By Jesuloba Akano
At Obafemi Awolowo University
(OAU), academics remain the primary focus, but business is just as important
for some students. Whether as a means of financial support or a pursuit of
passion, many students are venturing into entrepreneurship despite the rigorous
demands of their studies. Balancing both commitments is no easy feat, yet some
students have found a way to thrive in both. OAU Peeps News spoke with two student
entrepreneurs, Esther Olatunji, and Grace Oluwanifemi, about their experiences,
challenges, and aspirations.
The Entrepreneurs: A
Passion for Business
Esther Olatunji restocks in one
corner of her wardrobe in Moremi Hall, where she manages her business, carefully
arranging bottles of perfumes and body sprays. Suddenly, one slips from her
grasp, shattering on the floor. She sighs but quickly continues her work—losses
like this have become part of the business journey.
Esther, a second-year Law student,
founded Flora Scents, a brand
specializing in perfumes, body sprays, and scent consultation services. Beyond
selling fragrances, her brand also advises customers on
how to combine scents effectively.
Reflecting on her journey, Esther
shares, “It never started as a business; it was a means to an end. I needed to
augment the money I had at the time. But as God would have it, it grew beyond
my expectations. I became intentional about branding in 2023.”
For Grace Oluwanifemi, business is
second nature. Now in her second year, the Sociology and Anthropology student started
her venture, Shop With Pemi, as
early as Junior Secondary School (JSS3). Her brand offers comfortable footwear
and stylish accessories for both men and women.
Grace’s motivation for starting a
business was clear from the outset. “The sense of owning my money and being
independent made me start a business. Even though my parents provide for me, I
love the idea of financial independence. The societal belief that women must
depend on men for survival also pushes me to be self-sufficient.” Beyond
financial gain, she enjoys buying, selling, and meeting customers’ needs.
The Challenges of
Entrepreneurship
Balancing business with academics,
however, comes with its struggles. “It’s tough,” Esther admits. “There are
times customers call while I’m studying. I constantly have to be online to
attend to orders. Sometimes, I want to take a break, but customers are waiting.
The stress is both mental and physical. There are days I sleep late and miss
out on social activities to pack goods for customers.”
As her business grows, so do the
challenges. She notes that keeping up with demand, frequent restocking, and
effective advertising have become increasingly demanding. One of her significant
difficulties is handling deliveries. While she manages deliveries within
campus, she relies on third-party services for off-campus orders. Though she
has encountered some losses, none have been overwhelming. “Sometimes, I had to
skip classes in Part One just to make deliveries. Bus drivers sometimes
mishandle orders, and perfumes are fragile. Some drop off packages without
meeting me—it’s a lot to deal with.”
Like Esther, Grace also struggles
with balancing her academics and business. She acknowledges that the school
environment is supposed to be an advantage. Still, as she struggles to navigate
it effectively, she focuses more on her business at home and prioritizes
academics while on campus. However, she believes it is possible to excel in
both and has a mentor she looks up to for guidance.
That’s not all, however. Brimming
with enthusiasm as she speaks about her business, she also explains that
challenges exist. “Every business, big or small, faces difficulties. Getting a
reliable supplier, dealing with logistics issues, and handling difficult
customers are major challenges for me. Interstate deliveries can also be
stressful,” she explains.
Grace primarily relies on
logistics companies for deliveries but handles some orders personally when
convenient. However, relying on logistics companies is not always loss-proof.
Recalling one particular incident, she said, “I had an order on Friday and was
expecting a call from the logistics company the next day. But I didn’t hear
from them until Monday morning, informing me that my order had just arrived in
Ife. I believe logistics challenges often arise due to unforeseen circumstances
rather than negligence on the company’s part.”
Yet, amidst these challenges,
Grace has built resilience and learned to cope with losses. One of her most
significant setbacks was a robbery incident that led to the loss of unsold
goods she had transported to Lagos. “That was a tough blow, but thanks to God,
I’m back on my feet.” Despite the hurdles, she remains passionate about
entrepreneurship and has never considered quitting.
Recognition and Future
Aspirations
Esther’s hard work has not gone
unnoticed despite the numerous challenges, as Flora Scents was recently
recognized as Brand of the Year by
Ife Law. Looking ahead, Esther aims to expand her business while maintaining
academic excellence. She believes OAU provides the right environment to build a
solid customer base.
For Grace, school is not a threat
but an opportunity to approach business differently—with a more informed and
professional outlook. Even in tough times, she remains steadfast in her
passion. When asked if she has ever thought of quitting, she replied, “Never.
This is my passion. I love doing this.”
These student entrepreneurs at OAU
exemplify resilience, determination, and adaptability. While managing a
business alongside rigorous academic schedules is no small feat, their passion
and commitment keep them going. Their experiences prove that students can excel
in academics and entrepreneurship with the right mindset and perseverance.
