Afripreneur
Otimayin Queen Morenike, teen hair stylist, schooling & working
My name is Otimayin Queen Morenike. I am a native of Kogi State. I am the second child of my family and I am 19 years old. I am into hairdressing, styling people’s hair and bringing out the exact beauty in them.
I started this hair dressing business by making hair for my friends; then I was in secondary school and just 12 years old.
I get motivation from home and my mother is my role model.
Categorically speaking, the starting wasn’t easy, but there were so many things that spurred me to go into the business and one of them is the need to be independent and also to lessen my mother’s burden of catering for me.
I have always wanted a life in which I would be able to cater for myself, provide my basic needs and relieve my mum of some responsibilities. The aim and vision of my business have grown wider over the years. I want my service to be widely known and accepted. I want to be known for doing perfect job and satisfying my customers to the fullest of my ability.
This is because by so doing I will have some referrals and the survival of my business depends solely on this.
My training was hard and discouraging, but it worthwhile. I was trained by my mother and also by a professional.
My business is solving women’s problem; specifically making ladies and girls look beautiful.
My business has also helped improve ladies’ appearances because we all know that the way you dress (in which hair is part of) is the way you’ll be addressed.
I must add that as a teenager, it’s not easy combining schooling with business, but because of the passion I have for both, success in them has become my driving force.
I currently see myself as a company offering quality services to its target customers.
The target audience for my business is the global market. With the help of God, I am making money from my business.
I get customers from the campus near our home.
My customers are mostly students, which makes my brand stand out even though I treat customers very well.
Even when they are not making their hair, I call them and ask for their wellbeing, and apart from that, my creativity in terms of forming new styles stand me out in the business.
Each time I see good works from other people, I feel motivated to work harder, making sure I do not lag behind, so that, I can fit into the business world.
I make use of big/tail/cutting combs, scissors, knitting pin, needle and pin for now.
I remember when I started, especially at the time I was not really good, people laughed and insulted me.
Although, pressure from studies often weigh me down, I still try to balance things.
I have to keep going because I have learnt that tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
Truly, I have begun to reap the reward.
In the next five years, I see myself owning a beauty school and a salon, which seeks satisfaction of customers, give them value for their money.
I also want my outfit to employ young people, empower them beyond the four walls of the classroom.
Apart from hairdressing, I am also skilled at advising people, helping them discover their talents.
My word to other kids out there with potentials like me is that they should go for what they love and have passion for.
They should not allow circumstances to be the limiting factor of their dream.
It’s in them, and they can do it. Don’t forget to make yourself a priority because at the end of the day you are your longest commitment.
Love you guys and see you at the top @Queens World Beauty Salon.(GuardianNG)
African Hidden Champions (AHC) will host an exclusive Soirée on April 24, 2024, in Johannesburg to convene and celebrate entrepreneurial spirit with top African founders taking on the global stage. The event will also feature a private concert with award-winning South African artist, Ami Faku.
African Hidden Champions, a co-partnership of Africa Foresight Group, Germany’s development finance institution DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft and the African Development Bank, was founded in 2020 and now has more than 25 dynamic African firms in its network. It works to support companies to move to global expansion through visibility, technical assistance, innovation, talent, and investment support. This event, dubbed “Proudly Local, Boldly Global,” is also supported by British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) and impact investor.
The evening will feature opening addresses by Kuseni Dlamini, Chairman of Aspen Pharmacare and AHC Ambassador; Anne Keppler, Regional Director for Southern Africa at DEG; and Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII. It will include a fireside chat with AHC Company founder, Dare Okoudjou, founder and CEO of Onafriq.
“Investing in Africa’s businesses goes beyond just capital; it’s about believing in our potential to lead on the global stage. This Soirée is our testament to the world: Africa is not just rising; it is ready to lead,” said Yasmin Kumi, AHC Co-Founder and CEO of Africa Foresight Group, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving long-term goals on the continent.
In addition to engaging in discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will be treated to a private concert by Faku, showcasing the continent’s vibrant spirit and cultural richness.
“Intentional investments and empowerment of African companies create value far surpassing what individuals can achieve alone. This Soirée is a celebration of what we can accomplish together and a look forward to the boundless possibilities ahead to be proudly local and boldly global,” said Thomas Viot, Chief Investment Officer at the African Development Bank Group.
Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa at BII, said: “As Africa’s first DFI, we have been supporting private sector growth and innovation across the continent for over 75 years. This celebration reflects our commitment to empower local businesses that are critical to drive forward a prosperous and sustainable economic future for Africa. This includes increasing our focus on black-owned and led businesses and funds across our portfolio.”
AHC embodies the entrepreneurial mindset of African homegrown businesses believing in their global potential, which is underlined throughout the initiative’s work, spanning visibility, support services and events. Once a year, new member companies sign the AHC declaration to commit to the same spirit. Together, the 25+ member companies generate revenues surpassing $8.3 billion, provide employment to a 78,000-strong workforce, and extend their reach across 14 African nations.
Omar Ngom is a Senegalese entrepreneur, founder of Sama Chef, the first school that trains chefs in Senegal. Located in the residential district of Mermoz, Sama Chef is an institution that marks a turning point in the training of Senegalese chefs.
Head chef of the restaurant “Séku bi, Il Pappagallo Dakar”, Omar stands out for his innovative approach. He collaborates with renowned international chefs, which allows him to offer unique masterclasses, transcending culinary boundaries. This revolutionary method elevates Senegalese cuisine by fusing it with international influences.
With several years of experience acquired in Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France, including as chef of the famous Italian restaurant “Il Pappagallo Hotel Sekubi”, Omar Ngom took the initiative to create this school of excellence in his native Senegal. His motivation stems from the observation of a growing demand for chefs in the restaurant sector in Senegal.
Sama Chef’s mission is to create an international school of professional training in the culinary and catering sector: the ultimate goal is to create an elite group of chefs, kitchen assistants, waiters, and waiters who are in turn able to pass on the know-how they have acquired.
A shortcoming that he decided to fill by providing a solution in order to prepare Senegal to be established in the gastronomic pantheon. Omar Ngom’s prowess quickly attracted the attention of renowned media outlets such as Le Monde newspaper, Reporter Gourmet, Italian TV channel and other media outlets. By opening this school of excellence, he has not only blazed a new trail for culinary education in Senegal, but he has also erected a pillar for the influence of Senegalese cuisine on a global scale.
Vanessa Toh, Founder at Payeline (Image: Supplied).
PayeLine is a self-employed company created in 2023 by the entrepreneur Vanessa Toh and specialized in administrative and payroll management for French VSEs and SMEs. It is an innovative company that helps you facilitate the day-to-day management of your business.
With a professional degree in payroll and personnel administration and 13 years of experience in French and foreign payroll, Vanessa decided to put her skills at the service of companies as a freelance payroll and personnel administration consultant. Its aim is to facilitate the day-to-day management of companies so that they are free to focus on the essentials of their activities.
Indeed, the growth of a company can be profoundly disrupted by the constant changes around legal obligations and the complexity of payroll management. With Payeline, the founder offers these VSEs and SMEs customizable solutions that can be adapted to the specific needs of their company.
Opting for Payeline means choosing to alleviate the pressure related to compliance and legality with regulations. You benefit from efficient management in the calculation of payroll and a significant time saving to focus on the most important thing: your growth.
Payeline offers, among other things, Payroll & Declarations, Administrative Management, Payroll Auditing and intervenes within companies for missions to replace payroll managers who are absent or in the process of being recruited, as well as for interim management. Many large companies have already placed their trust in him, including Groupe Bertrand, Aviv groupe, Doctolib, Back market.
Passionate about innovation and an entrepreneur at heart, Vanessa attaches great importance to the well-being of each customer and makes it a point of honor to offer offers adapted to each need for optimal comfort.
