With a cash gift of N50,000 over two decades ago, stylish woman of class, Zugwai Adamu Chukwu has been able to build a formidable fashion outfit known as Zeemarite Events and Galleries.
In this chat with the publisher of SOLIDNEWSNG.COM Online Magazine, AZUH LILIAN, the Kaduna state-born fashonista who is also an ordained pastor speaks eloquently about the fashion business as well as what makes Zeemarite Events and Galleries unique.
Can we meet you?
My name is Pastor Mrs. Anita Zugwai Chukwu. I am into the sales of various types of fabrics, a fashion designer, a make-up artist and also into sales of beauty products.
I was born and brought up in Kano though I hail from Kamurum in Zango Kataf Local Govt. Area of Kaduna State. My secondary education was mainly at Government Girls secondary school, Kawo Kaduna. I later schooled at Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic and obtained B.Sc from South California University USA.
What makes a good business woman?
Those include prudence, discipline, commitment, resilience, humility, integrity and good time management.
What year did you venture into the fabric business?
That was in 2001
What is the name of your fashion house?
Zeemarite Events and Galleries
What is your state of origin?
I’m from Kaduna State
What were some of the challenges you encountered when you started?
People purchasing on credit without paying at the due date agreed on and raising enough capital.
In your line of business, what is the best way to deal with a difficult customer?
First, you just have to be very patient. Wisdom is needed in dealing with such a customer then avoidance strategy and lastly being careful with your documentation with such a customer.
Why do people address you as a pastor?
I am one. I got ordained at Shepherd House Assembly in the year 2017.
What does it mean to be fashionable?
Being fashionable is knowing what to wear at each occasion; knowing how to combine colors without looking like a masquerade; ability to differentiate between dressing fashionably and dressing seductively.
You sell fabrics and make clothes too, how do you balance both?
The issue of balancing doesn’t arise because they complement each other and go hand in hand. The staffs making the dresses are different from the ones selling the fabrics.
What is the meaning of Zugwai?
Thanks be to God.
How much does it cost to own a good print fabric?
It all depends on your pocket. There are good quality fabrics with as low as N5,000. It is a case of cutting one’s cloth according to the size.
What do you like most about being a business woman?
It gives you strength in emotional intelligence. It gives you collaboration skills and financial independence.
What distinguishes Zeemarite fabrics from others?
Simply superior customer services; we shop only quality fabrics then add creativity, convenience for shopping. You can shop from the comfort of your home. It also include reliability and dependability; Creativity in our ready to wear.
How long have you been in the fashion industry?
Over two decades
How did you come about the name Zeemarite?
Zeemarite is gotten from the Bible in Genesis 10:18. They are a tribe in Canaan.
What kind of person is Zugwai Anita Chukwu?
She is a fearless seed, an ardent lover of God, A lover of humanity, an ordained Pastor, a politician, an entrepreneur and a mother and a wife.
Are there colours that women must not wear?
I don’t think there are colours that a woman shouldn’t wear. You just have to know where and when to wear various colours to. For example, there are certain colours that are termed worse colours to wear to the office, colours like yellow, orange purple etc.
As a fashion CEO, what styles are in vogue?
Honestly, there will always be styles in vogue per time but I always advice that you go for anything that you are comfortable in not necessarily because it is in vogue or not.
How did you start Zeemarite fabrics and how much did you start with?
It started like a joke. I had always wanted to go into fabrics business and then the opportunity came when my husband travelled for an official trip to the UK, on getting back from his trip, he pleaded with me that he had limited time so he couldn’t pick a gift for me and he gave me the sum of N50,000 Naira to go and get something for myself. 50k about two decades ago was huge money. I just gave myself sense and travelled with it for my first ever business trip. That’s how Zeemarite started.
What is the best way to overcome challenges in business?
Be willing to abandon anything that is not working out for you. Replace old strategies with new ones, rediscover your motivation, check and see if you are overworked or you are understaffed, make sure your team is a perfect one.
Have you ever made a fashion mistake before?
None that I can think of
Is there anything that could make you leave the fashion business?
I don’t see that happening. I choose a business that I am passionate about. My passion is what drives me and not the money from it.
Who was your first client that you had, and is the person still with you?
I really can’t remember who was first. I started with mostly family and friends. Some have remained while some have left and we got a lot more of clients on board and lots have become like family to us.
What is the greatest thing God has done for you?
God has done a lot for me that I can’t start mentioning it one after the other, but the greatest of it all is a peaceful home that he has given to me. God has blessed me with an amazing and supportive spouse, wonderful and obedient children. I’m eternally grateful.
How would you describe your style?
A glamorous appearance yet decent turnout
What does fashion mean to you?
For me, fashion is about the way you introduce yourself without having to say a word. You can tell the world about your personality with the type of clothes you wear. Fashion is the way you express yourself. Fashion is to be felt not voiced.
What is the most expensive thing in your wardrobe and why did you buy it?
I don’t believe in expensive clothes so I can’t really tell you that I have any expensive clothes. I can’t really tell you that I have any expensive thing in my wardrobe. Fashion is not about buying expensive stuff but know in what to do with the cheap thing and wearing it with confidence
What are your favourite colours?
Black, Black, Black, Black!
How do you relax?
I go to the spa for deep tissue massage. I listen to deep worship music and I just get peaceful sleep by playing peaceful instrumental music.
What is Your Favourite food?
Any meal prepared with yam.
The last time you wore a suit and what was the occasion?
That’s about five or six years ago. I just wore it to church
Which is your favourite, corporate or native attires and why?
I prefer native. It gives me that look of a true African woman
What’s your favorite drink?
Freshly squeezed orange juice
What is your best fashion Accessory?
Bangles and wrist watches
What is your definition of a stylish woman?
A woman who is elegant and has a bold sense of fashion
Who is your best dressed Nigerian woman and why?
There are lots of gorgeously dressed women in gospel ministry but Mrs. Ibukun Awosika comes to my mind. I love the way she dresses because she knows how to combine her colours and her clothes are decent which is synonymous to that of an African woman.
Where is the most fantastic place you have travelled to recently?
That should be Israel because it is not only a country with amazing tourist sites but because of its historical significance that appeals to almost all religions.
What is your philosophy of life?
My life philosophy is that if you strongly believe in something, stand up and fight for it until you get it. In other words, do not sit and fence. Put your energy to it.
Can we meet your family, tell us about them?
By God’s grace I am happily married with four children. My husband is a retired fighter pilot of the Nigerian Airforce. He is presently an aerospace consultant.
What is the sweetest thing about marriage?
From my perspective, the sweetest thing about marriage is the joy and respect you receive from being happily married and it mostly comes from being loved by your husband, no matter the challenges that come in marital life.
Are you a lipstick or gloss woman?
I do both depending on the occasion.
Would you consider marriage the best decision you have ever taken?
The decision to become married rather than remain single is a noble one. But the best decision in life is accepting Christ as savior.
What are the essential things a woman of style must have?
The qualities a woman of style must have are: mannerism, integrity, self-respect and humility. These things instantly place you high in public domain. And the lack of any of these can easily destroy a lady’s personality. Others of course are the decency and dignity in appearance and dressing.
What are the three things people don’t know about Zugwai Anita Chukwu?
I am a chef. I am a simpler person than most people think from the comments I get from the people who eventually come close to me. I am actually well brought up. For example people are surprise when they hear me speak my native Bajju dialect.
For a young person that wants to go into your line of business, what kind of advice would you give?
Map up a strategy to be disciplined in your accountability and preservation of your business capital. Take maximum advantage of online marketing. Watch out for fraudsters, they are everywhere and watch out for new beginners. Avoid releasing goods on credit especially to family and friends
How many awards do you have to your credit?
I have many awards; some for ministerial recognition, some from philanthropy, others from business and general recognition.
What is a must have in an elegant woman’s bag?
A small mirror, handkerchief, fancy pack of needles thread and a lip gloss.
What is your dream for Zeemarite fabrics?
To go into factory production of Zeemarite branded fabrics and expansion of Zeemarite events and galleries branches.
Zugwai Adamu Chukwu is looking beautiful and radiant. What are your beauty secrets?
I was born beautiful and I easily recognize what is good for my looks.
Everyone has a hero or an Icon, who are your heroes or Icons?
My mother is my hero.
What is the most important advice you have ever been given and by whom?
I may not remember any specific one but I can remember advice from my mother when I was growing concerning all aspects of life especially marriage.
You are a business woman, a wife and a mother- all distinct roles. How do you manage that one doesn’t it hurt the other?
It is simply imbibing the attitude of good time management; writing out things to do. This might sound very simple but very important, trusted house help can be used to help out in family chores.
As a fashion CEO, can you tell us about five of the most elegant women who have consistently impressed you in terms of fashion?
Hajiya Bola Muinat, Shagaya, Funke Adejumo, Ibidun Awosika and Folorunsho Alakija
Why do you think they stand out?
Their styles are always unique. Good colour combination and good accessories and wearing the right clothes for the right occasion.
When you started, who was your target audience?
I did not have any specific group in mind apart from women in general. I allowed the market forces to dictate my focus and obviously it has narrowed down to elegant class of good dressers though not necessarily the rich and powerful. By the way my products and even my own dressing are not to the beliefs of many people.
