Encomium
BUSHRAH Olagunju is a definition of ‘Jack of all trade, master of one.’ She is not just a young and promising writer, but a gifted event planner, who also specialises in bag making. Her aspiration to do many things has really strengthened the Ede, Osun State born princess to have achieved so many feats for herself at such an early age.
In an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly’s RASHEED ABUBAKAR, held on Friday, August 8, 2014 at the University of Lagos, the CEO of Priceless Touch Creations said she would not relent in the quest to achieve her dream in life.
Tell us more about your humble beginning?
My name is Bushrah Olagunju. I’m a native of Ede in Osun State but grew up in Lagos. I’ve lived most of my life in Lagos. I attended Firm Foundation Islamic school (now Firm Foot Islamic School), had my secondary education first at Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary Grammar School, then I moved to Muslim Comprehensive College at Bajulaiye, Lagos. After my JSS1, I changed school again to Vanguard Academy, Ogun State where I graduated in 2007. I’m a graduate of Osun State University. I read English and International Studies and I’m presently running my Post-Graduate Diploma (PGD) program in Mass Communication at the University of Lagos. As an undergraduate, I had few awards, including, ‘The Intercollegiate Essay Competitions,’ ‘Intercollegiate Debate Competitions,’ ‘Most Outspoken and Most Eloquent’ at the departmental level and I had the award for Best Graduating Student in English and International Studies 2011/2012.
As a best graduating student, you should be involved more in academics, why vocational?
The truth is, no matter how in tune with academics one may be, you will always have something you enjoy doing at your leisure. It struck me at a point in time in life that success weren’t just in books. You need to experience what it feels like to create something with your hand and have a vocation. It wasn’t due to lack of job, I wanted to learn a vocation that would give me an edge and add to my skills. Besides, learning these skills hasn’t taken me away from the academics or my books. I’m still so much involved with learning, reading and studying. I’ve authored and published a book entitled, The Priceless Jewel, and the second is on its way to seeing the light of the day in a couple of weeks.
There are so many vocational trainings, why did you go for bag making and decor?
I love adding value with beauty. I love adding a touch to things and turning them around. At the same time, I want something that would give room for my privacy and give me control over my time. For bag making I can do it at the comfort of my room, think about designs and bring out something gorgeous. For the decoration its occasional it doesn’t have to be every time. I decide what I want to do when I want to do it. As I enjoy doing all these I also give value to those I render the services to. We’re all happy at the end of it all.
Despite your tight schedule, how did you manage to learn these trainings within a short time?
It’s about dedication and the ability to multi-task. As a child I aspired to do so many things because I had lots of inspirations around me. But as maturity sets in, I realise that you need to take it one step at a time. There’s this popular saying that it’s only the busy hands that gets job done. I hate to be idle. Hence, after service year I was ready to explore vocational trainings even though I’ve not always had a flair for any before.
While waiting for Post-Graduate admission, it got boring not been busy so I opted to do something. I enrolled for a Phonics Training and at the same time the decoration training. It was a tough one for me but I was always propelled by the fact that it was time bound and I enjoyed the fact that I was getting busy and adding value to myself. Some other programmes of mine got affected but I fixed them all up when I was through with the training. I couldn’t ignore the number of lives I would touch if I learnt this and teach others. Immediately I finished with my decoration class, I enrolled for bag making. But there was a little hitch. I had no job and hence I wasn’t very buoyant. I had to seek dad’s help to go through the phonic.
How do you know what your clients want?
From the few who have bought, I get an indirect feedback from my customers and some even make special orders and give specification of what they want. So, in line with what they want and their comments, I suit their taste just the way they want it.
How affordable are your bags?
They are very affordable, and it’s strategic, because if your products are good and affordable, more people will patronise you. Customers, most times, settle for handmade when they know who makes it and can always interact with them. Because the bulk of my customers are students, the prices range between N2000 and N5000.
How would you describe the experience so far?
The experience, so far, has been fulfilling. Creating a platform of aesthetics through bags and decor. The feeling is very pleasing when people smile after providing them with the service. I find solace in seeing people happy and solving their problems.
Is it bringing in money as expected?
Is it bringing money? (smiles) Yes, to an extent. But the passion, happiness and fulfillment pays more than the notes in currency.
What more do you need to improve your business?
To improve my business, I still need to learn more to advance on both skills. Hence, the need, first, for intellectual tool on my part. Second, I need to get more materials, and also get more capital to be able to spread my tentacles and do diverse styles at my convenience.
There is impression that Muslim ladies don’t work. Their work is limited at home. What’s your take on this?
Muslim ladies don’t work? It depends on your definition of work. Islam is a beautiful religion. It wants ease for the female gender. My take is, it’s best that women strive to make the homefront their major work, that’s primary. But I strongly opine that every woman should have a work of her own where she’s the boss where she can call the shots and dictate the tune.
