Business Stories - Next Job Link

Business Ideas for Teenagers this Vacation

Teenagers should think about what they can do during the school break to improve their life. As a teenager, gift yourself an emerging skill to stand out.

A hairstylist shares her story

This website is focused on the campaign to develop skills and harness our talents. We are also positive about having a side hustle. Thus, we have also explored areas where we can develop these skills.

You can find more ideas here :

http://nextjoblink.com/2021/12/27/how-to-employ-oneself-in-ghana/

http://nextjoblink.com/2022/01/02/secrets-that-you-should-know-about-making-money-as-a-student/

We are proud to host Lydia Kissiwaa, a chartered accountant who doubles as a hairstylist. We do hope you enjoy the interview.

Why wig making? You’re already a chartered account.

Honestly, I love to see people look good in their hair. The truth is, mine is sheer passion. I know this is funny but I do appreciate making people look and feel good.

How did your wig-making journey begin?

Well, the hub of knowledge to everyone today is YouTube. I started by continually viewing natural hairdos since I noticed most ladies keeping their hairs natural hardly style them differently but just stick to the usual. Then in time, I wanted a wig and the stylist I was introduced to had prices that continued to spike. So I decided to try making some myself and it worked. I practiced a lot too. I will continue to appreciate my family and friends who trusted me with their wigs back then. But I know for sure they miss the freestyling moments.

I have been making wigs for 7 years now but I monetized it just three and half years ago.

My hair-making journey has been lots of fun. I have always loved wigs, so I am never tied down to one style.

Have you had any challenges?

Combining my business with my regular 9-5 job hasn’t been easy.

Aside from that, it’s hard to delegate work fully to my assistants to help out, so in the long run, I end up taking up all their responsibilities which stresses me out.

Supplies for work are also hard to come by.

Familiarity has been a hindrance. Most clients due to our relationship fail to pay for services rendered to them. Some clients would place an order without a specific style in mind but would want you to style in any way you deem appropriate. Then would later come back annoyed that you didn’t style it the way they want. It sometimes makes you feel down.

After orders are placed and processed, the wigs are expected to reach clients; that is where another issue sets in – logistics. Transporting the hair around town is a big issue. Clients complain about dispatch riders and their rates. Dispatch riders also call to report rude clients, which is a headache.

Any high moments?

Oh yes. I have been able to teach 6 people so far and 3 are working full time as hairstylists and that makes me proud as a teacher.

I was jobless at one time but gains from making hair catered for my expenses and all other necessities. So I noticed my side hustle choice was a lifesaver during those hard times.

What’s your brand?

I’m Efya Blaq and I run Blaqs wigs. I make wigs and style hair. I offer quality services too.

Any plans for the future?

I’m looking to specialize in a specific area of hairstyling that will give me the time and allow me to master my skill. I’ll surely rely on my initial source, YouTube. Starting a salon that specifically cares for clients with natural hair is also one venture I would love to explore from styling to making natural hair products.

Customer satisfaction is our topmost priority
Blaq wigs

Any tips to help students or workers interested in this venture of hair making ?

I call them the essentials for starting a hair business. The right attitude is key for survival in this field, I would advise anyone who is interested, to be passionate about wig-making else the stress alone can crush you.
Remember that you can get free knowledge from YouTube which is relatively cheaper than enrolling in a school. But this is your decision to make.

You can start by purchasing cheap wigs and practicing. It’s a good start. Basic things you will need for starting the journey include a dummy head, a measuring tape since head shapes and sizes differ, stitching needles (specific ones for wigging are available), chalk, scissors, threads, and others.

Build your brand. Great packaging and branding are a plus, not to forget great customer relations and steady logistics.

Wig styling

Let’s inspire others. What are you accomplishing with your skills? You can also share your story here. Send it to nextjoblink@gmail.com

How to start a fruit processing business.

An encounter with a fruit processor.

Since we launched the website a few weeks ago, the campaign has been to develop skills and harness our talents. We have also explored areas, where we can develop these skills.

You can find more ideas here 👇.

How to employ oneself in Ghana

We are proud to host Hajara Musah to tell us how she has put her skills to good use.

Rhoda: Tell us your motivation for starting NASMA Fruit Juices.

Hajara: I love mangoes and pineapples. Anytime I go to the market I think about the many fruits that go bad and have to be disposed of. Once, it occurred to me to start making fruit juice for sale.

Rhoda: So, how did it start?

Hajara: With 10 cedis worth of mangoes, pineapples, and ginger, I started production in my kitchen using my domestic blender. That day, and subsequent weeks, I produced ten 250ml bottles that I sold at 2.50p.

Rhoda: What has been the setback?

Hajara: I started by selling to colleagues, friends, and acquaintances. Patronage was promising, so I increased the quantity of the fruits.

From there, I decided to try places where people might need juice. I started with a restaurant on the University of Cape Coast campus. I left samples. A few days later, the manager called that they liked the product. I was hopeful about my business because it meant more production. However, they were not going to patronize the product because it was not registered.

It was a big blow. I didn’t know what registering the products involved. I almost quit. Nonetheless, I set out to inquire about registration at FDA.

The real problem was getting money to register the product, getting a place for production, and obtaining production equipment. Aside from these, mangoes and pineapples are seasonal fruits. Getting them was going to be tough.

Rhoda: How did you deal with that?

Hajara: I took a risk to register the product, going through lab analysis and other protocols. Then I registered the business. After two years, my product was approved!

Rhoda: Well done. Can you tell us when you started?

Hajara: In 2018.

Rhoda: What is your success story?

Hajara: When I started up, I never thought I’d ever produce 500 bottles a week nor did I imagine I could produce different combinations.

Rhoda: Tell us how you arrived at these combinations.

Hajara: I started with pineapple and ginger juice, then I had pineapple and mango juice. Later, when the fruits were out of season I started ginger and natural spice drink. The newest product I introduced barely a month ago is hybis wine. As time goes on, I hope to produce other juice varieties that people would love.

Rhoda: Anything to share with us?

Hajara: Increased production means more hands. As a mother and full-time teacher, balancing the two has not been an easy undertaking. Getting people to help has been nearly impossible. Juice making is a skill I learned while growing up and it’s been a real privilege to use it as a side job. I am open to working with anyone interested in learning about drink production. I envisage increasing production to train more people.

I have learned in the last few years that to start a business, one has to bridge the gap between what people need and what you can give. It also involves taking a risk, without which one cannot achieve anything.

Our products are

mango pyn
pine ginger
ginger mix
hybis wine
Nasma dates

We have small packs for children. A carton of 12 pieces for 59 cedis. (500ml)