Entertainment Mogul, Vivien Nwandu Speaks About Her Company , Love Life & Philanthrophy

One of the most successful entertainment entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Vivien Nwandu in a recent chat with Abiola Odunuga spoke about her company , love life and many other spicy details of her life.

Vivien Nwandu is the CEO of Laviv Expressions Ltd, based in Lagos. The company provides services that enable organisations to enhance their operations, promote their image and reach customers in affordably and conveniently.We had the pleasure of spending some time with the inspirational Vivien Nwandu , enjoy the interview below……

What does your company do? 

Laviv Expressions ltd is aimed at providing a friendly environment and efficient service for our clients, both in the corporate world as business development company offering a superior professional advice on logistics/project, Corporate Advertising and in the Entertainment Entrepreneurial world. We are committed to event planning, event compere, Image consultancy, managing of artistes, Vlog on ” real talk”, capturing the candid opinions of viewers. We plan on increasing awareness on live issues and proffering solutions from experts as well as groom young ladies not only to become beauty queens but excel in their chosen hobby/profession. . Also catering to various services for children and adults, in modeling.

What inspired you to start your company? 

My inspiration came about when I realized I took pleasure in helping my friends plan their birthdays, make appearances on their big day and be the MC of the day, and the positive feedback I got from friend’s friends……calls from them, asking me to help them plan their events from beginning to the end, that they don’t mind paying me, to the extent that ,when they want to open a business, they would ask me what’s my opinion about it.

How would you describe the Entertainment industry in Nigeria?

Entertainment industry in Nigeria has improved a great deal, everyone in the industry is more aware now that it takes more than pretty face to make it. Hard work, talent and being yourself. The industry has evolved over the years; the need to always be in the know is of a great importance.

Why should anyone use your service? 

Our company is constantly bringing up new and fresh ideas on any project or task.

Tell us a little about your team?

It’s a collective effort; my team is consistent, hard workers, going the extra mile to ensure excellent delivery. Staffing is on a per-project basis. Sourcing is typically done though repeat hires, referrals& online recruitment portals.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background? 

 Lol no! my entrepreneurial journey began with passion and pleasure in helping my friends with their events and developing their businesses. After working with Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC)and British High Commission for five years plus,I decided to follow my passion in the entertainment industry. My notable stints include modeling for MTN in 2003 and being nominated for the ‘Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year 2014’ slot by the Lagos Fashion Awards organization, in June 2015, I was selected as one of the judges for the maiden edition of ‘Most Beautiful Girl in Lagos’ pageant, alongside celebrities  Uti Nwachukwu, (Winner of Big Brother Africa) and Ebube Nwagbo, (top-rated Nollywood actress).I was also a co-host for Lagos Fashion Award 2015, Official host for City People fashion& beauty awards, 10th edition,2015. Recently another feather was added to my cap when I was called to be part of the team to plan Victoria Garden City Christmas end of year party,12th of December,2015.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

Our aim is to provide a friendly and efficient service for our clients, offering superior professional services within & outside the country.

If you were given US$1m to invest in your company now,where would it go? 

…if you are giving me the money right away I’ll gladly answer that!!!!lol! just kidding…..with the current rate converting that to naira that would be 250,000,000….I would invest half of it in different segments in my company. Most people don’t know the love I have in giving to less privileged (which I’ve been involved in for years…to no particular charity organization…today I could be giving to babies, the next day I could be giving to mothers who cannot avoid clothes for themselves or the disabled who cannot avoid three square meal a day) sometimes I ask my friends to assist me…most times the result is great.

In a nutshell the remaining half of the money would be on philanthropy.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

The genuine delight in the faces of my clients with the services we have delivered & also when our clients become confident and professionals in their chosen field…..my!my!my! the feeling is priceless.

When I saw you at The Ovation Carol I asked you if you were  a designer ,can you remind me the response you gave me ?

….remember the big smile I gave you?….that smile was a sign indicating I get that a lot. Well I‘ll not call myself a designer but I have always had flare for fashion right when I was a child…my Dad would call me ‘Aliam fashion” because a few times he watches Tv with me I would want a fashion show, apart from the cartoons that showed kids fashion as small as I was,I would glue myself to anything fashion even when its meant for adults….or when my mum will be dressing up I would be the one to choose the colour of the dress,the ribbons to have on her hair& the style of hair- do, to wear for the occasion. And that was how the entire family nick named me ‘Aliam fashion”…

Till today…I am very detailed with what I wear, sometimes the stylist who is helping me out for a particular occasion I often contribute to the style of the outfit he or she is making or getting for me to wear…… In the future I might have a fashion outfit………….because I am constantly creative with looks both for myself, my models, friends and the normal everyday people. Maybe that’s why I take pleasure in full involvement in the Image consultancy which my company does. It’s an aspect I hardly delegate to any of my staff because sometimes our client might not really know what they really want, as an image consultant it’s your duty to chip in what will go perfectly well for that client, having asked the necessary questions with the client. The questions thrown at the clients are inbuilt skills kind of questions…if I might put  it that way…because you don’t want to come across as too nosy or too forward. You have to strike a balance that the client is free to relate with you freely giving you more detail than you expected. This is also the technique I use when a client comes to me….. I have this business and I don’t really know how I can standout.

Tell us about your love life,are you married?

This question gets thrown at me every single time I step out……….hahahahaha! I am a very social person at the same very private…..(I know some people might find it a bit confusing….but hey! That’s me!

I am single, the truth of the matter is that men who are ready for marriage are not scarce, I get marriage proposal almost on daily basis…the issue is not about saying ‘YES I DO’ but saying YES to the that person who is RIGHT for me….a man with a good heart, sense of humour, who is simple, and has a vision which to me is the essence of being together for a long haul because I am going to be carrying his name. For me, that vision is truly who the man is….anyone who values vision in a person will understand what I am driving at. And of course a man who will not forget important dates like Birthday, Easter, Christmas, New Year and Valentine.

I believe that no man is created to be alone, so being with someone is for everybody as a single lady my advice to fellow single ladies is …do not allow the man who has 90% quality of what you want slip off you because he doesn’t have money… Its takes God’s favour and a man’s hard work to be rich. It is always better to build wealth with your man than waiting for a readymade man….But hey!if you are lucky to find a man who has wealth and other qualities you desire PLEASE BY ALL MEANS go for it. And the idea of getting married because you think age is not  on your side or he has money, that  is not fashionable anymore because it’s God that gives children and wealth.

A man getting married to a lady because of her status (she’s from a wealthy home, she famous blah!blah! )to me such a man is very selfish & such marriage lacks solid foundation.

Friendship, understanding& communication are vital elements in a relationship.

I know someone might be saying she’s not married what does she know..let her wait till she gets in. Well, my answer to that is that I’ve got friends who married for the wrong reasons, spent millions of money on the wedding & the marriage was less than two years.

Who inspires you ?

 There are so many people but the one person I can always rely on is my Mum(she is actually my big sis, but I grew with her ever since I was a baby)! She is the sweetest person I know and she is my everything, she taught me a lot, being able to multitask, she always puts her children’s needs before hers. And very caring to outsiders, you can hardly find her upset, when she is, the anger only last for few seconds. Her strength, encouragement and sweet smile can wake up a dead being…….hypothetically speaking. I am glad these qualities have rubbed off on me.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Hmmm! First and foremost know exactly what you want; it favours you better if you have passion for it. Dedicate your time to it ,that is, be committed to it, research about that product…because everyday different things are springing up, this will help you to be top of your game. Do not be afraid to take risk having known what you want. Most importantly seek for wisdom and help from the Almighty God.

Follow this link  http://xpressurselfshow.blogspot.com.ng/2015/12/at-last-man-vivien-nwandu-is-getting.html to  read more about Vivien Nwandu and  what the audience is saying about her.