Meet Damilola Taiye, CEO, Damiam Bridals and a graduate of Biology from Ladoke Akintola University, Oyo State. The idea to start up her company, Damian Bridals came to her while in school. After going for professional training and learning how she could turn her passion to profit, Damiam Bridals was birthed. She spoke with
Connect Nigeria about her successes so far and her future goals for Damiam Bridals.
CN: Tell us a bit about your company, Damiam Bridals?
DT: Damiam Bridals render high quality beauty and bridal services at an affordable rate. We also give free consultation to our brides on how to combine colours for their weddings and help provide job opportunities for young enthusiasts looking to build a career in the Bridal Industry.
CN: How did you come across the idea to start up this company?
DT: The idea was birthed in school. It started as a hobby for me. I had friends who looked up to me when it comes to making up their faces whenever they had parties. Most them come to me to ask about what the right shade of powder, foundation etc, is for their faces and this made me start selling makeup brands to them. Then, I did it just for the fun of it. In 2010 I decided to turn my passion into profit by going for professional training and with that, I started charging for the services I rendered.
CN: How did you come up with the name Damian Bridals?
DT: The name Damiam was coined from my name, Damilola. Although I started the company with the name ‘Faces Makeover’, in 2012, it metamorphosed completely into Damiam Bridals.
CN: What are the services you offer?
DT: Our core services are beauty services such as makeup, nails, hair, pedicure and manicure and bridal services such as bridal veil, making of bridal hand fans, aso oke etc.
CN: How easy are your services to market?
DT: It’s been quite easy especially with the help of social media.
CN: What would you term your company’s competitive edge?
DT: Our competitive edge is excellence in what we stand for, hence we ensure we provide cutting edge services to our clients which brings us always a step ahead.
CN: Any major challenges?
DT: The business is a capital intensive one. Regardless, I always strive to be better at my job and I pay attention to details.
CN: What role does the internet play in your business?
DT: The Internet has been an inexhaustible platform for marketing my brand. It has given me the opportunity to undergo different online training programmes and carry out research.
CN: Who are your target customers?
DT: We target women and brides in need of beauty or bridal services. We target corporate bodies in need of beauty services and anyone who desires to learn about the business.
CN: How important is it for you to train your staff?
DT: Training and staff development in any organization is pivotal to the success of that organization hence at Damiam Bridals, continuous training and staff development has been part of the company’s policies because professionalism and excellence is what we stand for.
CN: What are the three most important traits/characteristics you think every entrepreneur need to possess to succeed in business?
DT: I think an entrepreneur should have an unwavering passion, desire to be an expert in their field, and have good customer relations.
CN: Who are your mentors?
DT: I have a few people I admire; I admire Mrs.Tara Fela-Durotoye’s entrepreneurial spirit. I love the finesse Mrs. Banke Meshida Lawal brings to her work. I love Sam Fine Makeup and Bunmi Fajuyigbe of Bee Signature.
CN: What are your plans in the next few years for this company?
DT: I wish to have more beauty and bridal stores in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. I wish to have a cosmetic line. I would also like to be among the first five successful entrepreneurs in the world.
CN: What advice will you give a person considering starting a new business?
DT: My advice is for them to be patient and always have a quest for knowledge by developing themselves and learning from others. An unwavering passion will go a long way in pulling you up when your chips are down.
Click here to contact Damiam Bridals directly
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This article was first published on 7th January 2015 and updated on November 9th, 2017 at 11:12 am
Comments (3)
Can I combine beauty salon with makeup, nails and head tie (gele)for a start
If d answer is yes
How can I enrol in your organisation and how much will it cost me
U can text me on 08054793226 as my e-mail is acting up now
Thank you
Hi Debola,
You would have to contact her company for inquiries. Regards!
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate
a great article… but what can I say… I put things
off a whole lot and don’t manage to get anything
done.