Taiwo Fashipe is a Nigerian multiple-venture founder, brand strategist, and lifestyle curator whose work sits at the intersection of business, culture, and intentional living. She is the Founder and CEO of Alexandrite Luxury Retail, a premium gifting and lifestyle company. A true connoisseur of scent and sensory storytelling, Fashipe believes that luxury is not excess, but intention. This philosophy led to the launch of Isibhahome, a scent brand inspired by the meaning of ‘a place called home.’ In this interview she speaks on empowerment and others

Can you share how you began your journey
I didn’t have it all planned out from the start. As a matter of fact, I just had a simple idea and was willing to give it a shot. My journey started with creating gift boxes that were thoughtful and felt special. As time went on, it turned into something more meaningful. We began with a simple idea, curating beautiful gift boxes, but it didn’t take long for us to want to do more. So, we decided to expand our offerings to include luxury gift items, and from there, we created our own unique set of products. It’s amazing to think about how far we’ve come, from a small apartment filled with boxes to opening our first store, and now, we’re excited to be moving into an even bigger space.

How has your brand evolved over time?
Alexandrite became about creating experiences, not just selling products. Then I started Isibhahome, which is even more personal to me. It’s about telling stories through scents, creating emotions and memories, and giving people a sense of belonging. So, really, my journey has been about moving from just selling things to creating meaningful experiences. It has evolved from being about transactions to being about connections and feelings.

What would you identify as the most significant factor behind your success?
Consistency, not perfection, has been everything for me. Just showing up, even when things weren’t perfect, and being willing to start before I felt completely ready. I have failed many times, and there were moments I invested everything I had and got stuck. But I didn’t quit. I kept refining, evolving, and pushing forward. I’m glad I did, because that consistency is what built the brand into what it is today.

In your experience, who tends to give gifts more frequently between Nigerian men and women?
Without a doubt, women are naturally more intentional when it comes to emotional expression, so gifting feels more personal and thoughtful to them. Men do gifts too, usually for important occasions or with a little prompting, but women tend to do it more often and with much greater attention to detail.

As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier you have faced?
One of the biggest challenges has been having to constantly prove that I deserve to be in the rooms I operate in. Sometimes, people don’t immediately take you seriously, so you learn to let consistency and results speak for you.

How does your company actively support and empower other women?
A lot of what we do is built around collaboration and opportunity. Many of the artisans, creatives, and vendors we work with are women, and we’re intentional about creating spaces where women can contribute, grow, and be seen.

What inspired your decision to venture into this space?
It came from noticing a gap. I had worked with High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) for a long time, and one thing I always wanted was to be able to come back and say thank you in a way that felt truly memorable. Every time I outsourced gifts, they never quite captured the thought, detail, or feeling I had in mind. That was when I realised this was something I wanted to do myself.

One phrase I usually repeat is, “Your gift will make room for you.” I saw that people wanted premium, meaningful gifts, but there weren’t many options that delivered this in a thoughtful, modern way. This gave me the opportunity to bring together my love for detail, storytelling, and creating experiences that make people feel valued.

How do you balance professional pursuits with family responsibilities?
I’ve learned that balance is not always perfect. Some seasons demand more from work, and others from family. What matters most is being present where you are and creating support systems that help you manage both.

Do you have female mentors or women who have inspired you?
Yes, definitely, both personally and from a distance. I’ve always been inspired by women who grow with intention, stay grounded, and continue building without losing themselves. Those journeys remind me of what’s possible.

What guidance would you give to women who have ambitions but don’t know how to begin?
Just begin with what you have. You don’t need everything figured out from day one. Start small, stay committed, and allow yourself to grow as you go.

What’s the secret of your success?
Honestly, there’s no secret. It’s discipline, intentionality, and the willingness to keep showing up, even when things are uncertain.

Are Nigerian women collaborating enough, or is there room for more growth?
There’s definitely room for more growth. Although we are seeing more collaboration now, there is still so much power in women choosing partnership over comparison, because that’s where real impact happens.

In what ways have you influenced the gifting and lifestyle sector in Nigeria?
I believe we’ve really shifted the way people think about giving gifts. It used to be something you did just because you had to, or at the last minute. But now, it has become a much more thoughtful and personal process.

For us, giving a gift is more than just handing someone something; it’s about really understanding who they are, what they like, and what fits into their life. We want to create something that feels special and meaningful from start to finish. It’s about showing you care and pay attention to the little things that make someone unique.

What key insights have you gained about gifting culture among Nigerians?
One key thing I’ve learned is that Nigerians don’t just give gifts for the sake of it; they give gifts to make a statement. Gifting here is deeply intentional, social, and often tied to how people want to show up for others. It’s a way of expressing love, appreciation, status, thoughtfulness, and sometimes even identity.

I’ve realised that people are not just buying an item and handing it over; they’re thinking about how the gesture will be received and how it reflects them. They want the gift to feel impressive and memorable. Once I understood that, it changed the way we approached everything, from what goes into each box to how every detail is presented.

What advice would you offer to the next generation of female leaders?
Start before you feel fully ready. You learn so much by doing, and clarity comes with movement. Most importantly, stay consistent, because small efforts over time create real results.