From the scratch, Damilola, a hair stylist, through passion and hard work, built a successful business with a loyal client base and a reputation for excellence. In this report, she shared with BLESSING OKOLA her love for hair styling, how she started at a young age thereby honing her skills, and how she grew via constant practice and dedication and became a success story in the industry today.
Damilola’s rise in business is indeed inspirational. She started very small but at the moment, her hair styling business has become a sensation in the industry. Her exceptional skills and dedication, attention to details, creativity and ability to understand clients’ needs set her apart from others. She now operates with the business name called Shebah Beauty Empire, a fashion and beauty hub that offers a wide range of services to both men and women located at Garki Ultramoden Market, Abuja.
Expertise beyond styling
Damilola’s ability to deliver stunning hairstyles that exceed her clients’ expectations has earned her a loyal following, fashion design and customisation (dresses, suits, traditional attire), bead making, wig making and revamping and hair care product manufacturing, unto gele tying and hand fan customisation, customised outfits, bridal packages (including customised shoes and bags) pedicure, medicure, advanced beauty treatments, bridal packages (including customised shoes and bags), and dressing and beautifying the bride. Her business offers high-quality wigs and hair care products that cater to diverse client needs.
What sets her apart?
Her commitment to delivering exceptional results is evident in her meticulous approach to every hairstyle, and her ability to think outside the box and push boundaries has earned her recognition in the industry. She prioritises client satisfaction, ensuring that every client leaves her salon feeling confident and beautiful.
As Damilola’s business continues to thrive, she’s poised to make even bigger impact on the hair styling industry. With her passion, expertise, and dedication, she’s sure to remain a top player in the industry for years to come.
In a chat with Damilola, she said she has built a reputation for delivering exceptional quality and attention to detail. She said her journey into the world of fashion and beauty began at a young age.
She explained that with a strong foundation in hairdressing and fashion, she launched Shebah Beauty Empire, which has grown to become a go-to destination for fashion and beauty enthusiasts. Her team of four skilled professionals works together to deliver exceptional results, and her commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned her a reputation as one of the top beauty experts in the industry.
According to her, one of the unique aspects of the Shebah Beauty Empire is its focus on customisation. From customised outfits and accessories to personalised hand fans and bags, makes her team works closely with clients to bring their vision to life.
Early beginnings
Explaining how her early journey began with hairdressing, she said she started her journey at a young age, inspired by a neighbor who had a shop in front of her house. She would often watch and learn, and gradually she developed a passion for the craft.
She then decided to pursue her dream of having a bigger shop and went back to school to study at Ladoke Akintola University where she earned her NCE. During her time in school, she had a lot of customers and would often work late into the night sometimes till 12midnight or 1:00am.
After completing her NCE, she went on to the University of Ibadan to earn her degree. Throughout her university days, she continued to work on her hair styling skills and built a loyal customer base. Her mother saw her passion and talent and assisted her with funds and equipment to open her own shop.
When she got married, her husband was supportive of her business and helped her learn additional skills such as gele tying, makeup, and bead making. These skills allowed her to expand her business and attract more customers. She now runs a successful hair styling business, paying a shop rent of 600,000 naira.
Throughout her journey, she has received support from her parents and husband thereby helping her to achieve her dreams, a skill she developed through practice and dedication. This was despite facing setbacks, including a break-in at her home that left her with significant losses. She persevered and continued to build her business.
Damilola said she eventually expanded her services to include fashion design, wig making, and other beauty treatments. Her business, Shebah Beauty Empire, has become a go-to destination for fashion and beauty enthusiasts.
“My vision was to make every human being look beautiful and feel confident because I believe that everyone deserves to look good, and that was my major motivation towards establishing my beauty salon.
“I update myself with relevant skills to keep up with the trending styles and fashion in order to give my customers excellent service they deserve. I also ensure that my team is equipped to deliver exceptional services and this has earned us a loyal client base and a reputation as a leader in the industry,” she said.
Her aim, she stressed, is “to empower women and help them feel confident and beautiful because every woman deserves to look and feel her best. We’re dedicated to making that vision a reality.”
Overcoming challenges
Damilola also shared her challenges in building Shebah Beauty Empire. According to her, despite her passion and dedication, she faced several obstacles that tested her resolve, chief among which was securing funding to set up and grow her business.
She noted that starting a business in the beauty industry requires significant investment, particularly when it comes to makeup. A well-stocked makeup shop can cost up to two million naira, a sum that can be daunting for many entrepreneurs.
In addition to funding, she has also faced environmental challenges, including overtaxing and harassment from tax authorities. These challenges can be particularly difficult for small business owners who are already struggling to make ends meet, but despite these challenges, she said she remained focused and by the grace of God, the business is standing today through hard work, dedication and determination everything is possible.
“Every challenge I encountered was a lesson to me. My journey has thought me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and to be proactive in seeking out new opportunities and skills, such as bead making and gele tying. This has enabled me to stay ahead of the competition in the industry,” she said.
She said that as Shebah Beauty Empire continues to grow and evolve, she’ll remain committed to her vision of making every human being look beautiful and feel confident. “With my passion, dedication, and expertise, I’m sure we will overcome future challenges and even achieve greater success in the future,” she stated.
Business operations and financials
She said her shop rent is currently 600,000, which she said is the cheapest in that location. She has a team of workers that handles various aspects of the business. She stated that the payment structure is based on a subleasing model where her workers pay her a certain amount to use the shop space. This allows them to work on their own projects while also contributing to the overall business.
“As Shebah Beauty Empire continues to grow, my plan is to demarcate the shop space and expand her operations,” she said, adding that her financial management strategy involves careful planning and budgeting. She ensures that she has enough funds to cover expenses, including shop rent and worker payments, while also investing in new opportunities and skills to stay ahead of the competition.
Her entrepreneurial spirit and determination are keys to her success. She is a true leader who is passionate about building a business that empowers women and promotes beauty and self-expression.
Empowering women, breaking down barriers
She said that women should be given the opportunity to work and support their families, breaking free from traditional mindsets that restrict women’s roles. By empowering women, we can unlock their full potential, contribute to the well-being of families and society, and promote mutual support and independence.
“My story is a testament to the power of women’s empowerment and the importance of creating opportunities for women to thrive,” she said, noting that the traditional mindset that women should sit back at home and take care of the family is no longer applicable in today’s society.
She emphasised that women are capable of doing just as much as men, if not more. She believes that when women are given the opportunity to work, they can contribute to the well-being of their families and society as a whole.
She acknowledged that there are still societal mindsets that believe women should not work or should be subservient to their husbands. However, she argued that these mindsets are outdated and can be detrimental to families and society.
She further stressed the importance of mutual support between husbands and wives. She noted that her husband has been very supportive of her business ventures and has even paid for her training and shop rent, adding that she believes that women should be independent and self-sufficient.
Message to married women
Damilola emphasised that women should be allowed to explore the things they want to do and pursue their passions. When asked about her vision for the next five years, she said she sees herself as a successful and influential woman with a well-structured business and a strong team. She aims to be bigger and greater while still giving credit to God for her success.