By Gabriel Ewepu and Progress Godfrey

Founder of The Nail Bar, Ameera Abraham, celebrated 15 years of service in Abuja’s beauty industry, highlighting access to funding, and recognition of the beauty industry as part of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the business.

Speaking at the anniversary in Abuja on Sunday, the beauty entrepreneur emphasised the importance of structure, consistency, and passion in sustaining a successful business, saying that for over one and a half decades, her company has become a cornerstone for beauty standards and professional practices in the region.

Abraham said her drive comes from a passion for transforming clients’ self-esteem through beauty treatments, alongside a commitment to structured business practices. “If I didn’t have structure, there’s no way it would have lasted the last 15 years. I wasn’t running it as a hobby or a side gig,” she said.

Speaking further on the challenges of clients’ understanding, Abraham highlighted the importance of educating clients and building trust over time, noting that some of her clients have remained loyal from the very beginning.

“Funding is a topic that we discussed here today because it remains a challenge for the industry. And we’re hoping that one day we can scale that hurdle… Rather than categorising us as fashion, which we’re not, it would be nice to be recognised as the beauty and wellness sector and take it from there. Recognition first,” Abraham stated.

She urged aspiring beauty entrepreneurs to believe in themselves, plan diligently, and seek proper training and mentorship. Access to certified products and professional guidance, she said, is critical for long-term success.

Former Kebbi State First Lady, Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, lauded the Nail Bar founder’s achievements, noting that she has built a thriving enterprise that extends beyond the salon into cosmetics production and philanthropic work. She encouraged young Nigerians to draw inspiration from Abraham’s resilience and organisational approach.

Bagudu emphasised the value of structured support for women-led businesses, including backing from financial institutions and philanthropic organisations. She praised Abraham for launching the Empower Her Foundation, aimed at advancing women’s health and opportunities.

“To the young people out there, just stick to it. Be methodological. Make sure that you have your facts right. And really, the sky is your limit,” Bagudu advised.

“The environment might be tough. It’s not always easy to survive. But you stick to what you believe in. If you’re organised about it, you seek the right funding. Nigerian youth, they’re gifted. They’re really gifted. And we just need to put in that extra effort and keep supporting them,” she added.

Mrs Aisha Abraham, Ameera’s mother, reflected on her daughter’s journey from initial scepticism to wholehearted support. She said she encouraged her daughter to pursue a business she could grow and sustain across generations, despite initially hoping for a conventional career path.

She noted that her support as a “back-office enabler” helped maintain consistency and stability in the business, enabling Abeera to grow The Nail Bar into a multi-faceted enterprise.

Chief Executive Officer of A.S Management Agency, Rhoda Kusimo Iloba, highlighted the importance of access to information as a critical resource for business growth, alongside funding and scalability strategies.

“Information is key. If you don’t know where to get information from, you don’t even know what to access. If we have access to all this, it will also help us as upcoming emerging beauty leaders… Scaling profitable businesses in Nigeria is not just about owning a business,” Iloba said.

She added that credibility with suppliers can allow businesses to expand, emphasising that well-informed entrepreneurs can leverage networks and partnerships to scale efficiently, and concluded that with proper access to information, mentoring, and support systems, emerging beauty entrepreneurs in Nigeria can overcome market challenges and compete globally in the coming years.