The Government should do everything they can to encourage local production – Oluwatoyin

From a 30,000 start-off capital to a multi-million naira business, Sapphire Scents is indeed an inspirational story told by the General Manager, Oluwatoyin Aladejano to Kemi Ajumobi in this interview that bares it all.

Biography  

Oluwatoyin Aladejano is the General Manager for Sapphire Scents, a business she began with her husband in 2015 with a capital of N30,000 but today, Sapphire Scents has become a Multi-million Naira business and is heading to the Billion Naira mark in 2018. Oluwatoyin has a B.SC in Sociology from Bowen University.

Growing up

Growing up was fun, I grew up in a Christian home; I spent secondary and university in the hostel except for holidays when we go home. My father taught me a lot about how a lady should behave and present herself to the world. All that has paid off today. I am a product of grace but tutored by my parents who have contributed immensely to my life.

Sapphire Scents

To me, Sapphire Scents started as a gift from God. God saw our hearts and dedication and He wanted to bless us. It’s not a coincidence that our friend who came in from Dubai bought my husband a bottle of Oud perfume. My husband always says it’s not the perfume that is selling but the blessing on it. We are so grateful to Pastor Biodun and Pastor Modele Fatoyinbo for supporting our business.

My husband and I started the business from the beginning; he was still working where he was at that time. So many times, I would go to deliver perfumes on his behalf and when they transferred him to Taraba State, I was the one ensuring the business was running smoothly. It wasn’t a rosy period but God gave us the grace to go through…today, we stand in awe of His awesomeness. Sapphire Scents is what it is today because God is fully involved and I give Him all the glory.

Couples in Business

Many men are scared because they cannot really trust their spouse based on money, jealousy and fighting with ladies if the business involves dealing with many women like Sapphire Scents. If you want your husband to trust you with his business you have to be patient and trust him. The man must also never fail to see his wife as priority and through God’s help; the business will even flourish better.

Working with my husband has taught me a lot. My husband has taught me spiritual principles of getting wealth, how to honour people and how to use your faith to get results, how to love unlovable people and how to talk to people. Sapphire Scents is one big happy family because of these principles I learnt from my husband.

Journey from inception till date

Wow! God has been faithful. We started with just N30, 000 but it’s now a multi-million Naira business and heading to billions this year. People did not believe in this at first but right now, we have grown to over 200 distributors in 19 states of Nigeria, the UK, US, Ireland, Ghana and Cameroun. God has been good to us.

Responses so far

It has been very positive and encouraging, everyone is talking about Sapphire Scents and many more people want to join us. Everyone wants to be associated with Sapphire Scents we give God the glory.

Potential for growth in Nigerian economy

A 100% yes! Most Nigerians appreciate this made in Nigeria product that’s been so excellently packaged. We presented a Sapphire Scents Bespoke to Titi Atiku Abubakar and she was very impressed that it was made in Nigeria. By the end of 2018 Sapphire Scents would have covered Nigeria fully by God’s grace.

Challenges

Sapphire Scents sell perfumes but the problem we have is a socio economic one. Just three years ago, my husband and I were squatting in his younger brother’s house with our mattress on the floor with a baby until God gave us this business idea. Many more men and women including students and corps members have been empowered through Sapphire Scents. We have had distributors making 2 million Naira in a day from selling perfumes. Which job can give you that? Sapphire Scents is the new oil industry and it is a major economic booster. The Government should do everything they can to encourage local production and interestingly, many of such initiatives like ours meet international standards.

Final words

Put God first and make your business a family business if you can. Nobody has your back better than your husband or your wife.