Entrepreneurial Journey Unveiled: From Soho House to Kouture Paradisé and the World of Management Consulting (Part 4)

In May 2022, I made the shift to a management consulting role as my full-time occupation, leveraging my Law Enforcement Community Network (LECN) Programme experience gained at the UK Home Office. This career move not only introduced me to a diverse group of colleagues, including some from New Zealand, but also provided an excellent platform to immerse myself in initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion.

During this period, I actively contributed to the establishment of One Africa UK - a great time! Within the realm of client engagements, I found myself working in a global PMO within an Oil & Gas company, enriching my professional experience.

That year brought many changes, and the most significant one was being accepted on the Soho House x Creative Mentor Network Programme, a spot I initially recommended for my business partner due to her creativity and degree in fashion. However, due to their own circumstances, both business partners decided to take a break, leading to a pause in our business work just as the Programme was set to begin in October 2022.

The Programme partnered me with a member from Soho House name Charlie Beeson, Design Director, who worked at FutureBrand. We had weekly sessions where he guided me in rebranding Kouture Paradisé. One key session took place at 180 House, and during that time, we jotted down thoughts on my blue notepad, including the phrase "they zig, we zag." Like many who have supported me, my mentor introduced me to the concept of "self-reflection."

The year brought personal challenges, from family illnesses to losses, heightened anxiety, sleepless nights, and noticeable weight loss. During the Christmas period, I took time for genuine self-reflection. I realised that everything I needed to create a business plan for my new venture, the new Kouture Paradisé, resided within me – my journey, career, knowledge, connections, and experiences.

In 2023, I presented the new concept at White City Soho House, emphasising that my network had made it a reality, with support from business owners in Nigeria and friends with startups and/or fashion market knowledge. ?

However, shortly after the showcase, and on a virtual meeting my business partners decided they would not continue this journey. I sat on the floor of my flat in Fulham after the virtual meeting, feeling like it was all over, questioning my next steps. In that moment, I recalled a statistic from my research – that 50% of Nigerian youths are either unemployed or unemployable.

This realisation reinvigorated me, and I began sharing the idea of building an AI-infused platform that connects emerging African fashion designers with their customers, all while upskilling and sharing their narratives. ?Driven by purpose, Afrofuturism and sustainability. This led to three new co-founders, CMO, CTO, and COO, joining the venture, each contributing their expertise and experiences. From fashion manufacturing experiences in Nigeria, someone who had created campaigns for the UK government and another who has advisory experience in tech.

Together, we used our collective knowledge and experiences to formulate a strategic plan. My past experiences helped me recognise my role as a leader, organising the team and treating our business development as a Programmme, with each of us focusing on individual workstreams - using POAPs I had created.

The Soho House x CMN Programme ?led to numerous opportunities, including starting Faith Book Club at Soho House and becoming a Youth Board Member for CMN. Within the startup ecosystem, surrounded by exceptional talent and fuelled by emerging technology, I find myself engaged in discussions with industry giants such as AWS, Google, and Techstars. However, the true highlight of my experience lies in the valuable connections forged across the diverse landscape of Africa.

Tele's Tip: Embrace the boundless opportunities before you, fearlessly carve out your distinctive journey.

The start-up journey has had its ups and downs, including exploring accelerator programmes, VCS and dealing with lots of rejections. Yet, as the CEO and Co-Founder, I've learned not to give up.

After being invited to a Black Founder’s event at the Google HQ, I knew I was doing something right. The evening reinforced what I thought and shed light on the underserved market in Africa, particularly Nigeria, with its growing population. This highlighted the opportunities for entrepreneurs to create businesses, generate jobs, and hustle to make their visions a reality.

Following the Google event, I received inquiries about how I secured the invitation. Although the questions seemed without malice, they transported me back to my political days, where I often had to justify my presence in the space. This experience underscored the significance of sharing one's story and serving as an emblem of faith, resilience, and the ability to forge one's own path.

I drafted these articles, while in Newcastle for a professional qualification training (MSP), an opportunity generously invested in by my company. I wholeheartedly believe that with dedication and unwavering determination, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

In summary, my viewpoint is to discard preconceived notions, forget what you've been told, and instead, carve out your unique path. On the founder journey, at any stage, wisdom is key, and your efforts will yield results. Different factors may impact results and longevity in the ecosystem; but the journey provides valuable experiences, lessons, and character development.

Tele's tip: You must understand your experience, capabilities, knowledge, and wisdom, and leverage what you have done before and who you know.

Challenges may come based on factors like class, age, race, or time spent in the ecosystem, but everyone possesses their own privileges. What has kept me going for three years, regardless of the duration, is there are people who need what I'm building – an idea I am driven to bring to life.

As I strive toward my goal to create, I have left the past behind, and I am moving with faith and not solely by what I see. Be confident on your journey and those who see your potential will help you.

Thank you for reading my articles and see you for the next series - which will cover my business trip in Nigeria.

Tele Lawal