The Nigerian Tech Startup ecosystem has grown exponentially in recent times covering virtually every facet of human endeavor. Also, aside from the growth in numbers, many have received accolades both locally and internationally. However, there is nothing has important has having a conducive habitat for the conduct of business and breeding of ideas for expansion.
Here is where Spazio Ideale fits in. The company designs state of the art interiors for tech startups to match startup concepts, provide conducive atmosphere for conduct of business and of course comfort for both internal and external publics. In this interview, the CEO OF Spazio Ideale, Tomi Bamgbelu shared with Innovation Village the mission of the company, what it has to offer and a lot more.
Can we meet the you?
My name is Tomi Bamgbelu, some people call me Lola. Spazio Ideale was launched in 2015.
Can you tell us about Spazio Ideale and what it has to offer?
The name of my business is Spazio Ideale Interior Design (SIID); we are an Interior Design Consultancy firm that provides interior design services for varied types of projects, our focus is on tech companies that require a creative office space with innovative and out of the box design.
We work with Architects, Engineers etc.to bring out uniquely tailored interiors that reflect our client’s brand.
Our interior design services are broken down into concept design, schematic design, implementation and project management. Our aim as an interior design company is to create an interior that is holistic in its function and form, so all the elements of the space are united as one. This aligns to our company’s vision which is improving the lives of our clients through exceptional design and excellent execution.
What motivated the setting up of Spazio Ideale?
I have always had a passion for design and I believe that I can provide value through running a design business. So it was a no-brainer when I had to quit my 9-5 at a Telecommunications Firm Ericsson to study interior design in Italy and then start a business
What is unique about the services Spazio Ideale has to offer?
With the Vision to improve the lives of our clients through exceptional design and excellent execution, our services are uniquely tailored to meet this goal. We therefore offer uncharted creativity, time efficiency and good quality results in our delivery.
With Spazio Ideale, you can be sure to have a space that’ll be uniquely tailored to your brand with creative ideas that would stand out from the rest.
How does Spazio Ideale work?
Our process is broken down into four steps: 60 Minute Meeting – Here we get to know our clients for the first time and what they want from us, we also use this opportunity to introduce our mode of work and service to them; Concept Design– Here we give pictorial images of the direction our design would take based on our interpretation of the client’s brief; Detail – As a design firm we deliver working and presentation drawings to the client; Execution – At this stage we make sure to deliver on our design promise and lastly we have the after sale care, where we basically monitor the client’s function in the space and make sure it’s suitable for them. We do this for 3 months.
What has the traction been like since its launch? (Business model and profitability)
As a design company we’ve been slowly but steadily gaining traction and are currently reviewing our business model to be more efficient and dynamic.
What were the challenges encountered and achievements recorded so far since Spazio Ideale launched?
Well, there are a few challenges we’ve faced early on as a business, challenges in areas of Marketing /Business development etc., however as the business is growing we’ve come to face challenges that are growth related such as placing the right structures and systems in place, managing talent, pricing right as well as gaining traction with our Ideal market. We’ve recorded a few achievement as a business, we were one of the lucky few to be selected for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Program, we’ve also moved from being a solo company to having great talents join our cause to name a few.
What advice do you have for prospective entrepreneurs out there?
My advice to prospective entrepreneurs is to choose to do what they love and do it well. For those contemplating starting a business my advice would be that they should gather relevant information about the business they plan on starting, learn as much as they can, conduct their due diligence , identify their target market and start.
What are the future plans for Spazio Ideale?
As a company we plan on being the go-to company for interior designs in Nigeria; with a focus on designing tech start-up and company spaces as well as tech themed Co-working spaces. We also intend positioning ourselves as the foremost interior design consulting firm with in-depth understanding of the future of work as well as the role of workspace designs for Digital transformation.
What do you have to say about the evolving Nigerian start up ecosystem?
Well, all I can say is I’m glad that the scene is evolving; the eco-system is showing a lot of promise especially for Start-ups that are leveraging technology to solve real issues.
