Reading the story of the guy who had to learn carpentry after school to be able to secure a job made me realize that my situation isn’t unique after all. I however think one way or the other, all these things are a means to an end and not the end in itself.
Here goes my story…
I graduated with a degree in Microbiology in 2012. First class honors. Now you see that phrase they normally use when trying to convince you to study a particular subject: “you can work anywhere”…don’t fall for it”. In fact think twice before you study those courses.
Well, I graduated and I couldn’t find a job for almost two years so I had to think of a plan B. An unspoken trend in Ghanaian homes is that once you graduate, everybody in your house expects you to start tending to the family. Which ideally shouldn’t be a problem in other parts of the world but the job system here doesn’t support that.
Anyway, I had to choose between learning makeup artistry and tailoring so I chose the former.
The irony is that the lady I had to learn it from was a colleague from Junior High school who had dropped out along the line, but a girl has to do what she has to do.
It took me three months to get the basics. I later tried watching videos on YouTube to polish it up a bit.
On three occasions, I paid money to some very good makeup artists at the time to also help me perfect the skill.
In 2019, I managed to convince my parents to lend me some money to buy the products and tools I would need to start the business.
It was pathetic in the beginning – I had to do makeup for people for free. There were friends who deliberately won’t pay for your services. Then there were those who decided how much your service was worth, but I had to keep going. The thing about make up artistry however is that you get better with constant practice.
I got a gig for a wedding in April last year which changed the face of my entire business. I was paid a good sum of money and introduced to awesome clients.
Since then, there has been a steady and good flow of income, which I’m grateful for. I have always dreamed of being in the corporate world (regardless of what I studied). You know, dress up and go sit in an office with neat manicures and sleek hair. But life happens and we must readjust — even if it’s temporary.
Bills must be paid and the truth we all know but probably find it hard to digest is that nobody is coming to save us.
Zeinab – Accra
One Response
Itís hard to find experienced people about this subject, however, you sound like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks