Dorian Collectibles tackles skin problems — Doris Dauda

Doris Dauda is a young graduate of Biology from the University of Abuja. The singer and entrepreneur says she finds music refreshing but her dream is to have a big cosmetics industry. In this interview, Doris spoke about how her business could employ more, and offer solutions to skin cancer.   How do you combine […]

Doris Dauda is a young graduate of Biology from the University of Abuja. The singer and entrepreneur says she finds music refreshing but her dream is to have a big cosmetics industry. In this interview, Doris spoke about how her business could employ more, and offer solutions to skin cancer.

 

How do you combine music and cosmetics business?

You can’t just succeed or survive in music easily, so if music doesn’t pay, other things should pay. You should have one or two sources of income. Doing music is fun to me, it’s been a passion for me since I was a kid and I kept the interest in it up to my secondary school.  It never left me, even while studying Biology in the University of Abuja. After my graduation, I decided to go into entrepreneurship and I thought about creating my brand that could stand the test of time, so that I wouldn’t just rely on singing. I’m also covering music and entertainment, general contracts, imports and exports

What went down with the musical aspect of your career?

Music is still on, it has never left me and I am hoping to climb the pinnacle one day. Music is not just one day, the breakthrough is not just one day. I’ve been in the industry for a long time, it’s just that I’ve not left Abuja to Lagos. Many people  have been telling me to go to Lagos but I’ve not taken the decision to leave Abuja. I’m still writing songs and I’m still recording, so I can’t say my music career is dead.

Can you remember the greatest performance you have had?

It was the Night of a Thousand Laughs with Yankee Entertainment. Back to back, music has taken me to Benin Republic, where I went to perform in a university and I really had a blast, it was fun for me.

Do you plan to come back to music anytime soon?

Music is really a part of me, because I still have my songs being played on air. Last month I had an interview with Raypower, talking about music again was refreshing. Besides, whenever I’m called to perform, I go and I still attend shows.

Why did you start the Dorian Collectibles brand?

I won the Face of Craftivity TV Award in 2013 and I had N50,000 awarded to me,  so I had to show that I could even be better. I had to go into entrepreneurship, I had to get my brand and my name registered and acquire investment certificate from the ministry. Though it takes a lot time and hard work, it is fun. Everything starts somewhere, you don’t give up, you start from little and then some bigger brands or government will see you and want to support you, which is what I’m praying for and then I’m looking forward to youths working under me.

What are Dorian Collectibles?

I have like 13 or 16 products. I have perfumes, I have lip gloss for pink lips, I have quality shampoo, I have sun blocker, I have acne and severe dark spot cleanser/remover, I have face cream and we still have a lot coming up. The body lotion is the face of the brand. I’m just starting so I’m still carrying out market survey. I have one customer in Nyanya market, and another in Gwagwalada market. Although gain is not where I want to end, I’m glad I was able to show case something and they looked at it and I’m glad I’m able to get little money out of it.

Where then do you want to reach?

I’m looking forward to having a very big industry where I’ll be comfortable and do a lot of research in my laboratory, bring out more products that will be safe for the body, not ones that will damage the skin and are cancerous. I want to produce products that will bring solutions to health issues, life and beauty and not destruction. A lot of products in the market now either destroy the skin or remove the melanin from the skin. So, my dream is to do research and bring out beauty products, extracted from herbs, that will  add beauty and improve the epidermal  health of Nigerians.

Do you source your raw materials in Nigeria?

I source some in Nigeria, but there are some that you have to get abroad. As a beginner and as a sole proprietor, people don’t really come to you, you have to go to them so it takes a lot of energy, moving from place to place, trying to convince people to buy your items. It’s really not a one day thing, not a two day thing and not a one month thing but so far, so good.  I’m really impressed and I thank God for everything.

What can you say to the youths?

Do not waste your time trying to do things with other people who do not share your dream.

Try to find yourself, believe in yourself because if you don’t believe in yourself you’ll easily lose it, thinking you’re a nobody. Start from where you can start although it will take a long time but one day you’ll overcome the difficulties.