She is unassuming and humble, but her business acumen is enormous.
Ishioma Onyeabo is an international model who resides in Cape Town but
aside modeling, she does transport and clothing businesses in Nigeria.
She readily tells you she shuttles between Nigeria and Cape Town. In
this interview, she talked about her career in modeling and clothing
business and how she makes money as well as her life generally.
I know you as a model , how do you manage modeling and transportation?
I don’t like talking about that part. Yes, I am into transportation business, I have a few trucks and buses and they ply inter-state routes. My transportation business started from my love for cars. I just love trading. I like nice cars and people also ask me about cars. So, I started selling and buying cars, then buses and trucks. So far, it’s been good.
How’s life as a model?
Because of my other businesses I don’t do modeling full time anymore. So, I only make money as a model when I go back to work for the season in Cape Town.
You used to have a fashion label, what happened to the label?
I still have it but I’m on a break now because I am in fashion school. I went back to the drawing board because working with tailors here is quite tedious. You have an idea but the execution with them is really bad. How about when you are not there to run your business? Remember, I am also a model , so I cannot be there hundred percent. So, I had to go back to the drawing board so I can learn, apart from designing , I can learn how to cut and sew myself. But in Ikeja, Lagos I have a retail outlet called Esther’s Closet.
What do we see in Esther’s Closet?
I have always had a passion for fashion and being a model has made me even more passionate about fashion. I incorporated Esther’s Closet two years ago and it’s a retail fashion store, which I named after my mum. Before then I had a clothing line. For now, Esther’s Closet is my baby, and I am taking it one day at a time and meeting the needs of my clients. If you know me very well, you know I always dress up very nice. We have trendy clothes from everywhere including Turkey, London and America . My thing is not about making a lot of noise but it is about delivering . I want to deliver and so far we have been able to do that. ther’s Closet is my baby, and I
What are the challenges you face running Esther’s Closet?
One of the challenges of running a retail store is the invasion of Chinese replicas in Nigeria. When you stock a new brand and the next thing it’s been mass-produced and sold for less. But luckily our clients want quality and we give them quality daily.
What vision do you have for Esther’s Closet?
My vision in 5 years is to have retail outlets all over Africa and meet the needs and budgets of young fashion lovers.
As a model and businesswoman when did you count your first million?
The first time I made a million naira from business was at a yard sale. I decided to sell all my used stuffs. It was a great day and after then I never stopped. It’s all about empowering myself and my environment. So, I have to keep striving to be the best at what I do.
You said you went back to fashion school?
Yes, In Cape Town. But I’m almost done with my studies.
So, what else do you do in Cape town?
I do modeling as well, but I’m working on something else, I won’t say now.
When did you leave the shores of Nigeria for South Africa?
I have been going back and forth since 2010. Johannesburg became a bit choked-up for me as there are too many models, too many black girls but in Cape Town there’s only a few black models. In my agency, Fusion and Fusion, we have about three black girls and it’s one of the best agencies in Cape Town because they are known for scouting just international models. They have just a few locals and Cape Town is more beautiful and peaceful for me. Modeling can be lucrative if you are a busy model . But my dreams don’t end with modeling, there is life after modeling. I am working on an empire. So, modeling can meet my needs, but I am looking at the bigger picture ahead of me.
In Fusion and Fusion what shows have you done?
I have done the WoolWorth and the Laurel shows. I have actually lost count because every week I’m fully booked and it’s either I’m doing a show or an editorial with Cosmo, Drum Magazine and these editorials are good for your model book. I have colorful pictures featuring me in different clothes and different angles.
Can you tell us more about Esther’s Closet?
It’s a retail outlet in Ikeja and only two years old actually. We sell different brands. I just like to make money. I don’t like to stay idle, I like to work . I really want to grow in business. I am going to be beautiful forever because I’m beautiful inside I know but I’m not going to be a model forever, so I have to start thinking of other things, which I’m already doing. That’s one of my motivations for Esther’s Closet.
How’s life as a model in SA?
As a model, it’s not bad at all. I’m really easy going, I try to make anywhere I am home for me. I wake up in the morning, if I have work, I go to work. If I don’t have work I come home, organize my closet, cook, do my laundry. I don’t have any maid, I try to do things myself . In Nigeria it’s quite fun, I have a maid, driver, everything. In South Africa, you pay for these things every hour, so I do these things myself. Life is just normal, beautiful and easy going for me.
How was life growing up?
Growing up was really fun in Kano, but we moved from Kano to Lagos and I was three years at that time. We moved in with my granny and cousins, so we didn’t have to go outside and make friends. Friendship within the family has really helped me in life. I don’t really socialize with people, I take my time, I watch people , I can smell them from afar. People sometimes have a motive for wanting to be your friend, maybe to hurt you or get something out of you. Yes , it’s good to trust somebody but sometimes they will betray your trust. I’m not really keen on friendship. I am a family girl.
What vision do you have for yourself?
I intend impacting my environment. It’s not what you have here, it’s what you leave behind. I want to touch lives, I want to save people, especially kids. It’s the foundation that we are talking here. Without the foundation you cannot do anything. I want to spend my time on kids and I want to start from the streets. Sometimes, I just sit in the car and say that is a beautiful girl. I wish I can help this girl, I wish I can do this or that. I want to have enough resources to just touch their lives. Imagine you picking them up and enrolling them in school. If you change one life you have changed that generation. I want to leave a landmark. I don’t want to be known for what I have, I want to be known for the lives I have touched.
You never grow fat. What’s the secret to your looks?
I don’t go to the gym. I do life cardios at home. I dance around, and play squash,because with age you have to take better care of yourself. Now, I try to detox regularly and eat right. I don’t gain any weight rather I lose weight. When I stress myself, I lose weight but when I’m relaxed my skin glows.
What’s your favourite colour?
Right now, it’s black and white. Monochrome. It’s just like I am wearing a white outfit or all black . You can’t be wrong, even when you look confused you just wear your black outfit and you still look nice. It’s not just the outfit, it’s the person wearing it, the confidence, from inside not just the outfit. Life has taught me to be stronger.
What other things has life taught you ?
Life has taught me to be better, life has opened my eyes and I’m grateful. I’m grateful for what I have , not because I am me, it could be anybody but I’m one of the fortunate ones and I have been blessed. Everyday, I wake up, the fact that I’m breathing, and not ill is a blessing. Life has taught me to be grateful. Everyday, I’m grateful for life. Everyday is like Christmas and I enjoy everyday. I’m grateful, that’s what life has taught me.
I know you as a model , how do you manage modeling and transportation?
I don’t like talking about that part. Yes, I am into transportation business, I have a few trucks and buses and they ply inter-state routes. My transportation business started from my love for cars. I just love trading. I like nice cars and people also ask me about cars. So, I started selling and buying cars, then buses and trucks. So far, it’s been good.
How’s life as a model?
Because of my other businesses I don’t do modeling full time anymore. So, I only make money as a model when I go back to work for the season in Cape Town.
You used to have a fashion label, what happened to the label?
I still have it but I’m on a break now because I am in fashion school. I went back to the drawing board because working with tailors here is quite tedious. You have an idea but the execution with them is really bad. How about when you are not there to run your business? Remember, I am also a model , so I cannot be there hundred percent. So, I had to go back to the drawing board so I can learn, apart from designing , I can learn how to cut and sew myself. But in Ikeja, Lagos I have a retail outlet called Esther’s Closet.
What do we see in Esther’s Closet?
I have always had a passion for fashion and being a model has made me even more passionate about fashion. I incorporated Esther’s Closet two years ago and it’s a retail fashion store, which I named after my mum. Before then I had a clothing line. For now, Esther’s Closet is my baby, and I am taking it one day at a time and meeting the needs of my clients. If you know me very well, you know I always dress up very nice. We have trendy clothes from everywhere including Turkey, London and America . My thing is not about making a lot of noise but it is about delivering . I want to deliver and so far we have been able to do that. ther’s Closet is my baby, and I
What are the challenges you face running Esther’s Closet?
One of the challenges of running a retail store is the invasion of Chinese replicas in Nigeria. When you stock a new brand and the next thing it’s been mass-produced and sold for less. But luckily our clients want quality and we give them quality daily.
What vision do you have for Esther’s Closet?
My vision in 5 years is to have retail outlets all over Africa and meet the needs and budgets of young fashion lovers.
As a model and businesswoman when did you count your first million?
The first time I made a million naira from business was at a yard sale. I decided to sell all my used stuffs. It was a great day and after then I never stopped. It’s all about empowering myself and my environment. So, I have to keep striving to be the best at what I do.
You said you went back to fashion school?
Yes, In Cape Town. But I’m almost done with my studies.
So, what else do you do in Cape town?
I do modeling as well, but I’m working on something else, I won’t say now.
When did you leave the shores of Nigeria for South Africa?
I have been going back and forth since 2010. Johannesburg became a bit choked-up for me as there are too many models, too many black girls but in Cape Town there’s only a few black models. In my agency, Fusion and Fusion, we have about three black girls and it’s one of the best agencies in Cape Town because they are known for scouting just international models. They have just a few locals and Cape Town is more beautiful and peaceful for me. Modeling can be lucrative if you are a busy model . But my dreams don’t end with modeling, there is life after modeling. I am working on an empire. So, modeling can meet my needs, but I am looking at the bigger picture ahead of me.
In Fusion and Fusion what shows have you done?
I have done the WoolWorth and the Laurel shows. I have actually lost count because every week I’m fully booked and it’s either I’m doing a show or an editorial with Cosmo, Drum Magazine and these editorials are good for your model book. I have colorful pictures featuring me in different clothes and different angles.
Can you tell us more about Esther’s Closet?
It’s a retail outlet in Ikeja and only two years old actually. We sell different brands. I just like to make money. I don’t like to stay idle, I like to work . I really want to grow in business. I am going to be beautiful forever because I’m beautiful inside I know but I’m not going to be a model forever, so I have to start thinking of other things, which I’m already doing. That’s one of my motivations for Esther’s Closet.
How’s life as a model in SA?
As a model, it’s not bad at all. I’m really easy going, I try to make anywhere I am home for me. I wake up in the morning, if I have work, I go to work. If I don’t have work I come home, organize my closet, cook, do my laundry. I don’t have any maid, I try to do things myself . In Nigeria it’s quite fun, I have a maid, driver, everything. In South Africa, you pay for these things every hour, so I do these things myself. Life is just normal, beautiful and easy going for me.
How was life growing up?
Growing up was really fun in Kano, but we moved from Kano to Lagos and I was three years at that time. We moved in with my granny and cousins, so we didn’t have to go outside and make friends. Friendship within the family has really helped me in life. I don’t really socialize with people, I take my time, I watch people , I can smell them from afar. People sometimes have a motive for wanting to be your friend, maybe to hurt you or get something out of you. Yes , it’s good to trust somebody but sometimes they will betray your trust. I’m not really keen on friendship. I am a family girl.
What vision do you have for yourself?
I intend impacting my environment. It’s not what you have here, it’s what you leave behind. I want to touch lives, I want to save people, especially kids. It’s the foundation that we are talking here. Without the foundation you cannot do anything. I want to spend my time on kids and I want to start from the streets. Sometimes, I just sit in the car and say that is a beautiful girl. I wish I can help this girl, I wish I can do this or that. I want to have enough resources to just touch their lives. Imagine you picking them up and enrolling them in school. If you change one life you have changed that generation. I want to leave a landmark. I don’t want to be known for what I have, I want to be known for the lives I have touched.
You never grow fat. What’s the secret to your looks?
I don’t go to the gym. I do life cardios at home. I dance around, and play squash,because with age you have to take better care of yourself. Now, I try to detox regularly and eat right. I don’t gain any weight rather I lose weight. When I stress myself, I lose weight but when I’m relaxed my skin glows.
What’s your favourite colour?
Right now, it’s black and white. Monochrome. It’s just like I am wearing a white outfit or all black . You can’t be wrong, even when you look confused you just wear your black outfit and you still look nice. It’s not just the outfit, it’s the person wearing it, the confidence, from inside not just the outfit. Life has taught me to be stronger.
What other things has life taught you ?
Life has taught me to be better, life has opened my eyes and I’m grateful. I’m grateful for what I have , not because I am me, it could be anybody but I’m one of the fortunate ones and I have been blessed. Everyday, I wake up, the fact that I’m breathing, and not ill is a blessing. Life has taught me to be grateful. Everyday, I’m grateful for life. Everyday is like Christmas and I enjoy everyday. I’m grateful, that’s what life has taught me.
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