Chief Tony Ojo, soft spoken and easy going, is the brain behind Lagos’ first Gentlemen’s Club. From Edo State, the astute businessman opened up to YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s AZUH LILIAN recently on what prompted the setting up of Unique Gentlemen’s Club (on Ogundana Street, off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos), what stands it out and more. Enjoy…
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Chief Tony Ojo and I hail from Edo State. I am married with kids.
What separates Unique Club from other clubs?
Unique Club is a gentleman’s club as you are quite aware, so it’s quite different from others and it’s for gentlemen only. It’s where gentlemen come after work, relax and ease their stress. That’s what it’s all about.
What makes a gentleman?
(Laughs) There are so many things that make a gentleman; like being responsible is one of the things and so many others. To me, being responsible is what makes a gentleman.
For how long have you been in the hospitality business?
I have been here now for about ten years; same place, same address and same street for ten solid years.
Who are your mentors in the hospitality business?
This is the first gentlemen’s club in Lagos. I don’t know about other parts of Nigeria. Unique Club is the first gentlemen’s club in Lagos.
What got you interested in the hospitality business?
I have seen so many of our people coming abroad to just club and relax. So, one day I thought about it that instead of them coming overseas to enjoy themselves, I can as well set up something like this here and they won’t need to go far and besides, the money stays here as well. So, that was what gave me the idea. Also, I am a fun-loving person to start with and I have so many friends who are also fun-loving people as well. I have friends from all walks of life.
How old is Unique Gentlemen’s Club?
Unique Club will be ten years by this December 2016.
What has sustained Unique Club thus far?
We like to do our thing in our unique way and that’s where we got the name (Unique). And we keep adding new styles that are in vogue each time I travel abroad.
What is your dream for Unique Gentlemen’s Club?
For it to continue making our customers happy always.
Tell us your success story…
It has not been easy, because earlier, most Nigerians criticized us a lot and it was a bit difficult, but I thank God that most people are now buying into my idea. And I believe in business, you must take a risk. If you don’t take a risk, you won’t succeed in business. It has always been like that. But so far, so good, we are paying our bills and taking care of the bills is very important; take care of our taxes. So, those ones come first and every other one follows.
What is the best way to overcome challenges in business?
The best way is just to endure. You don’t expect that once you start a business, after one, two, three years, the next thing you think of is how to make a lot of money. You have to sacrifice; you have to be patient, because patience is the major and ultimate thing.
What is the toughest challenge you have faced in this business and how did you overcome it?
I think it’s a general thing; not only in this business. Other businesses like us also do. Look at the power sector. It’s a very big challenge in this country and to run a business successfully in this country with power, it’s difficult. We all know the prices of diesel and petrol. And whatever we make goes into these two things and at the end of the day you must also pay your electricity bill. It’s not been easy and I wish something can be done about the power sector.
As a businessman, where do you draw your strength from?
Yes, my strength comes from God and all power belongs to God. If your strength does come from God, there’s no way you can do anything on your own. And also getting encouragement from family, people coming around to say we love what you are doing. Some medical doctors that come around after work appreciate what we do and say it helps to reduce stress. All that keeps me going and makes me want to do more.
What does money mean to you?
It means a lot and the only way you can keep running your business is to have money of course, and if you don’t have money you cannot handle or run a business.
What is your definition of success?
Success in whatever I do means a lot to me, because it gives you the energy to do more, because if you are not succeeding, you will be discouraged. Success is always good in whatever we are doing.
You are so humble in spite of all your achievements? Why?
It’s my nature, probably my upbringing. And it’s also the way we were brought up. We were taught to respect everybody, no matter who they are and that’s the best way to live.
What do you do for relaxation?
I do a lot of reading, go to the gym and watch live matches. That’s all.
What’s your advice to the youths out there that want to be like you?
My advice to them is that it’s not easy to do this business; they need to be patient and focused. Because both are the ultimate.