Bolanle Austen Peters is a renowned
entrepreneur and owner of popular educational and recreational centre Terra
Kulture, which is located in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. In this
interview, she speaks on the motivation for starting her business, the
challenges and how she has managed to overcome them to build one of Nigeria’s
most recognizable brands for Nigerian culture, entertainment and food.
entrepreneur and owner of popular educational and recreational centre Terra
Kulture, which is located in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. In this
interview, she speaks on the motivation for starting her business, the
challenges and how she has managed to overcome them to build one of Nigeria’s
most recognizable brands for Nigerian culture, entertainment and food.
How did you get here and what made you
decide to start your own business?
decide to start your own business?
Terra Kulture was birthed as a result
of a need. There were few places in Nigeria with the appropriate ambience for
Nigerians and foreigners alike, to learn about Nigeria’s rich cultural and
linguistic heritage.
of a need. There were few places in Nigeria with the appropriate ambience for
Nigerians and foreigners alike, to learn about Nigeria’s rich cultural and
linguistic heritage.
What has the experience been like so
far?
far?
It has been a wonderful experience. A
passion that turned into a business. It is a wonderful feeling when you know
you can satisfy a need, giving people an opportunity to have a feel, a taste
and also appreciate Nigeria’s culture. Although, it has not always been easy,
with persistence, consistency and a positive attitude towards change and
continuous evolvement, we have been able to stay on top of our game.
passion that turned into a business. It is a wonderful feeling when you know
you can satisfy a need, giving people an opportunity to have a feel, a taste
and also appreciate Nigeria’s culture. Although, it has not always been easy,
with persistence, consistency and a positive attitude towards change and
continuous evolvement, we have been able to stay on top of our game.
When is the best time for someone to
start his/her own business?
Now.
There is no time like the present. Some people wait for the perfect opportunity
to start a business but there is never a better time than now! Whatever your
small seed is, plant it and it will become a tree with nurturing and
time.
start his/her own business?
Now.
There is no time like the present. Some people wait for the perfect opportunity
to start a business but there is never a better time than now! Whatever your
small seed is, plant it and it will become a tree with nurturing and
time.
Capital is always a key consideration
in starting your own business, how did you raise capital?
in starting your own business, how did you raise capital?
Capital was raised through Central Bank of Nigeria SME Fund Scheme and friends and family.
Do you have mentors and how have they
impacted on your business?
impacted on your business?
Yes, I do. Mentors add value and advise
through their experiences. Through Wimbiz I have a lot of mentors.
through their experiences. Through Wimbiz I have a lot of mentors.
Who are your role models and why?
Tayo Aderionokun (late) because of his
desire to add value and his ability to see potential
desire to add value and his ability to see potential
Where is this business going to and
when are you going to get there?
when are you going to get there?
As the premiere cultural space in
Lagos, we continue to work on infrastructure development and content provision.
Our plays are breaking records and we are taking Wakaa the musical to London’s
West End in July. Our auction house also continues to showcase Nigeria’s fine
artists at the highest level.
Lagos, we continue to work on infrastructure development and content provision.
Our plays are breaking records and we are taking Wakaa the musical to London’s
West End in July. Our auction house also continues to showcase Nigeria’s fine
artists at the highest level.
What has been your biggest challenge
so far and how have you managed it?
so far and how have you managed it?
The dearth of skilled theatre
practitioners and also lack of theatre spaces. This is in addition to raising capital
to expand our business.
practitioners and also lack of theatre spaces. This is in addition to raising capital
to expand our business.
What is the sweetest part of running
your own business?
your own business?
Creating jobs and developing a crop of
skilled artisans and artists. Seeing my vision come to fruition brings
tremendous joy.
skilled artisans and artists. Seeing my vision come to fruition brings
tremendous joy.
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