- Says ‘My Brand Is More Superior To Similar Products From China’
Dandy Ogujor, the vibrant Nigerian entrepreneur behind wave-making ‘Dandified’ brand recently visited the corporate headquarters of Parrot Xtra Media Network. He was engaged by DARE RAJI and TIMILEHIN OLALERE. During this interaction, he spoke about his journey into the business world among other issues…Excerpt:
Can we formally meet you?
My name is Ogujor Dandy from Delta state but based in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State. I attended Bethel Nursery and Primary School, Akute, Ogun State and Sojome Talabi International Secondary School for my secondary school education. I am currently a student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) studying Meteorological and Climate Science.
How did you get inspired to start your kind of business?
I discovered that over a long time that I have been looking for good underwear of good quality for men and I noticed that anytime I purchased five underwear, only two or three would adequately fit me while others were always undersized. Most times, I discovered that most of the brands were China made and their ways of designs are quite different from Africans and Nigerians products. Most of us have big laps here in Africa compared to the Chinese and their products always get torn after a short period of time – so I thought of how to make a distinct product that would fit Nigerians.
I made some research online then I was lucky to meet a guy based in Akure who taught me the processes of sewing and I paid him to train me on how to do it. He had started the business earlier on and during the period of COVID-19. So, I decided to start after a long period of procrastination. Immediately after the easing of the lockdown I started the business at Shasha area of Ibadan and now the company is a registered one.
Tell us more about how you started your own underwear sewing business?
After the training, he mentored me on how to succeed in the business by mentoring me on the type of materials, location, machines to acquire in order to get started. We even travelled to Aba in the Eastern part of the country to source for the best type of materials to use. He taught me how to source for the best type of shirt materials which is 100% percent cotton, they don’t get torn easily and they usually absolved more heat compared to the nylon and bed sheet materials which is the regular types of materials people use in making underwear. In our organization we try as much as possible to get 100% cotton because they absorbed more heat and sweat. We started with two machines last year October and we have been expanding since then. All the glory to God.
What are the challenges that you have encountered so far?
Power supply has not been stable – most of the times we run on generator to survive in the business. Furthermore, getting customers and clients have being my major challenge because I just relocated to Ibadan in 2016 and the business needs more of referrals to thrive.
Why did you decide to start your business from Ibadan?
I believe that where I reside is my home and it is paramount to the success of my brand. It is easier for me to start here in Ibadan after a while, my Urhobo people from Sapele and others can still benefit from the success of my brand. Nigeria is one country and I am part of the state and starting anywhere is not a barrier.
What other vocation would you have loved to engage in apart from this?
I love photography but after a period of time, I lost interest in it.
How do you think the government can be of assistance to SME’s?
The government can help small scale enterprise to thrive through financial assistance and soft loans that are easily accessible.
You seem bent on making your product look like what is obtainable overseas…
I discovered that when starting a brand in Nigeria, customers prefer quality and attractive design that will be catchy and attractive. They prefer designs even if it is made in Nigeria to be of good quality and International standard, that is why I decided to choose a design that is catchy that is not so colourful but distinct.
Let’s talk about your wife role in the success of your business?
When I was starting the business, she supported me financially and till date she still supports me. We registered the company together as partners. We have been married for seven years -2014 to be precise.
What will you like to tell Nigerian youths aspiring to be entrepreneurs?
I will encourage any youth that has a plan or idea to put it into action without procrastinating because the idea God gave them is also being conceived by another individual. They should not be afraid of starting small and they should work towards achieving greater heights.
