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ACCELERATE LITE / JULY 2020
Spotlight:
Leona
&
Adesanya
of Anoela Cards Print
BY: OLADOTUN ADIO
This week, we’re featuring the, CEO and owner of Anoela Cards, Leona Adesanya. The Nigerian-based online greeting cards company brings out the fun, quirky, and innovative side of Nigerian greeting cards.
In her interview, Leona speaks to us about her inspiration behind Anoela Cards, some of the challenges she’s faced and overcome and what the next few years will be like for her company.
We were able to study the market for several months and determine what would sell well.
Which of these words would you use first,
to describe yourself – entrepreneur or creative? And why?
Creative. Because I always have been and that characteristic
is what inspired my journey to start my business. I think this will remain constant, even as my company grows.
What was the inspiration behind Anoela Cards?
I’ve always loved cards and
its something that has been generational. It started from my grandmother.
I also couldn’t find good quality cards. I used to bring all of mine back whenever I travelled.
I also realized there was a gap in the market for cards with clever sayings and catchy illustrations.
How well has your
target market received your ideas/concepts on greeting cards?
They’ve received it very well which I am extremely grateful for.
When I started, I was bringing cards in from the UK. But in 2018 on Valentines Day, we launched our own in-house cards and they outperformed what I was importing.
Two of the reasons for this are that I was able to infuse Nigerian culture into my cards and guarantee good quality.
What ARE some of
your biggest wins?
Being able to help customers with their online shopping experience and my development and growth as an e-commerce company.
Also being reassured that people still love greeting cards, regardless of all the digital alternatives.
What have been some of your biggest challenges?
I would definitely say maintaining quality and printing.
Once I started manufacturing my own cards, finding quality printers in Lagos was extremely difficult. It was a process that took months. I went to Shomolu and Yaba. It was definitely an experience.
What do you think the next 2 years will be like for your company?
PAGE 27 INSIDE ACCESS | JULY 2020 2ND EDITION