In this interview with Mohammed Shosanya, the Founder and Creative Director of Atmospheric Events, Nike Babajide, shares insights into the company”s 13-year journey and how Nigeria’ economy has influenced spending on parties, weddings, and corporate events.
What gap did you see in the Lagos event decor space that made you start Atmospheric 13 years ago?
Interestingly, when I started, I didn’t necessarily identify a particular gap. I had just graduated and gone for training in event decoration and planning. I have always enjoyed organising things, but I didn’t really understand that event planning could be a profession until I attended the training. During that period, I discovered that I naturally had an interest in organisation and administration. Even while I was training, I found myself helping my trainer organise aspects of the store. At the time, event planning was not something many people around me fully understood. It was easier to sell decoration because people could see what it involved.
It is generally believed that most decor brands in Lagos don’t make it past three years. What was your toughest year?
My third year in business, around 2016, was particularly difficult. I remember having about six consecutive months without any business coming in. It was discouraging, and I genuinely began to consider whether I should continue. At some point, I started looking for paid employment while trying to keep Atmospheric running. Eventually, I got an opportunity to work in a coordination role with a planning company known for high professional standards. I was with them for about three to four years, but I never stopped running Atmospheric. That experience was very valuable. I gained more exposure, saw how other professionals worked, and learnt a lot about standards, punctuality and attention to detail.
How has the Lagos event economy changed in 13 years?
The industry has changed significantly. When I started in 2013, many people did not fully understand why they needed a professional event planner. Decoration itself has also evolved. Back then, decoration centred around table covers, chair covers, and centrepieces. Today, it has gone far beyond that. We now pay much more attention to textures, materials, installations, styling and the overall experience guests have. Experience areas have become a very important part of event design. It is no longer just about creating a beautiful space for photographs. Social media has also played a major role. Clients now have access to designs and ideas from different parts of the world.
Another significant change is the growing demand for personalisation. Clients want events that reflect their personalities.
With inflation and import costs, how do you stay creative and profitable?
One of the things we have done is increase our investment in reusable inventory. Rather than continually spending money to rent items from other companies, we try to acquire more of the things we use regularly.
For example, if a project requires 300 tables and we have 150 available, we may decide to purchase additional tables instead of renting the remaining 150. We also generate revenue by renting out our own inventory to other event professionals when we are not using it. We also have to understand the client's budget and help them see what can realistically be achieved. However, there is a limit. We will not accept a project if the budget is so unrealistic that it means compromising quality.
Fuel, logistics and venue costs can drain budgets. How have you built a system to survive these?
Over the years, we have learnt that we cannot depend on just one option. Atmospheric owns a truck and a van. However, we know vehicles can break down, and there are times when we have multiple events that exceed our capacity. Because of this, we maintain relationships with external logistics providers who can support us when necessary. The same applies to our artisans and vendors. We have people who understand our standards. We rely on referrals and proven ability. We also make sure new people understand what is expected through mood boards and proper briefings.
If you had to point to one event that changed Atmospheric's trajectory, which would it be?
One event that comes to mind is the castle-themed wedding we worked on. It was one of the major projects that brought Atmospheric into the limelight. The inspiration came from the couple’s invitation card, which featured a castle. The bride did not want the usual live flowers, so I suggested that we create a castle-inspired stage instead.
Another memorable part was the horse-drawn carriage. At the time, it was not easy to find someone who could provide one. Eventually, we arranged for a carriage to take the bride from her hotel to the venue. That became one of the highlights.
What styling trend is becoming overused, and what will define styling over the next three years?
One thing I have observed is the increasing prominence of experience areas. It has almost become an expectation that a well-decorated event should have an experience area. However, in trying to create these areas, the design and positioning are not always properly considered. Sometimes props are brought together simply to fill a space without enough thought about whether they complement one another. Space management and proportion are very important. An experience area should enhance the venue, not obstruct movement. Looking ahead, I believe thoughtful personalisation and intentional design will continue to define styling. I also see visualisation becoming increasingly important, with more requests for 3D designs.
Beyond beautiful setups, what should Atmospheric be remembered for at 20?
Beyond beautiful events, I want Atmospheric to be remembered for the people it has developed and the impact it has made. One of the things I look forward to is establishing an academy that will help develop the next generation of event professionals. By our 20th anniversary, I want Atmospheric to have grown into an institution that can function beyond my personal involvement.
What still excites you on the morning of a major setup?
What still excites me is the joy of knowing that a client has trusted us with something important and given us the opportunity to bring their vision to life. There is a particular feeling that comes with watching all those plans become reality.
As you reposition for the next growth phase, what exactly is changing?
We are strengthening our positioning while also making room to attract different kinds of clients. We are moving towards more sophisticated and intentional projects, but an intimate event can be just as thoughtful as a large one. Internally, we are restructuring and building a team that can operate more independently with less supervision. We want structures that allow the business to function effectively beyond my day to day involvement. Our main platform will focus more on decoration, while we gradually build the new planning platform and continue strengthening our Party Store and Rentals business which started in 2016. This restructuring has taken several months of deliberate planning and has required patience, commitment and a willingness to learn from past mistakes while building a stronger and more resilient organisation for future growth and sustainability and long term impact and professional excellence across all our service delivery channels today and tomorrow consistently with renewed focus and clarity and purpose and dedication and unwavering commitment for our clients and partners across Nigeria and beyond for many years ahead now and always together united strongly.
How has the national economy, including subsidy removal, high interest rates and reduced disposable income, directly affected Nigerians’ spending on parties, weddings and corporate events?
There is no doubt that the economy has affected the event industry. The costs of transportation, materials, logistics, and other services have increased, and these costs eventually reflect in the overall cost of organising an event. However, I would also say that people are still living their lives and celebrating. Events were expensive even before the subsidy removal and the recent economic challenges. Not everyone could afford certain types of celebrations then, just as not everyone can afford them now. What we are seeing is that people respond differently depending on their financial capacity and priorities. Some clients adjust their budgets, reduce certain elements or look for more cost-effective ways to achieve their vision. Others are still willing to spend significantly because of the kind of celebration they want to have.
With budgets shrinking and more people opting for smaller events, how can Atmospheric remain premium while still being relevant to the middle market?
Being premium goes beyond using expensive materials. It also has to do with quality of execution, attention to detail, and overall experience. Regardless of the budget, we can still pay attention to cleanliness, how flowers are arranged and how space is managed. For Atmospheric, excellence should remain a standard across different budget levels. The scale and luxury may vary depending on the client's investment, but our commitment to quality, attention to detail, and good execution should not.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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