‘Each design of mine tells a story’ – Mairo Abdullahi

How did you discover your talent in this turf of kamu décor? The traditional Kamu decor is a self-taught business but with guidance and direction from Allah SWT. It all started one day whilst watching ‘The Bisi Olatilo’s show’ on weddings, which showcased a prominent Yoruba traditional decorator. I became engrossed in the weekly show […]

How did you discover your talent in this turf of kamu décor?

The traditional Kamu decor is a self-taught business but with guidance and direction from Allah SWT. It all started one day whilst watching ‘The Bisi Olatilo’s show’ on weddings, which showcased a prominent Yoruba traditional decorator. I became engrossed in the weekly show and soon I picked an interest in event  decor but my attention clearly focused on the Arewa tradition, which I convinced myself back then that I would be good at it since it’s something I’m familiar with anyways.

Being in this turf, what is creativity to you? 

Creativity is important in life. It encompasses brainstorming, invention, ideas, art, innovation, insight, concept, thinking, fun, etc. When you are connected with your creative side, you can find inspiration and see possibilities everywhere. Thus, you learn from others and build whatever you want. I tend to source a lot of my materials from local art and crafts shops, panteka and some welders and modify them. Most times, when ideas come to my mind, I do a lot of writing to keep my ideas intact without having to struggle.

What in your personal life has inspired you to venture into your present career?

Having completed my studies and NYSC and married in 2005, it was extremely difficult and challenging securing a decent job for years but nevertheless, I embarked on petty trading, selling throw pillows and packaging event souvenirs in the meantime. Sometimes I invested my time and energy by stripping my lounge and rearranging things around to give it a different look on a weekly basis since I was newly married. This I did out of boredom and being unemployed but it was something I enjoyed doing. Five years went by sitting at home idle and in 2010, an opportunity presented itself when a friend’s sister paid me a visit and pleaded with me to help set a small area for her wedding decor and she was specifically interested in the Kamu decor. She talked me into it knowing how I always moved things around in my house. I accepted the challenge and to my surprise, it was successfully. That was the starting point of my Kamu decor business as I got referrals from one person to another.

What makes your work unique or different from others?

I can’t really say it’s what I have done or what I did but I know that I really love doing what I do creatively. And most of all, I have the Grace of Allah and with Him by my side, everything flourishes. I always try to differentiate my jobs, even when I use the same items repeatedly; I tend to create different effects from them, ensuring that I offer value and also try as much as I can to give more. I have been able to infuse my love for creating art into wedding decor designs which my brand is known for. I create artistic expression in my designs. Each design I create tells a story.

How do you keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?

The slogan ‘do what you love and love what you do’ pretty much motivates and keeps me happy about my Kamu decor most times.  I constantly transform my Kamu decor props making them stand out from my competitors. 

How would you describe your art of decorating?

My Kamu decor infuses cultural aspects with some touch of modern ideas since most businesses are globalised. I tend to infuse a multicultural style of decor because we sometimes get couples that have different cultures so in order to keep both parties happy, we infuse both. 

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?

The major challenge on the job is a team that works, every other challenge is basic and synonymous to all other businesses. For businesses like ours, your team can make or mar you. When I started the Kamu decor it was difficult to convince clients of my professionalism and ability to meet their demands since I didn’t go through any form of training. Other notable challenges encountered during the cause of this business is having other competitors take all of your ideas straight from your page and claiming and walking away with the credit of such ideas. While others will munch pictures of your work and paste it on their pages claiming it’s theirs.  I have had so many incidents like that. With the advent of apps, one is able to protect her work from being hijacked by writing your business name to each and every work done. Also, there have been challenges is terms of capital, especially because it is capital intensive and requires a lot of creative designs, constant change, and one needs to be trendy, unique, brand yourself in a way that any where people see our job they easily can tell it was handled by you.

Have those challenges ever made you feel discouraged? What keeps you going?

Yes a lot of the challenges can be discouraging especially where a client makes some commitment towards an event and suddenly some third party somewhere convinces the client a cheaper event decorator can be had elsewhere. The grace of Allah has kept me going.  

If not decorating, what other field do you think you would have done well in?

If not Kamu decor, it would have been fashion designing because of my love for clothes. I’m reasonably good at coming up with ideas on clothing.

This turf is one way to promote Nigerian culture, has there been any support in any form from the government. 

I reckon this area of culture would promote Nigerian’s arts and culture thereby creating employment locally since most of the items used in Kamu tends to be locally sourced. This will boost the production of the items of our local markets. For example the faifai, local leather poufs, stools, calabash, kumbo, tasa etc. Also, the local welders will brace up in fabricating things which one doesn’t ordinarily have to travel abroad to purchase. However, the wedding decor industry in Nigeria is not supported by government funding. One is left with no choice but using the little received from each job executed to constantly keep shaping the way of the game. 

Have you trained people on this creative turf?

I’m yet to extend a training course outside of my workforce at the moment. This is because one needs sufficient funds to enable one carry out such training in terms of buying the essential basic items for practicals. I get a lot of request to start training though. Perhaps in the near future that will happen. 

Which has been your most difficult project since you ventured into this career?

I believe every event decor has her own challenges because one may have tons of ideas but one is restricted to the limited resources at her disposal as such one is left with using what is avail. One of the most difficult projects I embarked on is that of My Fulani Village theme. I had to come up with thatched huts for the bridal sitting area. Everything had to be constructed and fabricated at the venue. We encountered obstacles at each security post all through to Abuja, the venue, due to the nature of the things we transported from our station. Installation took forever and rain disrupted and pulled down all of the huts due to heavy wind. We had to start all over again from scratch having finished everything. It was challenging but I managed to execute it successfully with a pat on the back from my client. 

How many hours do you put in to get a project completed?

It takes a whole day to be able to do a good job. Sometimes, one goes with a sketch of what to display but the set up may sometimes change as things pick up. We work through the night so that the day of the event is left for finishing touches.

Is it one adventure that keeps you smiling to the bank on weekly or monthly basis? 

Event decor is seasonal as such it’s not all the time one gets bookings. Sometimes one can go for months without a booking.

What advice would you give others who want to do well in this aspect of art? 

First and foremost we have to have a strong spiritual foundation. Alhamdulillah for my journey so far and for everything. I remain thankful and grateful to Allah for showing me the way and directing me into something I enjoy doing every step of the way. My advice to everyone out there who wants to venture into event decor is; be the best you, learn from every challenge, take charge of your present situation and make it your best. Don’t settle for less. Give your best shot at whatever you enjoy doing and have fun while making money.