This week, ADMARP One-on-One is shining the spotlight on Dr. Mary Jimoh, an astute marketer, Lagos “hustler”, and marketing manager at Olivora Cosmetics Limited.
ADMARP: Did you choose marketing, or marketing chose you?
Mary: Marketing chose me.
When I first moved to Nigeria, I had to send so many Cvs to apply for jobs. When that wasn’t forthcoming, my husband and I decided to launch a T-shirt business. That was how I acquired my marketing skills; I learnt from the Lagos hustle.
ADMARP: What is your greatest weakness?
Mary: Trying to help people. Some people tend to appreciate it, and others, well, lets just say they don’t see it that way.
ADMARP: What is the idea of you people have that is quite contrary to who you really are?
Mary: I feel that people think I am naïve and that I can’t do the job. At the end of the day, I end up doing it brilliantly. I am also lucky to have a team that believes I can take on tasks and execute them beyond expectations.
ADMARP: What can you describe as the most groundbreaking moment/period in your career journey?
Mary: My career has traversed many areas; event management/customer service training/ counseling, account management and research among others.
The Nigerian experience has broadened my thinking. You can’t be caught off-guard when you are streetwise. if you do you lose, because Lagos is the typical example of “you snooze you loose”.
ADMARP: What is your favorite food?
Mary: Chips and Chicken
ADMARP: What food do you think is the most overrated?
Mary: Jollof rice. Everybody keeps fighting to be the best, but at the end of the day, it depends on your taste bud.
ADMARP: Tell us something, an unpopular opinion about marketing that you think people should embrace more?
Mary: I have two. The first thing is to know your market. Identify your market very well and stick to it.
Secondly, marketing does not always mean an increase in sales. It is to increase awareness in order to keep your product/service at the top of the mind of the consumer. So that when they want to buy, it’s you they will come to.
ADMARP: If you weren’t a marketing expert, what would you have done differently in life?
Mary: I would have become a mechanic. I have two groups rallying on Facebook and Twitter…
ADMARP: What state are you from?
Mary: I am from Kakamega County in Kenya. My Nigerian home state is Ogun State and I am known as Anike.
ADMARP: What are you afraid of the most?
Mary: The fear of letting myself and my team down
ADMARP: Who is your bestie in the industry?
Mary: Oti Ukubeyinje. I respect his leadership, and most importantly his willingness to guide and teach anyone new in the industry. He is a very humble gentleman.
