town. I just wanted to do what I enjoyed doing, which was interiors.
Tell us the story of how you started?
Wao! That is a long story. Initially, I was the sole importer and I started switching to manufacturing even way before the furniture ban. So, by the time the furniture ban came in I was already a full time manufacturer. We’ve been producing now for 15 years. It is much more fun. It is much interesting to produce than to import. And it allows the customers to have a lot of custom-made items. It gives them and us flexibility. It allows us to look inward and to be creative. It is a lot more interestingly.
Wao! That is a long story. Initially, I was the sole importer and I started switching to manufacturing even way before the furniture ban. So, by the time the furniture ban came in I was already a full time manufacturer. We’ve been producing now for 15 years. It is much more fun. It is much interesting to produce than to import. And it allows the customers to have a lot of custom-made items. It gives them and us flexibility. It allows us to look inward and to be creative. It is a lot more interestingly.
How were you able to survive the various phases of growth of the business?
The most difficult and the most important stage in production and continues to be, and doesn’t seem to be one that ends is that of Labour. We just don’t have enough skilled labour any longer. We don’t have vocational places where people train. We don’t have enough carpenters; we don’t have enough people who can service the machines, (even the sewing machines). Those that do it have become elderly; their children don’t want to go into that. Everybody wants to be in an office or work in government. There are no professional sprayers. No skilled workers, right from the bottom, all the way to the top.
The most difficult and the most important stage in production and continues to be, and doesn’t seem to be one that ends is that of Labour. We just don’t have enough skilled labour any longer. We don’t have vocational places where people train. We don’t have enough carpenters; we don’t have enough people who can service the machines, (even the sewing machines). Those that do it have become elderly; their children don’t want to go into that. Everybody wants to be in an office or work in government. There are no professional sprayers. No skilled workers, right from the bottom, all the way to the top.
I noticed that from the 1990s when you started off you’ve always been involved in the production process. You don’t mind getting your fingers soiled. What explains this?
You are right. I have found out that I have had to do that. I have had to be very involved. Again, it goes back to the issue of labour. Unfortunately, it is a supervisory role. But over the years, I found out that as soon as I slack or look the other way, I won’t get what I want. It feels a little bit choky and a little prison-like. Our workers don’t really see the whole thing as team work. They don’t see that they are important. They don’t see that every little thing that they do adds to what needs to be done. It’s always like you against them, them against you. It really doesn’t have to be that way. I have a very open system of running the company. We have a lot of people who have spend 20 years with me. We have more who are 15 and 10 years old. Those people who understand the formula have managed to stay and it is quite rewarding to know that we have them here. They tend to carry along a lot of the new people that come and go.
You are right. I have found out that I have had to do that. I have had to be very involved. Again, it goes back to the issue of labour. Unfortunately, it is a supervisory role. But over the years, I found out that as soon as I slack or look the other way, I won’t get what I want. It feels a little bit choky and a little prison-like. Our workers don’t really see the whole thing as team work. They don’t see that they are important. They don’t see that every little thing that they do adds to what needs to be done. It’s always like you against them, them against you. It really doesn’t have to be that way. I have a very open system of running the company. We have a lot of people who have spend 20 years with me. We have more who are 15 and 10 years old. Those people who understand the formula have managed to stay and it is quite rewarding to know that we have them here. They tend to carry along a lot of the new people that come and go.
How were you able to overcome all the challenges that comes with startups?
I don’t really see all that as a challenge. They have always been there and they will continue to be there. For you to run a successful business in Nigeria, you must be your own NEPA, you are your own energy provider, you are your own water provider, you are your security provider. You would have already factored that into whatever it is you are doing. Then you try to worry about things you can change and not so much focus on things you can’t change. Because I have done things at my own pace, I really haven’t just rattled in any way.
I don’t really see all that as a challenge. They have always been there and they will continue to be there. For you to run a successful business in Nigeria, you must be your own NEPA, you are your own energy provider, you are your own water provider, you are your security provider. You would have already factored that into whatever it is you are doing. Then you try to worry about things you can change and not so much focus on things you can’t change. Because I have done things at my own pace, I really haven’t just rattled in any way.
How do you see completion from the Chinese?
I think competition is good for us and the manufacturers. It is also good for the customers. But I think if you have a good product and you stick to the good product, I think at the end of the day you will come out victorious.
I think competition is good for us and the manufacturers. It is also good for the customers. But I think if you have a good product and you stick to the good product, I think at the end of the day you will come out victorious.
At the time you started off, there were only a few furniture/interior companies. But today we have seen a proliferation of furniture companies. How do you see this?
Yes, you are right. Despite the furniture ban, there are still so many people disobeying the rules and its not an even playing field as you will say. My own strategy is stick to what you do, do it well, you’ve made a name for yourself, and hopefully the people who know, know the quality you offer and they will keep coming back. We’ve made our name by sticking to what you do well.
Yes, you are right. Despite the furniture ban, there are still so many people disobeying the rules and its not an even playing field as you will say. My own strategy is stick to what you do, do it well, you’ve made a name for yourself, and hopefully the people who know, know the quality you offer and they will keep coming back. We’ve made our name by sticking to what you do well.
Your management style is hands-on. You are always seen in the factory in jeans and T shirt. Many wonder how, Yinka, an Ajebota adapted to that so easily?
Very, very easy, because of my background and my training. Because I want to let my staffs know that there is nothing I am asking them to do that I can’t do. I like to do the dirty jobs that ordinarily they may not like. I sweep the floor. In fact, swept the floor few days back. I am just a pair of hands like everybody else. I just let them see that nothing is derogatory, nothing is lower than you. It’s just a team work. At the end of the day, some part of everything is everybody’s job. I don’t like the paper work. That is the boring part. The interesting part is actually getting involved in what I do.
Very, very easy, because of my background and my training. Because I want to let my staffs know that there is nothing I am asking them to do that I can’t do. I like to do the dirty jobs that ordinarily they may not like. I sweep the floor. In fact, swept the floor few days back. I am just a pair of hands like everybody else. I just let them see that nothing is derogatory, nothing is lower than you. It’s just a team work. At the end of the day, some part of everything is everybody’s job. I don’t like the paper work. That is the boring part. The interesting part is actually getting involved in what I do.
Did you train to become a furniture maker and interior designer?
Yes. This is not my academic background. I studied Psychology. Over the years when I first started, I only started with one product, which was the sofas. And of course, I needed to start getting confidence in doing other things. So, I did backward integration. I went to humongous amount of seminars, humongous amount of exhibition, 6 week courses, on colours and fabrics. I still go to exhibitions and I still take advantage of knowing about new products and how to incorporate them in what I do. I feel comfortable in my skin now. I guess I am cruising.
Yes. This is not my academic background. I studied Psychology. Over the years when I first started, I only started with one product, which was the sofas. And of course, I needed to start getting confidence in doing other things. So, I did backward integration. I went to humongous amount of seminars, humongous amount of exhibition, 6 week courses, on colours and fabrics. I still go to exhibitions and I still take advantage of knowing about new products and how to incorporate them in what I do. I feel comfortable in my skin now. I guess I am cruising.
What keeps you going?
Many people ask me that. My answer is a simple one. The fear of poverty keeps me going. That is the nitty-gritty truth. I just feel I need to be able to pay my bills and I need to get things done. The truth is that I get a high from manufacturing. Seriously, I really do. It is exciting to me, to think about something and execute it. It is not easy. Trust me. But it’s fun. I don’t ever want to be dependent on anyone. I think that is the issue for me. That keeps me going.
Many people ask me that. My answer is a simple one. The fear of poverty keeps me going. That is the nitty-gritty truth. I just feel I need to be able to pay my bills and I need to get things done. The truth is that I get a high from manufacturing. Seriously, I really do. It is exciting to me, to think about something and execute it. It is not easy. Trust me. But it’s fun. I don’t ever want to be dependent on anyone. I think that is the issue for me. That keeps me going.
Will you agree with those who say you need passion to succeed in business?
People talk about that in a very sentimental way. For me, initially, even though I had a clue of what I was doing and I liked what I was doing, the Passion grew over the years. Like now, I don’t know how to do anything else. So, I guess you say this is my Passion. Yes, a lot of people stick to their passion, and they are happy.
People talk about that in a very sentimental way. For me, initially, even though I had a clue of what I was doing and I liked what I was doing, the Passion grew over the years. Like now, I don’t know how to do anything else. So, I guess you say this is my Passion. Yes, a lot of people stick to their passion, and they are happy.
Do you have a lot of ladies come to you for advice on how to be a successful interior decorator?
Yes, a lot of ladies come to ask. Most people want to do interiors because interiors has this glamour thing, associated with it. People just think someone will just hand you a place and the colour does magic and everything just appears right. People don’t see the hard part of interiors, the manufacturing, sourcing for your materials, to make sure your vendors are on time, making sure the quality of what they are bringing is good. We have over 300 consumables and keeping track of all these consumables and making sure they are not wasted.
When people come to me, I find out that they don’t really have a true picture of the business, and what part of interiors they want to get into. The options are endless. Fate Foundation sends me young people who are interested and we work with 2 or 3 people a year.
Yes, a lot of ladies come to ask. Most people want to do interiors because interiors has this glamour thing, associated with it. People just think someone will just hand you a place and the colour does magic and everything just appears right. People don’t see the hard part of interiors, the manufacturing, sourcing for your materials, to make sure your vendors are on time, making sure the quality of what they are bringing is good. We have over 300 consumables and keeping track of all these consumables and making sure they are not wasted.
When people come to me, I find out that they don’t really have a true picture of the business, and what part of interiors they want to get into. The options are endless. Fate Foundation sends me young people who are interested and we work with 2 or 3 people a year.
If you are to talk to a classroom of 200 young people what are you going to tell them on the path to success. And what is your view of this new generation?
Sadly for me, nobody wants to pay their dues. Everybody wants something now. Nobody wants to take the pains to grow anything. That is a little bit painful to watch, because really, there is no short cut. You just have to take life in bits. I always tell people that whatever you start, stick with it long enough. This generation doesn’t like to stay long enough with any idea. Another thing we are afraid of doing is to throw our ideas at people because we think people are going to steal our ideas. But trust me, for every idea, you have about a 100 people have thought about it. The issue is Who is going to do it first and how well are they going to do it. So, your idea is never new.
Sadly for me, nobody wants to pay their dues. Everybody wants something now. Nobody wants to take the pains to grow anything. That is a little bit painful to watch, because really, there is no short cut. You just have to take life in bits. I always tell people that whatever you start, stick with it long enough. This generation doesn’t like to stay long enough with any idea. Another thing we are afraid of doing is to throw our ideas at people because we think people are going to steal our ideas. But trust me, for every idea, you have about a 100 people have thought about it. The issue is Who is going to do it first and how well are they going to do it. So, your idea is never new.
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