Meet Toju Sunmola | Fashion Designer, Nail Technician and a Serial Entrepreneur.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toju Sunmola and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toju, how do you define success?
I define success simply as the ability to do whatever makes me happy and brings joy without negatively affecting any body else. Though it might be difficult for some to find these thing(s), while it comes to other easily, whichever end of the spectrum one finds themself, alway remember to find joy in the process; for the journey sometimes is more satisfying than the end result. I love what I do, I find joy designing fabrics, nails etc and that to me is success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started my creative journey/ business line when I was 7, I knew I loved everything designs, art and I knew I wanted to own my business but back then to be a smart kid you have to be into the sciences so I decided to be a doctor, which thankfully didn’t work out.

My mum at the time noticed my interest in hair when she takes me to the hair salon so she registered me for apprenticeship program at the salon, few years later my mom and my husband paid and supported my makeup class, bead/jewelry making class, event decoration classes, machine knitting class, sewing classes, and many more.

I am good at what I do because of all these classes and knowledge, they may seem different to some people but all these classes and skills requires the use of designs and colors, and that’s what sets me apart, my knowledge of paring the right designs, shapes and colors together.

I am proud of how much I have learnt over the years, and how I didn’t let people calling me “jack of all trade, master of none” weigh me down. I am proud that I am able to follow my passion.

There were so many times I thought about giving up, I thought about not learning, I even gave my self a “stop learning fast”( not to learn any new skills for a period of time), because someone said I should focus on one skill. I hated my self during that period because I was trying to be like everyone else, I was trying to be the norm but thankfully I realized I shouldn’t care what other people think of me and just do what makes me happy as long as I am not affecting anyone negatively.

I want the world to know that I love designing, learning new things and teaching.
My goal is to train the next generation to be creative, be colorful, and never give up on dreams or passion.

Though in the near future our goal at TOJU’s is to impact the world with our work, but as of now our effort is focused within our community by making people feel beautiful, happy and confident. One’s appearance is the first form of communication to the outside world..

Speaking of empowerment, every year, Toju’s beauty and fashion offers free sewing classes to kids and teenagers from ages 9- 15 years, as our way of giving back to our community and the next generation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite places to go are the movies and the library(or book store)

I love to visit the taste bar + kitchen located in Houston tx , their vegan waffles and fried cauliflowers are delicious!

I am a home body so I hardly go anywhere but my ideal party place would be a Nigerian wedding party. it has food, drinks and beautiful clothings.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I will like to thank my family, especially my mom; for paying for all my many classes even when it didn’t make sense to her, my husband for not allowing me give up on business and a big shoutout to my friends and client that have always been there to support my businesses, I am grateful.

Website: www.tojusnails.com and www.tojuss.com

Instagram: @toju_nails @tojusfashion

Linkedin: tojusunmola

Facebook: toju_nails & tojusfashion

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPI5IpMNJlBfK2Hp1e1LNig

Image Credits
@Andynphoto