In this interview, the CEO of Epicentre Global Events Ltd., Romoke Adebo, tells KEMI LANRE-AREMU how unemployment made her to go into event planning

How did you discover your flair for event planning?

I stumbled on it when I was in my third year at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, where I studied Agric Extension and Economics. An uncle to one of my friends needed aso ebi for a burial. He needed like 2,000 pieces and even though I had never sourced for fabrics before then, I said I could do it. The man, who was a member of the House of Representatives, decided to give me a try. I searched for and found a company that could customise ankara. I made some profit from that transaction and I was excited.

When I graduated from the university, I couldn’t get a job even though I graduated with a second-class upper degree. I almost got employed at Access Bank. I got to the final stage of the interview phase and met with the then MD/CEO, who asked me to tell him about my siblings. When I told him that one of my eight brothers was the Human Resource Manager at Access Bank at that time, the MD/CEO said it was quite unfortunate. They probably had a policy that siblings couldn’t work in the bank. I was a little bit discouraged that I lost a chance to work in a bank because of my brother. Afterwards, I got a job at MTN. I worked there for only one day because I had a little baby and I lived faraway from Victoria Island where the office was.

What did you do next?

It was at that point I made up my mind to explore the option of event planning. I had to decide on the aspect of events planning I wanted to venture into. I tried doing aso ebi again, I did cocktails and then, I started doing family parties and I think that was how I started. My brother, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, who is also the chairman of this company, had just started an advertising agency at that period. I went to him that I wanted to work with him and he asked me if I was sure I had the strength to do so. To cut the story short, I am grateful that I had some leverage; my brothers were my leverage and also my husband.

The event planning industry is a very large one. How were you able to decide on your area of specialisation?

I had some people in the industry already, like Mr. Tunji Olugbodi, who gave us some business. Of course, his really big events went to the established planners. He wanted me to prove myself first before he could entrust me with the big ones. I worked like my life depended on it because I had to earn his trust. I wanted to be able to get jobs because I am capable and not because I am Mr. Tunji Olugbodi’s sister. Along the line, I began to enjoy planning corporate events. Even though we do weddings, I like things that are dynamic.

Has the business recorded any growth in the 10 years of its existence?

We have experienced some growth. Social media has been helpful and that is what we didn’t have 10 years ago. Ten years ago, we could not take pictures and upload on Facebook, but today, that and more is possible. Social media has helped businesses reach a wider audience.

How did you sustain the business during recession?

Sustaining a business in Nigeria considering the recession made many entrepreneurs look for nine-to-five jobs. Maintaining a relationship with past clients and good service delivery means they are most likely to invite us to plan their other events. For almost 10 years, it has not been solely about making profit, it has been more of image building and brand building. I think that is how we were able to survive the recession.

How do you ensure your job does not affect the time you spend with your husband and children?

Luckily, I am blessed with a husband who really supports my career. He is a rig manager and his job is also time-consuming as well. I try to balance everything before I leave home for work. If I am going to be away for days, I make sure that there is food in the house for my husband and three sons. I try to take my kids to school every day.

Apart from event planning what other things do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love to travel, I love staying in beautiful hotels. When I see a nice hotel, I am like a kid in the candy store. It is that bad. It doesn’t have to be abroad it could be in Nigeria but it must be a beautiful hotel.

Source:- [url]http://www.exclusivepp.com.ng/recession-forced-entrepreneurs-go-nine-five-jobs-%e2%80%91%e2%80%91-romoke-adebo/[/url]

she looks and sounds decent.
I love decent women so much.


See below shaa.