Being busy doesn’t build a business,’ Oladehin tells event professionals

Entertainment executive Temidayo Oladehin has urged professionals in Nigeria’s live events industry to move beyond the culture of constantly chasing jobs and focus on building sustainable businesses.

Oladehin made the call on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the second edition of the Amplify Conference, themed The Business of Life, where stakeholders examined the financial and structural challenges confronting technical professionals in the country’s entertainment industry.

“I finally stopped confusing being busy with building something,” Oladehin told participants, stressing that long-term success requires systems, proper pricing and business structures rather than a calendar filled with gigs.

He said professionals must understand their true value by factoring in years of experience, equipment costs, logistics and preparation when determining what to charge for their services.

According to him, many practitioners mistake cash flow for profit, warning that businesses often fail not because they lack work but because they run out of cash while waiting to be paid for completed projects.

Oladehin added that requesting deposits before commencing jobs should be regarded as sound business practice rather than greed, noting that professionals should prioritise building assets, teams and systems capable of generating income beyond their physical presence.

Conference convener Olusiji Ewedemi said this year’s theme was inspired by the need to help young professionals build lasting careers in the live events industry through sound business practices and continuous skills development.

According to Ewedemi, many practitioners spend weeks or months working on projects only to realise they have little to show financially because they fail to establish proper structures and documentation.

He urged professionals to embrace written contracts and charge according to the value they deliver, while also calling for greater recognition of the technical personnel who work behind the scenes to make live events successful.

Ewedemi also announced the launch of the Amplify Live Production Academy, an initiative designed to provide internationally benchmarked training, mentorship and certification for sound engineers, lighting designers, stage managers and other live production professionals.

Speaking during a fireside chat, sound engineer Precious Taiwo said appearances can be misleading in the events industry, noting that regular bookings do not always translate into financial success.

“It’s very easy for people to believe that you’re making money,” Taiwo said, explaining that business expenses often consume a significant portion of earnings.

Also speaking, Bisilola Bakare identified delayed payments as one of the major challenges facing freelancers, urging professionals to insist on contracts, upfront deposits and fair pricing to ensure the sustainability of their businesses.