Over the years, many peculiar talents have emerged from the African continent, and many have undoubtedly passed unrecognized.
This was previously attributed to the poor recognition given to the African arts. However, the times have changed and African Fashion designs are now being sort after by international audiences.
Many creative minds are also being introduced to the world of crafts and fashion. This time the spotlight falls on Ezenwa Jeffrey Jamike, a talented Nigerian fashion designer who is very passionate about his work and is not afraid to share it.
In a brief interview with the young CEO, DRACKINFO MEDIA was able to find some intriguing facts about him, including how he got introduced to the world of fashion at an early age and his goal of becoming a problem-solving fashion designer.
Drackinfo: Let’s meet you
Jeffrey : My name is Ezenwa Jeffrey Jamike. I am a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri. I’m Nigerian and a native of Imo state. I am a co-founder of Saucery Co. which is a bespoke fashion designing company in Nigeria.
Drackinfo: How did the idea for the business come about?
Jeffrey: Well, I grew up into fashion designing. My mom is a seamstress, so I was exposed to fashion very early in life and the love for the craft grew. We are a family of eight; six siblings and my parents. Growing up, we always assisted my mom in her shop. Some ironed, weaved, stoned while others went to buy the materials needed. I was into everything, I and my immediate younger brother actually. So we were well groomed and we later learned to make shirts and blouses.
When I got into the university, I wanted to do something to earn extra cash and I knew it would have to be fashion. In school, I noticed most people wore poorly tailored clothes because they felt the better tailors were very expensive. Saucery Co. was birthed on that thought: to solve the problem. We wanted to give people very stylish, properly finished wears which should cost them more at less. So, in a nutshell, Saucery Co. is here to give people sartorial wears at very affordable prices. You don’t have to be a moneybag to look expensive.
Drackinfo: What’s your driving force to become an entrepreneur?
Jeffrey: Love for my craft. You know the popular notion people have about tailors, that they disappoint and when you give them a style, they give you crap in return. You want to look like Ebuka but you end up looking like Mr. Ibu. So that’s my driving force: to bridge that gap.
Drackinfo: How did you come up with a name for your business?
Jeffrey: I and my brother; the co-founder Obinna were looking for a name for the business, and it was really tough then. Then I said something one day, ‘we are here to make magic in the fashion industry’ and my brother replied that we are magicians and SORCERY is another name for magic. We couldn’t use the actual spelling for obvious reasons and since my brother’s nick is OB SAUCE, we then chose SAUCERY CO. just like the movie – MONSTERS INC.
Drackinfo: How do you generate ideas for your business?
Jeffrey: It just comes from things I see around me and from the internet. Sometimes, I see a design in my sleep then I and my brother table it and discuss about it, likewise him if he comes up with an idea.
Drackinfo: Do you believe there’s some sort of pattern to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Jeffrey: Yeah, God, hardwork and passion. God is the basic ingredient for success in every sphere of life. Without God, you can’t succeed and you also have to work really hard because hardwork pays while passion is what keeps you going even when you don’t feel like anymore.
Drackinfo: What makes you different from your competitors?
Jeffrey: None of my competitors offer the kind of services I render at the price I charge. It’s like too much value for your money.
Drackinfo: What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?
Jeffrey: I get so happy, like there’s this inexplicable feeling when I see my work on a client and they give off this satisfied look on their faces. It is golden to me. Customers’ satisfaction is our major priority. We’ve had jobs where we had to remake the apparel just to ensure that the client was happy despite the fact that we made a loss. We’re more concerned about our customers than making profit.
Drackinfo: What has been the most satisfying moment in business?
Jeffrey: That’s quite simple. That was when we got our first industrial machine.
Drackinfo: What are your long term goals for your business? Is it something you’d want to make a career from?
Jeffrey: This is already a career for us. This is what I see myself doing for the rest of my life. I see SAUCERY CO. becoming a strong brand internationally.
Drackinfo: Where do you see your business in five years?
Jeffrey: We are going global. All and sundry will be on a SAUCERY CO. apparel. We will transcend to all classes of individuals.
Drackinfo: What advice would you give youths out there looking to start a business?
Jeffrey: Turn your passion to your business; that way, even when you don’t make money at first you will do it because you have love for the craft. And don’t be in a haste to make profit.
“Develop your passion and find a way to make money doing what you love.” This is the message put forward to all youths looking to start up individual businesses. Ezenwa Jeffrey Jamike prioritizes quality and satisfaction over profits, a trait that would make him a great fashion designer for a lifetime. So stay on the lookout for Saucery Co. designs as they revolutionize African fashion.