During the early phase of Arteasy Nigeria, some said we were wasting our time, oh the business wasn’t viable, oh you’re just young lads full of energy and work, relax and chill … but chilling and relaxing won’t get you to your goal.- Abolarinwa Adegunloye, Arteasy Nigeria Chief Operating Officer
Jekami Adetiloye O.: In August of last year, Arteasy Nigeria won the Techpoint Startup grant. And this year, this Techpoint Award happened. What would you say is the distinguishing factor that keeps propelling Arteasy Nigeria as an online art supply marketplace?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: For us, at Arteasy Nigeria I believe it’s our core principles that drive us to constantly strive for progress and innovation. Last year we won the grant quite alright but we had a whole lot of work to do in-house judging from feedback and the sheer will to always be at the top of our game in the art industry. Beyond this, we see many more gaps and challenges that need to be solved in this space as we chase our goal to be the centre of Art in Nigeria. We will not stop innovating and breaking those barriers.
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In October of 2021, the reputable Techpoint announced the call for preliminary nominations of Nigerian startups efficiently exploiting the technology in offering excellent services to their customers in their various business specializations. Arteasy Nigeria was nominated by Nigerian audiences for the Most Outstanding Marketplace Startup 2021. A category for “startups that did an excellent job in online retail (B2C and B2B spaces), making it easy for Nigerians to shop online, between January 2021 and now (the time during the announcement last year).
Jekami Adetiloye O.: What are some of the gaps Arteasy Nigeria has filled?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: Arteasy is a reliable online platform where one can shop art & craft supplies from the basic ones to the complex and intricate. Being able to access creative supplies anywhere within a short time. Arteasy Nigeria just in 2021 alone released over 45 informative blog posts ranging from [interviews, art exhibitions, and event coverage, to the essential knowledge that every creative person should have.] Arteasy Nigeria has made sketchpads quality and affordable to creatives and even students in secondary and higher institutions
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Jekami Adetiloye O.: Did you ever think all of this would be enough for Arteasy Nigeria to win this award?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: To be honest, I was in doubt, the other nominated brands in their own right and industry space are doing just as great. I am grateful to God for this win, trying to rationalize it just doesn’t work.
Read how the Techpoint winners were chosen here
Jekami Adetiloye O.: How many awards were Arteasy Nigeria nominated for?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: For Techpoint awards 21, there were categories that fit our business model, but we only got shortlisted for one, which is the “Most outstanding marketplace Startup 2021”
For us, at Arteasy Nigeria I believe it’s our core principles that drive us to constantly strive for progress and innovation.-Abolarinwa Adegunloye.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: You and the Arteasy Nigeria C.E.O Michael Dubby are young creatives who are making things happen in the art world and running Arteasy Nigeria which unarguably is the first and No.1 online art supply store in Nigeria competing strongly with the best art supply chains in Africa. You keep raking in awards and partnerships at home while collaborating with international brands. What would you say to creatives or artists who doubt the power of their dreams, ideas, imaginations, and passion?
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Abolarinwa Adegunloye: To them, I would say if you have a vision, a dream, and a goal ask yourself if it is viable. Does it have potential? Does it resonate well with your personality? Do you see yourself still pushing that dream in the next 5yrs? If so then full force ahead. Thoughts of doubt will come that will make you second guess it. But make sure you have clarity so you don’t journey blindly. During the early phase of Arteasy Nigeria, some said we were wasting our time, oh the business wasn’t viable, oh you’re just young lads full of energy and work, relax and chill … but chilling and relaxing won’t get you to your goal.
“We see many more gaps and challenges that need to be solved in this space as we chase our goal to be the centre of Art in Nigeria. We will not stop innovating and breaking those barriers.”– Abolarinwa Adegunloye.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Did you have fun at the Techpoint Award Dinner Night?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: Oh yes I sure did, from getting to network and speak with leading professionals in their respective fields to the RnB and dinner proper. I have to say it was a splendid arrangement from the guys at Techpoint, big ups to them.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: What are some of the new additions to the services offered by Arteasy Nigeria as a tech-savvy marketplace?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: Oh, nice! For this just to mention a few, we recently added the SFA (shipped from abroad) product option.
Read More about SFA here
We also added CRP ( Customer Reward Program) based on a point system through which one can earn discounts and points just from regular activities on the site.
Read More about CRP here
Definitely, we have some more in the pipeline.
If you’ve been following our social pages you should know we’re already cooking something huge.– Abolarinwa Adegunloye
Jekami Adetiloye O.: When you got the award event invite or call that Arteasy Nigeria won the award, what was your reaction?
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Abolarinwa Adegunloye: Getting the invite was unexpected. I didn’t even spot the mail on time. Lol. But as for winning the award I was in a way kinda expecting it. I was tense no doubt but I had a bit of reassurance on my inside, just knew it was going to come home.
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Jekami Adetiloye O.: How was it like winning the Techpoint award?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: IT was awesome, the first of its kind. Arteasy Nigeria has won a couple of grants and stuff in the past but this one is quite different.
To all our partners and collaborators, you are key figures in our story and we can not deny it, we are very grateful and look forward to many more collaborations in the near future, Thank you.– Abolarinwa Adegunloye
Jekami Adetiloye O.: How important is this award to Arteasy Nigeria?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: To Arteasy Nigeria now not me, this award is proof of all the hard work and sweat that has gone into Arteasy Nigeria. I also see this as a turning point for Arteasy Nigeria.
“This award is proof of all the hard work and sweat that has gone into Arteasy Nigeria. I also see this as a turning point for Arteasy Nigeria.”– Abolarinwa Adegunloye.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: How then did/would you celebrate this moment in the history of Arteasy Nigeria?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: In-house we did celebrate it with the team and to our amazing friends and creatives online we do have things put in place this coming month to commemorate and honor our customers who have been with us thus far.
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Jekami Adetiloye O.: What would you like to say to the Arteasy Nigeria customers and fans who voted?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: Oh wow! At this point, I probably won’t call them customers. To all friends, family, and fans who voted for Arteasy Nigeria making the chance of this even possible I say a big heartfelt thank you on behalf of my partners and my amazing team at Arteasy Nigeria.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: As Techpoint’s Most Outstanding Marketplace Startup of 2021, what should customers expect this year?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: If you’ve been following our social pages you should know we’re already cooking something huge. I’m notorious for spilling more than I should. So I’d stop here, all I can leave for y’all is, just watch us you won’t be disappointed.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: When you were called up to receive the award, can you remember the thank you speech you gave?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: Ohh, clear as the noonday sun. “ we couldn’t have done it without the entire Arteasy Team and our ever-supporting friends (customers) who have constantly given us a reason to strive to give value to the Art industry in Nigeria and Diaspora.”
To be honest, I don’t think a quote can capture how I feel about it (winning this award)– Abolarinwa Adegunloye
Jekami Adetiloye O.: What would you like to say to the entire Techpoint team?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: To the entire Techpoint team, you guys are amazing mehn. Every time I look back to 2018 when we first pitched Arteasy Nigeria in public it was to these very guys at Techpoint. They have been very crucial to our growth as a brand, as we really appreciate every single one of them.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: How important is it for start-ups like Arteasy Nigeria to be recognized at such a grand stage?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: It is very important, very very. Like I said earlier, this is a turning point for us as a brand. And I don’t think the recognition that comes with this can be trivialized by any means. This was a very important part of our journey as a young growing business.
Jekami Adetiloye O.: Words to partners and collaborators who continue to walk with Arteasy Nigeria on this journey?
Abolarinwa Adegunloye: To all our partners and collaborators, you are key figures in our story and we can not deny it. We are very grateful and look forward to many more collaborations in the near future, Thank you.
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