TheSevenSeries: 7 business lessons picked from Mrs Fatima Wali- Abdurrahman

Photo credit: iwei-ng.org

This month, we continue with the #TheSevenSeries having Fatima Wali Abdurrahman in the spotlight. She is the daughter of Ambassador Isa Wali, the former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States. Following the death of her husband in 1967, Fatima’s mother, Hajia Zainab got married to Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, the former Sultan of Sokoto. Having lost her father when she was barely ten, Fatima and her sister, Maryam, the wife of Justice Mohammed Uwais, grew up to know Alhaji Dasuki as their father.

Born in Kaduna, Fatima travelled a lot even as an asthmatic child. She had her early education at St. Saviour’s School, Corona School, and Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos. Later, she enrolled at the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, to study Architecture. However, during her second year in ABU, Fatima transferred to the University of Minnesota, USA, from where she bagged a degree in Architecture and a minor in Urban Studies. Later, she bagged a Master's degree in Economics and Management Construction from the University College, London. 

Today, Fatima Wali ranks top as one of the most prolific architects in the country. With her wealth of experience in her field, she has proved to be a thoroughbred professional. Prior to setting up her own architectural firm, Fatima Wali had worked with several companies, including Alpha Properties, Femi Majekodunmi and Associates among others. In 1994, she co-established Participant Properties Limited, which was into property development and management. However, when the portfolio of the company grew bigger, there was a need to establish another company that will take away the job of property management from Participant Properties, so as to allow it to concentrate on its construction duties. Subsequently, Fatima decided to set up Filmo Realty Limited, with its corporate headquarters in Victoria Island.

These are the business lessons we picked from the astute serial entrepreneur:

1.Learn the ropes of your industry before venturing out

It is unwise to go with the tide without arming oneself for possible mishaps. Going to business is not a walk in the park, it takes a lot of guts, skills and experience. This does not come cheap. The only better well to be equipped for the business world is to learn from experts either as an employee or intern/volunteer. Fatima did all she could to learn about her chosen industry before venturing out. Her decision saved her from making careless business mistakes. She used the period of working as a subordinate to buy experience and horn her skills.

2. Be prepared for challenges

The entrepreneurial landscape is not spared, it witnesses its fair share of challenges. More so, doing business which is all year round in this part of the world takes a lot of resilience. From Fatima, we are convinced that one has to be firm and tenancious to maintain staying power. Having cited her major challenges as business environment and staff, she did not sit back to be among the complainers. A determined Fatima worked hard to ensure that her business was still operational. The challenges proved as avenue for her to think outside the box. She moved her business online at a period that it was not so prominent. This was a good innovation that was a launchpad for sustainability and success. According to her, business is all about constantly meeting your challenges. She overcame by identifying the challenges, accepting they are real, facing them head-on without making excuses or running away.

3.Having the right core values

While some entrepreneurs are driven by the desire to make money, Fatima holds dear her core values. One of them is integrity. She is a firm believer in the saying that 'a good name is better than silver and gold'. So getting involved in anything that would tarnish her hard-earned image and name was a futile mission and a complete no-no. As a staunch Muslim, she is conscious of her God to the point that she reverses and fear him to go against his injunctions and teachings. Despite being an industry filled with bribery and corruption, Fatima can proudly hold her head high from failing to get her hands soiled in any activity that contradicts her integrity.

4. Doing the right thing

It is not enough to do something, it is more important and commendable when it is the RIGHT thing. Fatima was real to point that our needs keep growing. There is a need for money to buy food, clothing, shelter and pay the bills, but according to her this should not the driving force. She proffered a realistic approach to our needs, if they don't matter then there is no need. Since our needs are endless, it is better to buy the ones we can afford on our budget than trying to impress people because it is all vanity. According to her, everyone should have a point of departure where they ask themselves 'Is this the right thing to do?'

5. Rest

As an entrepreneur, there would countless times when you would have sleepless nights burning the midnight oil to keep your business up and going. This goes without saying that the place of rest is irreplaceable. Fatima also pointed that she loves her sleep. This was in line with her core values of not taking bribes or staying corrupt. She wants to be able to sleep at night without a disturbing conscience. As we all know there is no soft pillow as a soft conscience. Just like the Proverbs 31 woman, Fatima ensured that all her dealings are honest and follow due process. Sleep is a natural gift, one that can't be bought and she values it to the core. It is pointless engaging in any operation that would interfere with sleep. When it is time for sleep, it is time for sleep, nothing should come in between. There is time for everything and sleep should be prioritised for the numerous health benefits it poses.

6. The role of a supportive spouse

Fatima reiterated the importance of having the right spouse to achieving one's vision. For those single, it would not apply but for the married, she stated that she had been able to go this far because of the role of a supportive spouse. As an entrepreneur who works round the clock, it takes the patience and understanding of a supportive spouse to ensure you stay committed to your vision for your business. If you marry the wrong spouse, the entrepreneur journey would be difficult and tedious. You need encouragement and support from those closest to you because it is a tougher and different ball game in the outside world. Fatima advised on creating systems to ensure that your home does not suffer from your business involvement. These systems include having a supportive spouse who understands the nature of work and willing to commit to your overall success and well-being. You may need to have domestic staff but be careful that they don't replace you only offer needed assistance where necessary.

7. Know yourself

Fatima had always believed that she was a blessed child and this affected how she saw herself. She attributed this to her upbringing. According to her, she was brought up with a non-conformist mindset and her parents were open-minded people. This encouraged her to live to reach her full potential. She also thanked her father for his supportive role in making her mom be the best version of herself. She also commended her step-father for his role in her life as a disciplined nurturer and caring provider. In a society, that some people don't mind to clout chase, Fatima doesn't want to be remembered for anything in particular except for who she is. She is more concerned about living a name that her children will certainly be proud of.