FIVE MINUTES WITH RUTH OBIH

She is a Real Estate Investment Advisor, Entrepreneur, a Lawyer and the brain behind 3INVEST, filling the gap with innovative platforms that is changing the way investors/consumers approach real estate. Having attended high level management programs, she’s definitely equipped to be one of Nigeria’s top leading female entrepreneurs! She shares her career transition, challenges and achievement with Style Correspondent, Mojisola Allen.

You are a Lawyer by profession, what prompted you into Real Estate/Entrepreneur?

Yes I am a Lawyer and still one. Nothing really prompts one other than focusing on a means of livelihood. When I started I just wanted to make money to cut the long story short, but three years down the line, I realised that money isn’t wealth and success is not enough then I began to build value.

What do you find most fascinating about being a woman versus being a business woman?

Typically it’s the same. Being a woman sometimes is an advantage because people try to take advantage of your vulnerabilities or are fearful of your actions. Sometimes it’s best to keep them in suspense.

We all had mother figures we looked up to and hoped to be like at some point in our lives, will you tell us some of your favourite women that have inspired you over time?

Hmm… firstly my greatest inspiration comes from my mum whom I believe sacrificed everything to be a good wife and mother. She made me who I am today…I still remember the early days when she will scream me out of bed at 5.30. Today, even my alarm has nothing on my 5am wake up time. So that was a great influence. Also I have a lot of women in the corporate world that have inspired my daily work. However, my greatest influence right now is the first black Flotus and the first new female Potus to be. (winks)

From your perspective, how difficult or challenging is it for a woman to thrive in a male dominated career like yours, what must she do differently to stand out?

I always say, success is not enough. it’s about value. I have always believed in myself so whether you believe in me or not is entirely up to you. I have never seen or approached the real estate world from a female eye. I see it as a business and I deal with it. I would actually say it’s easier to work with the so-called men than women. This brings me close to our theme at the African Women in Real Estate (AWIRE) meeting this year “filling the gender and ambition gap in real estate”.

What’s your story? What prompted you into starting up your company, how long have you been in this line of business?

My story is a straightforward one, a woman filled with passion looking for a place to invest that in. Growing up as a woman in Nigeria is certainly not easy. I grew up from a wealthy home and my dad almost lost his wealth to business. I learnt a lot from that especially how to deal with the financial world. This is our 9th year in business, but I still hustle like it’s the first year.

Talking about challenges, did you have your down moments and did you at any point think about quitting?

Of course, i feel like quitting every single day but that’s what make you an entrepreneur. I say this, people must learn to differentiate between business owners and entrepreneur.s A business owner is there for profit. An entrepreneur is there to change the world. That drive to change the world is what keeps me going.

You run an on-air empowerment programme designed to assist a younger generation of business inclined individuals and investors, can you shed more light on this programme, and how one can access this opportunity?

If you have a vision, you educate the world, i learnt. so i started Real Estate On Air out of the need to give back to the society and to empower the average consumer/ investor to make wise investment decisions through education, information and participation. My gratitude goes to Beat and Classic FM Lagos for giving me that opportunity first of all. When i started 3INVEST IN 2007, access to vital data to help me even write a business plan was a daunting task, so I started creating data and information both online and on the radio. Our effort has digitised the industry and right now it easier to access basic information.

With the current financial meltdown/recession in Nigeria and decreasing real estate value, how do you remain relevant in the industry?

Like i said earlier, after three years in business, i started to think value instead money. What happens with this approach is that you remain resilient in times like these. 3INVEST started during the 2008 economic downturn and we got hit and if we let it hit us again then it’s a choice. We are future-proof.

Are you working on any project presently, where do you see yourself/company in the next 5 years?

Yes we are. The thing about entrepreneurship you must keep creating and updating. I have a vision guided by research with my eyes on trends too. 3INVEST is 10 next year and we just at the edge of identifying our existence. So in the next 5 years, i see 3INVEST using technology to change the commercial real estate space.

You founded “African Women In Real Estate” and started what has become the largest gathering of real estate professionals called “Real Estate Unite” in Nigeria, how have you been able to balance this with family and personal life?

I founded the African Women in Real Estate (A.W.I.R.E) to bridge the gap in women’s disproportionate access to leadership opportunities in real estate. A.W.I.R.E is helping women fulfil career goals. “You can’t be what you really don’t see”. So, through the messages and experience shared, we are glad to see women progress through A.W.I.R.E Network in the real estate sector.

As for Real Estate Unite Summit, i would say it was born out of the need to gain global recognition and provide an access for global inclusion for the real estate industry.

However, It’s not so easy i would say but i’m a very disciplined person, i know the act of counterbalancing. Yes, i have to make a lot of sacrifice but with God all things are possible.

What role does fashion and general appearance play in the line of business?

I think its about style. I believe style should be original and people should respect that. Style defines you to an extent. However, appropriate dressing is always appropriate. For me, I’m more of a classic dresser than trendy one. Maybe because of the home I grew up in and my noble legal profession.

What’s that one fashionable item from your closet you can’t do without everyday?

Nothing really… nothing is God over me but I love my jewellery especially my wristwatches.

Your style icon of all times will be?

My big sister Ndidi Anyaehie (winks)

You want to be remembered as?

That woman who changed the real estate industry in Africa.