We had the good fortune of connecting with Sadiq Ola-Dauda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sadiq, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For me I have always wanted to start my own brand and make beautiful dresses for people. When the timing was right I started.

I started off by working in the customer service field working a 9-5 in retail. From working retail I transferred to being a customer service rep and worked that until I had enough money to quit my job and start my business.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Ashford by Sadiq is a women’s wear brand catered to all shapes and sizes. We design custom pieces and we have a line of custom ready to wear dresses. What sets my business apart from others is I offer beautiful designs to women of all sizes. Regardless of a women’s body type she can come to me knowing that she will leave with a dress that accentuates her curves.

Starting the business was not easy. It came with lots of trial by error. I overcame my challenges by continuing to persevere and focusing on the end goal is which is to continue to learn the craft and create beautiful dresses. I have learned a few things along my journey but two of the most pivotal lessons is learning when to say no and how to manage my time.

I want the world to know that Ashford by Sadiq is here to stay and to never give up on your dreams. As a child growing up in a Nigerian home, my parents always wanted me to be a petroleum engineer. So I had to work hard to prove to myself and my parents that my dreams were attainable.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am an introvert but I do enjoy good Nigerian food so I love going to Suya Sport. It is a Nigerian restaurant in Owings Mill, Maryland. I also enjoy going to the movies and shopping.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have always known the basis of fashion because I had an apprenticeship in Ogun State, Nigeria as a teenager but I would like to shout out Baltimore City Community College. The taught me the basis of starting a fashion business in the US. From them, I was able to learn the technical aspects of creating a garment on different body types knowing I would be creating pieces for beautiful curvy women in the future.

I want to shoutout my parents for being supportive throughout the years and my siblings and friends for being my source of inspiration. You all are the foundation that I continue to build on.

Website: https://www.shopabysadiq.com/

Instagram: ashfordbysadiq

Twitter: ashfordbysadiq

Facebook: facebook.com/ashfordbysadiq

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.