Three whole years. Honestly, it still feels surreal.
So before sharing any business tips today, I wanted to share my origin story, because many of you don’t actually know why I started doing what I do.
It all began with my boys.
They were turning five and one, and I wanted them to experience a proper Nigerian-style party,
the kind with amazing food, plenty of drinks, beautiful décor, fun activities, and all the extra touches that make celebrations unforgettable.
the kind with amazing food, plenty of drinks, beautiful décor, fun activities, and all the extra touches that make celebrations unforgettable.
But every supplier and every vendor I spoke to already had an idea of what my party should look like. Everything came as a package, and no one really bought into the vision I had in my head.
So I thought…
Why not create it myself?
And that’s exactly what I did.
That day, without even realising it, OZ Events was born.
The boys ❤
Towards the end of the party, a guest walked up to me and said she absolutely loved everything. She asked who had planned the event because she’d love their details for her own child’s party.
Our customised bottled water
I smiled and said, “I did.”
She looked at me and asked, “Could you do this for me too?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “Absolutely!”
That conversation became my very first client.
Party activity
I remember going home excited. Not because I had planned to start a business, but because something I had created out of love for my children had become something much bigger.
Spot Zack
Fast forward three years…
Today, OZ Events is celebrating its third anniversary, and I thought I’d share five lessons I’ve learned as a business owner over the last three years.
1. Reinvest your profits.
For almost the first two years, every profit I made went straight back into the business.
Not into holidays.
Not into shopping.
Back into OZ Events.
If your business depends on equipment, stock or inventory, your first priority should be building those assets.
Events isn’t a business you casually try for a few months. It’s a journey, and if you’re serious about it, you have to think long-term.
Every backdrop, every stand, every prop and every piece of equipment you own today saves you money tomorrow.
Now, I appreciate this advice won’t apply to everyone. Some people rely on their business as their only source of income. I was fortunate enough to have my engineering career supporting me while I built OZ Events. That allowed me to keep reinvesting instead of constantly taking money out.
Whether it was inventory, training, mentoring or learning more about the market, I invested in the business.
Your future self will thank you.
2. Assets create bigger profits.
This third year has easily been the sweetest.
Why?
Because much of the inventory has already been paid for.
Instead of hiring equipment from someone else, I now own it. That completely changes the profit margin.
The same inventory that once cost me money is now making me money.
That’s why I always encourage new business owners to think beyond today’s event or today’s sale.
Build assets.
Assets create freedom.
3. Register your business early.
One of the best decisions I made was registering my business early.
Ironically, people advised me not to.
They said, “You’re not making a profit yet. You’re putting everything back into the business. Why register now? You’ll have accountants to hire and paperwork to deal with.”
But here’s what I’ve learned.
Being registered builds trust.
It tells clients, suppliers and organisations that you’re serious.
More importantly, it opens doors.
Right now, I’m pursuing an opportunity I simply wouldn’t qualify for if I hadn’t registered my business years ago.
Many organisations don’t just look at your work. They look at your company history, your financial records and whether you’ve operated legitimately over time.
Registering my business wasn’t just about following the rules.
It positioned me for opportunities I couldn’t even see back then.
4. Don’t box yourself into one income stream.
Events are seasonal.
Birthday parties are busy during some months and quieter during others.
That’s why I never wanted OZ Events to become known only for children’s parties.
I want us to create weddings, corporate conferences, seminars, award ceremonies, private celebrations and unforgettable experiences.
The goal isn’t simply to stay busy.
The goal is to build a business that thrives all year round.
Thankfully, that’s exactly what we’re beginning to see.
5. Never undervalue yourself.
This is probably the biggest lesson of them all.
Don’t compete by becoming the cheapest.
Compete by becoming valuable.
I know there are businesses that charge far less than I do, and that’s perfectly okay.
My prices reflect my creativity, my planning, my experience and the quality I deliver.
Every event I accept means time away from my family, time away from my children and time away from other opportunities.
So every booking has to be worth it.
I’ve learned not to lower my prices simply because I want to stay busy.
Not every client is your client.
The right clients don’t just pay your invoice.
They value what you bring.
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Three years ago,
I honestly had no idea where this journey would lead.
I simply knew I loved creating experiences.
I loved seeing people’s reactions.
I never imagined it would become this.
Some of the greatest rewards haven’t even been financial.
They’ve been the friendships, the referrals, the trust people have placed in me, and the smiles at the end of every event.
And now, opportunities are beginning to open that I once only dreamed about.
When they become official, I’ll definitely be sharing them with you.
To every single person who has booked OZ Events, referred us, supported us, encouraged us or simply believed in us…
Thank you.
Here’s to the next chapter.
Here’s to bigger dreams.
Here’s to many more years of creating unforgettable experiences.
Happy 3rd Anniversary, OZ Events. 🤍
Follow OZ Events on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content, event transformations, business lessons and plenty of inspiration.
📍Instagram: OZ Events
With Love,
Ayo
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