How did you venture into this line of business and what prepared you for it?
I ventured into the beauty and makeup industry back in 2006 when I first contested as Miss Olabisi Onabanjo University of which I emerged the third runner up. After two years, I re-contested for Miss Olabisi Onabanjo University and I won. That was in 2008. I also bagged two other awards; Miss Evening Dress and Most Outstanding Contestant.
During this period of two weeks camping, various makeup and beauty brands were invited to enlighten and train us to improve our looks. But being Queen gave me more advantage and exposure to various makeup gurus, thus preparing me for today by sparking up my interest to become a professional makeup artiste cum beautician.
What has the experience been so far?
Hmmm…the experience has been very interesting yet extremely challenging, as the makeup awareness is greater now compared to some years back. Almost every lady is a makeup artiste now but to carve that niche and be outstanding involves a lot of money as being a seasoned makeup artiste cum beautician is capital intensive. One needs dedication, constant practice and perseverance because there are times you will start out doing makeup for a low fee or even free just to get known and gradually as you become known for your creativity you can charge higher especially when you are in a good location, clients pay better as compared to the low class areas.
Do you ever wish you had a 9 to 5 job?
Oh, well I do sometimes when my mum or siblings feel because of my current location I’m not earning what I really should be earning because I’m not amidst the right clients, I’m located in a shopping complex where we have banks and offices and my outlet is not on the main road where it is noticeable. They say as a Law graduate and English educationist, if I am employed in a good company with an attractive pay, I really won’t have to go through all the stress and hustle.
Sometimes, I feel they are right especially when I had an accident at my outlet when I crashed my left knee into the show glass for items display that which landed me in the emergency ward for a surgery …I almost had a rethink on being an entrepreneur but I’m almost there now. I have been hustling hard as a businesswoman and entrepreneur for three years now. I’m growing my brand, Avantgarde Makeup Studio, Spa and Beauty House, with other businesses on the side. With all my ideas and plans, a little push or support will get me to the top where I belong.
How do you think the government can help young entrepreneurs?
The Nigerian government can help young entrepreneurs by creating grants, funds, loans, workshops, seminars to help us grow and to help us interact with other young or old entrepreneurs in different fields within and outside Nigeria that can share their experiences and success stories on how to efficiently run a business no matter how bad the economy is.
Who has been the greatest influence on you?
My greatest influence had been my late father, Gregory Taiwo Uddin, a legal mind, teacher, chartered insurer, former Boys Scout Commissioner For Lagos State, business mogul, staunch Catholic and a lover of good music.
He built my interest in Law by training me to become a good orator. I was a champion in literary and debating competitions from primary and secondary schools till the university, representing the Faculty of Law for moot court session within and outside the university. All thanks to my dad.
How do you think young people can make the best of their lives?
I think young people can make the best of their lives by being educated and acquiring any skill of their choice. Skill acquisition is very good though it’s not really appreciated in Nigeria, it’s a means of income and it keeps us busy with no time for unprofitable ventures.
Education first though, as it helps you see things differently. You are more refined, you value time and you are innovative which will attract customers to you because they can tell you are educated. It reflects in your business and above all knowing God and being prayerful is key.
What is your definition of success?
My definition of success is me looking back someday seeing all the lives I have impacted positively and all I have achieved by the grace of God and being able to confidently say to myself in Latin like the Roman Emperor Caesar “Veni Vidi Vici “ “I Came, I Saw, I Conquered”.
What are your values?
My values are, I’m original, hardworking, trustworthy, reliable, respectful, kind, innovative, disciplined, tough and credible.
As a person, what drives you?
The quest for success drives me to keep moving and to never stop working smart and grinding hard. The refusal to fail and the urge to make a positive impact where ever I find myself, to carve my niche in the beauty, makeup industry within and outside Nigeria, to be reckoned with as a successful young entrepreneur in the business world at large.
What has been your greatest personal challenge?
Lack of readily available funds to drive my business strategies and plans that will place my business on the right track for expansion. Having this will bring about a rapid growth in profit and creation of jobs for unemployed youths.
and then