Kayode Alfred is a Lagos Big Boy who is a successful businessman. He is a serial entrepreneur who has his fingers in so many pies. He is a celebrity journalist of many years standing. He is a fashion designer who runs Aristocrat Clothing. He is also into the Bar & Lounge business. He is the CEO of The Carpenters. He also runs a dry cleaning business.
The big news is that Kayode was recently honoured by City People Entertainment, as part of its focus on promoting and celebrating the big players in the Bar/Lounge Sector.
It was a colourful evening, as many Big Boys in Lagos stormed the award party. The premises of The Carpenter on Wemco Road was full to the brim, as many of the invited guests showed up to support Kay, who is a quiet and easy going guy. Many describe him as a humble and hardworking guy who juggles all his roles perfectly. Kayode, who is a fashionista came well dressed along with his beautiful wife. Dr. Okewale of St. Ives came. Mayor Akinpelu, the Publisher of Global Excellence was there, so also Kayode Ajala & Linda, his wife came. Lagos Big Boy, Bestman also came.
Boye Best was on band stand and he took the party to another level, with his danceable Alujo beat. He played for 4 hours non-stop before he now changed gear to various beats. Everyone was on their feet dancing to Boye Best who is right now one of the hottest music acts on the scene.
Speaches were made, one after the other by friends & associates of Kayode Alfred. Every one had nice things to say about Kayode who they all described as hardworking, creative, focused and humble to a fault. He was very happy and many of his friends and colleagues said much about him during the event, as a generous man, a trustworthy person, a doer of his words, and very loyal to the call. Before the event began, City People got him to tell us how he juggles his many roles.
For how long has he been managing The Carpenters Lounge and restaurant? “The Carpenter is like two years now. But we started in a smaller apartment. The idea came through various event because as a Journalist, in those days we used to hang out after the days work. As at then, I had a fashion house Aristocrat. So every evening my friends would always come around to hang out with me. There was a guest house in front of my former shop. We used to go there and buy drinks from there everyone will go home. So, from there the idea came up that can’t I do something, not a club, but a Lounge that me and my friends, people can hang around and also cater for clients out there. That’s how the idea started. During that time, we launched out, it was small and we had issues, but God came through. So, we opened here officially on December 6th, 2022”.
How has it been going? “It has been good, because in the country now things are good, don’t let me say other way round, the election, the cashless policy. But now, things are getting better.
How does he juggle his fashion business, The Carpenters Lounge, his career as a Journalist and others? “You trained us sir. You said we should do a job that we love. Everything I am doing today I love them all, and it has been God. Mostly, when someone has a good family it also helps. As a Journalist, you will have an idea in every sector. I love everything I am doing”.
What is his focus at Aristocrat? Is it Male or female clothing? “We do different things, we do ready to wear clothes, right now we are in partnership with Twice as Nice. So, all its outlet we have our ready to wear casuals and we do made to measure as well. I also have partnership with the African Stores in the USA.
Does he do only Male outfit? “We are about to introduce Aristocrat Women, strictly ready to wear, which you can buy Online, and our Store. But strictly ready to wear for women.”
How did he come up with the brand name The Carpenters? “The idea came when I was in the US with my brother. We were at Macy’s Store and he went to Tommy Section and I saw one of the Shirts and said, we can make something like this in Nigeria. I was just thinking this is possible and as a Journalist, I used to work with Encomium. Back then we started “E Lifestyle” where we interviewed Fashion Designers, and I had an idea of this and many years ago I used to sell clothes when I was in school. So, I feel I can do this.
When I got to Nigeria, I shared this with my friends around. Some of them said Tailors will kill you, don’t do it, so I just decided that I am going to survive this. And I also shared it with my brother, and he said I should start it, so, I started very small. I bought a sewing Machine, so I rented a room self contained. I was doing it with one Tailor and I travelled to London. Later, the landlord, called that I brought in heavy sewing machine into the house that he won’t allow that, so, he said we should pack out our things. I told the other guy to leave the house and find something else doing that I will go back to my Journalism job. So an agent came and told me that he saw an apartment and that he mentioned my name and the children of the Landlady reckoned that they know me well and they said she will give me that apartment and I let them know that I am in London. She said no problem, when you come back you will take it. So, after two years, I came back to pay for the apartment and started up again. But we had many challenges but we have God all the way, my family, my brother Lanre Alfred, and my wife have been supporting me.
What are the major challenges you’re having in all your business? “The major challenge is staffing, people are not really committed, and you can’t do it alone, and I have my Vision. That is the major challenge because I feel they are not ready to work and in the next five years I don’t think we will have people to work with. Thats my major problem and power.
How did you derive the name The Carpenters? It was a name I had registered before we started, I registered the name before back then in 2017. So, the name was registered before we started The Carpenters Lounge. Not that I was looking for a name. I have some projects I am also working on that I had also registered before now.
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