•Reveals Her Biggest Challenge In Manufacturing
Ifyugo Mgbemene is the Chief Executive Officer, Leo Ela International Limited, a company that specialises in manufacturing beauty touch products that are known globally. Ifyugo, in her emancipating spirit right from her growing up believed in working for herself to become a big entrepreneur that would provide jobs for many.
Lady Ifyugo studies Pharmacology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1995. This great Amazon went further to Lagos State University to bag her master’s degree in business administration in the years 2002/2003.
She also gets another master’s degree in environmental resources. As a brilliant scholar, she earned a PhD in health insurance from Common Wealth University through online distance learning which spanned from 2008 till 2012.
In this interview with OYINLOLA SALE, Ifyugo Mgbemene, Chief Executive Officer, Leo Ela International Limited tells us how she has managed to build her beauty brand despite the challenges she has faced.
How do you source for the materials you use to produce your skin products?
We have so many importers that bring in chemicals. They import to Nigeria and we now buy from them, the materials that we use in productions.
What are the challenges you have so far in running this business?
l will say that challenges is what everybody must face in doing anything, not only in business because everything is a risk.
Challenges will make you think, create, move and manoeuvre things. The most important thing that we face in production is a lack of sufficient money to maximize profits and minimize costs. Then lack of high exchange rates. No good roads, increase in fuel, electricity, high cost of plastics as well.
How can government create an enabling environment for businesses like this to survive in Nigeria?
Government can create and encourage small and medium enterprise since they are the bedrock of the nation. Even abroad, it is SME and medium enterprise that grows.
So if the government can support and assist, it will be very marvellous and interesting.
Because in Nigeria we are blessed, skilled and we have intelligent people.
How have you been able to carve a niche for yourself, despite the competition out there?
It’s a tough one. I have to reflect on my passion and interest. My customers identify them, my products and needs as well. A lot of planning and thinking goes into it as well. I do a lot of research and development.
And I always try to be the best and produce good products. Since it’s a competitive market and l do promo and give discounts.
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