Founder and Creative Director of Towbee Stitches, Oluwatobi Ojo, says her fashion enterprise is committed to empowering clients and nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs through quality craftsmanship and mentorship.

Ojo, a graduate of English Education from the University of Abuja, said this in an interview with reporters in Abuja.

The trained teacher turned entrepreneur said she started the business in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, venturing into fashion out of passion with a vision to create garments that inspire confidence while creating sustainable livelihoods.

“For me, fashion was never just about aesthetics. It was about the quiet power you feel when you wear something made just for you,” she said.

She explained that Towbee Stitches specialises in bespoke outfits, bridal wear and custom designs, serving clients within Nigeria and in the diaspora. The brand, now estimated at N10 million in value, has recorded significant growth since inception.

“Bespoke is slow, deliberate and personal. You’re not just selling a dress; you’re solving a problem,” she said.

According to her, the business has produced over 3,000 custom-made outfits and served more than 1,000 customers. It has also successfully handled orders ranging from individual clients to bulk orders for events and special occasions.

She said that the business had remained committed to high standards in spite of rising production costs, adding that attention to detail and quality had distinguished the brand in the competitive fashion industry.

She noted that beyond fashion, the enterprise was addressing skills and knowledge gaps by training aspiring designers in pattern drafting, fabric sourcing, customer relations and business management.

“Beyond fashion, Towbee Stitches is a training ground. Many young designers have talent but don’t know how to price, manage clients, or produce without losing quality.

“My apprentices work on real orders and learn pattern drafting, fabric sourcing, customer service, and business management.

“It’s one thing to teach someone to sew. It’s another to teach them to survive as an owner,” she noted.

The English Education graduate said that one of her trainees had already launched her own brand and was growing steadily, an achievement she valued above awards.

She noted that receiving the 2023 Skyewise Foundation Entrepreneurship Grant enabled her to expand her workspace, acquire modern equipment and strengthen her mentorship programme.

The Skyewise Foundation Entrepreneurship Grant is a funding initiative under the Meet the CEOs programme that supports innovative early-stage Nigerian businesses with strong potential for growth and social impact.

Applicants are assessed on innovation, impact, scalability, sustainability, and leadership.

Eligible businesses must have operated for at least six months, be CAC-registered, provide financial records, and submit a business plan.

Ojo said she qualified for the grant because she successfully presented a compelling business pitch that demonstrated the vision, growth potential, and impact of Towbee Stitches.

“As a registered early-stage fashion enterprise with an established customer base, a proven track record, and a clear expansion strategy, my business met the programme’s selection criteria,” she said.

She said the brand planned to expand its bridal collections, adopt more sustainable fabrics and launch a digital mentorship platform for designers across Nigeria.

“I don’t want to just leave behind clothes. I want to leave behind designers, entrepreneurs and a legacy of excellence,” she said.