How To Make It: Edike: A Stylist Making Inroad Through Dint Of Hardwork

Blessing Edike is the CEO of Bibi Hairz. The company offers wig-making services, frontal and closure repairs, ventilation, hair colouring, revamping, and styling, as well as sales of hair accessories and wig tools.

After being inspired to become a hairstylist, Blessing started her hair revamping and wig retail business in 2019. She emphasiseda few steps in wig rejuvenation, such as washing and treating with quality products before styling to perfection.

Motivation

Her motivation for starting this business was the sector’s potential. The hair redesigning industry is a profitable one with numerous comparative advantages that should be capitalised on. “ my motivation is deriving joy from equipping young people like me with skills that can help them develop their potential and enterprising spirits,” she said.

Lucrativity

According to the wig expert, “the business is profitable, particularly in urban and densely populated areas. However, you must first make a substantial financial investment in the business. There are also other ways to make money, such as by providing other services.”

Challenges

“Operating in a high inflationary environment like ours is very challenging for business owners in the capitalized industry. The overhead cost and rising cost of market prices have continued to push businesses into a position of supply-side risk where we find it difficult to restock products because of the surging prices of goods in the market,” she pointed out.

Another challenge, she listed, is not to locate your business where the right clients are, as you may not get huge patronage, acknowledging that lack of broad knowledge about styles is also a challenge.

Advice

She advised interested investors in this business to “start with what you have and where you are. There is never a better time to start than now. The first idea is not always the finest, but the ability to refine and redesign it makes the difference between a growth mindset and a stiff mindset.

“Also, remember that you need to believe in yourself before people start believing in you or your solution. We also know that resilience is key to doing business and do not cut corners in business.

Biography

Blessing Edike is the owner of Bibi Hairz, a wig shop that also offers frontal and closure repair and ventilation. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education and economics from Delta State University in 2016.

Bibi Hairz, a business she started as an undergraduate, was founded in 2019. As someone who never settles for second best, she continued to hone her skills by participating in online training and watching videos.

She is a recipient of the Karis and Eleos Foundation, a training sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation that teaches crisis management skills.