‘I fall back on beauty business because I couldn’t get a white collar job’

Kindly tell us about yourself?My name is Mrs Salome Yila Umaru. I had a B.sc in International Studies and a Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy with certificate courses in Public Information and French language. I obtained my first and second degrees at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1998 and 2006 respectively. But […]

Kindly tell us about yourself?
My name is Mrs Salome Yila Umaru. I had a B.sc in International Studies and a Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy with certificate courses in Public Information and French language. I obtained my first and second degrees at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1998 and 2006 respectively. But presently I run a beauty and personal care outfit that caters for women and brides as a business.
When and how did you start your beauty and personal care outfit?
I started this business about twelve years ago in 2002 with sales and rentals of wedding gowns at first and eventually incorporated the beauty and personal skin care aspect to it. I started this business simply for the passion I have for it. You know, while growing up you will discover there is a flair you have for something; it comes naturally to you. This has been the case for me, I love to dress people up and offer advice and counsel concerning their looks and skin health and it somehow always worked, so for me it has always been there.
How has it been since you started?
The business was slow when I began in 2002 because I was operating from home but when I opened an outlet on GombeRroad in Kaduna, it improved and I was getting a lot of references but you know bridal trends and fashion are ever changing. Hence the business requires capital.
Location and visibility is also critical to this business, so I had to relocate to Kachia Road (Sabo by Express).
I also had to go for training to acquire more skills and get into the mix of the market. As God will have it, YouWin (Youth Enterprise with Innovation) came and I participated and succeeded. This resolved the issue of capital and location as I have now moved to a prominent location in S & S shopping mall in Barnawa.
I have a graduate staff as a makeup artist and bridal counsellor who assists me in makeup jobs and training and also a shop assistant in my employ.
In our business we promote modesty, decency and poise for brides to be and help boost your confidence as a woman that no matter your age, size, class or status you could look and feel beautiful. We offer counselling and try to find out what you like and also help you find what looks good and nice on you and for you and not necessarily what is in fashion.
With all your certificates, why are you not in white collar job?
I am not working with my certificates because I could not get a job in spite all my effort to get one. I got married as a student and on graduation and after NYSC, I started seeking employment. After several applications and attempts here and there, nothing was forthcoming. It was always a call for one aptitude test or the other and the need to talk to one big man or the other. The truth is that I couldn’t get a job and as a married woman, there is a limit to which you can go in search of a job. I then decided to fall back on what I love doing with a view to making a living out of it and I can tell you there’s been no regrets and God has been faithful.
I love to counsel friends and clients and I love preparing them as brides.
Where did you learn the business and what is your assessment of the business?
I learnt the make-up aspect of my work from House of Tara in Kaduna and also Mamza Beauty. Truly the business is very lucrative, though seasonal. I rent one wedding gown per use between 18,000 to N25, 000 depending on the choice of the bride.
Do you also train people who are interested in treading the path of your business?
Yes, I train people, I have graduated about ten people and I have three presently undergoing training.
How does it feel to be an employer?
Well, for me, I feel fulfilled and satisfied because I am doing what I love to do. It also makes me more responsible because I have to be a role model to my employees and it also gives me joy that I am impacting positively to the society by way of helping to reduce unemployment.
What is your advice to unemployed graduates especially women?
I advise unemployed graduates especially to look inward and see what they are good at because everyone is blessed with a potential by God. They should manifest the God given potential and use it to make a change. The moment you start up something, you will discover that there are a lot of  people who actually need your service. So nobody should sit down idle, start something however little and use your academic knowledge and skills to make the business grow.