WB ‘I started my business at 22’
Ameera Abraham started The Nail Bar at the age of 22. After graduating with a B.A in Politics and International Relations from Royal Holloway University, London and came home, she discovered that there was no spa dedicated for nails in Abuja.
“We were all complaining about Abuja not having a dedicated spa for nails and as I had always been the beautician in the family I decided to share my passion with anyone who cared to listen. And by March 2011 I had officially launched TNB”, she said enthustically.
Having started, Abraham faced challenges like any business does. “The major issues I faced were the lack of steady electricity and water supply - this is an integral part of my business which led to a loss of customers during my first few weeks of opening. Then, my age, 22 was also an issue for some of my customers and all my staff. In a sense I had to prove myself to everyone and earn their respect. I have really matured in the past 5 years of starting up The Nail Bar”, she explains.
Her outfit currently consists of 14 employees. And for any startup, Abraham has this advice. “It is important to stay true to your vision, be clear on what you want and put in place a plan to make it come alive. A lot of people will have opinions on how best you should execute your plan and this can be confusing,” she said.
Similarly, she said passion is key in making your vision a reality. “You must love what you do and want nothing more! My passion for beauty keeps me a step ahead of competitors. It’s not just about the financial benefits. I sleep, dream, eat, think and breathe beauty! It’s my passion,” Abraham said cheerfully.
On the biggest lesson she has learnt as an entrepreneur, Abraham said don’t be afraid to ask for help as an entrepreneur.
“I always wanted to do everything myself because I thought as an entrepreneur I also had to be an accountant, a human resources manager, a marketing executive etc. While it is necessary to have an understanding of these various elements that make up your business, it is also very important to realise when you need to hand over to the professionals,” she notes.
She however stated how to support and improve innovation in Nigeria. “Education and ongoing training is key in all sectors of industry in Nigeria. The key to my success is my constant search for knowledge in my field and improving myself,” she said.
Again, to have a successful business, Abraham says you must set your boundaries. “The best way to have a successful working life is to know your boundaries and make it very clear to whoever you find yourself working with. Being in Nigeria, I have found that the professional relationship line is almost always crossed and it tends to lead to unnecessary conflicts,” she notes.