#31Days31Writers: My girl Nana is ready to wing 2016!

Excited about the entry for today, it’s one of my favorite people on this planet, my own Boo Boo Kitty, Nana! Nana is that kind of friend who will love you fiercely and not let you self-combust, who will stand in your corner at her own expense, even to her own detriment! She’s gorgeous (inside and out), and I’m grateful for the gift of her friendship.

That said, this my friend is a little mad. Sigh. As in, hold her or she’s going to put all of us in a pot and set it to boil kinda mad. But we love her, today, tomorrow, everyday!

Hi! I’m Nana, resident in Abuja, and I’m a lawyer (amongst other things I do).

This may just be a good time to talk about my 2015.

2015 started with me happily waving my mum off at the airport to go home to her husband…okay, I love my mum to bits but when you are the only daughter in an Igbo family you know how it is.

So I had told myself that in 2015, I’ll be much more secluded and less nicer to people but you know how New Year resolutions go; I ruined it all by going to church.

I have lived alone all my adult life and I can count how many times I went to Church. I was not an atheist, I was born Christian but I always had this different simplistic ideology about how life should work and it was okay for me but I wanted more so off to Church I went of my own accord and diligently too.

I moved houses around April. I fell deep into depression, I didn’t want to stay alone and so I went to live with my Aunt for a month. It was funny because I always appeared all put together, smiling and going through the motions but I had all these pent up emotions waiting to spill.

Some random day, I walked into the Pastor’s office and spilled a quarter of what was bothering me. I half expected the religious boobooyaya but I didn’t get that so I spilled some more and it felt good.

Sometimes I tell myself that my 2015 began in July. In a sort of way, it did. I had my much-anticipated graduation, went on the holiday of a lifetime with long road trips. At this point, I have to state that I am a horrible companion on trips; I had a modus, which was to drift off in the middle of the gist and pretend to be awake enough not to snore during my sleep and yell “exactly!” when jarred awake. It worked sometimes.

I was not prepared for 2015. I still don’t think I am ready for a year that has 11 days left in it. I will remember 2015 as the year I realised the power of friendship (No kidding, my friends are rubies). I’ve tried to drown so many times and each time I have gotten the pull and the push.

I fell in love in 2015. I was really kidding with #SeizeTheBae2015. Really kidding! I had sexual plans for 2015 and none of it fell within monogamy. Planned a celibate part of the year and a raunchy part to end the 2015 with. With the list of cities I was going to have sex in.

Each time a plan came up, I wonder whose prayers it was (suspecting my mother though) it kept getting knocked off and that was how it happened, unplanned.

I don’t know what 2016 may come with but I have decided to go against planning my life; I’m winging 2016.

To my friends, family and lover, I am grateful for the food, the gists, the time, the hugs, the encouragement, the love, the scolds, the truth and the companionship. I am 99% of an asshole and 1% human. Thanks for seeing just the human.

Me.

She didn’t send a photo but I have like a million photos of the both of us! See her small teeth..

I love you Boo Boo! Thank you for bringing an unplugged honesty to my blog today! By the way silly, you’re more than 1% human jor, shaking my head! Here’s to a 2016 that’s full of love, joy, money (girrrrrrllll….), and fingers crossed, a different country! Yaass! 2016 here we come!

 

#31Days31Writers: Isioma learned ‘people are flawed’

Turn up! We’ve successfully started inching towards the end of the second week of this #31Days31Writers series! God is a good God! Whoop! Big thank you to everyone who’s sent in an entry, left a comment, liked a post, shared on social media, thank you!

Isioma is a kind of kindred spirit to be honest… I see some of her tweets and my heart sings. We’ve never met, but I know I like her, and will like her even more if we ever meet. And she’s manager to the darlings of the film industry and each time I see her tweet about them, I just imagine they must be great, easy-to-relate-with kind of people to have her as manager.

So I saw Isioma share one of the articles from this series, and I sent her a private message asking if she would send an entry in herself. I think I got it in 30 minutes or something miraculous like that! Shaking my head at people I’ve been following for almost two years to send in their pieces!

I’ll let you get to it… I like this one!

2015 has been a year of thanksgiving, it has not been perfect and sometimes it was difficult and frustrating but overall it has been a win. In November I walked away from a pretty serious car accident. Everyone who saw the pictures of the wreck told me how lucky or blessed I was. That accident summed up my year beautifully. You see I am wonderfully and fearfully made and therefore I cannot be broken. Bent and bruised, but never broken.

My name is Isioma Osaje and I’m a child of God. I’m Nigerian, resident in Lagos, and own a company called Agency 106 Talents & Company Limited. I’m a Talent Manager/Film Producer.

2014 was challenging professionally and personally and I knew that things had to give. At the end of 2014, I told God I wanted to know Him better and live the life He had ordained for me. At the beginning of 2015 I went on a purge of sorts. I asked God to rid me of everything that was a distraction from my purpose, and boy did He go to town. I am by no means the most successful version of myself, but I’ve grown. It is refreshing to look back on the woman I was in 2014 and the one I am today.

My blessings and lessons from 2015

Blessings

1. I nurtured my spirit. I fed my spirit with the word of God religiously and made it a point of duty to spend at least an hour every day in fellowship with God. My principle this year was to improve myself, so I constantly analyzed the things about me that worked and those that need a little help. I’m imperfect and always will be, but I will never stop trying to be a better version of me.
2. I made my passion legitimate and registered my company. I’m in the business of making Kings and Queens. God has been faithful; people actually know my name and what I do!! Also my people have grown in leaps and bounds and the promise of 2016 has me so excited.
3. I became a voice. It has always been my dream to motivate and inspire people and in 2015, I finally began to do this via social media. I’ve received several calls and messages from people who read my tweets and were blessed.
4. I have the best support system and I am grateful for the people in my life who give it meaning.
5. God loves me and everything I touch shall be blessed.

Lessons

1. I learned that people are flawed. They will disappoint you and it is okay. I ditched a handful of users, because carrying people who do not add anything to your life is an unnecessary hassle.
2. Life goes on. As far as clichés go this is the most cliché statement of the lot and yet it is the most valid. No matter what is going on in your sphere of existence, life will not stop until you figure it out. At best you can call for a timeout, but you will have to get back into the ring and continue fighting.
3. Anonymity works, but some things in life require a face. I do not like or enjoy being in the public eye and if left to my own devices you would only ever know the name. Unfortunately we live in a world that is pretty jaded and people may sometimes need to see that you’re real to buy into your vision. Enjoy or at least learn to tolerate the spotlight.
4. I am happiest when I help people achieve their dreams, so I was constantly supporting anything and everyone. This in the long run is counter-productive because you only have so much to give. In 2015 I learned to differentiate between acquaintances, friends and others. I still give 100% of myself to anything or anyone I’m committed to, but I learned the hard way to only commit myself to people who ask and will appreciate it and to causes that leave me blessed.
5. GOD is enough. Trust in Him and He will give you everything that you need.

Yes Mami, God is enough! I can’t even find the words to do a recap because I feel I will just repost the entire article! Thank you Isioma for writing in, and here’s to a fabulous 2016!

3, 2, 1: How Ms Nella’s founder merges school + work + home!

Now this was one interview that I enjoyed, but took the longest time to sort out! And it’s my fault… The process of getting an entrepreneur, scheduling and having the interview, and then writing up can be a lot but nope, not making excuses. Just trying to get you to temper justice with understanding!

Right! We’re bringing this interview right after the one with the King of Interns with a personal friend and all-round gorgeous lady, Adetola Taylor. Now Detola is a mom, a Dentist ( the prettier ones are usually put in Dentistry she says *wink*) who graduated from the University of Lagos and has a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Warwick.

She’s also the brain behind MsNella products. The range currently features hair and body butters made from a Shea butter base.

Let’s get into it already!

FGS: Let’s start with the number 3 – if you were told everything you had would be taken from you and you could only keep three things, what would they be?
DETOLA: Hmm, do these three things include people or just inanimate objects?
FGS: Any three… you decide if you want to mix them or not!
DETOLA: My wedding rings, my family, my memory
DETOLA: Phew! Never had to answer that question before. Definitely a difficult one.
FGS: Love your answer! Let’s talk a bit about your work – how does a doctor dabble into hair and body butters?
DETOLA: Haha! I’ve always been fashionable I guess. I repressed it cause I thought I needed to be taken seriously. And spending all that time in medical school never really leaves room for much else.
DETOLA: I stumbled on the hair butter by accident. I had just had a baby and while I have been blessed with good hair all my life, I realised I was losing hair because the pregnancy hormones were slowly leaving my body. My hair was coming out in tufts. So I decided to give my hair a breather from relaxers (I usually used to apply relaxers twice a year prior to baby)
DETOLA: While on the break from relaxers, I started researching into products that would help me restore my hair and nurse it back if you will, to former status and that’s how the hair butter came to be.

FGS: You must have hit gold with your research because you now produce the hair butter and distribute across continents! How easy was it going commercial?
DETOLA: Not very easy, because now that I am no longer selling to friends and family I have to put systems in place.
DETOLA: I now have to register the business, get a NAFDAC number and think about an advertising budget and distribution.

FGS: Do you have that locked down now? Can I apply to join your sales team?
DETOLA: Ha ha! I wouldn’t say I do. You see money answereth all things. I am working on raising capital to execute it all though.

FGS: How does your family feel about their doctor mom/wife/daughter’s side hustle?
DETOLA: Very supportive (well except my dad who doesn’t know that I have a beauty side hustle). In actual fact, they believe producing these products are way better suited to me than being a doctor. Oops!
FGS: Two things that make you keep on whenever you feel like giving up?
DETOLA: 1. Testimonials from customers. It humbles me to have a product that someone actually wants. 2. My husband. His total belief in this business leaves me no room to throw a pity party.
FGS: How do you juggle the home, school, and your business?
DETOLA: Hmmm!
DETOLA: Honestly? I don’t know
DETOLA: Sometimes I think I’m mad
DETOLA: Ha ha. My friends have called me mad
DETOLA: But I grew up tough and I think that has helped shape my perspective of life. Someone out there is doing this and has not died so why can’t I?

FGS: Lol… What would you tell a young potential entrepreneur to watch out for?
DETOLA: Hmmm… Amass a war chest.
DETOLA: I’m no entrepreneur honestly. I just found a business doing stuff I like. Hard-core entrepreneurs go all out. I just believe I have been lucky and even I don’t believe in luck 🙂
FGS: But surely you have done a few things right to be where you are today…
DETOLA: I must have ☺. Knowledge is not overrated. If you’re going to do something, know it in and out. If there is a part of your business you believe you will need help with, get the best help you can find. I am totally poor when it comes to doing the books but I get help with these things.

FGS: And I have to ask, how do you source your ingredients? Locally (Nigerian) or from international locations?
DETOLA: Since I’m currently in the UK, I source from here. Back when I was in Nigeria, I used Nigerian sources. Either way, I find the cheaper source and keep my products affordable.

Because I was rounding up my masters, I put the business on hold. Attending a cosmetics course in the summer and relaunching with new packages. Keep an eye out!
FGS: Ok. Finally, one thing you’ve done that you’d do again, again, and again…
DETOLA: Not see the whole staircase but take the first step.
FGS : That’s it!
FGS : You’re amazing Detola. Thank you!
DETOLA: No, thank you! Thank you!!

And that’s my gorgeous friend and brain behind Ms Nella, Detola!
PS: Her efo riro is not even of this world! Dang!

All MsNella products can be purchased from the online store msnella.me or physically from SocialLagos-94 Awolowo road Ikoyi. You can also find MsNella products on Konga.

3, 2, 1: An hour with the Internship Connect Boss!

It’s been a while since we had an interview with an entrepreneur and so it is with great pride and excitement that I introduce ‘Kayode Ajayi-Smith! He is a Social Entrepreneur with over 7 years cognitive experience in the third sector; and  currently leads a youth-led Non-Governmental Organization called Joint Initiative for Development (JID), famous for its Internship Connect Programme. So far, they’ve placed over 100 graduates on internships in Lagos and Abuja and in organizations like Dafinone Consulting, SHI, NOI Polls, CSR-In-Action, Goge Africa, and a host of other reputable organizations.

FGS: Hi Kayode! Very simply, the 3, 2, 1 series talks to entrepreneurs to capture the real life situations/experience of starting/building a business. The aim is not only to showcase their work but also to see that the next young person is spared the errors these entrepreneurs made because they now know how to get around them.

Kayode:  okay, let’s do it!

FGS:  Awesome… First off, what are three things you are most afraid of?

Kayode:  Number 1 would be not fulfilling my purpose according to God’s plan, 2 would be being a bad influence to the younger generation, and third would be marrying a wrong wife and partner but I am sure that has been taken care of.

FGS:  Ok, just to jump on your third point, are you already married or you’ve popped the question somewhere?

Kayode:  Yes I have popped the question; we’ll send invitations soon.

FGS:  Whoop! Congratulations!

Kayode:  Thanks

FGS:  Now, tell us about yourself, what gets you out of bed every morning?

Kayode:  I would say, it’s the need to make our communities a better place

I know I am engaged in other activities that all lead to that same goal of making our communities a better place. I guess that was why I chose to follow a career in the Third Sector (Non-Profits).

FGS:  And are you happy here in the Third Sector?

Kayode:  I am but it can be better.

FGS:  How?

Kayode:  Well, I think the sector needs a lot of accountability and legitimization; accounting and making the credibility of what we say we do visible. We also need to think sustainability especially in terms of ensuring that funding does not only come from donor sources but also from sustainable initiatives driven by collaborations with the organized private sector.

FGS:  What led you to grooming interns? Tell us about Joint Initiative for Development…

Kayode:  Okay, Joint Initiative for Development is a Youth-led Non-Profit Organization whose key goal is to increase citizens’ participation in the development of their communities. We are also keen on ensuring that more young people are involved in the development of their communities thus the reason the organization is led by young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years old. We have reached over 3,000 young people through our programmes, supported over 300 MSMEs and mobilized over 10 million Naira worth of donations to public schools.

 

FGS:  How old is this business?

Kayode:  4years

FGS:  Wow! That’s a while… How many interns have passed through your organization?

Kayode:  The Internship Connect programme started a little over 2years ago. We commenced with a Pilot called Volunteer Training Scheme where we placed 27 interns in Abuja and scaled up into a full social business in August 2013. Today we have almost 150 interns placed in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

FGS:  What are two things that would make you change careers in a heartbeat?

Kayode:  God and the sustenance of my family.

FGS:  Ok. Back to the internship connect. What challenges have you faced with it?

Kayode:  Hmm, the recipients, and funding. By recipients I meant unemployed graduates. You see, our motive for starting the Internship Connect programme came from the rising unemployment figure in the country with youths being the worst hit. Private organizations’ constant lamentation of the poor quality of graduates from our tertiary institutions led us to find out what they really want and that helped us to develop our 2-day Employability and Competency skill training which helps unemployed graduates understand what the 21st century workplace requires.

I however think there’s a huge need to change the orientation of our youths and that of their parents.

FGS:  Hmmm. Explain please?

Kayode:  Okay, a lot of our graduates have a funny get-rich-quick or small work-huge-pay mind-set. This mentality has played out in all our interactions. We also observed that a lot of our young graduates are very lazy

FGS:  Tell me about that!

Kayode:  I will actually tell you. We started with collecting CVs from interns to submit to organizations; we observed that a lot of our graduates do not know how to prepare CVs. 8 out of 10 CV’s were rejected on average so we decided to organize the competency training.

After soliciting funds from individuals to cover the cost of the training so that lots of young people can benefit from it, they were surprisingly lackadaisical towards it! Some of them arrived 2 hours into the training

Sometimes, the facilitators (who work for other organizations and are around because we pleaded with them to give hours of their time) would have to wait for them to arrive.

We decided to charge a fee for the training sessions, and to our surprise (again) they started showing up, and on time too.

FGS:  Ahh! So you’ve learned something!

Kayode:  I must say that we have had quite a number of very good interns but we have had a lot of very terrible ones too. We once had an intern who we called a day to the interview (because the host organizations determine when and where interviews take place) and she said she couldn’t attend simply because we can’t give her just a day’s notice. Even when we informed her that it was at the employers’ request, she declined in an impolite manner and ended the conversation.

FGS:  Oh wow. Since you’re actively engaged with young people seeking employment, what is one thing you believe they should know/do/be?

Kayode:  I think for young unemployed graduates, the one thing they should know is, Service comes first if you must penetrate any system. I am and I still am, a product of service.

FGS:  That’s very nice

Kayode:  when I graduated I went to work for free and I walked my way into full-time employment. I have stories of several young people around the world and it ended the same way and even sometimes better. When you don’t have a job, I think it is best to be prepared to go work for free. It not only helps you to sharpen your skills but also helps you acquire new ones. It also helps you build a huge professional network, one that you will not get seating at home.

FGS:  Thank you very much Kayode for taking the time to chat with me today, for all the insights you’ve shared. Most grateful!

Kayode:  I was glad I could share. Thank you.

 

Find more information about JID and internship connect here: http://www.ji4d.org/index.php/about-us and http://www.internshipconnect.net/whatwedo.html

 

#31Days31Writers – The Entrepreneurs Edition

A few things told me I was ready to do an entrepreneurs edition of #31Days31Writers:

1. I’d run the entrepreneur interview series on my blog several times, and not only did the articles get great feedback, they opened new doors of opportunities for the business owners. I have however been remiss in sourcing entrepreneurs for that category on the blog and so I thought, why not get the entrepreneurs sell themselves?
2. #31Days31Writers (again on the blog) was a massive success the two times I’ve run it! Again, great feedback, the amazing stories and perspectives from the writers, and it was such a joy having fresh content every single day of the month!

And so I thought, why don’t I dedicate one edition solely to entrepreneurs? Why not celebrate the brilliant young men and women braving the odds working through unfavorable circumstances to keep their dreams visions alive? Why not offer them this platform to showcase their services, strengths, and unique edge?

Why not?

And that’s it folks, this is your space!

Criteria

Be an entrepreneur (defined by Google as “a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit”). Is this you? That’s all the criteria you need!

 

Send 500 words, covering the following

• What do you do?
• Why you stated your business/what gets you excited about it?
• What year did you start this business, and where?
• Immediate challenges you faced then and what you did to deal with them?
• Where do you see your business at the end of the year, and in five years?

That’s it! Please send in a photo with your submission – could be of your products/address/whatever you feel compliments your work; feel free to create one for this if you want. Send it to dfairygodsister(at)gmail(dot)com with your name and #31Days31Writers as the subject of the mail, and you’re in!

I’ve got 25 slots open, and the first people to send in their entries, get it!

Start sending in your entries in already!

 

“I’m glad that I followed my intuition and took risks” – Chris!! #31Days31Writers

Chris! Chris! Chris! My sparring partner, CEO of 23rd century creative agency Kwirkly, and someone who I win e-v-e-r-y-t-i-m-e we play Ruzzle.

When I asked him to write, for some reason he said I was giving him tension, please ignore him. But he sent this in, and for that I am grateful. He also knows that there is no way his last paragraph is going to happen!

Come to think of it, we’ve done well with this #31days31writers project haven’t we? It’s day 23 and we haven’t missed a day!

Dear Chioma,

Here’s the thing about New Year resolutions: they are wishful thinking that rarely get fulfilled. We all know this, yet we continue in this ritual. Only weeks into a new year, reality slaps you in the face and replaces your wishful thoughts, hands you a memo about being practical with your head. And then, you look into the three-hundred-and-something days ahead and see a stretch of days waiting to be marked by victories and failures, elations and tensions, certainties and uncertainties, heart breaks and happiness.

On this stretch, 2013 has been one heck of a terrific and amazing year for me. It came with its own twists and dramas that have f***d with my head in extraordinary ways. (Don’t edit my word, Chioma! Don’t look for my trouble). I’m glad about the experiences. Above all, I’m grateful for the lessons.

The company I founded (Kwirkly) marked its first year. When I look back about the journey, I’m humbled and proud of the few victories recorded. I’m grateful for what we’ve achieved and especially to those who were there when things got tougher. (Why did you limit the words to 600, ehn? I feel like listing names). With this came the lesson that you don’t need all the resources you wished for to get going. With an idea, a strong will to execute it and a crop of believers, you can keep going. And the results have been impressive. It feels rather insignificant but the lesson is necessary for other areas of life.

There are always lessons to be learnt. I’ve learnt to be careful with people. I’ve been told that I’m too trusting and have a tendency to ‘overindulge’ people, and that has landed me in trouble. I found out too late that it’s out of fashion to trust people too much and be nice. I’m still not sure about it but, yeah, one has got to be careful. Also, there have been lessons around friendship, business, family and forgiveness.

I’m glad that I followed my intuition and took plenty risks. I have no regrets about them.

There’s a lesson in knowing that, despite the pursuit of greatness, success or whatever, the best moments are those little times shared with people who matter and with people who deserve your best. I’m grateful for old and new friends and rekindled friendships, and those that I bully on Ruzzle. *wink*

What I would I do differently? If that relates to the experience of the year, I guess I would take more time to reflect on decisions before making them. If it relates to the future, then I’ve got to take more giant risks, invest more in meaningful relationships and have more fun.

Oh, about me? I’m Chris Ogunlowo, the Founder and resident prankster of a small advertising agency called Kwirkly. I carry a Nigerian passport.

Just so you know – to pressure me to do stuff is a guarantee that I won’t do it. It works best when you hold me, find those words to tickle my ears, get goofy and in the middle of it, slot in your request and rapidly, I will answer you. Shikena. It will be like magic. But you didn’t know that before so I will let it pass.

Can I rest now, Chioma?

www.chrisogunlowo.com

@AlooFar

Wahala Chris… Wahala wahala wahala!

“I’m different” – Chatting to Aberdeen’s premier make-up artist.

Whoo! Nice to bring back with The Entrepreneur series with this interview! I got talking with Francine Adeoso, CEO/Creative Director at makeup-artist Aberdeen, and mother to a most beautiful daughter!

D Fairy GodSister: Hey babe, welcome to The Entrepreneur! Would you tell us three reasons you think your business stands out from others?

Francesca’s take on Natalie’s Portman’s Black Swan character

Francesca: Hello Fairy GodSister! Being in the beauty industry you have to be dynamic and grow with the times. Sadly some artists get left behind because of this. My business is fashion/trend aware yet tailored to every individual, plus it’s fun and very educating.

D Fairy GodSister: What do you mean by ‘grow with the times’?

Francesca: Today the beauty industry has grown immensely. Cosmetics aren’t what they used to be just 10 years ago. Competition has made it that there are a variety of ways to look and feel beautiful; keeping up with these new techniques, products and upcoming companies is how I grow with the times. Your style has to evolve like the industry you’re in.

D Fairy GodSister: Have you always wanted to be involved with cosmetics and make up artistry or you just dabbled?

Francesca: Well I’ve always considered myself artistic, not on paper I’m afraid, but in my expression and way of life generally. I’ve always been ‘artsy’. Makeup however was a different ballgame. But I found it was one thing that came naturally to me. It never seemed like a chore or task it just flowed. I started experimenting on myself as most artists do and when I discovered I loved makeup, the journey began. So it was just a dabble in the end I guess or fate as I always say.

D Fairy GodSister: You seem to have a thing for bridal makeup. Is that what you’re most comfortable with?

Francesca: Funny enough that was the real dabble. I’ve always been more of an editorial artist. I love the freedom of expression that comes with that. It’s creative and most times I discover a lot about artistry, my products and myself after a shoot just because you get to work with other people. However when I moved to Scotland I decided to do more bridal work. I’m in love with the bridal atmosphere, its unrivalled. The fact that you get to spend that time with someone on such an important day of their life is always humbling to me. I love the transformation, and you feel more rewarded when you see how happy you’ve made a bride on such a day. It’s lovely experience.

D Fairy GodSister: What’s an editorial artist?

Francesca: Editorial shoots are mainly what I enjoy. A common misconception is the term an editorial artist. The gig is what is editorial not the artist. In an editorial shoot you’re not just showcasing the makeup or clothes etc. You’re conveying more of a theme or a story as opposed to a beauty shoot, which enhances the models features, or fashion makeup that should enhance the fashion being showcased not distract from it. So an editorial shoot could have an avant-garde or androgynous theme. So when I say editorial artist I’m referring to the type of work I not necessarily the type of makeup.

An example of a ‘fashion editorial’. The portfolio is here

D Fairy GodSister: New knowledge, thank you! Do you think the market is saturated? Like, everyone is a makeup artist these days?

Francesca: Hahahaha, well it seems that way for sure. But I always say as long as you enjoy your craft and you’re willing to invest time and effort to it then do. There’s enough room for everyone! What I’m not a fan of is waking up one morning, doing a friend’s makeup and bam! You call yourself a makeup artist.

D Fairy GodSister: Lol! Shutting down now, how do you cope with being an entrepreneur and a mother?

Francesca: Oh wow, I could write a book on this one! But I can honestly say that having a supportive husband makes my life and work an enjoyable balance. I don’t feel that either aspect suffers. It’s hard and requires a lot of love to set up a business on your own but it’s worth it. I am the very first example of a working mum that my daughter will see so I have that ringing in my ear everyday. I aim to pave the way for her, be a great example and most of all show her that her dreams are achievable, just like my husband has taught me.

Beauty shot…

D Fairy GodSister: Awww…. Bless you! Do you find yourself trying out stuff on her?

Francesca: Well, he watches me a lot and she’s at that age where colours excite her. But no, not yet. She’ll only try on my lipsticks from my kisses *smile*

D Fairy GodSister: You’ve been great Francesca! Any final words? Messages to your fans?

Francesca: awww thanks love! My final words would be ‘you are your brand’. Don’t act a certain way and think it won’t be transferred to your brand! Be patient and start out right, it’s harder to re-brand after selling yourself short or making a wrong first impression. And finally be kind! No matter how brilliant or pretty you are no one would care about that of you are mean!

D Fairy GodSister: Thank you Francesca!

Francesca: Awww thanks love and thank you for the opportunity, I enjoy chatting to you as always. Hugs!

The lovely Francesca!

Related articles

• 10 Things Every Woman Should Know (naturalbeautyatanyage.wordpress.com)
• Clean Editorial Looks (makeupdoccasion.wordpress.com)
• Bridal Eyeshadows (makeupmagicuk.wordpress.com)
• Makeup Artist in the Making (byceleste.wordpress.com)
• Building Your Makeup Kit (maybellinequeen.wordpress.com)

INTRODUCING ‘THE ENTREPRENEUR’ AND…………………. MISS FAIZAH!!

Hello you!!

So it’s been a little while I catered to the 3, 2, 1 Series category of the blog *sigh* It’s not because I misplaced the list of people I need to interview, it’s just because…..because…

I’m back to it anyway (thank you for always coming back with me), and I’m introducing a twist to it I’m very excited about! While the 3, 2, 1 Series focuses on interviews for their sake alone, the thrust of this new sub category will be young entrepreneurs! Called, ‘The Entrepreneur’, we’re kicking off with a very beautiful, talented young lady whose story is not only an inspiration, but I have literally ‘tasted and known’ that she’s absolutely amazing!

Say hello to our pioneer Entrepreneur, MISS FAIZAH!

D Fairy GodSister: Let’s start with, who is Faizah?

FAIZAH: Well Faizah is baker, and a very happy one at that!

D Fairy GodSister: Has she always been a baker?

FAIZAH: Ironically I started out wanting to be an architect but I wasn’t able to complete my studies abroad because of cash so I moved back to Nigeria and stayed home for a few years before finally entering the business administration department of the University of Abuja. You know Nigeria, apply for one thing, and get another; I just took it because it was better than sitting at home.

D Fairy GodSister: True

FAIZAH: Good thing is I was done in three years thanks to direct entry. And then there was NYSC after that…Which cemented the thought in my mind of never working for anyone because it’s just too hectic and a drag!

D Fairy GodSister: When did you graduate? And when did you make the switch from business administration to ‘managing’ cakes?

FAIZAH: 2009. I’ve always had a passion for it, just decided to take the leap last year. Especially since I didn’t see myself working in an office and I’ve always been very independent so it was a no brainer for me.

D Fairy GodSister: So effectively you’ve been baking for three years?

FAIZAH: Longer even, but I only turned it into an actual business last year.

D Fairy GodSister: Who was your first client? Their first order? Were you nervous?

FAIZAH: Mostly family and friends when I started but the first non-family order was for a birthday cake. I was pretty cool about it; it’s the feedback I was anxious about. Thankfully they loved it!!

D Fairy GodSister: Yay!!

FAIZAH: *smile*

D Fairy GodSister: What’s the biggest order you’ve taken?

FAIZAH: A wedding order for a dessert stand for 400 people. I had to make a tower of cupcakes, cheesecake and crumbles!

Oh wow!!!

D Fairy GodSister: Oh wow! Why didn’t you call me to help? And I totally love cheese cake!

FAIZAH: Lol

D Fairy GodSister: Speaking of which, the icing you use on your cakes is very different. Tell us about it?

FAIZAH: I use cream cheese instead of the regular butter cream icing. It’s less sugary, and very creamy. My cakes are also made with less sugar; that’s what makes them different… I figured I might as well try to make them a less guilty pleasure you know, and most of my customers’ mothers love me especially for that!

D Fairy GodSister: Lol!! My mom loved the cupcake I gave her!

FAIZAH: You see!

D Fairy GodSister: On guilty pleasures, how do you not eat the cakes when you’re baking? Cos I remember when I was younger and my mom would make chinchin and we’d end up eating most of the dough!

FAIZAH: Lol! I try my best. Sometimes I have to taste them for “research” lol, but I try to eat in moderation. Besides my family like to stand in as my guinea pigs…

D Fairy GodSister: Ha ha ha, bless them! Have you had any formal training for this business?

FAIZAH: Nope, I just watch a lot of videos online and I’m a BBC Food/Food Network junkie

D Fairy GodSister: Ok… Do you make only cakes? Or are you an ‘any-kind-of-pastry’ lady?

FAIZAH: I also make cheesecake and crumbles. And cinnamon rolls too!

D Fairy GodSister: I love cinnamon rolls!

FAIZAH: Cookies and brownies as well but most of my orders are for cakes. I used to have a special on Tuesdays before but orders weren’t much so I had to scrap it. Pastry Tuesdays…..you could get a box with two cinnamon rolls, two slices of crumbles and two slices of cheesecake for three thousand naira.

Mustering what little self-control I’ve got left…

D Fairy GodSister: Wow!! I should stay away from you Faizah!! I’m never going to lose weight….

FAIZAH: Lol!

D Fairy GodSister: What has the biggest challenge for you as a baker been?

FAIZAH: Shortage of ingredients sometimes…sometimes there’s a cream cheese scarcity. Then there’s PHCN as always, and sometimes difficult customers. I’m lucky though because I usually get good ones.

D Fairy GodSister: What’s a regular day for you like?

FAIZAH: Well my day starts from the night before (lol); I start baking orders from midnight, get into bed between 3-5 am, wake up at 9/10am to frost and decorate the cakes. Depending on the orders I can be busy till 4pm…then I rush to the market/supermarket if necessary…finally wind down if I can from 7pm watching TV or hanging out with friends or family, then repeat the routine @ midnight.

Cupcake heaven……

D Fairy GodSister: Wow. Must be pretty rewarding for you to keep doing that; didn’t see any slot for a ‘special one’ though. Is there a ‘special one’?

FAIZAH: He he. Yes there is, he lives in Lagos but comes to visit occasionally

D Fairy GodSister: Awwwww!!! Where do you see Faie’s Pastries by 2015?

FAIZAH: Hopefully having a few cafes in four major cities, where I can tend to customers sweet treats need

D Fairy GodSister: Looking back now, would you have been this fulfilled as an architect?

FAIZAH: I doubt it…dated an architect for 6 years, I think that got me over the whole dream lol!!

D Fairy GodSister: Ha ha ha!!

FAIZAH: This is a lot of work, but it is the one that brings me joy

D Fairy GodSister: Final question babe; what does Faizah mean? And a little obvious but where did Faie come from?

FAIZAH: Well Faizah is Arabic for “victorious one”, and Faie is one of my dad’s nicknames for me. My customer’s nickname for me is ‘The Cupcake Fairy’. I initial broadcasts with it. And sometimes I have to remind them that I’m the cupcake fairy, not cupcake ‘winch’

D Fairy GodSister: Lol!! Thank you so much for a lovely interview babe…..

FAIZAH: The pleasure was mine!

The Cupcake Fairy!! (Or Cupcake ‘winch’)!!

The End.

Want to get in touch with Faizah? 08160355320, or add her on BB, 21AB1A43. Thank me later!

Related articles

• Vanilla Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream (bitsnbooks.wordpress.com)
• Evolve With Me! (urworldsl.wordpress.com)
• Grand marnier goat cheesecake (blackberriesandbloodoranges.com)
• 3, 2, 1 Series – An Hour with Miss Lindsey
• 3, 2, 1 Series – An Hour with Elnathan
• 3, 2, 1 Series – An Hour with Onyeka Nwelue