MAHMOUD KABIRAT, C.E.O. K-Gleam Makeover.
Enjoy the interview excerpt by Creative Writing SAED, NYSC, Kwara State.
Interview Conducted by Batch B, Stream 1 Corps Member at SAED village, NYSC Orientation Camp, Yikpata, Kwara state.
CAN WE MEET YOU?
My name is Mahmoud Kabirat the C.E.O. of K-Gleam makeover. We deal with make-up, selling of cosmetics, gele tying, training of interested candidates.
HOW DID YOU VENTURE INTO MAKE-UP BUSINESS?
The journey began back in 2014 during my service year when there was Ebola outbreak and all corps members were instructed to go to their back home. During this period I was just sitting at home doing nothing. So I started thinking of what to do. I thought about tailoring, bead making, hairdressing etc. but I had no passion for it. Then one day, as I was strolling on the street I saw a make-up studio and immediately I entered and approached the lady I saw who later turned out to be the CEO of the company. I told her about my passion for make-up and that I want to be a make-up artist. After telling me the cost and other additional information, I started using my NYSC and PPA allowance to finance myself for the training and eventually used it as my capital also and I thank God for where I am today as am reaping the fruit of my labor.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MAKE-UP?
Make-up business is lucrative in the sense that you can make twice the amount used in purchasing the make-up materials and the good part of it is that you can use a particular product to make several people which adds more money to your wallet.
DO YOU ENCOUNTER CHALLENGES IN RUNNING THIS ENTERPRISE ?
There are challenges everywhere and every day, but they all come with the business. People tend to look down on make-up artist as prostitutes. Also the make-up business has been basterdized by some artist who use inferior materials for the business and render low quality service to the customers.
HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO LEARN THIS BUSINESS?
The in-camp training last for 6-7 days while the post camp training last for a month depending on the intellectual capacity of the student and not only for corps members but also everyone.
CAN A MAN VENTURE INTO MAKE-UP BUSINESS?
Yes of course. In fact, they tend to succeed than the females because people love to see a man do a lady’s job. By this, they acquire more customers with the trust that they are good at the job.
HOW DO YOU COPE WITH YOUR COMPETITORS?
Its quite true that the make-up business is growing rapidly and becoming more popular everyday which makes it kind of difficult and challenging for new entrants. But what makes you stand out from others is the quality of your work. When you know what you are doing and good at it, your work will definitely speak for you and differentiate you from your competitors.
HOW DO YOU MARKET YOUR PRODUCTS?
I market my product through my social media handles which are, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp. I also advertise my products through face to face medium which stands out as the most effective way of marketing my product in order to convince my customers and the public in general to patronize me.
WHATS YOUR OPINION AND VIEWS ABOUT SAED?
SAED is the best thing that has ever happened to NYSC scheme because it gives all corps members the opportunity to be their own boss whereby making them employers of labor and not seekers of jobs. So am using this medium to urge all corps members to take SAED serious.
WHAT ARE YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG NIGERIANS?
My advice to young Nigerians is that they should acquire a skill as there are varieties of skills that can be learnt. Times are changing, the world pays for creativity right now, so the youths should try to get into the world of creativity.
HOW CAN PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS REACH YOU:
Call or Whatsapp: 08137950435
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