Discovering your purpose in life is a milestone, but committing to it is what ensures actualization. A lot of people still wade through the waters of life getting by, making money and having their needs met, but not fulfilling their dreams. Those dreams remain unfulfilled and keep tugging at their hearts, making them wonder continuously – what could have been? George Omoregie tells of how he lives his dream, carving a niche for himself in spite of competition.
How did a young Nigerian become the MD/CEO of a posh fashion store in Bolton, United Kingdom?
Determination and resilience. It was a very difficult thing to do, considering the fact that the children’s wear industry in the UK is dominated by white middle-aged mums, a young African man coming into this industry was certainly awkward. I feel like I broke a jinx and probably did the unthinkable, and I am very proud of myself and how far I have come.
Have you always seen yourself in the fashion industry?
Yes. I have always loved fashion, and growing up, I had a dream to own a fashion outfit someday.
Why did you go for kids’ fashion and not adult fashion?
Because of the gap for this sort of market in the North West of the UK. That being said, the adult fashion side of things is still in view and I hope to expand on that someday.
How soon do you hope to delve into adult fashion?
Actually, I sell adult fashion on the side, but this is only done online. We specialise in formal menswear only. We are considering breaking into other genres of adult fashion in the not too distant future. These include maternity wear, intimate apparels, and urban wear.
Which brands do you stock and why?
DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, Guess, Desigual amongst many others. We stock these brands because of their uniqueness and reputation.
Do you draw your own designs?
We are in the process of developing our own children’s fashion brand. We have an in-house fashion designer.
Can Nigerians shop from Kids Fashion Mart?
Yes! We ship internationally and Nigeria is one of our shipping destinations. We have customers from Nigeria as well.
Should we expect to see African designs in your store in the near future?
Absolutely! In fact, we have just struck a deal to stock a brand called Isossy Children which is known internationally for fusing African prints alongside western designs. We are constantly carrying our research into more brands that have that African touch and are very happy to sell them to our customers.
You just received a certificate of recognition from the Prime Minister. How exactly did you support the National Citizen Service (NCS) to earn that?
As a patron of the Bolton Lads and Girls Club, I am regularly called upon to partake in mentoring sessions with young students aged 15-17. I have worked closely with these young people and helped them develop their skills. These sessions are organized by the NCS annually and I am very happy for the opportunity to help these young people and of course very grateful for the recognition accorded me.
What do you do in your spare time?
I spend time with family, travel, go sightseeing, etc.
Do you hope to open a store in Nigeria in the near future?
Yes, we are working on it.
Which is your business style- ‘your best messenger is yourself’ or ‘delegation is the best option’, and why?
A good mix of both. Obviously, I can’t do everything, so I delegate certain duties when this is necessary to do.
Which other companies do you admire and aspire to be like?
Childrensalon, Childsplay Clothing, etc.
Who do you admire, someone who inspires you to rise higher?
I have a good few of them in mind but I will say Oswald Boateng.
Where do you see Kids Fashion Mart in ten years?
Within major cities of the world.
What message do you have for young aspiring entrepreneurs?
Never give up!
For further inquiries, visit www.kidsfashionmart.com.
