Breaking Boundaries: How Godfrey Nnamdi Iremipo Built a Successful Graphics Design and Clothing Company While in College

Godfrey Nnamdi Iremipo, Final Year Economics student, University of Abuja and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IDentity

Godfrey Nnamdi Iremipo is a final year Economics student at the University of Abuja and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDentity, a graphics design and clothing company. Despite his demanding academic schedule, Godfrey has demonstrated a keen entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to pursuing his passions. 

In this interview with Alli Abiola, Godfrey delved into his background, what inspired him to become an entrepreneur, and how he got started in the business world. We also explored his company, the products and services they offer, the challenges he faced when he started his business, as well as strategies he uses to differentiate his business from his competitors and expand his customer base. 

Whether you're a student looking to balance academics and entrepreneurship or a budding entrepreneur seeking inspiration and guidance, you will not want to miss this fascinating conversation with Godfrey Nnamdi Iremipo.

Excerpts:

Alli Abiola: Can you please tell us about yourself and your background?

My name is Iremipo Godfrey Nnamdi, and I am currently studying Economics at the University of Abuja. I am performing well academically, consistently achieving good grades. I was born in Lagos and lived there for ten years before moving to Ghana, where I spent six years attending school. After completing my secondary education, I returned to Nigeria and realized that I was more interested in business-related courses than science-related ones.

However, my parents initially disagreed with my decision to switch majors, but I eventually convinced them and went back to school to study Economics. Now, I am pursuing my passion for Economics at the university and maintaining a grade point average of four points. I am confident that I will continue to perform well in my studies.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and how did you get started in the business world?

I have always admired the concept of business for as long as I can remember. In secondary school, I started a business where I collected old books from senior students and sold them to junior students at very affordable prices. It was a successful venture, and it gave me a taste of what it felt like to run a business. After this, I continued to explore other business opportunities. One of my classmates noticed that I was good at marketing, and he was good at drawing. We collaborated to create and sell beautifully designed paper to other students in the school. I was in charge of marketing and sales, while he focused on creating the designs. We made a profit and had fun doing it. My passion for business continued to grow, and I decided to pursue a business-related course in university.

Despite some opposition from my teachers and school administrators, I remained committed to my goal and ultimately succeeded in obtaining a degree in business. My love for the art of business and the satisfaction of running successful ventures inspired me to become an entrepreneur.

IDentity, graphics design and clothing company

Can you describe your company and the products or services you offer?

Let me introduce you to my company, Identity. We started as a graphic design company, specializing in creating logos, flyers, and other branding materials. Over time, we expanded our services to include brand identity services as well. Recently, we've added a new offering to our portfolio - customizing clothing. We can print and customize clothing items like shirts, trousers, bags, jackets, and caps. Along with clothing, we also provide branding services for businesses, including logo design, flyer design, business card design, and even packaging design. Our printing and customization services extend beyond clothing to include books, mouse pads, and anything else you can think of. At Identity, we are dedicated to providing high-quality services and customized solutions to our clients.

How do you differentiate your business from your competitors, and what strategies have you used to grow your customer base?

Although I haven't been able to make major moves that would drastically differentiate my business from others, I have implemented a small but impactful strategy. I have kept my logo simple, just a box with "ID" and "Identity" underneath it. I believe that a logo should be simple and iconic, as demonstrated by major companies like Apple, Toyota, and Facebook. This simplicity allows for versatility in its use and makes it easier to identify as my product.

I have also placed my logo on every item I produce, usually in a discreet corner of the clothing, which gives a professional and identifiable look to my brand. This has been well-received by customers in my school and has helped to differentiate my products from others.

In terms of growing my customer base, I utilize WhatsApp advertising, personal status updates, and broadcasts to reach more people. I am also planning on investing in sign-out sheets for my events to help spread the word about my brand. My goal is to reach more people through various media channels and increase my customer base over time.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business, and how did you overcome them?

Starting a business comes with several challenges, and I have faced some of the biggest ones. Initially, it was challenging to keep track of orders and payments. I used to forget about orders that had been received and paid for, which affected my work.

However, using an iPhone has really helped me as I can now set reminders and alarms to keep me on track.

Dealing with people has also been a challenge as some customers can be very rude or want to bargain excessively. I have learned that it is important to set a fair price for my services and stick to it. If a customer cannot afford it, I may negotiate the price if I believe it is reasonable, but I will not stress over it. I am grateful for the financial support from my family, which has helped me to overcome some financial constraints and purchase necessary equipment to make my work easier.

To promote my business, I ask my family and friends to post about it on their social media, and I also share links to my WhatsApp so that interested customers can contact me directly. This strategy has helped me to gain more contacts and expand my business. Overall, starting a business has its challenges, but with determination and support from loved ones, it's possible to overcome them.

Follow IDentiy on social media:

Instagram:  Instagram.com/identity.clothline

Facebook: facebook.com/IDentity

Thank you for taking the time to read this article and learn about Godfrey Nnamdi Iremipo and his entrepreneurial journey. We hope you found his story and insights inspiring and valuable, and that they serve as a reminder of the importance of following your passions and persevering in the face of challenges. 

Keep an eye out for Part 2 of this interview, where we shall be diving deeper into Godfrey's entrepreneurial journey and exploring his strategies for success. Thank you for staying tuned!