DshiruAisha Yasmine Dahiru, in this Interview with MUHAMMAD TANKO SHITTU, says studying political science is not regrettable, but engaging in entrepreneurial and skill-oriented activities, pays more even at undergraduate level. She says fashion-designing and self-taught make-up art made her independent.
Background
I am, Aisha Yasmine Dahiru, a student of political science at Kaduna State University, but my vocation is fashion-designing, and as a self taught make-up artist. I own a firm; Vaerdi Nigeria.
As political science student why did you take to fashion-designing and make-up art?
At first I was just doing it for fun on my sisters faces, they were like my “muse.” Later, I realised that I could make a business out of it and that was how I started.
It has always been fashion that I was into, but the make-up came after and I am grateful that I get to do these two crafts that I love doing and I noticed that people appreciate me for it. It is one thing to just do something because you have to, and it is another thing to do what you love doing.
It has not come in the way of my studies, although it can be time-consuming when demands are high, especially during wedding seasons or promos, but I have never had to choose one over the other, Alhamdulillah.
Any regrets studying political science?
I have no regrets. Alhamdulillah. I have always been a person that sees herself holding a political office. All my life, I have always seen myself as a go-getter, more on the political side. You can be smart and stylish. As Tom Ford said; “dressing well is a form of good manners,” and my brand is all about dressing well and looking drop dead gorgeous. So diversification is most and necessary for prosperity.
That means someday you would vie for elective position…?
Yes, somedays, inshaa’Allah, I aspire to become an ambassador. According to Walt Disney, “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” However, aspiring for an elective position, not for now. I can’t say never because I don’t know what the future might hold for me, it is in the hands of the Almighty.
In what way does the business supports your learning process?
It has opened many doors of opportunity, I have attended several entrepreneurship workshops where I learnt a lot, I also travelled to places and it has made me more independent and more aware of the things around me. Everyday I keep learning about new trends to ensure my business is up to date. I learned how best to communicate with new customers in addition to work in teams.
I mostly appreciate being myself, just enjoying what I do and as a person, owning a business teaches you so much and makes you relate with people more. It just breathes this confidence, maturity and self-development. Starting a business at a young age didn’t come with a manual. I made mistakes and I learnt from them and it has made me grow into the person that I am today.
What inspiration can other students draw out from your initiatives?
I took an elective course on entrepreneurship in my third year and it involved coming up with a business plan but I was already familiar with that because when starting my business I had to do a research on business planning and how to go about implementing it.
As I look up to others that have business initiatives, I also hope that I serves as a role model to other students like myself to go for it, go for what inspires them and become independent. This is because at the end of the day, being independent is an important step in an individual’s life which comes as a milestone in one’s life.
Ladies are good entrepreneurs, they have good business ideas and are also good financial managers with financial discipline.
How do you drive your customers?
I get my customers mostly online through Instagram, and also referrals from previous clients. I normally stock my ready-to-wear at a fashion store called Closet6. It was easier than owning a store because I think it will be more difficult to have a store. However, at the moment, though I am working on it by next year if Allah wills, we’ll be opening our store alongside a make-up studio.
Do you work alone or you have some apprenticeship?
I have a few helping hands but planning on expanding inshaa’Allah, at Vaerdi Nigeria we are gradually growing.
Your advice to the female folks and students
They should discover their inherent passion and talents and go for it. Whatever you set your mind to or what ever you have interest on, go for it whether you are married or just a student.
At the point of starting my business, I was worried because I was short of funds, but having read a journal that said; “we live in an era where entrepreneurs believe that money is not the problem, the problem is the bankruptcy of idea where ideas are available, funds and money can never be an issue,” I became motivated.
There are so many ways to source for fund, I started my fashion business with the little savings and went for it. I never looked back, and starting my make-up business became even easier because people around me were willing to help out. And I also sourced from my savings from fashion business. As long as the idea is there, you are already half way. Remember find your passion and dreams, work towards it and never look back, keep going.
Your likes and dislikes
Many people knows I love food more than anything; so, I will say I like food a lot, I like what I do, I like doing new things and I enjoy daring myself to do things that seem impossible. I like travelling, playing badminton and reading crime novels, but I dislike phony people.
What is your life plan after graduation?
I am envisaging in the nearest future to commence my master;’s, expand my business, travel near and wide inshaa’Allah then maybe when husband comes, get married.
Lastly, what type of spouse are you hoping of having?
They say every girl has imagined the kind of man she would love to marry, right from young age, though I really haven’t thought of that for now. But I think I have an idea.
I want to have a Nigerian man that is well educated, a matured man. I don’t want a perfect man, rather I want someone that would make mistakes, accept the mistakes and learn from them. The kind of man that has respect for every woman and lastly a God fearing man.
