Ayobami Abioye is an accountant by training but his passion is event management. His hubby to serve and manage drinks event metamorphosed into a business that adds economic value to his life. Today he is the manager of one the few event management companies that specializes in drinks and no doubt he is on top of his game in the business; In this interview with REMI OLADOYE, Abioye explained how he started and his vision. Excerpts.
Can we meet you sir
I am Ayobami Abioye, the executive director of Isholevents concept, specialize in drink and cooling service, I am a graduate of Accounting from OIabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye, Ogun state.
As a graduate of accounting, why did you choose event management instead of working in a bank , accounting firm or company .
Event management has been my hobby since my childhood, my father influence me because he is a socialite, I do follow him to event and anytime I go with him I am always happy attending to his friends, serving them drinks and food and ensure that they are comfortable as I grew up the passion for it also grow with me, I do go to my Daddy’s friend anytime they have party to manage their drinks and gradually I turned my hobby and passion into a Job by rendering service to people and started making money . I would have love to work in a bank but event management did not even allow me to think of going into the banking industry or take any job relating to my course of study, though in event management we also deal with money and accounts but it’s not like working in a bank or accounting firm and I have no regret taking up my passion
How has it been since you started
Oh fine, we thank God, the beginning was rough and it was expected but gradually we are crossing the hurdles and we hope to get to the top very soon. Doing private business in Nigeria is not easy due to many factors and challenges but we are growing, at time some people want service they cannot pay for, some will hire you pay part of the money and after the event to pay the balance becomes problem such and many others we have experience but thank God we are moving on, this is our fourth year, we have 3 nomination for Award which shows we are on ground
How often do you get job
God has been faithful, we do get weekend jobs at least three times in a month and many days of the week for instance last year we did about 136 event last year including wedding , burials, naming etc and this year we have started on a very good note
What were your parent’s dispositions to your decision to drop accounting for event management
My father was late when I started the event management company but if he was alive I am sure he would support me but mum was a but reluctant, she insisted I should complete my master degree program and my professional exams but I told her to bless whatever I am doing and today she pray for me and even tells her friends to patronize me.
If you are not in event management and accounting what would you have been doing ?
I love politics I was once a special adviser to Deputy Speaker of Oyo state Hon Babatunde Olaniyan, I have been actively involved since 1999, though I am not a full time politicians but i am into it and my kind of politics is that of politics for development, because I know if everything is right in this country, everybody will be fine and there won’t be crazy zeal to travel abroad or engage in odd things to make money like many young folks are doing now
So how has politics help your carrier?
It has really been helpful because most of my clients are people that knew my pedigree, they know me as a credible and straightforward person, and they even recommend me to other clients
A lot of people claim to be in event management what makes your company special
What makes Isholevents unique is the service we rendered, we are into business with utmost sincerity and seriousness, I am the head waiter, majorly I do drinks, I handle drinks at parties and my Job is to ensure that your guest are satisfied with drinks from the beginning to the end and most of my clients are happy with the way we served and handle their events
Why drinks alone
That has been my choice since I was young, I am not a food person, not that we don’t do food at event there is a session for that but majorly I do drinks, all sort of drinks both local and intercontinental drinks including palm wine, very soon we will open Isholevents cocktail soon
Is there any future in this business?
Yes the future is there, some people have been in it for many years and they are on, event management is taking a new dimension now and so many people are coming into it but with commitment the future is bright
