A Conversation With An Entrepreneur

Starting Small

First, I'll start by sharing my little story on how I started my million dollar company.(I call it “million dollar” in faith because that's where I'm heading.

I started the business in my second year in the prestigious university of Jos where I studied Economics.

While studying in the library, I saw familiar faces of people who were regular visitors of the library, yet each time results showed up, they performed poorly.

That particular day, instead of reading, I sat and wondered thoroughly! I later concluded that education was not necessarily meant for everyone. Those people who failed in academics could have the potential to be excellent in other areas! Hence, I started thinking of how to be of help to the society with special regards to help those who were academically poor.

Unlike most intellectuals who's suggest tutorials or other teaching aid, I thought differently!

I thought of empowering them with a skill.

Right there, I came up with a number of good paying skills and decided to learn them so I can teach others.

I learnt bead making, tailoring, baking and catering.

I also learnt soap, perfume, hair cream and Vaseline making

With these skills I started organizing little trainings within the school environment and in my home. I taught people baking and bead making.

Tailoring required more time and resources so I could not teach it while I was in school.

As time went by, I was able to train a considerably good number of people until I graduated!

Before I continue the story, I know y'all are wondering where I got money...loans or grants or donations or whatever…..

You'll hear people say you can start a business with as low as 5k, 10k, 20? Lol. I started with zero K. No money at all!

Are you wondering how?

Well, all I had was a passion to teach. Mind you, I didn't know everything about the skills. I just knew the basic.

I simply emptied my hostel room, borrowed tables from other rooms. Then advertised baking classes for a terribly low fee. I got only 4 students, and a bonus 1 student... And boom! I started teaching.

Surprisingly, it was really successful!

I was encouraged to do more!

I taught bead making in my house and in terminus market. One of my bead baking students was an elderly married woman, but today, she's a very big and popular bead maker in Jos...

Did I need capital to teach?

No.

After school, I decided to specialize... So I specialized in Tailoring and Baking.

I was posted for NYSC. And I simply told my parents I'm going to start a business there.

I arrived the state with 1 manual sewing machine, 1 local oven and other baking equipment and a cash of #1020 only!

I found a place to squat and Immediately started my business. I told people around that I sew and bake. So little by little I got a few cake demands....

But people couldn't trust me with their fabric... knowing the popular "tailors scandal"...

Then I started sewing for free.

I just see someone and say "hey, do you have any fabric you'd like to sew?" They start complaining that they don't have money, then I quickly reply, oh don't worry, I'll sew it free...”

After sewing, they really love the outcome.. then I say, please could you help me advertise it to others? And of course, they willingly agreed!

So this continued for 3 months!

By the fourth month, I started getting legit offers and I was sewing all over the state.

With time the business grew, machines became two, then 3, and the 4 ...then I graduated to industrial machine...and the rest of the story is just grace!

I honestly can't tell you how I survived with just N1020. But I want to let you know that's how little I started.

Some of you are privileged to have some money.... don't belittle it!

Little drops of water... makes an ocean!

Are you scared of failing? Guess what? We all are...

But it's better you start small than regretting years later why you never started.

Now, I am one of the highest paid Tailors in the state where I reside.

It was not just ordinary tailoring that got me here...

I had a problem to solve!

The problem was created by tailors!

Issues and severe disappointment!

I decided that I will be a different tailor.

So I ensured that I delivered speedily, didn't Collect more than I can handle and also did a superb finishing on all my creations.

I treated each client specially!

These got them trooping back for more, referring their friends and family....and the client base kept increasing...and plenty money kept flowing.

Now I deliver to all clients within 7days of request!

Just 7 days.

No stories, no complaints.

I can have sleepless nights just to ensure that my clients get the best and in time...

In Conclusion

The business wasn't without challenges. I encountered a lot of challenges along the way...

For example, at some point, I had too much demand that I couldn't meet up with. I employed some Tailors but they were not good. In the end, the perfect solution was once again to train people. so I trained 6 ladies who ended up being employees of the company. After them, I've trained so many more... some have their own fashion business running.

I also made a mistake of poor pricing of my product.

I was collecting so little for my services and I was constantly broke.

I wondered why I was working so hard yet earning so little.

The solution was to scale up prices.

Well guess what!

I did and lost some clients.... but with time, I gained so many more who were willing and able to pay.

Also , whatever business you decide to venture in... Please pay special attention to packaging!

At Evaz Couture, we do top notch packaging... You'll think your dress was imported.

Value your product or service so well and you will certainly attract the right clients! Always have this at the back of your mind!

Your Merchandise is Good so do everything good to SELL IT!!!!

Evelyn Onimisi

Founder and CEO – Evaz Couture and Evaz Confectionary

Shop 2, Dogon Ruwa Plaza, Behind Matrix Fueling Station, Gombe State, Nigeria

08057779260
@EvazCouture