Mrs. Monalisa Abimbola Azeh, a lawyer with LLB from University of Lagos, BL Nigerian Law School. She has undergone business trainings at Fate Foundation (Aspiring Entrepreneurs’ Program) and Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University, Certificate of Entrepreneurial Management EDC
How and why did you decide to go into your business? What alternatives did you have before choosing to go into the business you are known for?
I chose to go into my business because I felt a need to make an impact with my life as I was 39 years old when I started and I wanted to achieve something. I was confused though because I had options. Law, events management to mention a few. I was advised to pray about it before making a choice which I did. I had earlier dabbled into shoe-making but not seriously, so when it became apparent to me that this was the way for me, I faced it 100%.
What inspires you?
My clients are my greatest source of inspiration. Meeting their needs, wowing them. Making them stand out.
Who inspires you?
God is my ultimate source of inspiration. Nigerian men and women are very stylish too. I get inspired by how we dress and put our clothes together. I also draw from designers like Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo because they do ladylike glamour which is in sync with my style.
If you are not doing this business what other business would you have gone into?
Theatre, Film Production something artistic.
What keeps you going?
I enjoy my work tremendously. Most times it doesn’t feel like work.
Also, the fact that my work meets needs keeps me going. It provides employment for my remarkable team and provides solutions to my clients’ needs.
If you are given another chance to start all over, will you choose this path?
Yes I would. 
Do you feel like the person in the following story sometimes?
Have you ever felt that – without regret – you have chosen and are on the wrong path, and though you wish to be free of it, abandoning this road will cause much more chaos and hurt than staying on it? (Sue-Ann Marquis)
I had moments in my life that I absolutely knew that I was on the wrong path. For instance, when I became an executive for a record company.My paycheck was good, I had a woman I loved next to me but… something vital was missing.
For a time, I had the impression that if I let go, it would cause much hardship for us. But inevitably the situation got unsustainable. I was truly unsatisfied with my life and started to notice that my soul was dying in the process.
I decided then to leave my job and travel for 6 months across Europe with Christina (this was back in 1982). This initial travel enabled me to encounter my master in Germany, then Amsterdam. From this moment on, I focused on trying to get as close as I could to my calling: being a writer.
However, it took an extra 4 years to actually be able to tell a story – my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostella (The Pilgrimage).
So – in order to answer your question: yes, I walked a path that wasn’t mine. I felt scared to leave this path that I knew so well. But the moment I stepped out, it turned out that all the demons I expected to face weren’t there at all. I had hardships of course, but all was worthwhile – because my soul was alive. Paulo Coelho
Great writer! Read one of his books. Yes when I was practicing law, I felt like that. I stepped out and did other things. I don’t regret my journey though. It’s all combined to make me who I am today.
What roles do/did family and friends play?
Friends and family were my initial customers and still form the core of my customer base. And they are my main Brand Ambassadors. They spread the gospel of Mona Matthews and also give me information, advice and network. Their encouragement is unrelenting.
Anything else you want people to know about you
Mona Matthews is a wholly Nigerian Outfit. Our shoes and bags are made here in Nigeria by highly skilled men and women, using the best materials. We give our customers guarantee on all our products. Our customers testify of the durability of our products. Our aim is to produce stylish shoes without discomfort. We listen to our customers and design based on their needs. We make to order and also operate a ready to wear range too. We sell on Konga and from our shop in Elizade Plaza. We take orders from anywhere on the Globe and ship once the shoes are ready.
