WOMEN IN BUSINESS>> Funding, credits are key issues for start-ups - Gladys
Agboola Mosun Gladys is the owner of GM Signature. In this interview, the Abuja-based make-up specialist who runs two studios operating for about four years spoke about her start-up hiccups and how she overcame them.
How did you venture into the make-up business?
First, it was my passion for make-up that drove me into learning it. Although, I knew about it from seminars and watch YouTube, I needed to train professionally to gain confidence. So I crowned my decision with what make-up entails - the elegant look and the physical allure. That spurred my interest of being a make-up artist and I became one!
What were your early challenges when you started?
When I decided to learn about four years ago, I realized that make-up is not as easy as I thought. I also discovered to become a good make-up artist, you must use good products and they don’t come cheap at all. Access to funds was another key challenge because no bank was ready to give me loan as a start-up. I had to save and got support from my family. When customers engage me for bridal jobs, I get paid and I always invest everything back into the business by buying products that suit their skin tone.
The other challenge I experienced was pricing; customers want good jobs done on them but when it comes to paying, they complain that it’s quite expensive. But we are overcoming that with more market strategies.
How are you empowering others to be employers in this business?
It’s still difficult for some people to accept the make-up business as a profession on its own. Occasionally, I organize training seminars for women to enable them do their personal make-up and Gele tying. I am an accredited National Youth Service Corps-Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneur Development [NYSC-SAED] trainer. I train corps members on different types of make-up and gele tying at subsidized rates.
How do you create awareness for your business?
I do that through the social media like on Instagram and Facebook. I also do that through flyers and banners, and I also talk to people one-on-one, along with referrals.
Do you think this business is sustainable?
Yes it is sustainable as far as women, fashion and entrepreneurship are concerned, and we bless God. It’s been going on and paying my bills. We expect the train to keep moving as it has no final destination.
The business could be much more profitable if you have a good customer base, and when customers are willing/ready to pay after you ‘tailor’ your service to suit them. Without any shadow of doubt, it is a moneymaking business because women use make-up every day.
What are your expectations to expanding this business?
I expect to have my own make-up line soon, and to become an international makeup artist.
What is your advice to upcoming make-up artists?
My advice to start-ups in the make-up business is to first, have passion. I will also advice that they should not despise their little beginning so they can work hard, because it pays. They should also stay relevant, with the determination to learn every day.
Being a make-up artist demands that one must be creative by initiating new things and adopting emerging techniques and styles. You must also create unique ideas that will leave a lasting impression on your customers as the potential for those satisfied customers to refer others to you is quite high.