Emmanuella Ropo Ayinde Marshall is the stunning wife of Fuji music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall a.k.a. K1 D’ Ultimate. Today, January 1, 2024 is her birthday. For her, celebrating a birthday is about appreciating God’s hands over her life and family. An entrepreneur whose hands is in many pies, she reveals some of her new business ventures in this interview with the Owambevibes team. Also, the beautiful ‘Iyawo Alhaji’ speaks about her life, style and routine. Excerpts…
Owambevibes: Happy birthday to you. How does it feel celebrating your birthday today?
I’ve always looked forward to January 1st of every year. As a child, I saw every celebration as my birthday. But on the other hand, I didn’t like it because everyone would be on holidays and I would not have a chance to celebrate with my friends in school. So, I would cleverly ask my mum to help keep presents that I would take to my friends in school when we resume the following week. In all, I thank God that I am seeing another year in good health. I also see this particular birthday as celebrating God’s faithfulness. In 2023, I remember walking out of the hospital after a few weeks of admission. In fact on Christmas Day of 2024, I wept when I thought about how God worked on my health and well-being in 2023. To God alone be the glory.
Owambevibes: Do you have birthday wishes today?
Birthday wishes? Oh! I just want to thank God for his mercies over my life, my husband, our children, our family members and all that pertains to us. My prayer is for God to do His will in our lives, bless my family, home and business. Also, I want God to grant us long life.
Owambevibes: Talking about business, how did you start the company, Party Dreams Services Limited?
I’ve always loved beautiful things and everyone thought I’d go for interior decorations. But I ended up with children’s party planning and accessories. It was actually a friend, who advised me that since I loved kids and all that have to do with them, why didn’t I have a business that would address that? I jumped at the idea and got a small store in Ogba, Lagos. That was almost 20 years ago and here we are today. Party Dreams is centred on planning kids’ birthday parties and we sell all party decorations. However, we diversified into kids clothing, shoes and other fashion accessories. Now, with God’s Grace, that has also got bigger than what we envisaged. We are into Ready-to-wear for adults now but it’ s basically made from Adire prints.
Owambevibes: It seems you have many subsidiaries now?
Yes, we do. Apart from Party Dreams Services Limited, there is ELL Property & Investment Limited; ELL Realtors; and ELLEBOBO Bodyline Limited.
The ELLEBOBO SERUM Limited is into body/skincare; hair range; perfumes; diffusers and fragrances. All these have kept me busy because I’ve had to do trainings—both local and international— especially on Ellebobo skincare. With different time zones, I have been on my toes minding these businesses. Currently, we have over 50 products awaiting NAFDAC approval.
Owambevibes: Why the name ElleBobo?
It’s a name my husband chose for the business. We were brainstorming on the business name and he suggested ElleBobo. Initially, I was a bit skeptical if it would fly. But it did. ‘Elle’ means a beautiful lady; while ‘Bobo’ means a man. I had to travel abroad and within Nigeria to source for materials and also enroll for trainings. That has kept me off the social scene for a while. By the time I attend to all my businesses, I don’t have time to socialise. There are times my phones are off due to trainings I’m undergoing. I’m too busy to be distracted.
Owambevibes: That must have birthed some rumours especially about you and your marriage?
Rumours will be part of your life if you are married to a celebrity. I’ve always believed it’s a way of life which rumour mongers live by but I am living in peace. Thank God, people are talking about us; only the dead wouldn’t be talked about. I don’t allow rumours bother me. I knew what I was signing into when I married an enigma such as Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde. So, I don’t allow anything anybody says to bother me. Any woman married to celebrities should love her spouse genuinely and be intentional about it. But there’s one rumour that hits me.
Owambevibes: Which one is that?
This could be due to the fact that I am a mum. Whenever I read articles that I had children for different men (some blogs said five men), I feel for my kids. I am blessed with three children and they all have one father. They all bear his surname too. I still don’t understand where this insane rumour emerged from.
Owambevibes: How was growing up like?
I am a local girl from Abeokuta. Many people who know me would tell you that I love travelling to Abeokuta. Anyways, I was born in Abeokuta. Then, my parents lived in Lagos but when my grandmother died, my parents went for the funerals in Abeokuta. I was told that my mother, who was pregnant then, fell into labour. That was how I became an Abeokuta baby on January 1. I was christened Emmanuella Oladunjoye by my father but the current Alake of Egbaland (then he was not a king) named me Morounropo.
Owambevibes: Are your parents still alive?
No, they are both late. My father died a few years back but my mum died around 15 years ago. My dad retired from Nigerian Ports Authority but became a customary judge after retirement. My mum hailed from Igede Ekiti. She was a princess. I attended school in Abeokuta. I later attended Yaba College of Technology where I read Estate Management. Ive done other certification courses after Yabatech.
Owambevibes: You are the Seriki Iyalaje of Egbaland; the Otun Iyalode of Igbehin and the Lika of Itesi. So, your love for Egba made you accept all these chieftaincy titles?
I love my culture, African heritage and my town. Igbehin consists of 400 township and we are a good people. My title, Otun Iyalode, is not a honourary title but a traditional conferment that has to do with our roots. Mind you, my parents also held traditional titles. For those thinking that I am too young to be Iyalode, let me reveal that my dad, who held over 13 traditional titles, became a chief before he married my mum. I’m not too young to be a chief.
Owambevibes: Are you the firstborn?
No, I am the fifth of seven kids and I am the extrovert amongst all. Others prefer their privacies and are abroad.
Owambevibes: What are life lessons learnt so far?
I have learnt my lessons, I don’t talk to anybody about myself again. Now, I think through things before I do or say them and I don’t give room for friendship.
Owambevibes: What would be your advice to young people who aspire to succeed like you?
First, be humble and don’t ignore small beginnings. I am from an average and not rich family. When I started this business some years ago, it was small but today, I have it on a huge property. While it grew, I didn’t allow my social life to affect whatever I did in business. Though there were challenges, my passion for the business kept me going. Also, I would tell young people to be contented with what they have. I’m just in my 40s and still aspire to be more successful but not at the detriment of others. I am contented with what I have. I started my business and it took me like two years before I could bring a 40ft container into the country.
Owambevibes: But you have a wealthy spouse now?
Well, I have always been a hard-worker, even when there was no man. I still think that ladies shouldn’t be thinking of making money from men. I don’t see men as the source of any woman’s money. Even if a man gives you money and you start a business without knowing the intricacies, then you will fail. When you slay, you must work hard too. I slay but I work very hard. I must have gotten that trait from my mum.
Owambevibes: How do you merge being a wife, mum and businesswoman?
To me, family is important and family is everything. Envy, jealousy and backstabbing from friends crashed my first marriage which produced three lovely children. Now, my attention is on my family—no more friends.
Owambevibes: You are fashionable with a taste for quality, what inspires your dressing?
What I wear is inspired by my mood and the event I am attending. There are days I want to go all glammed up and there are days I want to be simple and dress casually. I love good jewellery too and I do my beads myself.
Owambevibes: You look great for a mum of three, what do you eat?
I eat more of veggies, more of fish, less of beef and I have cut down on my carbs especially in the evening.
Owambevibes: Your skin is lovely…?
I scrub my skin a lot. I use a good oil-based moisturizer, with vitamin c. My simple beauty routine is, cleansing the dead cell by exfoliating my skin and using shea butter-based cream both morning and night.
What beauty tips would you like to share with women in their 30s?
Visit the spa more frequently, eat healthy and take a minimum of eight hours sleep. Do not focus only on your face but every part of the body needs to be cared for.
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