At a time when creative dreams often take the backseat to societal expectations, Architect Olajumoke Sunmonu is living proof that passion, faith, and strategic hustle can build an empire from humble beginnings.
Today, the alumna of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) stands tall as the visionary behind Courageous Event Decor, Courageous Interior, and Courageous Fabrics—three thriving businesses born from a love for color and an unyielding will to succeed.
But her story didn’t start with grandeur. It began in the heart of Akure, Nigeria, with fabric scraps, cardboard backdrops, and handwritten Bible verses.
Architect by Training, Decorator by Calling,
A 2016 graduate of Architecture from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Olajumoke's first canvas was not a glamorous event center but the worship space of the Deeper Life Campus Fellowship. “I started with gospel backdrops,” she recalls, “designing using scriptures and whatever materials we could gather. I didn't think it would become something serious.” It did! It became serious!
With early projects like freshers’ week table setups and student football events, her flair for aesthetics became evident. And while her postgraduate degree followed in 2018 and a government posting at the Ondo State Ministry of Lands and Housing soon after, it was her side hustle—decoration—that began to shine with unexpected promise.
From Niche Events to International Conferences
What started as campus service evolved into registered business under Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission. After completing her NYSC in 2020, she launched Courageous Interior fully armed with skills learned from sewing and fabric-cutting classes in Arakale, Ondo State and field knowledge from years of trial and error.
Her big break? A small December event for a family member of a FUTA Professor. What began as modest décor turned into a golden opportunity, securing a major deal to design the just-concluded FUTA International Conference. “It was God’s orchestration,” she said, grateful to mentors who guided her. “My architecture background helped, but it was my color sense that spoke volumes.”
She has since completed over 50 high-profile events, from weddings to birthdays, with clients sourced via social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram and immediate family connections.
Married, Mother, and Multi-Tasker
Beyond the businesswoman lies the wife and mother—a role Olajumoke doesn’t downplay. With a toddler in tow and a full-time job as a government worker, her schedule is not for the faint-hearted.
“I'm up early to handle WhatsApp messages and content,” she shares. “After work at 4 pm, I review orders and logistics. Weekends are for installations.”
She juggles business growth with family priorities, often facing clients who want “high-standard decor at local prices.” Her negotiation tactic? Professional honesty. “I educate them about value, not just cost,” she adds.
More Than Just Décor: The Birth of a Brand
With Courageous Fabrics, she tapped into a new niche—supplying fabrics for clothing. While she once dabbled in fashion design, she’s clear: “I’m not a tailor. My focus is still interiors and event design.”
Whether it's velvet drapes, wallpaper selections, throw pillows, or thematic backdrops, her obsession with color, texture, and spatial harmony is unwavering. “Color makes the mood. It sets the tone for transformation.”
The Courageous Path Forward
With three businesses, a legal career, and a growing family, Olajumoke could have chosen comfort. But she chose courage—the defining word behind all her ventures.
Her story is not just about decoration. It is about discipline, divine timing, and designing a life where passion fuels purpose. In an era where youth unemployment and economic uncertainty dominate headlines, Oyindamola’s journey shows what’s possible when talent meets tenacity.
And for every young Nigerian wondering if that side hustle can become a legacy, her answer is simple: “Start where you are. Use what you have. And stay courageous.”
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