The relunctant 'Asoebi'

Hello everyone! It feels good to be blogging again! I have a dream, that one day I will be a regular blogger. But until that dream comes to pass please, my dear readers bear with me. But I haven't been away from blogging for so long for no reason. I can explain. But before I do, lets get on to today's post!

Have you ever been reluctant to be an 'asoebi'? Yes I know you have. If you don't understand what asoebi means, (I'm aware not only Nigerians read this blog) it's a kind of norm in events, parties or occasions whereby friends and family of the celebrant wear uniform attires. It gives the occasion a glamorous and colorful ambiance.

Yes, we all have been reluctant 'Asoebis' at one time or the other. Sometimes it's because the occasion is coming at a time when our account is in red, or for ladies, it may just be another poignant reminder that you are still single. Sisters be like 'why can't it be me distributing the asoebi material'? lol.

Well recently, I have to admit, I was in fact a reluctant asoebi. But not because I was broke. And no, not because it reminded me of being single. For me, until Mr right proposes I'm happily single. As a matter of fact I was excited about being part of the wedding because of the relationship I have with the bride.So why was I reluctant? Well, the reason I was reluctant was simply because of the fabric.

To me, the bland and unflattering print on the fabric was an enthusiasm killer. It's pretty easy to look fabulous on  a great print irrespective of the style of dress you choose to make, but less so when dealing with an unflattering one. Needless to say,  it was difficult for me to come up with a style.

After flipping through several magazines to see if I would be lucky enough to find a style that will give some life to the rather lifeless fabric without success, I thought about putting that innovative neuron to work. Deciding to think up something on my own was the perfect turn on I needed to get my creative juices flowing.This eventually resulted in the sketch below.

And then suddenly, my reluctance  turned to excitement as I couldn't wait to see and wear the finished work.

After days of painstaking work, I eventually had the finished product! I was ecstatic, to say the least.


To add a pop of color, I accessorized with red jewelry

and matched it up with shoes with red detail.

And the final look?

Well wait for it!

I knew fit was going to be the make or break of this style, so I made sure I got it right.

Continue to see more photos.

At the end of the day it wasn't such a bad asoebi experience after all. 

I got lots of compliments and everybody  wanted the style!

I felt good!

And this kiss is for you.Yes you. Thanks for stopping by my blog!


Yes  I did not forget about the explanation for my long silence. But this post is already long enough, So I will do it in another post. That way I can make it a little dramatic. hehe. So visit again!

I want  to use this opportunity to thank those who patronized my wallet line. I really do appreciate. If you haven't done so yet, you can still do it now. Just click here to go straight to the online store! And take advantage of the on going free shipping promo

What do y'all think about my asoebi design?!

PS: Pls pardon the picture quality. It's going to get better.

The Ankara wallet launch!- Now you can keep some swag where you keep your money!

It is no longer news that African inspired pieces are taking over the fashion space.

Grab a piece of the action by owning one of these finely crafted wallets. 

shop now

These wallets are sure to set you apart from the crowd and solidify your place as a true fashionista.

I’m so excited! I’m so excited! I’m so excited!  Oh my God! I can’t believe this day has finally come. The journey has been long and tedious. But from how it feels now I think it was worth it. Yay! I can now be veritably called an entrepreneur! Good bye ‘wantreprenueurship’!  Yes this is the official launch page of my wallet line! And yes you can officially say goodbye to boring wallets. Now you can keep some swag where you keep your money! Yay! Enough of being lost in the crowd, these wallets offer you an opportunity to stand out. What’s more? The emergence of these new wallets as a product has an interesting story behind it. Read about it here. It has been said that, most times it’s not just about the product but about the story behind the product.

I am convinced that I’m not doing this just for the money  because, truth be told, putting this project together was not easy. There were times I wanted to just throw in the towel and give up and simply contend myself with selling to friends, acquaintances and those within my circle of influence. At these times, money was no longer motivation enough. But because of the compliments I got from the bold and forward, and the admiring glances from the not-so-bold; the double takes I got whenever I brought out my wallet to make a payment or whenever I was simply clutching it, I was reminded that there might just be someone out there who would be really delighted to have this piece. And that person might only be reached by such means as this.

• Maybe it’s someone out there who is sick and tired of an old boring wallet.
• Maybe it’s someone who just needs to buy a special and unique gift for someone.
• Maybe you are a party planner seeking something unique and different for a souvenir.
• Maybe you are one who likes unique things and like to stand out from the crowd or you are just looking to spice things up.
• Maybe you are just a collector or an ‘africanphile’ who likes to collect things with African themes or with a touch of Africa.
• Maybe you are a Nigerian in Diaspora who has come home for a visit and are looking for a nice gift to take back with you abroad for your friends and family.
• Maybe you are just someone out there who just needs an exotic accessory for your designer handbag.
• Maybe you are even a procurement officer responsible for corporate souvenirs for your organization.  

Whoever you are and whatever your case may be, it is because of you that I followed through with this project.  And if you are that person, if I succeed in reaching you then I am fulfilled.

Okay let’s get down to the details

Features

The wallets come in three designs… the first is the bi fold one with a lace design on the flap,

 this one is truly feminine.  But hey, the guys are not left out, the other two designs are androgynous (for him and her :-))

 so both men  and women can rock it! Don’t let the Ankara fool you; these wallets come complete with card slots, panels and money pockets which can also contain cheques and receipts. And the feminine one even has a purse section.

click here to buy

 If you are looking for a unique and unusual gift to surprise and delight someone special this Christmas, look no further. Not only is this wallet ideal, it also comes in a very lovely packaging.

 Yea! No cost was spared in this project. I didn't want to put anything mediocre out there so I made sure I had world class packaging. Wink* Yea, excellence is what we are all about! What’s more? After you have used the content of the package, don’t be in a hurry to dispose it. You might just be holding in your hands a jewelry box complete with a window! *wink*

Are you having an occasion soon, using this as your souvenir will surely be a news - maker.  Buying in large quantities will get you discounted prices! Email us at muadesigns88@gmail.com or call 08037901766. Let your taste for finer things shine through in your occasion.

Whatever the case, these wallets are set to transform you into a trendsetter. These head turning, conversation starting pieces are a must have for everyone. So why are you still reading this?! The first batch of production has already sold out. Head over to the online store and start shopping! Limited Stock available!

How to order

All you need to do is order online here and your wallet will be delivered to you, ready-to-use. Or you may call 08037901766.You can pay with any  bank's ATM card or via Quickteller.Your online payment is safe and secure as it will be executed by Guarantee Trust Bank. Click here to order now.

Donate

Some of you have indicated you would want to support me whenever I’m ready to launch so here is the account number 0154755156 MUA DESIGNS Guaranty Trust Bank. Thank you so much. And if there is any other person out there who wishes to donate to the launch, feel free to send in your support.

Appreciation

I want to thank God for making this project a success. I am so grateful. And to you my dear readers, I want to say thank you. Being able to write about my journey has been air under my wings. Besides I get a certain high from writing and because of you I’m able to write. So I want to say thank you for giving me the license to write!

I will also like to thank the CEO of Max & Stells for all his support. It was you who first believed in this venture and you were there to point me in the right direction all the way. I also want to specially thank everyone who has aided this project in one way or another. Space will fail me to mention all your names. I want you to know that I really do appreciate all that you have done.

PS: If you are a business consultant or business developer or just anyone who has ideas of how I can improve in anyway, please do contact me. monica.agoha@gmail.com

PPS: If you are a blogger please, please help me share this, apart from the fact that it's content for your blog, my story might just be the inspiration one of your readers needs to come out strong from a bad situation. Please help me publicize! I appreciate. I would also be willing to do features and interviews so please invite me.

Thank you everyone and God bless.

Signing off.

Buy now

How I turned my adversity to advantage (Must Read)

"Often we are so concerned with what makes us feel good that we forget what makes us great. Understanding how to surmount pain, doubt, and failure is an important aspect of the game of winning at life." - Chin-Ning Chu

I was up early that fateful day. I got up from my bed and headed to the window to get some fresh air. As the gentle early morning breeze caressed my cheeks, I looked at the sky, as if to read the stars and predict my day. Somewhere amidst the twinkling stars I thought I saw a face in the cloud smiling at me. It was a sign! It was sure going to be a good day! Or so I thought.

During the course of my day, I dropped by a friend’s, to say hello, but he was leaving for lunch and asked that I accompany him. I obliged. At the restaurant, I treated myself to a very delicious African delicacy called ofe nsala (white soup). The scintillating taste of the soup was enough confirmation that the premonition I got from my star gazing earlier in the day was spot on. Little did I anticipate the fate that was to befall me later.  Somewhere between my friend’s office, the restaurant and back, I lost my wallet without realizing it. It was when we got back that I suddenly realized that I didn't have my wallet anymore. It must have fallen off when I alighted from the car or maybe I left it at the restaurant, I thought. I quickly dashed back to the car, but my wallet wasn't there. Then I rushed to the restaurant, but my wallet was nowhere to be found. I couldn't believe I had lost my precious wallet and with it bank cards, personal effects and most painful of all, money! This wasn't a good time to lose money.

 I had just quit my job to pursue my dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the fashion industry. Working on a clothing line start up already posed enough challenges, both financially and otherwise and I really could do without an additional one. If you have been-here-done-this before, (setting out on your own), you certainly know how cash trapped you can get most times. You suddenly realize how much every penny is really worth. There are no salary payment alerts to look forward to. Oh, those alerts that seem to be a panacea to all your monetary woes are no longer there to console you. I felt sad, my day that was going so well suddenly turned gloomy. I flashed back at my star gazing episode. I made up my mind right there and then that star gazing was definitely not for me. I wanted to question God but I stopped by reminding myself I was supposed to give thanks in every situation. My demons began to speak to me – ‘quitting your job was a dumb decision ’ ‘ what were you thinking when you decided to resign, you don’t have to 'hustle' in you that those who survive without jobs do’. “you are never going to succeed.” “How on earth are you going to survive without a paycheck?” These thoughts  triggered a depression in me, only a few who have traveled this path will understand…

Getting an alert from the bank on charges for the blocking and replacement of my bank card was a poignant reminder of the fact that I was losing money when there was little or nothing coming in. But things took a different turn when I began  to think of how to  replace my wallet. I could not think of a place to get a suitable replacement for my wallet. As a matter of fact, the reason I referred to the wallet as ‘precious’ is because I came across it by chance when I bought it. And ever since I haven't seen it anywhere else nor have I seen anyone with it. The design of the wallet is beautiful, and it is not as ubiquitous as the regular wallets you see around. It was just the right size, looked unique and  had everything I wanted in a wallet. 

Just as I pondered where to get myself a new wallet, inspiration struck. “I could make one for myself with the Ankara fabric!” In the past I have seen the Ankara fabric being used for a number of products but never for a wallet. At this time my creativity was on overdrive as I was taking some classes on design. So I set about making my wallet. My first sketches were so bad, only a mother would love them, but I persevered. After hours of research, countless trials and errors and many sleepless nights, I eventually came up with my witty invention – The Ankara wallet. 

So just in case you see the Ankara wallet anywhere else after now just know that I made it first!

What sets the wallet apart is that it is unique, light weight, has an exotic look and comes in the finest of Ankara prints. 

So far my first batch of production has sold out and is well on its way to becoming a star product. While I am still working on the major project, which  is a clothing line, this makes for a good foray into the industry. Yes in these wallets all your dreams just came  true. They are fashionable, fabulously vogue and chic. You can own one of these wallets by clicking here right now. Go ahead and make a remarkable fashion statement that will turn heads and excite the senses.

Yes, I Know what some of you are thinking right now, “Mo’, I really like your wallets burr I've already got a wallet!” Well, don’t  wait till you have to learn the hard way, like me, I had my bank cards, driver's license, receipts, pictures, heck! I almost had my international passport in it, had the wallet contained it. Yea, talk about the proverbial, putting all your eggs in one basket. Please don’t have just one wallet, have as many as you can so you can at least spread your bank cards. Losing all your cards at once is not funny. Trust me now and thank me later. Lol

One of the reasons I did this post is to sell my wallet. But more importantly, it is my hope that my story will inspire you to take every negative situation you face and turn it around for good. And who knows it might be your story inspiring us next. Yes, you too can turn your lemons into lemonade.

Every disappointment comes with it an equal proportion of opportunity.- Napoleon Hill

 Please make sure you read the next post which is the post for the official launch of the wallets. If you can't wait to start shopping for your wallet click here! Limited stock available. For more info on the wallet click here.

PS: Don't fail to share this inspirational story.

See you at the next post!

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