Dipo Tepede.POeT

3)      How do you combine studies and business?

ANSWER: I'm a great believer in if you put your mind to something you will do it, although I did take a semester off in the beginning, and now I make and use any free time available for the magazine - this includes weekends and after classes!!.....

 

4)      What are you studying in school and how does it relate to your business?

ANSWER: Accounting and Performing arts and speech - My business classes in accounting should help understand managing a business, and performing arts and speech should help represent the magazine in the public.

 

5)      Do you regard yourself as an entrepreneur?
ANSWER: Well, I do organize and manage an enterprise, so I would say I was one, in the literal sense of the word. I like to think I take the initiative a lot and I definitely am not averse to a little risk! Before Haute Magazine, Have you ventured into any other business? ANSWER: No, I haven't.

 

6)      How did you start the «Haute» business?
ANSWER: I started with a good business plan followed by a proposal for people I thought would be interested in the idea. Asked some brilliant people I knew to join the team, and got to work!

 

7)      Why Fashion?
ANSWER: It is something that comes natural to me, and to tell the truth, a large number of Nigerians are obsessed about fashion.

 

8)      Why the name Haute?
ANSWER: I chose the name because most of the designs Nigerian designers had in their collection were couture! The name «Haute» is hard to forget! It signifies fashion with class, fashion with a difference!

 

9)      Where do you see Haute Magazine in 5 years from now?
ANSWER: I see it still being the #1 source for Nigerian fashion and recognized as a first-class, worldwide magazine, remembered for paving the way to the showcasing of Nigerian fashion at its best.

 

10)  Haute magazine and your website are very captivating especially the www.fashionnigeria.com site. Did you build the site yourself?
ANSWER: No, not at all. I had a great deal of valuable help. The fashionnigeria.com website was edited by the Art Director – Osione Itegboje of www.irepnow.com. The host website www.dammieinc.com {where you can order the magazine} was done by a website company called Mirec, a partner of Amplifyd ENT – www.amplifydcrew.com.
 
11)  You are a very creative, intelligent and hardworking lady. These character traits are portrayed in your magazine. Who would you credit for such traits?
ANSWER: Well, thank you. I would obviously have to give credit to God for that! My mother has also been a very strong influence in my life.  

12)  So this is your first business, would you call it a success so far? 

ANSWER: As I have been able to accomplish a goal I set for my self. I'll say yes, so far!

13)  Who do you regard as your mentor?
ANSWER: I actually have a number of mentors. That would include my parents, my grandparents, Mrs. Osoba and my aunts and uncles!

 

14)  Is there any hope of distributing Haute magazine in Nigeria?
ANSWER: Oh yes! We are looking at a possible launch in January 2007.

 

15)  Would you attribute your successes to your location (being in the USA as opposed to being in Nigeria) –
ANSWER: I really would not say «as opposed to,» especially given Nigeria's technologically advanced situation. I would rather attribute my success to my determination, regardless of whatever country I am currently residing in.

 

16)  Why magazines, why not design or sell designs?
ANSWER: Ah well, I like to think that I know what I am good at. Drawing and sewing would definitely not be on the list!

 

17)  When last did you visit Nigeria?
ANSWER: My last visit was in 2003.

 

18)  The unemployment situation in Nigeria is very grim. What is your take on that?
ANSWER: I think the key thing is the expansion of public utilities, say refineries, dams and power plants. These utilities need to be maintained and optimized and to do all of these things, the country needs people, and that translates into jobs and alleviates unemployment.

 

19)  What are your dreams for your country?
ANSWER: I really want for Nigeria to be the tourist capital of the world, really! A lofty dream, I know, but I do think we could get there one day because we have so many different ethnic cultures with diverse talents to offer!

 

20)  Nigerians are fashion conscious, do you think youths venturing into fashion would be profitable?
ANSWER: I do believe so, and their efforts can even boost the Nigerian economy if we attract sufficient local and even foreign investors' interest.

 

21)  Say something about your Site and Magazine?
ANSWER: They are Haute – elegant, stylish and elite!