Single-handedly raised by his father, renowned luxury boutique owner, Babatunde Rufai of Wear It All Luxury Boutique, has come a long way; from his early days of humble beginnings to starting his own business and now as the chairman of Wear It All.
“I had it pretty rough, starting with the separation of my parents and being raised by just my father who struggled to keep three children in school because he wanted them to get the best education. My Dad gave us equal love and tried not to favour one child more than the other. Anyway, let’s skip all the sob stories of how I had to fend for myself at a very young age by applying for menial jobs because I had a passion for fashion and I knew to become who I wanted to be and get to where I wanted to get to, I would have to work hard, which was exactly what I did.”
Sharing the secrets of his successful business, Mr Rufai said, ”I must tell you the truth; I work about 10 – 12 hours daily, 7 days a week; when I am in the country and when I am out of the country to stock up. Fashion business is what I enjoy doing and I have a passion for. I do have other businesses I do or I have done in the past. For example, like when I was running a club or my beach bar back then. Those businesses were not for me. I didn’t enjoy doing them because I didn’t have passion for them; I was only doing them for the business side of it.Currently, I still do other businesses like bringing cars from America to sell here, in Nigeria, and I am also into real estate business. My typical day starts with waking up at 6 a.m. for my morning prayer which lasts for about 30 minutes or more; then, brush my teeth to get ready for the gym. I return from the gym and rest a bit before getting ready to go to work. I get to work and first thing is to check my email. Then, take it up from there and let the rest of the day fall into place.”
Mr. Rufai, also called Tunde Wear It All, in addition squealed the best advice he has ever received as an entrepreneur, and his own advice to other young entrepreneurs.”The best advice I have ever gotten is, “You are who you associate it. That, in itself, explains it all. Then my advice to somebody thinking of starting their own business, well, first things first. Never ever get comfortable with your situation; strive, never give up and understand that time is an important factor in becoming that one person you want to become.”