Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business; it is about using creativity to meet needs, solve problems, and leave a lasting impact.
Few embody this spirit as much as Fatimo Alimi, the CEO of Dedoyin Coverings (Formerly doing business as Qingqwin Needles.
A graduate of Anatomy from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso with a master’s degree in Public Health from the National Open University of Nigeria, Fatimo is building a thriving enterprise by transforming leather and fabrics into affordable, stylish, and functional bags and souvenirs.
“Craft making is an interesting art that requires precision, patience, diligence, skillfulness and time. I have come a long way in the space, and I have come to enjoy the process,” she says, emphasizing the passion and dedication behind her craft.
Crafting with Purpose and Passion
Since launching Dedoyin Coverings in January 2017, Fatimo describes her entrepreneurial journey as a “roller coaster ride,” marked by creativity, resilience, and growth.
Her workshop produces a wide range of items including travel bags, souvenir bags, backpacks, and lunch bags, all tailored to customers’ preferences.
Each product begins with a meticulous process of pattern cutting before moving to sewing, a routine Fatimo and her team have mastered over the years.
The production cycle is impressively efficient. “A day,” she explains when asked how long it takes to produce one bag, provided all resources are available.
“I can create magic in a day. If you help me source all necessary materials and tools. And, you lock me in a space, within the next 24 hours, I should deliver stellar products that you will love.”
This efficiency not only speaks to her skill but also to her commitment to ensuring timely delivery for clients who often need her products for parties and events.
Inspiration Rooted in Everyday Realities
Among her standout innovations is the nursing mother’s bag, designed to ease the daily struggles of mothers juggling childcare and personal responsibilities.
“I drew inspiration from my own experiences/observations of nursing mothers struggling to balance their baby’s needs with their daily activities. The world really needs to care about these people,” Fatimo notes.
This thoughtful creation underscores her belief that entrepreneurship should extend beyond profit-making to making life easier for others.
It is a confirmation to how creativity, when combined with empathy, can create solutions that truly resonate with people’s needs.
How is Fatimo Alimi Overcoming Challenges?
Like many Nigerian entrepreneurs, Fatimo faces hurdles in sustaining her business. Chief among them are sourcing quality materials and dealing with customers’ sensitivity to pricing.
“Honestly, I face challenges in sourcing materials needed and customers pricing. But again, we keep pushing, and in those push, we are scaling,” she says, highlighting her resilience.
Despite these challenges, she insists on maintaining affordable prices to grow her customer base.
“Actually, we make a reasonable profit, but it’s not as much as you may imagine. We understand it’s a matter of time since we’re still a small business based in Ikorodu.
My team is currently focusing on growing our customer base while building our brand with available resources at our disposal. And, most importantly, in achieving this, we have to keep our prices competitive.
As part of our growth strategy, we are leveraging social media to market our products. We have them listed on our IG page. We are also working on how tech bros and ladies can commission us to make custom-made laptop bags for them.
In all of this, my husband has also been a major support system,” Fatimo explains.
This strategy has helped her steadily expand her reach while building trust and loyalty among clients.
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Impact
Beyond production, Fatimo dreams of passing her skills to others. When asked if she had considered training people, she responds:
“Yes, hopefully when we are better grounded than we currently are. The dream is not just to produce. It’s a lucrative space. For me, beyond making profit, I really look forward to establishing an academy around this vocation for empowerment.”
Today, Dedoyin Coverings is more than a business, it is a creative movement dedicated to affordability, functionality, and impact.
Her story is proof that when entrepreneurship is fueled by passion, empathy, and determination, it does more than build a business, it builds a legacy.
