An Exclusive Interview With Tiyelshop

Most innovative youths come up with diverse ideas and plans everyday to make changes but most are unable to carry it far due reasons like finances and inexperience. A group of young entrepreneurs has found a creative way of preaching their own form of message to everyone by working on a new project called ‘legendary’ that would be used as a tool to improve the face of the fashion business. My Woven Words team had the chance of interviewing two owners of a growing online retail outlet called ‘Tiyelshop’ who are on the path to unveiling a brand called ‘Legendary’. Timilehin Olorunnisola and Nyela Luka were able to attend the interview anchored by Ogunleye Oluwakorede and Akanbi Hannah

-Can you give a brief exposure on what legendary is all about?

Timilehin: Well, Legendary is a clothing line created to acknowledge individuals who have in anyway, either through their talents or actions been able to inspire lives positively in the society. By doing this, we put prints of their images or writings on our products.

-You must be planning on making positive impacts. What pushed or inspired you to do this?

Timilehin: To be honest; this idea was motivated from the likes of 2paq shakur, jahsh Onfroy (XXXTentacion), Fela Anikulapo Kuti amongst others. Their talent was used to preach to the world and they further extended assistance to the society. So, my colleague and I, Luka Nyela came up with the idea of using our creativity to preach goodwill by making prints on clothing materials.

-People have been a bit familiar with Tiyelshop. Can you tell us the difference between these two?

Timilehin: Legendary is a clothing line under Tiyelshop. Tiyelshop is a retail outlet for fashion/accessories. That is basically the difference

-Your released concept and model endorsements lately in line with the fan base has been encouraging so far. What else can you offer to the clothing business?

Timilehin: The recent collection ‘REBIRTH’ would be out later in August and the fan base jersey has just been released. The turnout has been very encouraging and the jersey by God’s grace is almost sold out as to the limited number of jersey. In addition, ‘REBIRTH’ is not unisex and probably by December, there will be a second release strictly for ladies. The reason for this is that it can be difficult at times to find a brand that satisfies the production of both male and female clothes in the fashion world.

-So, where do you see Tiyel shop in the next 5 years?

Nyela: Right now, we are a retail online store and no physical store yet. In 5 years, we should be one of the leading fashion entrepreneur related brand in Nigeria. A lot of projects are already in stock

-How did you come up with the name ‘Tiyel’?

Nyela: The name is the combination of two names. We are partners and we needed a name for the shop; so we started brainstorming on what to call it. We finally agreed on TI from Timilehin and YEL from Nyela.

-Are you gaining much attention as you planned?

Timilehin: In the past few months, there has been a wide increase patronage from customers and this has been possible because of the service we render to our customers which has been surprisingly great so far.

-Any challenge so far?

Nyela: The major challenge there for an online retail business is sending goods to particular areas or customer’s rejection. The customers usually prefer payment on delivery which in some cases can be challenging when rejected. There is a plan of getting a website which accepts card payment method that will give customers more assurance.

-Your IG page, ‘Tiyelshop’ has so many sneakers in stock and limited number of clothes. Do you think interested client will be discouraged from getting your products?

The page for the clothing line is ‘Legendary’, a separate page from the tiyelshop. As soon as the collection is released, the page will be more active with pictures of the product but for now, it is just a few promotional posts.

-Who are your favourite stylists, fashionista?

Nyela: For Nigerian stylist, I will pick Mai Atafo, T.I Nathan. Timaya is a good fashionista. Foreign icons like Virgil Abloh will do it and also the designer for Dior

Timilehin: For music artiste, I love streetwear so I will give it to Asap Rocky. I love Yeezy even though it may look crazy. Wizkid is definitely my favourite Nigerian fashion icon.

-Is there any long time goal for these innovative ideas?

Timilehin: We see our brand becoming one of the most renowned fashion brands in a few years time and we are working towards that and that is a long term goal.

-Any parting words for fellow entrepreneurs that are about to start something like this or already into it?

Nyela: Always plan and giving up is not an option. You need to believe in what you can achieve and don’t put a limit to it. Be different because customer service is very important.

I.G: @Legendary__n__dary

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@yelsofficial

@tiyelshop