''Our Customers Are More Important Than Competitions'' - Jay Osbie

Jay Osbie is an online brand and retailer fashion-forward Men. Jay Osbie offers a range of casual styles to traditional wears, styled up and re-thought for modern Nigerians men. Read an interview excerpts on Tehila Okereke Blog with Jay Osbie

• Tell us about yourself?

I'm Adejuwon Isola-Osobu and I'm Founder and CEO at Jay Osbie 

• How did you get involved in business?

I've been an entrepreneur from my days at the University so I can say it's something I've always done.

• What do you  do at jayosbie?

 My role involves charting the general direction for the business and leading the team. I'm also the head of design and business development of the business

• How do you get the name jayosbi?

It's from my name "Juwon Osobu". I tweaked the Nigerian name a little to give it a global appeal which mirrors what we do at the company

• What inspired the creation of your business

My passion to create a mainstream Nigerian brand that will be popular with Nigerians. Whenever I'm around people I see them wearing foreign brands and little or no Nigerian brands and I wanted to change that

• What were the challenges you faced in the early stage of your business? And do you still encounter them?

I don't think we faced any peculiar challenges, I'd just say we made some interesting learnings around customer behaviour and this is helping us evolve our strategies daily.

• Is the business capital intensive and how do you source for capital?

We got funded by 440.ng in October 2014. It's a retail business so capital is very important for growth.

• Do you offer training?

We offer training for our employees based on the functions they are required to perform. We don't run training programs outside that. 

• Do you think young entrepreneurs in Nigeria are receiving enough support?

It's a bit brutal for entrepreneur's in Nigeria but I guess it's also tough in other places. Entrepreneurs need to start small, have a good vision and get mentorship. It goes a long way

• What is your advice for unemployed graduate?

Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. Even if you're not entrepreneurial, get skills and develop yourself. Personal development is very key.

• If you could go back to when you just started, what would you do differently?

I'd do a lot of things faster

• Have you always been entrepreneurial?

Yes

• Do you think entrepreneur ship is something that is inborn? Or is it something that can be learned?

You need to have the flair to do it and the perseverance to stand in difficult times

• What are your plans for the future?

To continue growing the brand and put Jay Osbie products in the hands of more Nigerians

• How do you deal with competition?

 We just find more ways to delight our customers. Our customers are more important than competition.

• What makes your brand different from others?

Our brand essence I believe

• What are the most important lessons you have learnt as an entrepreneur?

I'm not sure I've learnt it yet because everyday throws up new questions.