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What She Told City People
Laide Lanre-Badmus is a Lifestyle Consultant, an interior designer, a connoisseur of gift hampers and lately an NGO owner. She is also a politician, and an advocate of Children and Women rights.
Her brain, composure, humility and beauty packed in one box are what separates Laide from other ladies. City People’s DARE ADENIRAN (08057639079) recently had a exclusive interview with this enigmatic lady.
In the course of the interview, Laide was able to talk about so many issues, including family, business, her private life, the controversies as well as her love life.
The interview session was an interesting one, as Laide spoke extensively on how she made it big in her premium gift hamper business which very few people know about, her business strategies and what she had done to sustain her brand over the years.
But who really is Laide Lanre-Badmus?
Laide was born some forty something years ago. She holds a Diploma in Law, LLB in Law with a BSc in Politics & International Relations.
She is a Lifestyle Consultant, the Founder and Principal Partner of Purifoy Seven Drops on Ten Ltd & Laide Lanre Badmus (LLB) Nig Limited, a firm that provides custom-made interior designs offering exquisite interior decorations, curates premium bespoke, cooperate & personalized gift hampers in trunk boxes and some other VIP accessories.
She is the Founder of LLB Foundation Africa (@llbfoundationngo), a nonprofit organization leading the charge against the inhuman treatment of “the love child”, and kids sexual abuse and harassment.
She is a Fellow at the Institute of Personality Development & Customer Relationship Management IPD-CRM.
She is also a member, Nigeria Institute of Management, Fellow at the Women Leadership Network, and Member, Nigeria Women Convener’s Movement (NWC).
Laide is an astute politician and humanitarian who hopes to serve Oyo State in the very near future.
She is a passionate humanitarian with an NGO that specializes in building emotional stability in emotionally broken children with childhood dysfunctions.
She has a top-notch skill in project management, provide custom-made interior designs & services, eg, setting up homes and business outlets.
Below are excerpts of the no-holds-barred interview with Laide Lanre-Badmus.
Let me first congratulate you on the launching of your NGO, LLB Foundation. How has it been?
Thank you very much. I appreciate it. Well, I’m thankful to God for how far He has taken us on it. It’s being a roller coaster of emotions. The stories we have been hearing from victims are just so unbelievable. To think we have human beings living and walking freely while damaging the lives of innocent teenagers.
And how do plan to tackle the challenges that come with having an NGO, the emotional and financial aspect of it?
It’s a dressed donkey! God that brought me to it will not leave me stranded. The financial aspect will not be a problem. I believe. Asking for financial help has never been my thing, and I will not start now.
This Foundation has been a long-term passion for me to help in building emotional stability in emotionally broken children (boy & girl) with childhood dysfunctions just like me. As a young girl who was sexually abused at the age of 13. Our operation will span the length and breadth of Nigeria and gradually spread to other African countries. One step at a time. Our vision is big, and we are ready to pursue it vigorously, and of course with the support of well-meaning Nigerians, Africans, and global citizens.
Laide Lanre-Badmus is many things rolled into one; a life coach, an interior designer and gift items expert. From which of these businesses would you say you made your big money?
The big money! I have been fortunate in all my businesses, but like we all know, there is always a bigger one. Interior designs and being a gift curator coupled with the fact that I have my wealthy clientele. I don’t attend to everyone. Strictly premium. I make money from the rich through my business and spend half of it on the less privileged.
Tell us more about this your premium hampers, what inspired such business idea and how affordable is it?
The best gifts come in trunks. As a lover of people and a passionate giver, I woke up one morning in 2015 racking my brain on what to present to some of my political leaders. I thought of buying each of them a pair of Hermes slippers from London, then I said to myself, they would have thousands of such in their closet. Then I thought of getting a curating collection of what they can want, can need, can read, can drink nibble on and probably can wear.
After that, I thought of how to get them packed but didn’t want to use the normal gift paper bag. Then I went online on google to check on what else I could use to wrap a collection of 10 items in each pack instead of paper bags. Then, the metal trunk boxes popped up, and I was like haaaa” gbese re o, how many things would fill one box? So I made inquiries and ordered 12 from China. It cost me a lot, but those leaders were worth more.
That was how I curated the gifts, presented it to each of them separately, and the feedback was encouraging. That was how one of them asked if I could do 20 boxes of that, and I said yes. I gave my invoice, got paid, and I delivered. From that moment, I became a luxury gift curator!.
When I curate hamper for you, you can’t turn it down. There will always be something in that box that you will not only like but you will need. All imported and strictly luxury.
Nothing is expensive if you can afford it.
How would you describe the trajectory story of your life as an entrepreneur, a humanitarian and a politician?
That’s a big question! Nigeria, being a system that is not working like the Western world, I can say it’s like me riding a roller coaster.
On the 26th of this month January it will be 35 years since my father died, I was 6 years and some months then. So imagine a girl without inheritance or financial support from anyone to fund a business or establish or have a platform to showcase what you have. Having such big dreams and not having a helper has been hell.
When I say hell, I mean hell. But still, I strive, and I believe some day soon, I will be a woman Nigeria will be proud of.
Your dad was very prominent in both business and social circles, his name must have opened some doors for you?
Well, he was in his time. He died at 48 years old. His 35th death anniversary will be on the 26th of this month. But I can’t say it has opened any door. Most of his old allies that I have been privileged to meet in person or speak with over the phone or the ones that contacted me via Facebook, tell me so much interesting stories of how much he supported them in one way or the other and all. They actually promised to do one or two things for me to reciprocate my father’s kindness but they are tet to fulfill their promises. Hopefully, they will before the end of time.
So what has really worked for you over the years to have achieved so much in life?
God’s grace and my unflinching efforts to become somebody in life. Because when people see me, they see that grace in me and become my fiends for different reasons, and the best of such friendships were the once that impacted in my growth, especially my business without asking for anything in return.
As you have done in business, you are gradually making a name for yourself in politics. You wanted to contest the House of Reps, what is next for you politically?
Yes, I wanted to contest but I couldn’t because I had some superiors in the constituency that also wanted to contest.
I can’t say this is what is next, I know I am still a politician and an APC member.
But just like we all know, to be strongly recognized, positioned and honored in politics, you must either be very rich or have a strong and solid kind-hearted king maker as a leader. Without that, you will just be striving on your own till God himself decides to raise somebody.
Lots of people have been asking why I am not an appointee already when we have so many young men and women being appointed. I tell them it’s because most of them are either close to the president or have father, uncles aunties in the corridor of power.
Some of them don’t even have their fathers alive anymore, but they had already paved that way for them.
Laide Lanre-Badmus is rich, beautiful and well-connected, many people would want to know little about your love life. Don’t you want to give marriage another shot?
Did you just say rich? Well, I am rich in Christ and comfortable enough to be able to afford my beautiful lifestyle conveniently without comparison.
Marriage!!! Something I had always longed and prayed for. But it seems the universe has other plans for me. My last on and off relationship of many years ended in a very bad way in 2022, and that made me lose interest in men and marriage. If it is the will of God for me, the best man will locate me. For now, I am single and pursuing my purpose in life.
Not quite long ago, you were involved in a marriage proposal scandal with a prominent Yoruba king. What really happened?
I have put all that behind me. God has been so good to me in all ramifications. I’m at peace with my life.
How do feel or react when you read negative stories about yourself in the media?
Criticism is inevitable. So I have cultivated the courage to ignore, overlook, and create the life that I crave for.
What defines your personality?
I am strong and independent. I embrace all that I am, my strength and vulnerability. I am empathic and put myself in others’ shoes to be able to relate and help others through their struggles.
I am someone who doesn’t conform to what others think of me but takes advice because I know I can’t know it all.
I am also a warrior who fights for justice for my people.
I will proudly say I have grace and class, and I do not put myself above or below others.
I am highly intelligent and use my intelligence to communicate very well.
I am not afraid to show the world that I am not without flaws, but there is something you can’t take away from me, and that is my love to protect others and myself.
I am very open-minded and tolerant of opposing opinions. I respond well to criticism. I don’t mind when people contradict me.
I am also highly emotional.
