{"id":13441,"date":"2019-10-10T07:19:51","date_gmt":"2019-10-10T06:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/experts.ng\/blog\/?p=13441"},"modified":"2021-10-03T17:57:39","modified_gmt":"2021-10-03T16:57:39","slug":"smes-brands-nigeria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/smes-brands-nigeria\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading SME Brands In Nigeria."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nigeria is blessed with many entrepreneurs operating in the SME sector. With the many factors militating against entrepreneurship, there are some Nigerians that have braved it against all odds and are very successful today. They are considered Leading Small And Medium Size Enterprise (SME) Brands In Nigeria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have compiled a list of some of these Nigerians that have made names for themselves with the hope that Nigerians like yourself can learn a thing or two from these entrepreneurs who have found ways to excel above all odds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suggested reading: 5 development strategies for small businesses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Events Planning Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A.  <\/strong>    Eventful Nigeria Ltd<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Website: http:\/\/www.eventfulnigeria.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventful Nigeria Ltd was established in 2002 by Yewande Zacchaeus. Yewande is a Lawyer, Banker, and Entrepreneur.  She started Eventful Nigeria Limited after a successful banking career. She retired from banking from Ecobank Nigeria Plc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She had a degree in Law from the University of Lagos and a Master\u2019s degree from Cambridge University. She also attended an Advanced Management Program at<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Yewande<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

IESE Business School, Barcelona.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yewande is the pioneer in the event planning industry in Nigeria. She is an active member of the Women in Management and Business and Public Service – (WIMBIZ) and a mentor to many female professionals.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.      Zapphaire Events<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Website: http:\/\/zapphaireevents.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funke Bucknor Obruthe is the founder of Zapphaire Events. She is a Lawyer and Entrepreneur. She graduated from the University of Lagos. She worked briefly in an advertising agency before she founded Zapphaire Events in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Funke-Bucknor-Obruthe\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

She is the author of the popular book: The Essential Bridal Handbook. She has earned several awards and recognitions including being listed in BBC\u2019s 100 Women series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zapphaire Events has planned one-of-a-kind events in Nigeria and they are known for their excellence in event planning. Funke is an active member of the Women in Management and Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) and a mentor to many professionals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beauty and Make-Up Business <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A. House of Tara International<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Website: https:\/\/corporate.houseoftara.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The House of Tara International was established in 1998 by Tara Fela-Durotoye. Tara is a Lawyer and Beauty Entrepreneur. She is the pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria. She created the Tara Orekelewa Beauty Products, Inspired Perfume and H.I.P Beauty range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tara<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

She launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studios and established the first makeup school in Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tara graduated from Lagos State University and has attended many business-related programs in top business schools. Tara is an active member of WIMBIZ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B. BM Pro Make-Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Website: https:\/\/bmpromakeup.com\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Banke Meshida Lawal is the founder of BM Pro Make-Up. Banke is a makeup artist and businesswoman. She is a graduate of the University of Lagos, where she studied English. Banke is known for her many awards and achievements in the Nigerian Makeup Industry. BM Pro Make Up is popular among celebrities and executives, including the former first lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"BM<\/a>
Image Source: http:\/\/onobello.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Banke\u2019s journey started back in her university days, she has since perfected her skills and trade to become the brand that she is today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her brand BMPro is a multi-sectorial business, owning a makeup line of over 40 products, a training school, a beauty advisory and, an online magazine, BM| Pro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fashion Design Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A. Mai Atafo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Website: www.maiatafo.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ohimai Atafo started Mai Atafo in 2009. He is a fashion entrepreneur and founder of the label: Mai Atafo. Ohimai had a successful career in the corporate world as a brand strategist with British American Tobacco and Guinness Nigeria Plc, before venturing into the fashion business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mai<\/a>
Image source: Tori.ng<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

He studied at a Savile Row Academy in Leeds before he started his bespoke tailoring and bridal atelier business. When you think of bespoke tailoring in Nigeria, Mai Atafo is the name that comes to mind. In Africa, Mai Atafo\u2019s Tuxedos are possibly the best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“For the love of the craft Mai Atafo finds time to be an incredible MC\/Compere and voiceover artiste having done shows like 2010 Miss Nigeria Pageant alongside Agbani Darego, City People Fashion and Style Award, Face of Sleek Model Competition, Etisalat Masterbrand Re-launch, FCMB Employees Award Night and voiced a Glo advert and Soundcity Video Music Awards live-show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his not so spare time he still manages to inspire with is free fashion mentorship initiative called Fashion Conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mai Atafo is married to Ede-Christine and blessed with a daughter, Aima.” – Mai Atafo<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

B.     Deola Sagoe<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Website: www.deolasagoe.co<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Deola Ade-Ojo is a Nigerian born fashion designer who is popularly known by her design name, Deola Sagoe. Deola Ade-Ojo expanded her mother\u2019s fashion business to become an international label known as Deola Sagoe. She began designing in 1988 when she joined her mother\u2019s business with a view of expanding the label\u2019s repertoire to encompass more contemporary designs for the ever-developing, cosmopolitan high-brow society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Deola
Image Source: Channelstv<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Deola Sagoe has long taken her fashion adventure to the international stage with many awards and trailblazing designs under her name. She holds a master\u2019s degree in Finance and Management. She studied at the University of Lagos and University of Miami. Deola Sagoe is an African owned fashion business that competes well on the global stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Other premium fashion designers are:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n