+How She Started Her LAGOS Boutique 14 Yrs Ago
Masidat Niyilola Kazim is one of the happening babes on Lagos social scene. She is not just stylish, she also runs a popular Lagos boutique “Pinkdivas” patronised by super-rich Lagos big babes of note who can’t stop admiring Niyilola’s high fashion sense and beautiful collections.
Unlike other boutique owners in Lagos who hire models to wear their collections to entice customers to their pages, Masidat is the face of her 14 years old brand. Go to Adamasigba in Ibadan, where her first shop is situated and Radio Bus-Stop at Alausa, in Lagos, you will see that the shops are a beehive of activities.
Every morning, many celebrity big babes love to visit “Pinkdivas” page, which has over 117 followers. Let us also gist you that she is one of those whose brands don’t slow down even when the lockdown persisted. How did she get the name “pink divas”? How easy was it sustaining the brand? How has the elements from her father, Chief Lanrewaju Kasim (Sokas Lace) helped her business?
Niyilola Kasim, who was sighted at her friend’s bridal shower a few weeks ago, revealed that she got the name, Pinkdivas from her favourite colour being pink. She explained that she combines her favourite colour pink with divas which means Chicky Girls.
Speaking on her 14 years old, brand. She explained that many don’t know she started Pinkdivas from her University days. “ It may shock you that the Pinkdivas of today started small. I have been into this beauty business since 2006, while I was in school. I started Pinkdivas selling in my car boot. I got my first store in Ibadan in 2010. The store is still there at Adamasigba Shopping Complex. So, I have 2 branches now, one in Lagos and the other in Ibadan.
How is it like running a brand for 14 years?
It is the grace of God and my passion has sustained the brain. I have got a passion for fashion right from my youthful days when I would save all my pocket money. I would use all my money to buy cloth. I don’t get tired even when business is down. For instance, when dollar value increases, profit will decrease and only those who have passion could be in the business. Don’t forget that it is when profit is low that many people leave the business and those of us who stay in the business will be able to get over it with time” she explained.
The sexy Lagos babe, who is happily married to one of the Ashiru brothers of Ijebu-Ode, revealed that style to her depends on her. She said one doesn’t need to follow the trend to be stylish. Create your thing and what you feel comfortable wearing”.
You are a daughter of an Ijebu millionaire and industrialist, Alhaji Larewaju Kasim, the Lace merchant and CEO of Sokas Lace, what did you learn from your parents?
I have learnt a lot from my parents which have helped me in my business. Don’t forget that my father was not just an entrepreneur or industrialist, he was a manufacturer of note. While I was growing up, I would follow my dad to the factory and my mum too to her shop. My mum was into the same kind of business with my dad. While my dad produced, my mum was selling at her shops in Ibadan. But of course, he had to stop at one point because of the economy. Production in Nigeria is so frustrating, but he is so consistent, “ she said.
You are stylish, why did you not employ a model for display instead of using yourself as a model?
Well, since starting my business, I would say that I have used models, but I found out that people wanted to see me. People want to see my style. People want to buy what I wear, so I said, it is better to use myself since the models weren’t bringing much sale like I thought. Don’t forget that I said I have always been in fashion. I have been my own model from school. So, seeing that people love my body, love my style, I make use of myself as a model. So I will rather do it myself.”
On sustaining big brand which has been a huge task to many young entrepreneurs Niyilola revealed that passion has brought her far and sustained her. Consistency, passion and God have brought her far.
We couldn’t help but admire her flawless skin. On the secret of her flawless skin, she explained that she uses the cheapest cream. Her words: “I am just blessed with good skin. I don’t do anything to my skin, I use the cheapest cream.
– Abiola Orisile
