With a thriving career in the banking and then the aviation sector, Mercy Itohan Obasi, founder of Cloud 9, left to pursue event planning, where she found fulfillment, independence and peace. In this interview, she speaks about her journey into the business, the challenges of building a reliable team, balancing family life with entrepreneurship, and how the profession transformed her from a shy person into a confident and outspoken businesswoman. Uzoma Mba brings excerpts
How did you become an event planner?
It was during COVID, six years ago. Naturally, I love working with kids. So, I started out by organising children’s parties. After I gave birth to my last child, I was bored at home as a nursing mother. So, I admired the business from afar, especially from what I saw on the internet. That was how I searched and went for the training here in Lagos, which lasted for two days. Within the two days, I paid attention to all the details and picked up everything I was taught because I was interested.
Event planning is very wide. What is your area of specialisation?
Right now, when one is interested in a profession, one does not leave anything behind. I do everything in events, including catering at events. Whatever I am called to do, I know how to handle it. If it is an 80th birthday, I know the class of guests to be expected. For example, an 80th birthday will have some of the celebrant’s mates, children and grandchildren, who will have their own friends and guests. For a 40th, it is different decoration, food, drink and even music. These are some of the background knowledge required in event planning. A 70th birthday and a wedding are not the same. I am also into corporate events. In fact, I am an all-rounder in my event business. I also consult and handle events outside Lagos.
Before event planning came your way, where were you?
After my graduation from the University of Benin, where I studied Banking and Finance, I did my National Youth Service in a bank. Afterwards, they found me worthy and retained me. That was how I worked in the bank for some years and resigned. Then I got employed at Air France. Within a few years too, I left. Then marriage was knocking on my door. After getting married, pregnancy followed immediately and I left my job. With pregnancy and keeping an eye on my marriage, I needed that break to deliver and re-strategise.
What has been your high point as an event planner?
One of the advantages of event planning is networking. Personally, before now, I used to keep to myself before the business exposed me to the point of meeting a lot of people. I also used to be very shy. I could stay on my own without communicating with others. But today, I have become a different person. My profession has presently made me become an outspoken and friendly person. In such a business, you must be friendly to people around you, both clients and your team. With event planning, a lot of people are involved.
Which particular event re-assured you that you were in the right place?
Honestly, quite a number of them. I cannot pinpoint any particular one. I am proud of every single job that I have executed.
What are you doing differently from other event planners?
We have just added Cloud 9 Treat. Like the name sounds, it is a part of our business. The treat is for adults and children at every event. It is something we just put together by the side even as the event goes on. We have become a one-stop shop for everything in event planning.
What has been the challenge in running events as a planner?
For sure, there is no business without its challenges. Businesses and challenges differ and vary. The truth is that so many youths of this present generation do not want to work. So, we keep changing staff and personnel until one gets the right team. Sometimes, when a client wants you to execute a perfect job and you have a travelling engagement, your mind will not be at rest. You will be on the phone all through, trying to get your team to work. That panic is not good enough. But now, I have built a beautiful team, so I do not panic again even if I am not there.
Which schools did you attend?
We grew up in Lagos. My parents worked with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and lived in their quarters. Then the school was called Nigerian Airport Authority (NAA) Primary School. Now it is called Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Primary School. From there, I proceeded to Ikeja High School before I gained admission to the University of Benin, where I studied Banking and Finance. I have a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), obtained in 2015.
From your course of study, you should have been in the banking industry.
When I was retained in the bank, I was a marketer and did not like it. It was just not for me.
Did you not like that smart outfit and high-heeled shoes?
That was the only good thing I liked about the sector. Others did not appeal to me. I have always wanted to be on my own and do my thing. I needed that freedom. Again, one’s private business will give the individual an opportunity to take care of her family, especially in a young marriage. In fact, most events take place over the weekends. Only a few come within the week. So, from Monday through Friday, one will have time for her family.
How profitable is event planning?
If it was not profitable, I would not be there.
What beauty routine has kept you glowing?
It is the grace of God. I do not specifically have a routine; God has been gracious to me. This is my nature.
You have been married for 14 years. How has it been?
Marriage is a beautiful thing. It is for couples to understand themselves. Everybody has challenges in their marriages, but they handle them with maturity.
How did you and your husband meet?
We met at the FAAN quarters where my parents used to live. He came to stay with his relatives within the quarters too.
What has been your high point?
Raising my kids and seeing my business become successful, even though we are not there yet, have been my high point.
Well, raising kids in an internet space has been a challenge to most parents. What has been your experience?
It has been a big challenge in various homes. Personally, I regulate my kids’ screen time. Throughout the school period, they do not touch phones. But during the holidays, they have access to their tablets with moderation and monitoring. There is a lot on the internet that is not kid-friendly. But God will help us.
How was growing up? Talk about your family.
My growing up was under very strict circumstances. My parents were core disciplinarians. We grew up indoors and were never exposed to anything. For security reasons, the four of us siblings were usually kept inside the house as children. When our parents went to work, they locked us indoors. It was that bad. We had no friends and paid no visits to anyone. It really affected us because it made us a bit timid. As an undergraduate, when other students were having fun, I would think my parents were nearby watching me. But it had its advantages and disadvantages, though to my parents, it was about security and protection. In fact, that was the main reason I chose to go to UNIBEN because my parents did not want us out of their sight. They wanted us to be either at the University of Lagos or Lagos State University (LASU). Luckily then, there was no Banking and Finance at UNILAG. They had Accounting, and that was my escape route. But my other siblings were kept in Lagos schools for their chosen courses.
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One of the advantages of event planning is networking. Personally, before now, I used to keep to myself before the business exposed me to the point of meeting a lot of people. I also used to be very shy. I could stay on my own without communicating with others. But today, I have become a different person
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