TVC Presenter, TOPE MARK-ODIGIE Reveals Her Success Story

• Why She Went Into Real Estate

If the list of the top ten most beautiful and stylish women on television were to be drawn today, Tope Mark-Odigie, one of TVC’s most adored presenters, will certainly make that list. The stylish and undeniably beautiful Tope became popular when she joined the widely watched feminine programme, YOUR VIEW, on TVC. And she has been adjudged as one of the stand out anchors of the programme whose often logical and well thought out positions on issues viewers always look forward to hearing. But many do not know that this stunning looking and pretty brilliant lady is also a big player in the Real Estate sector. She runs a very flourishing real estate company called Reb360 Limited and within only a couple of years of operations in the industry, the company now has several estates within and outside Lagos State. Yet, Tope is quite modest about this humongous achievement. She believes there is still a whole lot of ground to be covered by her and her company.

Tope Mark- Odigie, along with veteran actor, Yemi Solade, were both co-anchors at the recently held City People Real Estate Awards and they did a brilliant job together. Shortly after the award ceremony was over, City People Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) had a very revealing interview with Tope. She disclosed why she ventured into Real Estate and shared her experience so fr as a real estate practitioner. Enjoy excerpts of the interview.

Just a few moments ago while you were on stage anchoring the event, many were shocked to know you are also into Real estate. Nobody saw that coming, tell us about that transition…

Okay, I went into real estate because I was made a brand ambassador for another company and I saw some things I would love to do better. I saw more of the problems close up and I felt I could play in this space and meet the needs of the people. I’m not going to deny it was a very profitable partnership but I realised that if I didn’t take a stand, I would’ve focused on my profit to the detriment of the customers. So, my stepping into the industry was to help in solving critical problems that I saw. It was not about offering advice from outside, I felt I needed to show that it can be done.

So, with these issues staring you in the face, how were you now able to come into your own?

I had a gift of mentors. I value knowledge. I paid for access. I paid to attend several training. I had coaches, consultants and I still do same now, so my real estate journey is a knowledge based journey. I had the benefit of people who had done extremely well to guide me and then I paid to have consultants, lawyers, consultants, surveyors, so I felt like it had to be done right. I didn’t want to repeat the mistakes I had seen. So, because I worked with professionals, it helped me and made my journey smoother than it could’ve been if I didn’t have that guidance.

What’s the name of your real estate firm?

My company is called Reb, like Rebecca, Reb360 Limited. Actually, its an acronym for real estate business 360 Limited, that’s the name of the company.

How old is the company now?

By next year, we will be three years in business and we currently have nine gated estates across Lagos, Benin and Ogun States.

So, I am potentially standing in front of one of the female millionaires in the country, right?

Amen. So the thing is, yes, real estate business does bring a lot of money, but if you want to give value to your clients you will sacrifice a lot of your own profits so that your clients can truly get the value they deserve. Its one of the reasons why I went into the industry because prices were highly inflated by many companies because people saw an opportunity to enter into real estate and blow. But customers are suffering, properties are becoming too expensive for the customers . The situation is to the detriment of customers and to the advantage of developers. Yes, considering the volume of transactions we have done, we should be bigger but we have given that profit to the customers and we know that, over time, customers will reward us with their loyalty and then we now get to enjoy the profit in good time.

A few moments ago, I spoke with a built practitioner, Mrs. Modupe Ogunbanjo, and she raised concerns about building collapse and concerns about real estate practitioners paying very little attention to the integrity of structures they put in place. What steps do you take to guide against incidents like this?

You know, I mentioned earlier that I like using professionals. It is more expensive but it is better. I know for a fact that Reb360 will never have issues of collapsed building, either would we have all those technical avoidable challenges that happen in the built industry because we prioritise excellence in all we do and we know that it might be more expensive but we prefer that it’s built to last than to just do something cheap and profitable for us, that, for me, is the key part. I don’t believe in just saying excellence is our core value and we are not living by it. I know we won’t have that experience, we have not had it and we won’t have it. It’s costing us money, but it also gives us a better brand long term.

You have clearly done a whole lot in just three years, how have you been able to achieve this and it’s not like you do a lot of publicity for the brand?

I don’t rest. The only thing I’ve been doing for the past three years is work. I know that at some point I will get to rest but for now, rest is not something I get a lot of right now, but I try to balance things so I don’t break down. All I do now is work but I know that over time when we have achieved the level of success we foresee for ourselves, we will be able to take a break, but not for now.

Before you came on TVC’s YOUR VIEW, not many knew who you were. But shortly after, you have become a known face, how has that journey been for you?

I think I am blessed to do the things I love, which is why I don’t mind working. Being on tv, I am impacting on people’s mindsets, speaking truth to power, talking about the ills in the society, so I’m able to do that and at the same time I’m also able to get paid living the life I loved. The pay is not that amazing which is why I had to look for something that will enable me add value, solve problems and still make a bit of money. Before being on tv, and before real estate, I was a teacher. For me, I even see being on tv as a time to teach my leaders, tell my governor that this is not what we should do or this is what we should do. So, at the end of the day, its always going to be teaching for me. Before Tv, after Tv, before real estate, and after real estate, I will always teach. I will teach because, I feel that the two most significant people in the world are teachers and doctors. They are the ones that kill people or make people. So, I decided if I couldn’t become a doctor, I will be a teacher so I can sort of give people life through hope.

Okay, good. Now, television has thrown you out there, now you have become a celebrity of sorts yourself. You get into places and people recognize you and give you some form of special treatment, how have you adjusted to life now as a public person?

Well, I say that I am recognisable to an extent in the local space of Nigeria and I remind myself that it is just Nigeria. I tell myself I should remain humble and be grateful for the platform but I should not let it get it to my head. When people see me, I smile, I greet them. But I understand the fact that life is transient, the stage is temporary, you are there today, you are not there tomorrow, so know yourself and remain humble.

You’re a mum, a broadcaster, a real estate practitioner, how do you balance all of these without one of them suffering?

Em, sometimes, one of them suffers, that’s the truth. But I have a good support system. I have an amazing husband who is very supportive. I’m lucky that I still have my parents around, still alive, they help out with my children, I can travel and call my parents, they will be in my house till I come back, but I don’t take it for granted. I have just been lucky, compared to other people who are doing same thing I’m doing without the support system that I have. I know that I’m grateful to God for that. They help me, I have a maid, I have friends, so I have a community that helps me to shine.

This is about the third time I will be seeing you at an event and I must say you’re always looking stunning each time I see you. Tell us about Tope and her fashion style

Okay, I believe its good to look good. I believe that whatever God gives you, you put in additional effort to make it better, so I would always make effort to look good as much as possible. But I don’t believe in breaking the bank to look good. I will re-wear my clothes. I prioritise comfort. Even while trying to be fashionable, I still want to look good but I will find a way to marry it with comfort. So, I feel that it is wisdom to know how to look good and not look slutty or indecent, so, it’s about finding that balance. I believe its important to look good, I don’t take my looks for granted. I’m grateful to God for the raw materials that he gave me, but I do my part to make sure I add all that’s necessary to bring out what God has given to me.