IFEOMA JONAS is the young gifted, amiable, sociable and very resourceful lady behind 3II fashion house located in fuddie mall, Jabi. Getting her to talk to me then was like getting a fish out of its natural habitat. The inflow of clients into her shop and the never ending clients trooping in but I was very patient. At last, the interview was done amidst so much laughter and joviality due to her very warm mannerisms. Ifeoma is the wife of Jonas Agwu, Assistant Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Corps. Below are excerpts

Q         what stirred you into fashion business? What was the fascination?

A         I got inspired because I have always loved well-fitted clothes on people. I always admired lovely cuts and colour combinations, that inspired me into the business.

1. How did you get started in this industry? Growing business in Nigeria can be very daunting. What was the original fright?

A         at first afterschool and after my first baby, getting a job was proving a bit difficult, so I started going to Senegal. Senegal triggered my need to start my own business back home because I was always away from home for a period of 7 to 10 days and it was intruding into my marital obligations especially towards my little baby. My initial fears were mountainous, I had fear of not being able to get clients, fears of not meeting up with the standard and demands of clients, and I also feared about not being able to run a business properly, simply put, I was afraid of failure.

Q         What were the early trials you encountered going into the business?

A         My initial challenge was being able to get good and stable hands. So I played safe by sing my garage. This drastically cut off costs of rents and energy bills. All I needed to do was just to get my machines into the garage, get my pressing iron and fabrics and I began to work. (Laughs)

Q         there are many fashion outfits out there, how do you respond to competitors?

A         my nature, belief and passion have helped me to cope tremendously with competitors. My passion conceived the idea, I prayed about it and I made sure I got God’s approval and support because nothing stands outside God. I also cope because I developed cordial relationship with each client at his or her own levels. I made them see me as more of a friend than someone who just makes clothes for them. This has evolved into friendship.

Q         what is your unique selling point? What is distinctive about you?

A         first and foremost, I got them to my side. I court my clients. Aside making clothes for them, they have come to rely on me for many other things. Professionally, I ensure that their clothes are properly fitted and have nice colour combination that is my unique selling point.

Q         how did you come about the name of your outfit?

A         my outfit is called 3JI CLOTHIERS. It is the combination of the names of my sons, my husband and myself. The names of my sons are Jesse and Jedidiah and my husband’s name is Jonas making the 3J and I for Ifeoma.

Q         you must have some specific people you cater for. Who are your target customers?

A         for anyone who loves clothes. I make clothes for women, kids and sometimes men. I make for the rich and the poor. I am very reasonable with my price and come down to my clients’ level.

Q         how many people are in your employ?

A         I have nine people at the moment.

Q         are you basically a fashion outfit or do you have trainees too?

A         at the moment I have one trainee. I choose my trainees based on what the trainee wants to learn. This is because we have three aspects of this business. We have tailoring aspect, which is strictly just sewing. We have the creative aspect, which is colour combination and sketching of designs. Here the trainees may not be interested in learning how to sew by going on the machine because they are probably busy and do not have the time. Thirdly, we have the accounts /personnel aspect, which is learning how to run a business and dealing with clients. The training can be between 3 months unto a lifetime because training is continuous process. I however, as a matter of policy do not accept married women. This is because of their “madam attitude” which impedes learning. It also saves me from the complexity of their nature of wanting to subordinate everyone around them. The complaints of someone did not “greet me” is removed. Therefore, I personally interview my trainees before they come on board.

Q         who is Ifeoma Jonas?

A         I can be described as the girl next door. Spiritual, playful, crazzzzyyyy! (Laughing) fun loving, outgoing, adventurous, and loyal. I have the ability to adapt to situations and I have a never “give up “spirit. I have a terrible weakness in procrastination (giggles) I am a graduate of industrial chemistry from Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma. I am proudly kwale, in delta state married to Jonas Agwu from Ebonyi State and I have two lovely boys.

Q         who is Jonas Agwu?

A         Jonas is a civil servant and a servant to the people to the core! (Emphasis here with giggles) his job is his passion! He is God fearing, a very available husband and an adorable father to his kids. He hates inconsistency in his life.

Q         how have you been able to cope with your children being so young?

A         I have been able to cope as a mother because I was fortunate to start from the garage. It was easy to come from the garage to the kitchen in five minutes and so was able to take care of my kids. As a wife, it was also easy because my husband is a very busy man and always-on transfer.

Q         how have you been able to handle these incessant transfers?

A         initially, I thought I understood the nature of his job until reality downed on me. It was like a knife stab on me. I felt the pain on transfer physically and I still feel the pain every day! The first posting after our marriage was to Owerri, it was not funny experience at all. He had to go and leave me behind with my little baby. Fortunately, I had my immediate family in Abuja so I had people around me which made his absence a bit bearable, it has been like that ever since with subsequent postings so I have learnt to drown myself in my second love which is my job.

Q         what is the basic chemistry between Jonas and Ifeoma?

A         our beliefs, we are both crazy, my “wow” shape which amuses him when I say that, we both enjoy music, we joke a lot and enjoy watching movies.

Q         what is style to you and how do you advise your clients?

A         style is being comfortable and suitable. I advise my clients based on their nature. Some are conservative in nature, while some are outgoing. I advise based on the individual’s nature, carriage, belief shape, size and age.

Q         what fashion item can you not do without?

A         Jeans! Jeans! Jeans! My pair of jeans. I love jeans and I have so many pairs.

Q         what makes your skin crawl?

A        darkness, claustrophobia, baby dolls. I cannot stand baby dolls with all those hair and eyes lashes, it gives me the creep. I had to psyche myself to accept mannequins in my shop as a designer.

Q         What is the icing on the cake?

A         money! Money! Money! Oh when I am given money. Lots of money makes me smile (giggles).

This interview was first published in RSL, a Road Safety Officers Wives Magazine.