Unlike most entrepreneurs who stumble or dabble into entrepreneurship by chance, Nena Kalu Ogba, creative genius behind the label, Nena Kal Hunter, has always known what she wanted to be from a young age. In fact, she made her first dress after her mum bought a sewing machine for her when she was nine years old.

Apart from designing fashion headbands as a teenager and selling to salons, she also made children’s jewellery. As a teenager she made bermuda shorts for men and then shoes and handbags which she sold to fellow students on campus..

The graduate of De Montfort University, spoke with Esther Onyegbula on her work.

Origin of brand name

Speaking on her brand name Nena Kal Hunter, which originates and means exactly the same as her name, she remarks “I just changed Ogba to the English meaning which is Hunter, and then removed the U in Kalu and it just fell into place because my great grand father was a hunter who was nicknamed Ogba.

*Nena Kalu Ogba

Source of inspiration

Drawing her inspiration from God Almighty, who she says is the greatest designer and engineer of all time. “Look at the world He created, look at the animals- zebras, leopards, snakes, the birds, peacocks, look at butterflies, flowers, leaves and their various shapes, the sky, the sea, the rainbow.

All of these, have colours, hues and patterns that have been carefully matched to blend. Look at the human palm, every human being with his or her unique design. Look at the picture of the internal human body with every organ doing its job.

Externally, you have the two legs carrying the weight of the whole body. Isn’t that amazing? He created a fantastic world and co-ordinates everything in it accordingly with every group or category having its own timing of things. Ï am inspired by God and his handiwork” she says.

Her journey into interior décor

She began doing interior decoration business after successfully designing a new house she shared with her sibling. “Designing the colour scheme, making the curtains, throw pillows, and helping the carpenter sew the leather upholstery sofas with her computerized machine, she knew she had something inside that carved for expression.

“Everyone who visited, loved what I had done especially with my dining and living room area as well as the general feel of the house. The choice of colours and arrangement of items had a calming effect on my visitors. It affected them psychologically and positively but they couldn’t tell what it was” she explained.

Immediately after that success, friends soon, started ordering her throw pillows. This in no small measure inspired her to design her very first collection most of which were displayed on TV shows, newspapers, and magazines.

Most fascinating work

According to her, “my most fascinating work was designing the new wing interior and all the public areas of Morning Side Suites. I was called in at a time the building was almost completed. I was determined to do a good job of it. So, it was important to me that this hotel décor was different from what I had done in the past. It was tedious, time consuming, yet exciting.

In interior decor, the hardest part is always the imaginative aspect, getting the right picture in your head, doing all the necessary sketches, choosing the colour themes for the different public areas, planning the spaces, sourcing the goods and following through the whole

process. The fun part is the procurement stage because you feel like you’re on a shopping spree even though the goods don’t belong to you”.

Advice for young entrepreneurs

“Don’t let anyone discourage you. Make friends with the right people and those who are ambitious in a practical way. Pray and work hard to get contacts of people who can help you get to the top. Everyone needs a helping hand at some point; it doesn’t have to be money, words of mouth most times, can work the magic. Always be honest with money and keep your word at all times. Integrity matters a lot in business”.

Save your money and invest in growing your business. Forget designer clothes, shoes, fancy phones and cars for now. You have to make a sacrifice. There will always be newer and better designs by the time you get to the top. Run away from shallow and stupid friends. Always think of the future and have a big dream.

Style

For me, “style is simply an artistic expression of some sort. In terms of fashion, my style is simple, unique and sophisticated while my decor style is contemporary. Individuals have various ways of expressing themselves and that is what adds up to make up their style and who they are”.

When it comes to fashion items, I love shoes and unique clutch bags more than any other fashion item. I love them because you can wear a simple frock, but with great accessories, the outfit can be instantly transformed into a sophisticated and elegant look”.