It is said that champions are made during trying times. The story of Mrs OLOYEDE ZAINAB ADEYEMI is a story of finding your feet even when it seems all hope is lost.
Okunuga, Zainab and Adepeju hails from the Ikenne Remo Local Government Area of Ogun State. She is a chattered accountant but decided to venture into the fashion business. She is the founder of TheOZAwoman, which came from her name Okunuga, Zainab and Adepeju before she got married. Growing up, her mother was a strick mother but during holidays, she asked her what she is interested in and after a much deliberation, they arrived at fashion designing. She enrolled into fashion school in 2010 when she just finished her secondary school.
She continued pursuing her passion even while in the university. During her days in school, she was the class captain and it made her course mates to trust her more with their clothes and she was always giving them their choice and in 2017, she laughed her brand officially.
During an interview, she revealed she moved her business from Lagos to Minna in 2019 for strategic purpose. She specialise in female outfit and discovered that the northern women makes dresses alot especially during the festive celebration. With determination and consistency, she registered and attended a lot of trade Fair and also observed that they wear more gowns. She started making such outfits and displays during the trade Fairs. She focused on networking and never forgets to follow up as well.
Gradually, she started getting customers and more people kept coming in through recommendation because she made sure to promote their modesty as well.
One year later, COVID-19 struck, and everybody had to stay indoors, which affected the means of livelihood for millions of people. So, she started thinking about what to do, because even after COVID-19, people were just trying to get back on their feet. There were no events, and no serious activities because there were still restrictions, and as a fashion designer when there are no events, you don’t have much patronage because your patronage, most times, comes from special occasions and events. That was when the idea came to start TheOZAWoman Fashion Academy, which is a training institute where aspiring women designers who are interested in the women’s wear line are trained.
She train them for three months before they graduate. It comprises of beginners to intermediate, intermediate to advanced. So, it was the COVID-19 pandemic that taught her to think outside the box to know what else to do to get an income. That was how the academy thing started from just a simple idea. She got some machines, put her space together, and started teaching. She started with five students and have over 45 students now, and several others have graduated in the space of about three year. This clearly is a journey of determination, courage, and thinking of what more to do as an entrepreneur to get an extra source of income. There were a lot of challenges as nothing good comes easy but with determination,she pulled through.
On the 17th of February 2024, the Mo’re signatures took the elegant woman in “the oza room” to the runway with it’s “The OZA Woman fashion show to display all of her beautiful ‘Owambe’ collections in Minna, Niger State. The Owambe collections showcase the grace and carriage that African wear symbolises during parties, bestowing on women the rich Aunties and mummies vibes.
The fashion show was tagged “Rising thread” to showcase innovative designs and celebrate emerging Fashion brands.
The rate at which she makes clothes compared to when she was in Lagos has tripple and she is growing rapidly. Indeed, it is good to follow ones heart and do what works for you. She is an accountant and even worked in the bank after graduation but she never allowed that overshadowed her passion for fashion and here she is today doing wonderfully well. If she can do it, you can actually do better.
Dream big, and pursue your dreams, Selah.
