Kwara Entrepreneurs Urged to Embrace Innovation, Social Media to Grow Their Brands
Entrepreneurs in Kwara State have been charged to adopt innovative strategies, leverage social media, and prioritize customer service as essential tools for business growth in today’s digital economy.
The charge was given during the “Innovate to Expand” summit held in Ilorin, which brought together budding and established business owners across sectors such as banking, fashion, catering, graphic design, telecommunications, and event planning. The summit was organized by Drea Speaks Consult.
Convener of the event, Mr. Dare Kolawole, underscored the critical role of consistent social media engagement and customer understanding in scaling businesses.
“Growth is like blood running through the veins of any business. If your business is not growing, it’s not alive,” he said, urging entrepreneurs not to see technology as a luxury but a necessity in 2025 and beyond.
He further explained that business owners must learn to identify different customer types—aggressive, assertive, and passionate—in order to serve them effectively.
“You must know how to handle each type without losing your cool. Every customer is an opportunity to grow,” Kolawole added, stressing the need for systems that reward loyal customers and strengthen brand reputation online.
Marketing and packaging expert, Hajia Oladunni Kafilah, popularly known as ‘Awero Billions’, highlighted branding as the backbone of any successful business.
“Marketing is not about how much money you have. The best products don’t always sell—the most marketed ones do,” she said. “You must think beyond your pocket and plan with the future in mind.”
Fashion entrepreneur, Hajarah Jibril, Creative Director of Hajjewels House of Styles, shared her experience building a brand from scratch, revealing that resilience and creativity often matter more than capital.
“There were days when I only had a machine and my passion. But I never stopped creating,” she said, advising entrepreneurs to showcase their work consistently through social media and behind-the-scenes content.
“Sometimes, the people who can pay for your product haven’t even seen it yet,” she added.
A session on funding led by Mr. Michael Okolie of the Bank of Industry enlightened participants on how small businesses and startups can access support from development financial institutions.
“Most times, people don’t need funds first; they need guidance. You must structure your business and make it investment-ready,” he said.
Speaking to journalists after the event, Mr. Kolawole lamented that many business owners fail to meet customer expectations due to poor systems and underutilized opportunities.
“Young and old entrepreneurs must take social media, invoicing, and networking seriously. The government should also support programs like this to empower people and grow our local economy,” he concluded.
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