We were lucky to catch up with Janet Noah recently and have shared our conversation below.
Janet, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I enjoy owning a business because of the peaks that comes with it but every now and then, I wonder how it would feel if was not in charge of building everything. I wonder how it will feel if the only thing I had to do was just doing my role, while others take care of everything.
However, I have gotten used to it while assuring myself that this path is worth it. The art of having a business has given me great joy and one thing I love doing is providing jobs for people and my business does that. So, yes, I’m happy running this beautiful business of mine.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Everything about my business was born out of curiosity and passion!
When I was in Primary School, I remember leaving the house despite being infected with chicken pox to participate in an art club since we were making tie-dye clothes that day. In Secondary School, I still love it but I felt it was just for people who studied Fine Arts in the University.
During the Covid 19 pandemic period, I decided to learn more about the skill when I saw a video on YouTube while using my mother’s system. Almost immediately, a friend who was studying Fine Arts in Uniuyo at that time, hosted a class to teach Tie-dye. I joined the class and when I went back to write my WAEC exams, that was the only thing on my mind.
I hesitated in starting off after my exams and spent my time selling ground nuts, sewing and writing. It was until two months after starting University, when I encountered an experience that made me sick and changed my mindset.
What I wanted became clearer and once I started my first semester, I started dyeing clothes for my roommates, friends and siblings for 500-1000 NGN. For a long time, whenever I see someone’s clothes, the first thing I think is can this be tie-dye? What other colors can I add to these clothes?
My business is a textile designing business that promotes class and culture by crafting beautiful Adire wears to fit our customer’s needs. I make Adire (Tie-dye) prints on the following clothing items;
Cotton fabrics, Brocade, t-shirt, shirts, cargo pants, sweatshirt, hoodies, joggers and denim jackets.
I also revamp the worn-out cotton clothes of my customers thereby helping them to save money.
I train people on how to be an exceptional tie-dye by teaching them the entire skill and process of being a textile designer.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
It took a long while for people to fully accept the idea of what I am doing (Especially in this part of Nigeria). There were days I wanted to deactivate my account and rest because this was not our thing. My parents continuously told me how beautiful my craft was and I started perfecting my skill and spreading the gospel of the Adire Art. If I was not resilience, my business would not be here today.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
The initial capital for my business was gotten from a pitch deck. It was a grant. I saw the opportunity, applied and went on to learn how to pitch. I emerged 3rd place and that money helped me kick off.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_adiregirl?igsh=aHU2dGZkNjl5NzZs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taylor.mckessie.50?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-noah?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
- Twitter: https://x.com/JanetNoah5?t=ozG-lE5CvZ65bLMBkbFTVg&s=09
Image Credits
Utibe Udoma