CEO of 360Kuts Jimmy Ofuoyan, has issued a valuable piece of advice to aspiring Nigerian entrepreneurs to discard fears of failure and setbacks in the pursuit of their dreams.

The boss of 360Kuts, also known as Khalilimages overcame the most daunting challenges life could throw at anyone. Born on August 15, 1998, and grew in a family of nine, he was forced to become a man for himself before he realised it. With no luxury of formal education, he took up apprenticeship at his brother’s unisex salon and became a professional in fixing and braiding women’s hair.

After a few years, Jimmy Ofuoyan was given a certificate of completion. Before the end of his training, he learnt on his own fashionable men’s haircut. In 2016, the 24-year-old relocated to Libya, en route Italy, with nephew, Tony, and two other friends, Harris and Frank, to the North African  country where they became victims of human traffickers and held captive in a prison camp where he gave haircuts to the traffickers and other inmates with just blade and comb.

They escaped to Italy from prison after about a year and half in prison, in the war-torn nation. First, he was held in the population Laboratorio per le Aree Protette Italiane e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile (LAPISS) in Penne, Abruzzo, Sicily. There, he further developed his skills as an hairstylist and also worked as a DJ at events, festivals and parties.

In the 2018 after moving to Pescara, Jimmy Ofuoyan encountered the start of his breakthrough. Due to his inability to get a job for about one year, he commenced home services, going to houses to offer his exceptional hairstyling skills which left his clients completely dazed.

Using social promote his expertise, he caught the attention of the world when he give a haircut to a footballer from Pescara. In 2020, Argentine footballer, Leandro Fernandes, patronised him and like others, he was left stunned by what he was transformed into.

“One of the pivotal moments in my career was when I relocated to Libya and found myself in a prison camp. It was during that difficult time that I realized the power of my hairstyling skills. I started providing haircuts to the captives and even the traffickers themselves, using just a razor blade and a comb. That experience not only improved my skills but also ignited a fire within me to pursue my passion even amidst adversity”, Jimmy Ofuoyan reflected in an interview.

Advising young entrepreneurs after becoming a global celebrity and reference, Jimmy Ofuoyan urged them to be fearless and tireless.

“I would encourage them to dream big and never limit themselves. It’s crucial to have a clear vision and pursue it relentlessly. Don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks or the fear of failure. Instead, embrace social media as a powerful tool for self-expression, branding, and connecting with your audience. Most importantly, be passionate about what you do and never underestimate the value of hard work and dedication”, he said.

On his plans for the two brands: 360Kuts and Khalilimages, he said the best is yet to come.

“I have ambitious plans for both brands. With 360Kuts, I envision building an empire that not only offers premium haircut services but also becomes a platform to mentor and transform the lives of young individuals passionate about hairstyling.

“As for Khalilimages, I aim to establish it as one of the leading lifestyle content creation networks in Italy and even Europe. I want to inspire and empower others through my work, leaving a lasting impact on the industry”, added Jimmy Ofuoyan.