CNF: A JOURNEY WITH UPS AND DOWNS

GENERATED USING META AI

Success was never loud for me. I considered it fulfilling purpose, and being happy and having a sense of achievement with the little thing one had. And so I started my small brand. A small fashion business. I had just one sewing machine and managed to rent a shop with the small savings I had been keeping for a year.

It wasn't easy but I was positive and hopeful. My first customer came, a youngk woman in her late twenties.

"I need you to amend this for me" She said, handing me a gown.

I immediately ushered her in, and got to work. She was pleased with it, and that gave me the satisfaction I needed.

"Seems like you opened it up, you have good handwork" she praised.

I smiled at her feeling more hopeful and positive. My first customer on my first day as a business owner, “nothing could go wrong” I thought.

Days passed, and I began getting little work. I would make sure to open early and keep my shop clean and in order. I sampled colourful materials outside, and made sure to advertise all my designs with the one mannequin I had. Slowly, more people began coming. My outrageous styles were attracting attention. It motivated me, I put in more zeal and effort into the business.

Then one day, things came crashing down for me. I came in early as usual to open the shop, but the lock was broken. My materials were gone. My sewing machine was missing. I sucked in a breath. This couldn't be, I said to myself, tears rolling down my eyes. That machine was the only thing my mum gifted me as a blessing before I started the business.

“Who could've done this?”, I cried.

The next day, I stayed back at home. There was nothing left to go back to. The thieves had taken everything I had. My sewing machine, my materials. All I had now was just an empty shop. I closed my eyes and laid on the bed, feeling too helpless to move or even take a bath.

"God! Why me”, I kept on wondering.

The next day was the same, I stayed stuck in my small apartment. Not having the motivation to go out or do anything. After three days indoors. Some of my customers began calling. The few ones I had managed to get so far that actually cared, called me. I remember Aunty Remi. She called me non-stop, encouraging and threatening me at the same time to not give up.

"Come back my dear, you have good handwork."

"Plus you haven't delivered my clothes too, or else I will call the police on you".

After a week indoors, I decided to try again. I got up early in the morning, got dressed and went to work. As I walked through the empty streets that morning, feeling lost and unsure of what I was going to do, I made a silent prayer.

"Lord, if this is your will for me, make a way"

And then when I got to my shop, Aunty Remi was there waiting for me. Folding a small envelope in my hands, she said "I know this isn't much, but start somewhere," and then she left hurriedly to work.

I opened the envelope and behold, she had given me some money. A hundred thousand naira to be precise I was beyond grateful. Motivated by her kindness, I purchased another sewing machine, a second-hand. And bought some materials with the leftover change.

And then I started again. This time with more determination than ever. I produced crazy designs, and made sure to sample them on my mannequin for passerbys to see. It attracted people so much that customers began coming.

However, two weeks later, a big fashion shop opened opposite me. It was fully furnished, with several mannequins displayed upfront. People began going there, attracted by something new and polished. I watched as I began losing most of my customers to them. I sank back on my chair, defeated one day.” How could I compete with that” I thought.

The few people that chose to patronize me, I treasured them. I asked about their day, got to know a little about them and also patronized their individual businesses. I made relationships with my customers and greeted people warmly. I opened earlier than my competitors and closed late. I made sure all my designs and styles were properly sewn and with great care. Soon, people could tell the difference.

Sometimes, quality over quantity always wins. My customers began returning gradually. They praised my hand work

"Precious Fashion is the best" They would often say.

"I love the way you take your time to sew your clothes” A young woman Aunty Remi had recommended me to, complimented me one afternoon"

And then it came, my big break. One of my customers had recommended me to a big boutique. I began supplying them with ready to wear items in large quantities, and in different styles and materials. The pay was huge. I had enough to reinvest back into my business, I bought new equipment; an industrial machine, a weaving machine, a pressing iron and a generator.

One year later, I stood in front of my shop proudly. I had just finished renovating the place. My brand name was written boldly in front of the shop "Precious Fashion" for all to see. I smiled at myself and my achievement. The journey wasn't easy. Starting a business was one tough work, but I had pulled through. Despite the highs and lows, I had succeeded. And this was only the beginning, just a one-year old. And it would only get better, to the years ahead, I said, making a silent promise to myself.