Ngozikachi Onyeulo is an entrepreneur who has empowered wiggers, hair stylists and young administrators. The Chief Executive Officer, Kachi Beauty World, in this interview with Atanda Sheriff, recalls her humble beginning, challenges and journey to success.
What inspired you to go into business?
Years before I got into hair fashion business, I had tried other businesses such as; selling jewelries, shoes, cloths and more. But my hairstyles were what most people admired about me. Questions about where I buy my hair extensions became much and it inspired me to give it a try as a business. My inspiration came from being very adventurous with my hairstyles and also creating different looks for different people.
How was it at the beginning?
Honestly, it was very lucrative and profitable for me. I started selling hair immediately I got into the university, at that time a lot people knew me for my hairstyles. So, the moment a few of them discovered I had started selling hair, the news traveled very fast. I was selling out my stock in weeks and restocking. At 200 levels in the university I conducted my first outdoor sales in the two most populated female hostels in my school. These very sales fetched me my first set of millions.
What was the turning point for you?
The turning point for me was when I made my first N1.9M as a 200 level student in Obafemi Awolowo University, ile-ife, Osun State.
How was your growing up like: growing up;
Growing up wasn’t so easy. I started house chores and going to the market at an early age. Woe betides you should my grandma feel that you had been cheated in the market. This was where my accountability skill began. You had to account for every kobo given and defend any unnecessary spending. As I grew older, I learnt how to find the best bargains in the market, save money and plan for my sweet and biscuits.
I studied Economics at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ife. I must say a big thank you to all my lecturers because it is now that I am in business that I can understand the application of the principles we were taught. The famous “dy” and “dx” in the mathematical equations we were being taught is what has taken my business to the level it is today and at the pace at which it grew. So, I am practicing what I actually studied. Economics is the application of business principles in any sphere of life and proper application can only yield success.
I have shared the experience of how I was to write my final year exams whilst I was in secondary school. I was the School Captain at that time and was dependent on an Aunt to pay my WASC fees. This she wasn’t going to make possible except I sacrificed my time to her unfailingly. School had resumed and I had to give an excuse as to why I couldn’t resume on time. I told the authorities that I was sick. Unfortunately for me, my aunt had made me attend the wedding ceremony of her sister where I played the conspicuous role of flower girl. Of course Enugu isn’t such a big town. One of my teachers was at the wedding and clearly saw me. I was reported to the sisters and was faced with 2 choices. Be expelled from the school and lose writing WASC or be demoted as school captain and write WASC. I chose to be demoted and it was the most humiliating time of my life. So, I made myself a promise that I would never depend on anyone for financial help. That I would become so successful in life that I would be able to afford anything I ever desired in life. And thanks to the faithfulness of the Lord and my experiences.
Who are your mentors?
The one man i see as a mentor is Dangote. I like his style of business, which is very similar to how i run Kachi beauty products. My targeted audience is the masses which is the largest portion of the population. And that is what Dangote has done with his products.
Are you mentoring young people presently?
Yes, so many of them, I was mentored in this business. I didn’t just get here. When I started in 2009 during my school days at Ife, there was a lady who gave me credit facilities. She showed me the ropes and encouraged me. As you are aware, I offer the highest quality of hairs for some of the most outrageous prices to encourage resellers who wish to start out in this business. The testimonies are numerous hence the continuous growth of the brand. Also I do give aways on my page, train young people in administrative capacity, styling and treatment of hairs and wig production. My staff strength is about 50 persons as I speak and they are growing by the day.
Tell us some of your success stories?
My biggest challenge was in 2018 when I went to have my daughter abroad. Out of excitement, i conducted a promo themed “push sales”. Untill 2018, push sales was the highest sales kachi beauty products has ever conducted. But, there were a lot of mismanagement and theft from my staff. And that almost cost me my business. I quickly returned back to the country and took charge of the situation. It was really tough, especially with my customers whose orders were badly delayed. But I pulled through. I’m glad to say that as I speak, the number of people that have benefited from my empowerment programs are in the thousands. Many people who have participated in my sales galore are my direct beneficiaries.
Kachi Beauty Products brand has the masses at heart and has been able to provide very high quality hair at prices that encourage resellers. Currently, a Kachi beauty product is running a ‘Distributorship Scheme’ with over 1,000 distributors. The mission is to take over Africa and beyond with our durable and yet affordable hair extensions.
Tell us some of the challenges encountered
Doing business in Nigeria is always a challenge. Starting with finding an appropriate location for your business and the people to work with you in terms of skill acquisition. We have had to do a lot of training over the years to find the crop of workers to entrust business to.
You have to study the hair market and find the competitive edge which has always been the masses. This include trying to break into the international market for best wholesale deals to get high quality products that are readily affordable.
