At a moment when youths are busy waiting and looking for white-collar jobs, 22-year-old Yakaka Muhammad Ali chooses to be driven by her passion to be self-reliant. At 22, she became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YK Biz Enterprises, an online business entity with the sole aim of revolutionizing the fashion industry for many to leverage on.
The young Borno state indigene and an undergraduate of Bayero University Kano (BUK), studying Bsc. Chemistry said youths shouldn’t wait for white-collar jobs as the trend in becoming productive has completely changed.
To her, youths should be more enterprising and should learn to be productive.
She said her dream is to ensure that in the bustling world of entrepreneurship, one name shines bright as a catalyst to women’s economic empowerment and that name is YK Biz Enterprises.
She explained that her passion, determination and an unwavering attitude is driven to be self-reliant as well as to set an example for many youngsters, adding that her wish is to take her business to the highest level hence her relentless pursuit of excellence in the fashion realm.
According to her, she was inspired by her unwavering quest for independence as a woman adding that she was inspired by her sister who has been operating a successful business for years.
“What inspired me was my yearning for independence, and not being bound by the constraints of traditional employment. Also, my sister, Amina Muhammad Ali, was my biggest inspiration, she’s into interior decoration and I have always looked up to her,” she said.
She added that when she started, it was like the seeds of innovation were sown.
She came up with a realm of undergarments selling online. The business empire started with a humble beginning and gradually was transformed into a thriving business, redefining standards and setting new benchmarks in the industry with a sense of effectiveness and efficiency.
Yakaka’s new business empire, according to her, is currently facing a series of challenges due to the naira devaluation policy in Nigeria, as most of her wares are being imported into the country.
“My biggest challenge right now is the inflation in Nigeria, it’s causing challenges for businesses like mine. The cost for shipping fee and clearance is really high these days, it’s also driving up costs, squeezing profits and reducing customer’s spending. To manage the challenge, I am currently focusing on efficiency and adapting pricing strategies to stay competitive and resilient in this tough economic environment,” she stated.
She, however, said her biggest strengths are her parents and siblings and also her very good friend Usman who have all been supportive all the way.
She went on to state that her wish for her business in the next five years is to become the best provider of high-quality undergarments, clothing, and fashion wear in general for both men and women worldwide.
According to her, she wants to set the books straight for other youths to follow, adding that she is thrilled to have reached a milestone of selling over 100 pieces of YK underwear to satisfy her growing customers all over Nigeria.
Though she said she has not officially opened her outlet, she is hopeful that despite being an online business entity, she is optimistic that her outlet will soon be launched by God’s grace.
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