Anayo Okolie,

he level of one’s education does not determine the level of one’s success in life. The story of Kufre Nnah, the Chief Executive Officer of Kayz Place Barbers Shop is a typical example, though education is as important as the air. Many see it as the most important possession a person must acquire.

Bill Gates, who founded the world’s largest software business; Microsoft, dropped out of college in 1975 to pursue his business, with partner Paul Allen, today one of the richest men in the world.

Gates is the richest man for the fourth time in a row and the richest person in the world for 18 out of the past 23 years. He has a fortune of $86 billion, up from $75 billion last year.

So, for Nnah, whose dream was always to study engineering failed to achieve that, has not limited his potentials in life. Today, he is not regretting venturing into barbing because according to him, with money, one can always get quality education at any age.

The story of Nnah, who is fondly called Kay by friends, inspires young people.

Kay is an experienced berber and entrepreneur with almost two decades of experience. Nnah’s two major offices are located at No. 35 Adeniran Ogunsanya Street in Surulere, Lagos and No 11 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Nnah’s professional services has attracted the patronage of public figures such as, Femi Otedola, Femi Fani-Kayode, Don Jazzy, Julius Agwu, Naeto C, Patoranking, Kiss Daniel, Ycee, Davido, Wizkid, Iyanya, Burna Boy, D Prince, Shank, Tekno, AKA, K-Switch, Dbanj, T-Billz, Wande Coal, Samklef, Sean Tizzle, Eldee, Timaya, Cele Bobo, Young L, top MDs of banks and many others.

His barbershop does not only provide quality services to customers but also leave them with a satisfying smile.

The atmosphere at kayzPlace is friendly, homely and entertaining with clients feeling very comfortable as if they are at home.

Nnah is eager to change the impression people have of barbers. He feels sad about the way barbers are treated. That, he also disclosed, was among his motivation to establish a multimillion-naira branch in Adeniran Ogunsaya.

He has over 60 people working in Surulere and Lekki branches.

Narrating how he started the hair-cut business, Nnah, who is an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, said, “While growing up, I lived a normal guys life; I wouldn’t say I suffered, as I always had money to spend, and within me I had resolved not to work for anybody, because; then I used to spend about N6,000 to N10,000 without even thinking about it, so how much would an employer pay me as a secondary school graduate to guarantee that kind of spending?

“I grew up like every other person. I attended St. Luke New Trans School in Uyo, from there I proceeded to Government Technical School, Uyo and Senior Technical College, Abak.

Nnah added, “After my graduation I sought for admission into higher institution for several years, but all efforts failed; out of frustration I gave up on that dream. While I was in the technical school, I used to have a saloon and that was where I get my pocket money from. When I graduated from secondary school, my dad asked me to go and manage the saloon myself; something I never learnt how do. Before then, I employed people that are working at the barbing saloon.

“I wasn’t serious with the business but my dad kept disturbing me to the extent that when my friends come to see me at home, he will chase them away saying that I don’t have anything doing other than keeping friends.”

One day, he said his dad chased away the two barbers working for him.

He told me, “If I wanted to be collecting any money from the shop, I should be doing the hair-cut myself.

“Initially I was against the decision because I still had some money with me but after about two weeks, when the money with me had gone down, I was forced to open the saloon and started cutting hair myself something that I had not previously learnt, and that was how I started barbing hair.

“I continued for about a year and half without the basic knowledge to cut hair, until I decided on my own to come to Lagos. In July 2005, I came to Lagos to visit my brother. While I was at his place, he kept on disturbing me about following him to his work place.

“One day after much pressure, I decided to follow him and then I stumbled on a saloon in Lekki. I had never seen any saloon as big as that, I was already used to seeing all those small saloons in Uyo which had two to three chairs. This particular saloon in Lekki had about 13 girls and two barbers; I liked the place and I told my brother, he spoke to the manager who happened to be his friend and without any interview he asked me to come and resume anytime I was ready; that was how I started as a barber here in Lagos.

“I worked there for about seven years before I decided to leave. I started my