14th April, 2015
By Bukola Adedeji
Kunbi Fashakin, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Sitpretty Makeovers speaks on how she has been able to build a successful brand and opportunities in the makeup industry.
What influenced your decision to become a makeup artist?
My decision to become a makeup artist was influenced by my burning desire to serve, to bring joy to people, to solve problems and to, of course, leave mouths agape when they glance upon my work.
Tell us about your brand, and what makes Sitpretty unique?
SitPretty is known for excellent service delivery, professionalism, uncommon artistry, glamorous and jaw-dropping beauty transformations.
How did you come about the name Sitpretty?
SitPretty was a name actually inspired by the Holy Spirit about nine years ago while studying Chemical and Polymer Engineering. As at then, I hadn’t decided to be a makeup artist. I was already in the business of buying and selling clothes and accessories for women and giving makeovers to a few non-paying clients. It actually has a dictionary meaning – To be in a favourable/advantageous position. So I took it as a promise and it has kept me till this very day.
How long have you been in business?
I have been a makeup artist for seven years.
What are some of the things you needed to put in place to start off your business?
To start off my business, I first of all showed interest, I sought the know-how through books, DVDs, online videos and short classes with a few makeup artists. While acquiring this knowledge, I invested in a myriad of makeup products and tools to practice on myself and on people what I had learnt. I also armed myself with the know-how of navigating the web, this got me noticed and the rest they say is history.
The makeup industry in Nigeria is growing at a really fast pace, what are some traits that differentiate professionals from quacks?
Hmmmm…. Professionalism really stems from (a) How you learnt your craft, (b) How you have honed your skill in the craft, (c) The principles that motivate your decisions and (d) Your service delivery.
In the makeup industry, we have artists who attended makeup schools and those who are self-taught and have innate artistic talent. So it would be wrong for me to call anyone a quack. The traits that have become bothersome in certain ‘makeup artists’ are : Plagiarism (passing off someone else’s work as yours) ; Undercharging (to ensure you get more work which at the end of the day has an opposite effect on the industry because even as you get the every less-paying gigs often, those who patronise you will find it hard to pay anyone and even you anything higher because what you charge is basically the value you have placed on yourself); No Value Proposition (this means they haven’t set a standard of how they want to run their business and are carried by the wind of change).
What sort of challenges do you encounter as a make-up artist?
The challenges I face are too numerous to count: Gaining the confidence of intending clientele, retaining clientele, Publicity and man-power in terms of staffing. Also, import duties for products we need that cannot be sourced in Nigeria.
Bridal makeup is assumed as the most lucrative aspect of the industry, what other opportunities exist?
In the makeup industry, we have opportunities in the Film Industry (as a Special Effects Artist), TV and Stage Makeup, Wholesaling and Retailing Makeup Products and Owning a Makeup Franchise for International Brands.
What would you say are the necessary skills a budding makeup artist should acquire?
Technical know-how, people skills and willingness to keep learning.
How do you source for clients in a very competitive industry?
We source for clients via print adverts, referrals, social media and trade shows.
Do You Have Mentors And Do You Mentor Other MUAs?
Yes, I have mentors in diverse fields and I also mentor those I have trained and those who approach me for mentoring
In what ways do you think the government can boost entrepreneurship in nigeria, especially in your sector?
Government can help the beauty sector by giving grants and trainings.
What is your take on work life balance?
As a woman, it’s almost natural for me to balance every area of my life, but in all honesty, we can’t get it right without moral support from family, friends and staff.
What are yout top 5 business nuggets?
* Love what you do better than you love to eat
* Don’t eat all your profit, save some and plough the rest back into your business
* Have a clear vision and ensure your staff are educated about it
* Invest in acquiring knowledge in all areas that affect your business.
* Know your target market and ensure you reach out to them
What is your definition of a fempreneur?
A Fempreneur is a forward thinking individual who is confident, works-smart, has a balanced life and is able to motivate other women to go for what they believe and hang in there when the chips are down!