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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Business / A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. (12610 Views)
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A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 7:53am On Jun 30, 2014 |
What did you study in school? I have a first degree from Bayero University Kano. I graduated in 2012. I also have a diploma in Mass Communication from the same university. I’m currently the Chief Executive Officer of Sissie Natural. Why did you decide to go into business? I always wanted to be an entrepreneur right from when I was a teenager. When I was in the university I did a little buying and selling business. I joined a youth entrepreneurship organisation, attended seminars and conferences for youth entrepreneurship. During my National Youth Service Corps programme, I learnt a skill and after graduating I started Sissie Natural Company. Why did you choose this line of business? I had some hair problems and tried different products in the market, and they didn’t work the way I wanted. During that time, I was becoming more health conscious and so I started reading about natural, chemical free alternatives. After all these studies, I started making my own hair cream, body scrub and shampoo and I must confess that these worked very well. My friends and family started asking me what I was using, and this spurred me into making hair care products for them and the products also worked for them. Having satisfied them, I decided to study more about natural hair and skin care products and during this time; I discovered I did not only like what I was doing, I started having passion for it. And so I decided to turn it into a business. What kind of skill did you learn during your NYSC period and how has it been beneficial to you? I learnt how to sew clothes and I also make clothes for sale and for personal use. I also learnt cosmetology during that period which lasted about six months and this has helped me in starting and managing the business effectively. What is the nature of the business that you are currently engaged in? Sissie Natural is a natural organic hair and skin care products company. Our products are 100 per cent natural. We deal in the wholesale and retail of carrier oils, essential oils, handmade body soap, body scrub, hair and skin butters and cream. I manufacture the hair cream myself and in doing this, I source most of the ingredients locally. After sourcing for the ingredients, I mix it together based on specifications and then sell. I also co-manage a company with my sister called Mumtaz Bags and Accessories which deals in the wholesale and retail of bags, shoes, clothes, accessories, diamond, silver and gold jewelleries. We ensure our customers get value for their money; high quality products at affordable prices. How long have you been in this business? I have been in business now for six months. How do you manage your business? As a sole entrepreneur I try to understand, manage and take responsibility for every aspect of the business. I ensure my customers get good high quality products. In the beauty industry, quality is very important; it is what makes the customers to continue using the products. As an economist I also ensure a good financial management of the business to guarantee profitability. Who are your target clients and how do you get them? Children, youths and adult. My clients range from babies to grown-ups – everybody that uses hair and skin cream is my target client. Also, of particular interest to me are those people who are interested in natural, organic and chemical-free products. I provide products suitable for the African skin and hair texture. I also source my customers through advertisements using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, online stores and forums. Is the business capital intensive and how much did you start with? The business is not capital intensive. I started with less than N50,000. What advice do you have for fresh graduates that are desperately looking for jobs? Not everyone can get a white collar job due to the high unemployment rate and not all graduates are suited for it. As a fresh graduate, you need to discover what you are good at; be it manufacturing, retailing, hand skills, rendering service and so on. Identify someone who will serve as your mentor and get professional advice from them on how to develop your business plan and start up your business. It is not all businesses that require large capital. You can start up a business with as low as N5,000 and as time goes on, you expand. You also have to understand that not all businesses will succeed immediately. If you fail at the first attempt, go back to the drawing board, learn from your mistakes and re-strategise. That is how you can become a successful entrepreneur. How can government encourage young people to embrace entrepreneurship? Government can help young people embrace entrepreneurship by providing social amenities and infrastructure. Social amenities and infrastructure affect the cost of production and running of businesses. It is the responsibility of government to create an enabling environment for businesses. Government should also help by providing interest free loans and free capital for entrepreneurs. More vocational skills acquisition centres should be made available to the public for free. What are the challenges you face in this line of business? As a new company, convincing prospective customers is a little bit challenging and some of the oils are not readily available in the Nigerian market. Running a business in Nigeria is not an easy task. How have you been able to survive despite the challenges you face? I get motivated and determined to succeed each time I have a client that is satisfied with my products. I tell and show them the quality of our products and give them free samples for them to test. What other key investment principles will you recommend for young entrepreneurs like you? Be focused, have goals and grow your business. As a young entrepreneur you have to work hard to ensure your company grows. Carve out your niche, scan your society like a detective at every time to be able to adjust and strive to be the best in your environment. Strive to understand your competitors and try as much as you can to mitigate risk. Never give up. Talent and education are not enough. Determination and perseverance are very important. http://www.punchng.com/business/young-entrepreneur/you-need-perseverance-to-succeed-bello 30 Likes
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Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by tbaba1234: 8:20am On Jun 30, 2014 |
Good Job Sissie!! Front page please. 6 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by newacca: 8:49am On Jun 30, 2014 |
Well-done Young boss! Please don't underestimate the power of internet. Get a good website and pls. Share ur social media contact. All the best Sis. 6 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Lorenzena(f): 10:50am On Jun 30, 2014 |
wow.I luv dis.keep it up. 2 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by mayorall(m): 11:23am On Jun 30, 2014 |
Well done. Keep it up miss. God provide an helping husband too. 4 Likes
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Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Abuklaw(m): 12:11pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
Wow!! I read this interview yesterday not knowing that the interviewee is one of our own ikwaan. good job there sissie. I have learnt a lot from your perspective. 3 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 12:43pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
newacca: Well-done Young boss! Thank you I will. 2 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 12:49pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
Abuklaw: Wow!! I read this interview yesterday not knowing that the interviewee is one of our own ikwaan. good job there sissie. Thank you. Am glad you learnt from it. 1 Like |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 3:08pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
Nice... Very Nice of you OP. Please how did you get an interview slot and did you pay for it before you were considered to be interviewed? Please reply as I would like to use that medium for something important. Thank you. |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Pavore9: 3:24pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
mayorall: Well done. Keep it up miss. God provide an helping husband too.hian! u don add husband matter to the story! 6 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 3:41pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
2s£xy: Thank you I didn't pay for it. I was given the slot. 1 Like |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 4:05pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
Sissie:okay. How may I contact you so I may ask some questions? |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 4:07pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
2s£xy: Send an email to sissienatural@gmail.com 2 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 4:42pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
Thank. Coming right away! |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 4:46pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
Mail sent. |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by G12(m): 8:04pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
See as you just shot yourself. "What did you study in school?" the answer no even dey ur reply. Sorry, I couldn't continue reading 4 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by BJ4REEL(m): 9:02pm On Jun 30, 2014 |
Nice one op,please keep it up..... I really wish our youths stop looking for jobs that are not available and focus on building themselves entrepreneurially....... Yea,our environment has been a great inhibiting factor with regards business survival, yet people still make cool money with their brain and a special touch of determination,perseverance and passion......#choiceisyourstomake 5 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by born2lead01: 12:05am On Jul 01, 2014 |
Good one, keep it up. |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by deols(f): 2:12am On Jul 01, 2014 |
Well done Sissie. This is an inspiration to young Nigerians. The sky is your beginning. May God bless your efforts 2 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by tunshe: 3:22am On Jul 01, 2014 |
Sissie: Can I send a marriage proposal to this e-mail? May Allah continue to promote your business (Amin). 2 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by tunshe: 3:22am On Jul 01, 2014 |
deols: Well done Sissie. This is an inspiration to young Nigerians. Let me use this opportunity to welcome you back.....Ramadhan kareem! |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 6:44am On Jul 01, 2014 |
deols: Well done Sissie. This is an inspiration to young Nigerians. Thank you. Amin |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 6:45am On Jul 01, 2014 |
tunshe:OK. Amin. 3 Likes |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 1:17am On Jul 02, 2014 |
Sissie:hello ma'am. Any news yet? |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 7:44am On Jul 04, 2014 |
2s£xy: Send me your address. |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 5:35pm On Jul 04, 2014 |
Sissie:I don't use by blogger. is free but mine is paid. I will forward it to your email. Thanks. |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Youngzedd(m): 5:44pm On Jul 04, 2014 |
More grease to your elbow. It will make sense if you include age up there. |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by kentochi(m): 8:22am On Jul 05, 2014 |
2s£xy:bros long time. @OP welldone more grace. |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 8:54am On Jul 05, 2014 |
kentochi:Longest time brother... |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 7:44pm On Jul 13, 2014 |
Sissie, please check ur email |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Nobody: 2:29pm On Jul 16, 2014 |
OP, I have been expecting a reply but if you changed mind, please let me know so I don't keep bothering you with it. Thanks |
Re: A Nairalander Young Entrepreneur Punch Newspaper Interview. by Sissie(f): 4:41pm On Jul 16, 2014 |
2sExy1: OP, I have been expecting a reply but if you changed mind, please let me know so I don't keep bothering you with it. Sorry I have seen it. Will reply 2 Likes |
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