Photo Credit: Lilian Oparaji
Lilian Oparaji is the chief principal stylist at SimplyLil Clothes and more, where she creates sophisticated and classy styling for the modern woman on a budget. She is a foremost an International Certified image consultant based but not limited to Port Harcourt. She is an advocate of styling women according to their body types, her famous lines “You don’t have to be naked to be stylish” and “ dress the way you want to be addressed“ stems from her desire to promote more body confidence in the everyday woman. She also teaches women how to live life more Intentionally outside the roles they play as wives, mothers, sisters and so on.
For over a decade she has built and sustained a career in fashion retail, personal styling , personal shopping, corporate image branding and consultation and a successful interior design business.
What does Entrepreneurship mean to you?
What does Entrepreneurship mean to me? It means doing what I love while getting paid for it.
One of your favourite quotes/taglines is “BE INTENTIONAL!” Can you shed more light on this topic?
Being INTENTIONAL. It means living life and not existing, Living outside the roles I play as a mother, wife, daughter, stylist and all. It means living my life in such a way I fulfill that which God has called me to be, living in his purpose and dying empty.
What inspired you to establish the SIMPLY LIL SPEAKS STYLE BRAND and what 3 greatest lessons you have learned on your business journey/while building a global brand?
Simply Lil Speaks Style was born after I finished my business session with my coach turned friend Steve Harris, the need to stand out from the regular boutique seller, and so I decided to take international classes and be certified.
3 business lessons?
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1. To keep pushing because most people around you can’t see your vision
2. To always trust in God even if it sounds stupid to you
3. You have to put in the workCan you share some entrepreneurship myths you have encountered on your journey?
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1. No one will buy it
2. You need a huge capital
3. You have to have a store
Your 3 top recommendations for women in our community who’d like to become Image Consultants & Stylists?
1. Learn and keep learning
2. You have to believe in yourself
3. Respect yourself enough to know when to say No because everyone isn’t your client
The Lady Boss Series is a weekly interview series that highlights the achievements and entrepreneurial journeys of African female entrepreneurs. The idea is to showcase the Leading Ladies who are transforming Africa and the African narrative through enterprise and business.
It is an off-shoot of Leading Ladies Africa, a non-profit that promotes leadership, inclusion and diversity for women of African descent.
If you know any kick-ass women of African Descent doing phenomenal things in enterprise, email lead@leadingladiesafrica.org, and she could possibly be featured.
