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Shina Abiola-Peller is the owner of reputable Lagos-based nite club, Quilox. Call him the Pope of Nigeria’s nightlife business and you won’t be mistaken. He has transformed the business to an enviable height. Since inception 10 month ago, the club has played host to many A-List celebs, successful businessmen and showbiz stars. Few days ago, this popular Lagos Big Boy was sighted at Sagamu where he came to honour shipping magnate, Taiwo Afolabi at the burial of his father-in-law. He spoke to City People Event and Party Editor, ABIOLA ORISILE on how he has been able to sustain the world class club and his other businesses. He also spoke on his growing up years, late Dad and his lifestyle.
How did you find yourself in hospitality business?
Over the years, I developed a passion for luxury lifestyle and entertainment which created a seed in me. I strongly believed it was a field I could be successful in and so I did my research and consulted with international specialists in the entertainment and nightlife industry. Don’t forget the fact that clubbing is not the only thing I do. I am into Oil & Gas, Building and Construction to mention a few. For Quilox, it was a dream project that I conceived out of an obvious need for a place with style, luxury and class for high end customers who value and desire such a social setting for relaxing and networking. So before I started it, I went to different countries of the world having a look at world class Clubs of the world which have a standard.
Over the years, I developed a passion for luxury lifestyle and entertainment which created a seed in me. I strongly believed it was a field I could be successful in and so I did my research and consulted with international specialists in the entertainment and nightlife industry. Don’t forget the fact that clubbing is not the only thing I do. I am into Oil & Gas, Building and Construction to mention a few. For Quilox, it was a dream project that I conceived out of an obvious need for a place with style, luxury and class for high end customers who value and desire such a social setting for relaxing and networking. So before I started it, I went to different countries of the world having a look at world class Clubs of the world which have a standard.
Your father was a known magician with a record, any future plans of going into his profession?
Every child of my Dad knows how to do magic. So, I have only decided not to take magic as a profession. I can say what I have done in the night club industry in Nigeria is magic. I can say I am doing some kind of magic in the entertainment industry. Magic is an art of entertainment and the two are directly linked.
Every child of my Dad knows how to do magic. So, I have only decided not to take magic as a profession. I can say what I have done in the night club industry in Nigeria is magic. I can say I am doing some kind of magic in the entertainment industry. Magic is an art of entertainment and the two are directly linked.
Can you perform magic?
Yes and very well. Like I said, every child of my Dad knows how to do magic. We used to assist him on stage when he was on tour during our holidays. At present, I have a brother that does magic as a profession. His name is Zee and I am sure in a short while he would be able to replicate Daddy’s greatness in magic.
Yes and very well. Like I said, every child of my Dad knows how to do magic. We used to assist him on stage when he was on tour during our holidays. At present, I have a brother that does magic as a profession. His name is Zee and I am sure in a short while he would be able to replicate Daddy’s greatness in magic.
How have you been able to wax strong despite competitors and also what are the factors affecting nightclub business?
By knowing the right thing, doing it and getting it right. Like for instance, many complain that gaining access to our VIP section is too strict but I know that we have set a standard. So, we have to be a bit strict to achieve our aim. A lot of reasonable and organized customers now tend to appreciate some of our rules. Some club management reduces the lifespan of their clubs by not being able to set the right standard. Get me right, I am not saying that you have to be strict for no reason but you have to think outside the box. Imagine a customer coming to the club to dictate to the club management how it should be run, forgetting that the club has a standard? The VIP area has criteria and also a capacity of people the building can contain, but Nigerian customers do not care. They can go as far as pushing you to overcrowd the club which is not safe even for the building.
By knowing the right thing, doing it and getting it right. Like for instance, many complain that gaining access to our VIP section is too strict but I know that we have set a standard. So, we have to be a bit strict to achieve our aim. A lot of reasonable and organized customers now tend to appreciate some of our rules. Some club management reduces the lifespan of their clubs by not being able to set the right standard. Get me right, I am not saying that you have to be strict for no reason but you have to think outside the box. Imagine a customer coming to the club to dictate to the club management how it should be run, forgetting that the club has a standard? The VIP area has criteria and also a capacity of people the building can contain, but Nigerian customers do not care. They can go as far as pushing you to overcrowd the club which is not safe even for the building.
Also, I expect customers to be financially prepared when going out to have fun. Imagine when a customer tells us that he would send someone the next day to pay for his drinks. Most of them don’t even know it is wrong. It kills the business. There is also the issue of customers dressing inappropriately, such as customers wearing slippers to the club. There is no night club in a developed society that allows such, but some people here just want to do things their own way.
Do you have Quilox club in other countries of the world?
I am currently working on it and very soon we would be opening some branches of Quilox in two other countries.
I am currently working on it and very soon we would be opening some branches of Quilox in two other countries.
Who would you blame for the short life span of many Nigerian nite clubs?
I will blame both the management and the customers. Although, this is mostly applicable to night clubs in Nigeria as far as I know. There are clubs that has been in existence for over 3 decades in some other parts of the world. I am sure this is because there are always rules and regulations and they adhere strictly to them. In Nigeria, it is a different story. If a brand is not well managed, the defects will show. Look at Quilox for example, we were only six months old when we decided to take a month break to do some maintenance. Things don’t have to get ruined before you react. We could have decided not to do anything, but we see reasons to put some things in place to serve people better. In every business you do, there should be a maintenance plan. The same thing applies to all other businesses too, not just nightclubs. But a lot of people who are in the night club business do not understand this and get carried away.
I will blame both the management and the customers. Although, this is mostly applicable to night clubs in Nigeria as far as I know. There are clubs that has been in existence for over 3 decades in some other parts of the world. I am sure this is because there are always rules and regulations and they adhere strictly to them. In Nigeria, it is a different story. If a brand is not well managed, the defects will show. Look at Quilox for example, we were only six months old when we decided to take a month break to do some maintenance. Things don’t have to get ruined before you react. We could have decided not to do anything, but we see reasons to put some things in place to serve people better. In every business you do, there should be a maintenance plan. The same thing applies to all other businesses too, not just nightclubs. But a lot of people who are in the night club business do not understand this and get carried away.
What memories do you have of your late father?
While growing up, I learnt from my late father that I should be God fearing, hard working and take life simple. I miss my Dad almost every day because he was my closest friend. Although there are some bad times that we had some issues.
While growing up, I learnt from my late father that I should be God fearing, hard working and take life simple. I miss my Dad almost every day because he was my closest friend. Although there are some bad times that we had some issues.
Would you please describe who Shina Peller is?
(Smile). A God fearing and self motivated entrepreneur.
(Smile). A God fearing and self motivated entrepreneur.
What does your wife do?
She is a Chartered Accountant.
She is a Chartered Accountant.
Some people say you are very flamboyant…
Hmmm. I can’t say if I am flamboyant precisely but I know I like good things and I like to live a comfortable life. I hate repeating clothes. The truth is I like to be comfortable and if that is termed being flambouyant, then what can I say?
Hmmm. I can’t say if I am flamboyant precisely but I know I like good things and I like to live a comfortable life. I hate repeating clothes. The truth is I like to be comfortable and if that is termed being flambouyant, then what can I say?
What was growing up like?
Sweet Memories and one good family. A strong bond between all my siblings and this we still maintain till date.
Sweet Memories and one good family. A strong bond between all my siblings and this we still maintain till date.
Which schools did you attend?
I attended Command Secondary School, Ibadan, in the 80s and I studied chemical engineering at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho. I also have my MBA. I went into business quite early in life and that is because growing up, I wanted to be an entrepreneur.
I attended Command Secondary School, Ibadan, in the 80s and I studied chemical engineering at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho. I also have my MBA. I went into business quite early in life and that is because growing up, I wanted to be an entrepreneur.
How did you get the name Olowo-idan?
Olowo-idan means magic hand. I can say I got that from my dad being a magician and may be as a compliment to success.
Olowo-idan means magic hand. I can say I got that from my dad being a magician and may be as a compliment to success.
What is style to you?
Comfortability and simplicity. I have certain foreign designers I am crazy about especially with shirts. I wear the big names but that does not mean I don’t patronise Nigerian designers. They handle most of my traditional wear.
Comfortability and simplicity. I have certain foreign designers I am crazy about especially with shirts. I wear the big names but that does not mean I don’t patronise Nigerian designers. They handle most of my traditional wear.
How do you cope with female admirers?
I always appreciate everyone that admires me and I try as much as possible to relate as friends with no strings attached.
I always appreciate everyone that admires me and I try as much as possible to relate as friends with no strings attached.
How do you feel about your club being one of the best in Nigeria?
I thank God for that and I don’t let it get into my head when people say it. Being on top is not as difficult as maintaining the position. We are doing everything to better our best. I upgrade every day and time and this is one of the reasons we have been able to survive till date. I am a self motivated person and I always aspire to be the best at everything I do. This is just the beginning. Quilox is set to provide the best service and ambience to satisfy our customers.
I thank God for that and I don’t let it get into my head when people say it. Being on top is not as difficult as maintaining the position. We are doing everything to better our best. I upgrade every day and time and this is one of the reasons we have been able to survive till date. I am a self motivated person and I always aspire to be the best at everything I do. This is just the beginning. Quilox is set to provide the best service and ambience to satisfy our customers.
What’s the single most important factor in opening a club? Is it celebrities, press, exclusivity, service?
Everything is important. Nothing takes priority over the other. No stones must be left unturned. From customer service to ambience, from sounds to lighting effects, from staffing to music and DJ and from premium service to high standards, premium location to press and promotions, security and safety, cleanliness and hygiene, presentation and entertainment, all of these and many more have to be top notch. You simply have to be on top of everything. All my employees know me. I have zero tolerance for sloppiness and excuses. I don’t settle for less.
Everything is important. Nothing takes priority over the other. No stones must be left unturned. From customer service to ambience, from sounds to lighting effects, from staffing to music and DJ and from premium service to high standards, premium location to press and promotions, security and safety, cleanliness and hygiene, presentation and entertainment, all of these and many more have to be top notch. You simply have to be on top of everything. All my employees know me. I have zero tolerance for sloppiness and excuses. I don’t settle for less.
What are the unique selling point of Quilox club?
Quilox is a purposely built facility at a prime location with state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment, multiple VIP floors, fully equipped exclusive VVIP rooms with luxury facilities, three standard karaoke machines, luxury restrooms, private balcony, suspended DJ booth with a display screen and many more that you won’t find in just any other night club.
Quilox is a purposely built facility at a prime location with state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment, multiple VIP floors, fully equipped exclusive VVIP rooms with luxury facilities, three standard karaoke machines, luxury restrooms, private balcony, suspended DJ booth with a display screen and many more that you won’t find in just any other night club.
You recently lauched a record label, lets talk about it?
Yes, we are going deeper into the entertainment industry as we now have a record label, we have some talented artists on board already. Nigerian pop-star and youth ambassador Tilla (formerly known as Tillaman) is signed under us, so also is my brother, Que Peller. The record label is one of the members of Aquilla Group of Companies and its called Aquilla Records.
Yes, we are going deeper into the entertainment industry as we now have a record label, we have some talented artists on board already. Nigerian pop-star and youth ambassador Tilla (formerly known as Tillaman) is signed under us, so also is my brother, Que Peller. The record label is one of the members of Aquilla Group of Companies and its called Aquilla Records.
You’re still young yet have accomplished a great deal. What do you have left to do?
I thank God for where I am today but there is still so much to do.
I thank God for where I am today but there is still so much to do.
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