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Martwayne Media Mentions…

Martwayne Media Mentions…

by | Dec 28, 2012 | T.Williams

2 Feet Africa Magazine – January 2013 edition
www.2feetafrica.com
Now someone please tell me if there is a better way to end 2012 and kick off 2013!!! πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€   This year sure has been a great one for me!  First there was the ThisDay Style article about Designers Connect, then the BusinessDay article and then THIS ONE!!!! This DEFINITELY has got to be one of the highlights in 2012.  For me, getting on the cover not just for being a designer but for being an entrepreneur is the real ISH!
And like that was not enough, my article “Dressing with a Conscience” came out on Pages 44 – 47 in Today’s Lifeline magazine.  And I didn’t get one teeny weeny corner.  I got 3 full pages!  Like wow!  I am grinning so hard now my jaws actually ache!
 Pages 1 & 3 of my Article…

Cover Page of Vol. 4 No. 3 of Today’s Lifeline Magazine

After years of asking for various magazines to give me a platform to air my views on fashion, dressing or entrepreneurship, I finally got this opportunity handed to me on a platter of gold… after I had pretty much given up!  The magazine needed someone to write on fashion in a newly established column and I came “highly recommended”.  Thank you so much Dr Gb for the recommendation.  

Though it took forever to write the first article for various reasons, the most important being the conflict between being a designer and talking about “decent dressing”, yet again, I looked to God for inspiration and BAM… once I put pen to paper, I could hardly get myself to stop!  
And there it is!  I am soooo proud of myself that yet again, I aced it!  I think the Editor was very pleased with my work judging from his feedback:  
“I must confess that it was very brilliant and interesting. I kept following your arguments and before I could say Jack Robinson, I was through reading it.”
After conducting detailed research on the subject of decent dressing, including dictionary and Biblical definitions, I had a different take on the subject.  In my opinion, “The subject of dressing has less to do with the person wearing the garment but more about the person observing the garment”.  

In fact, it has little or nothing to do with the garment itself.  Check out Page 2 of the article below citing the example of 2 women carrying babies, one in a wrapper and the other in a dress with straps.

I also cited several other examples and gave all readers a task.  You really should get a copy of it.
So of course… seeing I am on a major HIGH, I decided to google all media mentions / articles about me or my work and put them all here.  I also know there have been some articles in the papers, some which I only heard about but never read but well… here goes… in reverse chronological order.  Some of you may have seen some of this on my Facebook Page but hey… why not on my blog as well… afterall, this is my site as well.  For those who think I am bragging… well… I am allowed aren’t I?  After all, it shows that the sleepless nights and hard work paid off. πŸ˜€

So sit back, relax and enjoy them.  Note that I didn’t include any of my marketing material or advertising on any of my courses.
1)  “Tope Williams – A Reference for Excellence” – 2 Feet Africa; January 2013 Edition

Will get details on where you can get the magazine from and upload here.  But you can also visit www.2feetafrica.com to know more about what the site and magazine stand for.
2)  “Dressing with a Conscience” – my article in Today’s Lifeline.

You can get a copy from vendors listed online at:

http://www.todayslifeline.com/distribute.php or subscribe online at :

www.todayslifeline.com.

And this will be a regular column so please watch out for it.

3)  “Temitope Williams – Blazing a Trail in Fashion” BusinessDay Article by Nonso Ndumanya

β€˜β€˜If truth be told, I was tired of my local tailor wrecking my clothes so I decided to learn the skill so I could teach her how to sew my clothes properly. That was how it all began. But the interesting thing became that while I told acquaintances what I was set out to do, they began to uncover other lucrative areas within the fashion industry,’’ said Temitope Williams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Martwayne in an interview with BusinessDay, who prior to founding the fashion outfit worked as an analyst in the tax, regulatory and people services unit of KPMG Professional Services.

You can read the rest of the article here:
http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/inspiring-woman/44799–temitope-williams-blazing-a-trail-in-fashion

4) “Your Dressing Can Make or Break Your Job Interview – Tope Williams, CEO, Martwayne”  – www.jobfinder.com by Onnaedo Okafor


“Tope Williams is the amiable and industrious lady behind Martwayne; a fashion, retail, consulting and training brand which is essentially about empowering people through fashion. Williams who has a background in consultancy from her days in KPMG bared her mind in a chat with Jobfinder.com.ng on a range of issues from the fashion industry to the importance of dressing in a job interview. Excerpts:” 
Read the rest of the article here:

http://jobfinder.com.ng/blog/2012/04/02/your-dressing-can-make-or-break-your-job-interview-tope-williams-ceo-martwayne/

5)  “Scene & Be Seen” – Pictures of Designers Connect in This Day Style by Konye Chelsea Nwabogor
“The City of Lagos recently witnessed a one-of-a-kind event, which featured a large gathering of fashion designers and fashion entrepreneurs.  The purpose was to discuss and find solutions to the many challenges faced by fashion businesses in Nigeria.  The event was powered by Martwayne, fashion retail, consulting and training outift owned by Temitope Williams”.

This feature came out in This Day Style, Vol. 17, No. 6187 of Sunday 1 April,  2012.  

6)  “Designers Connect Organised by Temitope Williams @ Lekki Phase 1, Lagos” 

– The Debut Edition of First Lady Magazine, April 2012 (I think…)

7)  “What Happened at Designers Connect” – by Adaohakay of www.jaguda.com

“On Sunday, 19 February 2012, the city of Lagos witnessed a one-of-a-kind event, a large gathering of fashion designers and fashion entrepreneurs.  Their purpose?  To meet, discuss, collaborate and find solutions to the current challenges faced by many fashion businesses in Nigeria and in the process move the industry forward.
Powered by Martwayne, a fashion retail, consulting and training outfit, Designers Connect was attended by over 150 guests in a very sophisticated and up-market boutique hotel in Lekki Phase 1, Trends the Kitchen.  The networking session was attended by various players in the fashion industries and featured speeches by Temitope Williams, CEO of Martwayne and convener of the meeting, as well as other notable designers such as Prince Oyefusi, owner of Nobel Afrique and President of FADAN and Ohimai Atafo, renowned designer and creative director of Mai Atafo Inspired (MAI).”

Read more at http://www.jaguda.com/2012/02/28/what-happened-at-designers-connect/

Well I think that’s about all I could find for this year… apart from other mentions at events I attended as a guest speaker such as Headroom, The 1st Lagos Accessories Fair, the Creative and Business Expo 2012, etc.  

Now I dug deeper into my archives and found these… πŸ˜€

8)  “My Fashion Client is my Muse” – Posted by Bimbo of Indepth Nigeria

“Temitope Williams is one of the most talented designers in the country. She runs Martwayne Dynamiques, a fashion retail and consulting outfit split into a retail arm/clothing line, Martwayne’ and a consulting arm β€˜Fashion Advisory and Support Services’ (FASS). Armed with degrees in Economics, Fashion Design and Management from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Future Excellence Design Institute of South Africa and Australian Business and Retail Academy, she is extremely creative. Looking at her works, one would realise how serious she takes the fashion business. She recently sat with OLAMIDE ONI and shared her experiences. Excerpts.”

Read the rest of the article here: 

http://www.indepthnigeria.com/entertainment/%E2%80%98my-fashion-client-is-my-muse%E2%80%99/

9)  “Designer Resume of Temitope Williams” 
 Page 10, Exquisite Magazine, Issue 14, Feb 2011 

Of course you may have known that Exquisite also awarded me the 2010 Exquisite Lady of the Year Award for Best Designer (Newcomer).  πŸ˜€  I wonder why I never included that anywhere on this blog.  But yes!  Do visit them and subscribe to Exquisite Magazine by visiting www.exquisitemag.com .


10)  “MARTWAYNE (Get Familiar)” – Posted by Terence Sambo on www.onenigerianboy.com

“Temitope Williams the designer behind new label MARTWAYNE got her first degree in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and later added a diploma in Management and Image consulting in Australia and the UK respectively. She got her BA in fashion design from Future Excellence Design Institute of South Africa (FEDISA) earlier this year and has since then returned to Nigeria to set up her consulting and design studio. She also showed at the Lagos Fashion Week that was part of the Black Heritage Showcase.”

You can read the rest of the article on :

http://onenigerianboy.blogspot.com/2010/09/martwayne-get-familiar.html

11) And the very FIRST MEDIA SPOTLIGHT I ever got…. Many many MANY thanks to  Oyindamola Lawal of Guardian Life:

“The ‘Structured’ Cuts of Martwayne” by Oyindamola Lawal, Guardian Life – Fashion – SUnday JUne 13 – 19, 2012

  
…which she followed up with a post on her blog:

12)  “Martwayne Breaks into the Fashion Industry with Breath-Taking Designs” – by Oyindamola Lawal on www.dammydiary.blogspot.com

“For those who were able and not able to get The Guardian Life Magazine (A Pull Out in The Guardian Newspapers) yesterday, 13th June, 2010, this is a full version of the designer article.  This pretty damsel is a bunch of talents, though her designs look very western but you will agree with me that they are trendy.  I decided to feature her on my blog because your her unique, creativity and artistic expression.  Read on and Enjoy.”

The rest of the article is available on http://dammydiary.blogspot.com/2010/06/martwayne-breaks-into-fashion-industry.html

Interestingly enough, Oyinda eventually became a student of mine on Level 1a of the Foundation Course, though I have no clue where she absconded to… but this article of her gave me such wings I felt I really could fly!  She got the ball rolling and I will forever be grateful for this article.  You always remember the first they say…  God bless her loads!

Phew!  Other samples of my work were showcased in the following:
 
 
“Ankara Rebels” – Complete Fashion Extra; Volume 3/ No. 3 2010 & FAB Magazine (the Scousers only) 

Ok!  Phew!  I think I’ll stop here now.  Can’t find any more plus I am beat!  Thank you all for the time you invested writing the articles and giving a young entrepreneur like me the opportunity at no cost whatsoever!  GOD BLESS YOU LOADS and may your businesses continue to excel beyond your wildest dreams!  Thank you so very much!  Oh… I also have to thank Beulah Marsh for that interview on Galaxy TV.  God bless you loads!

For me, I feel really humbled by all this.  I know it was not my doing, it was all God’s.  I am just extremely thankful that all the hard work did not go unnoticed.  But this is just my way of encouraging those working hard to keep at it.  Soon enough, your hard work will pay off and someone will notice.  And don’t be fazed by how far you may think I have gone.  I am just a young entrepreneur like you just starting off so hang in there and set your goals for 2013.  Trust me, planning makes ALL the difference in the world!

And if you need a word of encouragement, do send me a BB message or an e-mail.  I will get to it…eventually… [covering-my-face…:-( :-D]

God bless you loads!  MWAH!
The Appalling State of Customer Services!

The Appalling State of Customer Services!

by | Jul 10, 2012 | T.Williams

Let me rephrase. The Appalling State of Customer Services in this environment!
I’m sorry but this is ranting and raving time! Β I did warn you that it may happen sooner or later but it really is annoying!
Β 
Someone please explain to me why exactly I am paying for a service and when I complain about the service, I get attitude from the vendor like “errr…. how dare you complain about the service I just rendered to you”! Β I mean like seriously?! Β The typical vendor around here acts like they are doing you a favor when really the truth is you have paid for it! Β Sometimes they forget that without customers, they would not be in business!
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What exactly brought this on?! Β I’ll tell you just now! >-(
http://tenerife-training.net/Tenerife-News-Cycling-Blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/expect-poor-customer-service-etiquette.gif
So in preparation for FEC 5, I paid for some sponsored online content to advertise the course. Β An error was made in the content which I called the vendor’s attention to. Β No biggie right?! Β So imagine my shock when I got a mail from them; one which “reeked” of attitude to say the least. Β Thinking I was, perhaps, overreacting, I forwarded the mail to a friend of mine asking his opinion and he confirmed that the mail was rude. Β Now the normal me would have either sent a stinker or forwarded the mail to a higher authority in their management asking for an apology without batting an eyelid. Β But seeing I am reading and learning a whole lot from The Book of Proverbs, it took every “ounce” (for lack of a better word) of energy to hold my “tongue” and let it go! Β Like everything else in this environment, we just let go! Β And that is what really irks me! Β 
Β 
Ok let’s just assume the sender of the e-mail didn’t mean to be rude. Β How about some basic training on e-mail etiquette?! Β I know when I was in KPMG, we spent a whole lot of time reviewing and re-reviewing the contents of an e-mail before sending them out just to be sure we never passed across the wrong message to the reader. Β Clearly if this person had reread the contents of the mail, they would have rewritten it. Β 
Β 
Scenario 2!
Β 
You go to a bank and the disgruntled Customer Services personnel is frowning and answering your questions grudgingly like he was forced to sit behind the counter. Β You even get customers coming in and cajoling the staff just so they can do what they were actually employed to do! Β I know I have had to complain about a certain person in a certain branch of a popular bank who really has no business attending to customers. Β The person constantly has a frown on their face and I always wondered why the person wasn’t relegated to the back room wearing a mask and counting money. Β That way they can frown all they want and no one would notice. Β Like seriously?! Β If you don’t like your job then please quit! Β Why do I have to beg you and call you Aunty or Uncle just so you can be decent to me?! Β Interesting to note that customers on the Mainland are treated differently from customers on the Island! Β Double Standards! Β 
Β 
Gosh need you need to know the different vendors I deal with on a daily basis…. especially the creative ones who outrightly expect you to accept what they have given you without any questions asked. Β Like hello?! Β I know how particular I am about my work so I spend hours chatting to them about the deliverable and send a detailed line-by-line brief itemizing everything you could possibly want.
Β 
After all that effort you get the work and sometimes I have had to blink several times just to be sure it was my work they sent to me. Β And when it dawns on me that it is my work, then the anger sets in and you wonder if they even read the brief you gave them. Β And when they don’t deliver, they either try to intimidate you, accuse you of “micro-managing them”, threaten to back out of the work expecting you to beg them after you’ve paid them and they have constantly missed their deadline or worse, tell you no one has ever complained about their work. Β And I’m thinking, get over yourself dude! Β 
Β 
In the past I have had to cajole but after a while I was like oh like puh-lease! Β Someone please explain to me why I have to beg someone to do the work I have paid them for?! Β Or tip a parking attendant to park my car! Β Like seriously in this environment, some people you tip even reject your tip because, in their opinion, it is too small! Β Sometimes I cannot help but wonder if some employers knew how their staff handled their business. Β I’m sure if they knew, they would have a fit! Β And yet you wonder why there is such a moral decay in this society. Β 
Β 
Often times people call me to make enquiries and then apologize to me for asking me questions about the Course they plan to register for, hoping they are not “disturbing” me. And I’m thinking… why would you think you are disturbing me?! Β I always found it strange until I had a recent conversation with a student of mine. Β Only then did it click that the average service personnel in this environment get irritable when they are asked questions. Β Which brings me to:
Β 
Scenario 3!
Β 
Being accused of beingΒ “too finicky” simply because I asked for the measurements of a table. Β Why? Β Because the representative was too lazy to get a measuring tape! Β He tells me “it’s a standard size”… like that is supposed to mean anything to me! Β Standard size by whose standards?! Β Β And THEN he tells me I’m too finicky. Β Like how can you even tell a customer she is too finicky! Β And oh! Β When we asked them to close the door because there were a lot of mosquitoes in the waiting area, he apologizes and then wrecks the apology by adding “but we are all Africans now”. Β We are all Africans so therefore we should be used to being chewed to bits by mosquitoes! Β Maybe he’s used to it but sorry, I’m not! Β 
Β 
Oh wait! Β And how about staff talking about you amongst themselves like you are not even in the room. Β Another common one! Β Complete lack of courtesy! Β I have had to tell people off several times for doing this. Β And why do they get away with this?! Β Simple! Β Because the average individual would rather not say anything for fear of being embarrassed or being seen as a trouble maker. Β I know the only time I get my work out is when I rant and rave! Β So what do we do? Β We just keep swallowing the crap and thenΒ complain that our government isn’t listening to our complaints and cries. Β Ever heard of charity beginning at home?! Β Why would someone listen to you when you refuse to listen to someone else?
Β 
Scenario 4!
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Those that tell you “well there is nothing you can do about it’ like I don’t know my rights or something. Β Or some concoct some ridiculous story like you just left primary school and you are there thinking… “does this guy really think I’m a mugu or something?!” Β Why is he telling you this story?! Β Because he cannot be bothered to do the work! Β Gosh! Β We really do indulge people in this environment. Β What happened to the customer being king?! Β Clearly it’s unheard of around here! Β 
Β 
I get a visit from the ISP technicians and rather than accept that their base station is bad, they tell me the network in my building is bad. Β I’m like.. oh… suddenly after 2 years. Β The solution?! Β The network is much better outside. Β Right! Β So I should stand outside in the rain to use my laptop?! Β Makes me wonder why I even bothered! Β After all, even their office had no reception. Β I had to stand outside to test the modem to be sure it worked. Β 
Β 
And then I get a call from the ISP asking why I refused to renew my subscription and I told them. Β And she ends the call with “Thank you for choosing…” Β I’m thinking?! Β What?! Β Did she even listen to me at all or did I just speak to an answering machine?! Β I tell you why I have refused to renew my subscription (after paying for 3 months without enjoying a minute of the service), meaning I no longer useΒ your company’s services and you end the call by saying: Β “Thank you for choosing…”. Β Ridiculous! Β 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9K6QsP856rs/T1nBgkA7HrI/AAAAAAAABYE/NmCtIDz7Tzs/s1600/No-service.jpg
And how about our Emergency Services?! Β Ha now THAT is another story entirely! Β You will just keep waiting! Β The day after the Dana Air crash I heard some violent sparks and some smoke coming from somewhere that seemed really close. Β So I called “emergency services” and this “bored girl who sounded like I was disturbing her manicure session” picks up the phone and asks me to go closer to identify the source of the smoke before they can send the rescue team. Β I was like what?! Β Should you not be telling me to evacuate the area?! Β We eventually found out it was the PHCN cable and residents had to let it burn to a “comfortable” height in the rain before putting out the fire themselves.
Β 
Sigh……. I can go on and on. Β But really, what I find really upsetting is the fact that many of us just allow ourselves get exploited. Β Despite being educated, we would rather suffer in silence. Β No wonder people snap and the average person is stressed out around here. Β My question is… when will this all end?! Β I refuse to be made to feel guilty simply because I am asking for corrections to what what I am entitled to. Β It is not a right, it is an obligation! Β 
Β 
In all fairness though, some people have actually accepted correction and tried to make amends. Β I would never forget a restaurant I went to… in fact 2 restaurants who gave me a complimentary meal / dessert to make up for bungling my order… even though my dates wondered why I complained. Β In their opinion, I should have let it go… and one was actually wiling to pay for another meal. Β Like seriously?! Β I told him no ways and demanded to see the manager who was nice enough to prepare an even nicer order and kept checking on me to be sure I was pleased with it. Β Only after then did I think… gosh there is still hope for us… Β 
Β 
Interestingly enough, no prejudice to indigenes or anything, but I wonder if this only happened because the restaurants were run by foreigners?! Β I don’t know. Β But one thing I do know is many of the ill treatments I have received have come from Nigerians…. our fellow “compatriots”. Β Which is very sad!
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Yes a very long one but yes it had to be done! Β So do I feel much better?! Β Well… just a little bit! Β Especially after seeing these jokes on poor customer service on the internet:
http://www.smmbc.ca/images/unhappycustomer.jpg
http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/cza0816l.jpg
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At least I have been able to let go of some steam! Β Thank you for lending a “reading eye”!
Β 
Mucho gracias! Β MWAH! Β πŸ˜€

Cheers!
__________________________________________________________

PS!


Oh… here’s an interesting perspective from the other side…
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Β 
I still believe, no matter what, the customer is king! Β And this blog captures it perfectly: Β 

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Yes you do come across difficult ones and when you can’t handle them, offer them a sincere apology, an alternative or a refund. Β Simple! Β In a nice way of course… πŸ˜€ Β Perhaps we can all learn from this particular post on customer service! Β I know many people around here need it!