Meet IRENE UGBONG, a Maker up Artist who just Launched Her Business Startup Under the C4C GEFP

I was born into the family of Sir/Lady Kris Mario Ugbong from Obudu in Cross River state. Upon the completion of my secondary school education, I gained admission into the University of Calabar in 2012 to study History and International studies, it was during this time that I developed an interest in and passion for beauty/fashion. I received professional training from House of Rubies Makeup School in 2014. After which I established Rina Brushes in Calabar, a mobile makeup business. In 2017/2018 I moved to Lokoja for the compulsory service year and during this time I held makeup training sessions for my fellow youth corps members.

At this point my business had gained a considerable amount of success. I had catered to the beauty needs of various brides and wedding guests, having worked on over 20 weddings.  However I felt the need to expand my business, for me the first step to expanding was opening up a makeup studio. I moved to Abuja in 2018 and began working towards the expansion. In Abuja, I continued providing makeup services to clients while also working on setting up my studio. However I encountered some managerial and financial difficulties. At this point I felt it was necessary to undergo extensive training in business management. I stumbled upon an advert calling for applications for C4C’s Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme. I applied and I was selected to be a part of the first batch of fellows to be admitted into the programme.

The various capacity building workshops and trainings provided by C4C opened my eyes to various modern business techniques that will be very useful while running and expanding my business. The programme also provided me with the opportunity to train with a highly established makeup establishment, Aday Makeup Muse. Also the rigorous trainings enabled me to more effectively articulate the investments required for my business and also determine my expected profit.

I am currently working with the C4C team on expanding my business to include a fully functional makeup studio. With this studio I will not only be able to deliver in-studio makeup services and for profit makeup training sessions but also contribute my quota to youth empowerment by offering free makeup training sessions to young women. I am proud to announce that I have been selected to be a part of the first 5 fellows that will be launching their business today.

Meet OCHIGBO ERIC, one of our Entrepreneurs who Just Launched his Fish Farming Business

I was born into an agro-business family in Makurdi, Benue State. I began my primary education at the Peace Nursery and Primary School and concluded at Nigerian Prisons Staff School both in Makurdi between 1990 and 1998.  As a result of my love for liturgical and spiritual activities, I attended St Kizito Minor Seminary Idah, Kogi State from 1998 to 2004.  In 2007, I was admitted into Kogi State University to study History and International Studies and graduated in 2010. I did my National Youth Service at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja where I learnt news reporting, image, audio and video editing and infographics. 

In 2016, I decided to return to my agricultural roots. I invested in fish farming but for lack of the relevant business skills, I was duped and I lost all my capital. I remained steadfast in my determination to set up a fish farm that would produce quality cat fish to meet the high market demand, create employment and create wealth for myself and my family and my community. However I recognized the need for extensive entrepreneurial training. In August 2018, I applied to C4Cs Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship Programme and was selected to be a part of the first 15 fellows to be admitted into the Programme.

The capacity building workshops, trainings and mentorship provided by the Programme have equipped me with the sufficient tools to navigate my way through my business. With the help pf the C4C team I was able to determine what input, financial and otherwise, is required for my business and calculate expected profit. I have always been a strong believer in giving back to my community even more so now that I have been introduced to the concept of social entrepreneurship by C4C. To this end I hope to be able to offer free training on catfish framing to youths from low-income families in my community.

I have been working tirelessly with the C4C team to set up my catfish pond. I am honored to be a part of the first 5 fellows that will be launching their businesses today.

Meet BILKISU GARBA-DIALLO, One of Our Entrepreneurs that just Launched Her Business Startup.

My name is Bilkisu Garba-Diallo. My father is a medical doctor and mother, a nurse. I am the last of four children. I studied architecture (first and second degrees) and I went further to take short courses in Environmental Sustainability and Renewable Energy. My interest in main stream architecture waned after having worked on a few construction sites. I was frustrated by the high level waste produced during the projects. I knew I wanted to infuse waste management into my architectural portfolio in some way.

In 2016, I got married to my best friend who is also an architect, and we established a company with a focus on building finishes. But in 2017, I decided to embark on a daring journey and try something new. I started a company called The Upcycle Architect (TUPA). It is a social enterprise that focuses on promoting environmental sustainability through the concept of upcycling. It also aims at finding solutions to the culture of waste mismanagement in the building industry and society in general.  At TUPA we specialize in the production of unique furniture and furnishing pieces for both interiors and exteriors. We create products from items people generally describe as junk, waste, trash and scrap. Asides product design and creation, we also specialize in space design and revamping and we organize creative upcycle workshops (for kids and adults) and advocacy programs.

 Although the business had gained some amount of success I thought it necessary to expand the business. I was working out of a small rented work station and doing most of the production at my home. This made it very difficult for me to effectively run the business. I needed a space where I would not only carry out production but also hold trainings and workshops. I was also having difficulties managing my finances and marketing my business. At this point I knew I had to undergo some training in business management. I was informed of an opportunity to be a part of C4C’s entrepreneurship fellowship Programme. I applied to the Programme and I was selected.

C4C’s Fellowship Program has been a total blessing for me. The internship training and capacity building workshops have exposed me to the concept of business and entrepreneurship. I have a better understanding now of how to calculate start-up capital requirements and expected profits, run the business, manage people, take inventory, keep accounting books and effectively market my business. It is an experience I will forever be grateful for. I have recently secured a location for my workshop and training center and I am working tirelessly with the C4C team to turn this location into a fully functional workshop and training center.

I will like to use this medium to say thank you to our dear C4C mummy, Dr. Kechi. You will forever be my hero. Also, to the entire the C4C team. You are all so amazing. God bless!