Abisola Kola-Daisi @ Florence H boutique, a luxury shoe and accessories store in Lagos, Nigeria
LOCATION: LAGOS, NIGERIA
I am Abisola Kola-Daisi, and I am the CEO of Florence H boutique, a luxury shoe and accessories store in Lagos, Nigeria. My store is known to be the prime location in Lagos for some of the most sought after high-end fashion designers. I am also a Luxury Lifestyle Influencer across a digital platform through my online blog, AbiKD.com and through my social media presence. I curate content that evokes style, class, and culture through my travels across iconic cities.
Do you think you want to start other businesses in the future or do you want to keep growing this one as long as possible? What is the dream?
Yes, I absolutely plan to start other businesses. As a matter of fact, I’m currently developing a home & lifestyle brand labeled, AKD. I’m venturing into creating luxury candles, diffusers, home décor, and gifts that can elevate any environment. The goal with my AKD Brand is to give my consumers a taste of luxury to any lifestyle. The first category to be released will go under the moniker, AKD Glow!
What part of your personality helped you the most with your entrepreneurial journey?
My everyday attitude is all about knowing what I want and doing what is necessary to achieve my goals. I don’t like to take NO for an answer, so I certainly find ways to make things work for me. In business, especially as a woman, you have to be able to focus on your objectives and see them through any adversity you may endure. That’s a big part of who I am in general, and I think if it weren’t for that mentality, I wouldn’t have achieved half of the things I’m doing now.
Why do you think now is the time to be a female entrepreneur? Do you believe that times are changing for the better? Is it harder being a female entrepreneur or do you think it doesn’t really matter?
Right now is the best time to be a female entrepreneur. The World is changing at a rapid pace, and there’s still a long way to go before we see a true shift in gender equality in the workplace. What I will say, though, is that in this current day, it is so inspiring to see women of all walks coming into their businesses and beginning to dominate their industries. I get motivated every day when I see so many women around the World making power moves.
What does success mean to you? What does it mean to “be successful”? Can it ever be fully achieved or is it something that comes and goes?
Success to me, means a life full of Joy and happiness; having enough faith in what I've done to know that my hard work was/is worth it and being at peace with that.
To be successful is to reach a desired point where goals and aspirations you've set over the years are achieved. Having said that, My family is my main source of happiness and to know that I'm blessed with such love makes me feel successful regardless of whether set goals are met or not.
Success is a constant growth. As we attain goals we set new ones. Therefore, success is an evolving desire. Whether it "goes" is dependent on the individual. If you view yourself as successful you're really the only one that can take that away from yourself.
Why do you think that female owned businesses are a VERY small percentage (that has not been growing) of businesses that get funded by venture capital? What can we do to change that?
My husband is in the banking business, and through his experience I can confirm that it’s definitely a very male-driven industry. I think that we as women need to educate ourselves more about funding and venture capital so that we can be taken seriously in getting our businesses up and running. Women are serious forces to be reckoned with when it comes to business, and we deserve the same opportunities as men.