Fatima Abdulkarim Garba is an undergraduate at Bayero University Kano. The CEO and founder of Fantys Glamour, which handles make-up for brides and other customers, shares her start-up story in this interview.
What are the trigger points for choosing this line of business?
I was born and raised in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State and I am a certified freelance make-up artist in Kano. I have spent four years doing the makeup business. One thing I know is that I love to play with colours. I found this profession suitable for myself since it allows a lot of creativity and complements my inborn knack for fashion and glamour. My eye hand dexterity is also very good which supports me a lot in the role.
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What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a young entrepreneur?
As a makeup artist, I think the biggest challenge we face is staying up to date with changing trends and new makeup techniques. Since trends and the fashion industry change so frequently, it forces us to always research the trending makeup looks. Because of this, we have to upgrade our expertise frequently.
How supportive have your family and friends been to you?
Hearing this, I have to laugh because I can say my family and friends were not supportive when I started developing the passion for makeup. Back then, my siblings laughed at me anytime I did makeup or I brought the word make up as my profession.
Their words were discouraging, but still I didn’t relent because it was what I dreamed to do and have the passion for.
I then started by getting myself petty makeup stuff like powder, lipstick from my own savings; Times passed by and the business grew itself.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
My ultimate goal for the next five years is to master my position again and advance into a managerial role within the makeup and fashion field. I aspire to get a big company or studio and run my customized cosmetics brand with my name. More so, I see myself taking up on new makeup projects soon.
Would you advise young people to venture into the makeup business?
The rate of unemployment in Nigeria is growing rapidly. In view of this, the federal government came up with different policies to alleviate unemployment; however, higher institutions produce graduates yearly and these graduates are unemployed. Most of the graduates depend on white collar jobs which are not forthcoming. So, it shows that entrepreneurship education is vital to arresting the trend of graduate unemployment in Nigeria by genuinely encouraging graduates to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship for self-employment and self-reliance.
One needs to know his inherent skills to work towards self-employment and then seek entrepreneurial support. My advice is that Nigerian graduates would need to keep themselves engaged to ensure they are self-reliant and that will curtail unemployment.
What other advice do you have?
For my final words, I can only say that parents should give support for what their children are passionate about, maybe it’s the way to their success, no success comes without dedication and passion. Keep pushing on what you’re doing because nothing comes easy in life, we’ll face challenges in the growing process but when time passes by, it’ll be worth it. Keep praying for God’s blessings and protection now and always, ‘Don’t back down’.
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