For Orekoya Adebisi, entrepreneurship is not merely a profession—it’s a way of life. As the dynamic founder of Busbis Fabrics and Mazel Partners Limited, she has spent over 15 years transforming a humble fabric venture into a thriving multi-business empire spanning fashion, consulting, real estate, and financial services.
With roots in Lagos and a mindset shaped by resilience, Adebisi’s journey exemplifies how passion, diversification, and strategic vision can create enduring success stories.
Early Beginnings: The Hustle That Funded a Dream
Adebisi’s foray into entrepreneurship began while she was a student, sourcing and selling Ankara fabrics from local markets to meet her financial needs. Even after entering the banking industry, she continued the business on the side—balancing her corporate role with her entrepreneurial drive.
“I’ve been an entrepreneur all my life,” she said. “The fabric business started as a side hustle, but it gave me the freedom to stay true to my values while meeting life’s demands.”
She began delivering orders from the trunk of her car before opening her first physical store in Oshodi Market, one of Lagos’ busiest commercial centers. That store remains operational today, complemented by a second, more upscale outlet in Gbagada’s Royal Prince Supermarket.
Scaling with Purpose: From Local to Global
Driven by a relentless pursuit of quality, Adebisi took the bold step of traveling internationally to understand the global textile market. Today, Busbis Fabrics sources premium textiles from Switzerland, Austria, China, Korea, and India, catering to a diverse clientele—from wholesale resellers and fashion designers to Aso Ebi groups.
Her dedication to business growth didn’t stop there. Recognizing the volatility of relying on a single stream of income, she founded Mazel Partners Limited, a business consultancy that evolved from offering co-working spaces to providing lending services, corporate registration, and travel consultancy, following licensure from the Lagos State government.
“If you truly want financial freedom,” she noted, “you must be willing to work hard and diversify.”
Addressing the Gaps: A Vision for Local Manufacturing
Despite her success, Adebisi remains deeply concerned about Nigeria’s dependence on imported fabrics.
“Local textile production has declined sharply. Most factories have shut down due to poor infrastructure and electricity challenges,” she said. “One machine can’t do it all, and power instability remains a major barrier.”
Her long-term goal is to reverse this trend by establishing a fully solar-powered textile factory in Nigeria—a move she believes could reduce import dependency, create jobs, and revive the local industry.
Business Model: Volume Over Margin, Value Over Hype
Leveraging her two-decade career in banking, Adebisi has developed a business strategy rooted in affordability, high turnover, and customer responsiveness.
“Around 40% of fabric sellers are competing in the same market. Profitability isn’t about high margins—it’s about volume. If we all grow together, the industry becomes stronger,” she said.
A core part of her philosophy is understanding customer demand over personal preference.
“Some of my best-selling fabrics are ones I personally wouldn’t choose. But that’s the business—you stock for the market, not for yourself.”
Navigating Challenges in a Tough Business Climate
Running a fabric business in Nigeria comes with its own set of challenges: inconsistent power supply, rising shipping and clearing fees, fluctuating market prices, and customer payment delays.
“You can’t stock every trending design, and some clients take time to pay. But I choose not to dwell on these issues. I focus on where I’m headed.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For newcomers to the business world, Adebisi offers straightforward advice:
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Start with what you have – Waiting for millions is the fastest route to never starting.
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Be disciplined – Stay consistent and don’t mix business with emotion.
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Know your customers – Let market demand guide your inventory.
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Invest in your brand – Build credibility, not just products.
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Stay hungry to learn – Trends change. Adaptability is key.
“Success doesn’t come overnight. It takes discipline, patience, and a clear vision. And above all, resilience.”
Meet the Woman Behind the Brand
Orekoya Adebisi is the Managing Director of Busbis Fabrics and Mazel Partners Limited, two Lagos-based companies renowned for their innovation, integrity, and impact. A graduate of Yaba College of Technology and the University of Lagos, she holds a degree in Accounting and boasts over 20 years of experience in Nigeria’s banking sector.
What began as a survival hustle has become a blueprint for sustainable, multi-sector growth. Through every challenge and pivot, Adebisi has proven that with the right mindset, Nigeria’s business landscape can become fertile ground for long-lasting success stories.
