Funke Soyibo: Transforming ordinary spaces to extraordinary places
Funke Soyibo was born in the city of Ibadan in Oyo state of Nigeria on the 3rd of April 1978 into a family of 5. She attended Queens School Ibadan and also graduated with a BSC in Sociology at The University of Ibadan Nigeria. She also has a diploma degree in Interior Design from the Sheffield school of Interior.
Funke founded the company HNK interiors Ltd in the year 2007. HNK interiors is an interior design company that also deals in retailing of Home and Office furniture, window blinds and general home and interior decor accessories. Her business was established as a result of her passion and love for transforming ordinary spaces to an extraordinary one.
She is also the MD and founder of Opulent Living. This is the Luxury version of HNK interiors. Opulent Living caters for the high end needs of high net worth individuals and corporate bodies. Funke is married and blessed with 3 children. She enjoys listening to music, singing and dancing when she is not working.
Early years
Growing up was interesting. My mum was a very hardworking woman and that helped a great deal in moulding me to the woman I have become today. I love to work and work!
It’s so bad that even when I’m on vacation sometimes I’m so restless and I find it hard to completely get off work.
Why the decision to go into interior decoration? How has your experience been so far?
Interior design for me is a way of life. It’s a part of me. I enter into people’s spaces and so easily I’m able to design the space right in my head. The experience has been great. Yes I’ve had my challenges but the passion keeps driving me and I just love it!
Is interior decoration a lucrative business in Nigeria today?
Oh yes it is, but you have to constantly be on top of your game by creating a niche, and being as innovative as possible always. The competition is tough, but with God on our side, we keep winning.
When and why did you establish Opulent Living?
Opulent Living was established for 2 reasons. First was as a result of constant request for high end furniture and decor from clients. I’ve had to go shopping specially on various occasions for different clients that required such services even before Opulent Living was founded. Secondly, for me, it was also a way of taking the business yet to another level.
Do you enjoy enough patronage?
Yes to the Glory of God, I do but you know as a business owner, it is never enough. You keep yearning for more and more. You keep aspiring to go higher and higher. So Yes, we do but we still want more and like I always say to my staff “If Coca- Cola is still looking for more business we have no reason and no excuse to be otherwise”
Where do you source for your furniture? How has your experience been in terms of bringing them into the country?
I source for my furniture all over the world. It’s different items at different locations.
This really is something I don’t want to talk about. It hasn’t been a fantastic experience but in all I give God thanks!
What is your take on local production? Are you looking at going into this anytime soon or never?
Local production is the way! We have started but at a small scale for now as that also comes with its own challenges. It’s hard finding reliable and consistent human labour in this Country. Nigerian Artisans can shut down your business if you are not careful. They don’t share the same views and aspirations with you and as such they can’t be really bothered about being their best at what they do.
What are your challenges business wise? Is the Nigerian environment conducive for business like yours?
There have been several challenges I must say but three that stands out includes funding, secondly, government policies haven’t been so favourable and thirdly, getting good, dedicated and well trusted staff. To answer your question on Nigeria being a conducive environment, the answer is No! The Nigerian environment is not conducive for my kind of business. When we are setting up showrooms, the first thing we always have to worry about is a generator.
You can’t run a showroom and constantly keep it in darkness and as you know, power supply in Nigeria is still an issue.
Where do you see your business in a few years’ time?
My dream for my business has always been: “When you think furniture, or you think home design or accessories, you think HNK interiors Ltd. That is my goal and that is what we are working to achieve!
From patronage you receive, how do you rate Nigerians in terms of their thirst for quality items and their ability to pay?
People are not the same. Some people want the best and they go for it at all cost while some are not really particular but are more particular about the functionality. At HNK interiors Ltd, we combine functionality with style. Though functional but it has to be stylish as well. So the clients that understand the concept are always willing to pay.
What stands you out from the rest? How can people identify those who profess professionalism in this field yet are not?
Before you can be an interior designer you must first have it in you even before you become a professional. Having it in you helps to bring out the professionalism. Not everyone has it in them. There is a big difference between a furniture seller and an interior designer.
What is the day in your life that you can never forget and why?
The day my mum Passed on ! I got to the mortuary and I saw her lifeless body on a tray! Hmmmnn…..the pain pierced through my soul, that pain is still there even till today, and that is one moment I can never forget .
Are the challenges with your regular customers similar to your high end customers?
Challenges with customers are the same, but in the case of the high end customers, the challenges come with a very fat cheque so it’s fine…lol!
Is it fair to say for both interior decoration and your furniture business, your prices are accommodating?
My prices have always been very accommodating. I try to ensure this always. I’m like an Igbo business woman. I use my discretion in making sales. I hate for an item to stay more than 3 months in any of my showrooms. So Yes, my services are very affordable.
You just celebrated your 40th birthday, what are you grateful for?
I’m grateful for life, gift of life and good health. There is a saying that says when there is life there is hope for a better tomorrow. I’m grateful for my family, I’m grateful for true friendship God has brought my way, and I’m super grateful for my business and how far God has brought me.
What does motherhood mean to you?
Motherhood to me simply means unconditional love. It’s a love that gives and continues to give till the end of time. I’m grateful for my mum, even though she is no more. I’m grateful for the values she instilled in me and for all her love and care during her lifetime. Grateful to God also for making me a mother to 3 most amazing guys in the whole universe. ( I said guys and not boys as they are all taller than me now ). It is indeed a great feeling and cannot be traded for anything else.
Final words
The world is a beautiful place. We may not always have what we want but being thankful for what we have and making the best out of it is very important. Believe in God as God is the Ultimate. Love Him, serve Him and constantly ask for the grace to walk in His ways. Love yourself, work hard, and I say it again work very hard! Don’t keep malice or hold a grudge against anyone, it’s not worth it and always remember YOLO ( You Only Live Once ).