Winner, LLF 2023 Trailblazer Award
Shekinah Sofola’s journey from finance to the world of luxury leather restoration might seem like an unlikely transition, but the alignment of her finance and human resource backgrounds with her entrepreneurial spirit birthed a transformative vision. Returning to Nigeria, she discerned a market yearning for trustworthy aftercare for high-end leather products. In this exclusive conversation, Shekinah recounts the epiphany that propelled her into the world of luxury restoration. She unveils the heart and soul of Tender Leather Care and her potent vision for an industry that reveres craftsmanship, longevity, and empowerment.
FAB: What motivated you to leave your robust career in finance and recruiting to start your own company, Tender Leather Care?
Shekinah Sofola: My experience in finance and recruiting provided a strong foundation for finding my balance between meticulous execution and delivering stellar service. I know it seems that those industries are far away from luxury leather restoration, but they actually each instilled in me a unique appreciation for detail, precision, and customer satisfaction. When I returned to Nigeria, I noticed there was an untapped niche in the market for trustworthy, high-quality aftercare for high-end leather goods. Given the proliferation of luxury goods in Nigeria because Nigerians love their designer goods, I just knew that there was a market demand waiting to be filled. This insight, fueled by an emerging entrepreneurial spirit, birthed the concept and vision of Tender Leather Care.
FAB: Could you share some insights into some unique challenges and considerations in providing after-care service for high-end leather products?
Shekinah Sofola: Providing aftercare services for high-end leather goods is a delicate art requiring a deep understanding of the materials and expert skills. I encountered major challenges in training our staff to grasp the intricacies of luxury leather goods and instilling respect for the craftsmanship. Many of my staff had limited previous experience with high-end designer and luxury items, and it was a challenge, though a rewarding one, to guide them in understanding the creation techniques and necessary care.
Also, it was challenging to source quality tools and equipment locally. This continues to be a big hurdle for me, but one I am in the process of solving with locally manufactured materials. So far, I have had to rely heavily on imports from Asia and Europe. Additionally, building my trust with our clients who own these very expensive luxury items was a little bit of a challenge. With my face not being behind my brand, they had doubts about releasing their designer bags for fear of losing them, but with the personal relationship I have with these people and the level of trust, they got to understand what I do and were able to entrust their properties to me.
FAB: As a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, what challenges have you faced and overcome in establishing and growing your company? Is there any special programme at TLC to empower and support other women within your company and the broader industry?
Shekinah Sofola: It has presented its own unique challenges. There were initial doubts about my capabilities. Navigating the entrepreneurial dynamics of the business world in Nigeria wasn’t the easiest thing to do for me. However, I see these challenges more as stepping stones than stumbling blocks. I am even more determined to succeed, more resilient in the face of adversity, and more committed to proving that women can actually excel in any industry.
Empowering women: I guess that for me, the lessons I’ve learned as a woman navigating a male-dominated field have informed my approach to empowering women with TLC and the leather industry. I would like to think that I create a safe and supportive space for women in our team to grow and learn and also be able to lead. I am also always actively working to form partnerships with local women and businesses and to encourage women who are looking to enter the industry.
FAB: What are your thoughts on the broader conversation of sustainability and conscious consumption within the fashion industry, and how do you see your company promoting values and influencing consumer behaviours?
Shekinah Sofola: I love to believe that what TLC does is not only at the end of the purchasing cycle. When customers purchase the products at the beginning, they also think about the beginning of their journey to purchase luxury goods. In our current age, I feel that sustainability and conscious consumption are not merely trends but a necessary shift in our collective behaviour. In the fashion industry, I feel like these values translate to our focus on quality over quantity and longevity over fast fashion.
At TLC, we share these values 100 percent, and we believe that caring for the extended life of luxury items is a form of honouring their craftsmanship, reducing waste, and promoting conscious consumption. We also aim to change the narrative around ownership. So, shifting from the cycle of endless purchasing to a shift towards care, repair, and longevity… Furthermore, with our push towards locally manufactured materials, our hope is to build a sustainable luxury ecosystem in Nigeria and maybe someday in the African region.
FAB: Are you working with any household designer company in Nigeria in such a way that purchasing from them would direct their repair needs to you?
Shekinah Sofola: Being at the Lagos leather fair opened a lot of Nigerian designers eyes to the fact that someone actually does what I do in Nigeria, and we’ve had quite a few businesses approach us. TLC is constantly exploring ways to contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian fashion industry. Right now, we are in talks with some well-known local brands to offer after-care services for their products, and we are in a testing/trial period right now. This partnership has not only been able to extend the longevity of their own leather goods but has also encouraged a culture of preservation within the industry. It’s just about building a culture. Keeping your goods and looking after them for a long time.
FAB: What’s your take on the lack of robust synergy/collaboration between the Nigerian leather, fashion, and entertainment industries?
Shekinah Sofola: I’d rather not say it’s not working right. As I mentioned before, it is about people being more informed and understanding that, regarding sustainability, it’s just being conscious of the way they use things. TLC’s initial focus is leather, yet my vision extends to assisting individuals with repairs. Instead of purchasing new items, why not repair and upcycle existing ones? Bridging this gap requires raising awareness, facilitating conversations, and providing access to services like ours. This way, industries can collaborate more effectively.
How to breach the gap? I think it’s just all about awareness. It’s about having platforms like this to continue the conversation so that the right people can know that this kind of service is provided and that they can actually use it. This would mean that people in the music industry would hear about services like ours and use them. There shouldn’t be a gap.
FAB: Do you have any plans for expansion beyond Nigeria soon?
Shekinah Sofola: Yes, we are looking ahead. TLC’s vision is to continue leading luxury leather aftercare in Nigeria and beyond. That’s my goal. In our forthcoming collaborations, a lot of local fashion brands are welcoming us to be at the forefront of the fashion industry. We are planning to expand across Africa, which we believe will help us continue to invest in skilled development, innovation, and diversity. I believe that as my business, we try to stay true to our business of providing top-notch leather restoration services, promoting conscious consumption, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the luxury goods after-care sector.
We do have many plans; eventually, around Nigeria and in different locations in West African countries, we plan on cementing our products on the continent and just bringing unique services closer to consumers. Expanding as well can offer opportunities to tap into new markets for us and further promote sustainability.
FAB: With your own background in international relations, how do you see the global luxury leather market evolving?
Shekinah Sofola: With my background in international relations, I recognise that the global luxury market will continue evolving. It is also influenced by factors like consumer trends, socio-political shifts, and technological innovations. TLC, with its unique offering of quality, is in a position to influence the global stage. By setting a high standard of optimal care for leather goods in Nigeria, we are showing that we have the capacity to compete on an international scale.
FAB: Is there a particular approach you have developed to approaching diversity and inclusivity as a leader and as a business owner?
Shekinah Sofola: I am big on diversity, and TLC is very proud of its diverse workforce. We believe that diversity enforces creativity and actually ensures balance in perspective and decision-making. I would admit that our initial team was predominantly male, but as we have grown, we have made a conscious effort to empower more women, who now make up the majority of my team, which is actually amazing and fantastic for me. Stay up to date on the newest in the world of Fashion, Arts, Beauty and Lifestyle; Follow FAB on socials.
When I started in 2018, I sought cobblers—predominantly male—but I’ve since realised many women excel in this field. While the team was balanced last year, some individuals pursued further education, leading to temporary imbalances. I’m open to all and actively seeking a balanced gender distribution. We offer equal opportunities, encompassing flexible hours, soft skills training, and a supportive community culture.
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