I started Lifestyle brand without capital –Victor Life
He’s in his mid-twenties and quite early in his career, he seized the bull by the horns. Since his first big break, the sky he says “has been the beginning.” Welcome to the world of Victor Life who is indisputably among Nigeria’s most successful hair stylists and make-up artists. His clientele is made of the cream of the entertainment industry, the high and the mighty, but he believes Almighty God and consistence are his driving forces. Sunday Sun had a chat with him lately.
Excerpts:
My name is Victor Life. I am the CEO of Lifee …Touch of Life, an hairstyling and beauty brand in Lagos. My mum is from Akwa-Ibom State while my dad hails from Mbuyat in Bende LGA of Abia State. I am the only son but I have a step-sister. I like anything that is godly and inspirational. I like honest people who would tell me the truth. I dislike craftiness and people who play on my intelligence.
What did you study in the university?
I am currently rounding-off my degree programme at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). I am studying Mass Communication.
What made you go into hair dressing?
Honestly, I never planned or thought about it for once. After my secondary education, I was eager to be self-reliant, so, I told someone who is like a big brother to me to get me something to do. I got a job as a front desk person in a salon located back then at Sanusi Fafunwa, Victoria Island. Hair Limited is the name of the salon. That was how the journey started. I was working as a receptionist and in my free time, I walk into the main salon to see what was going on. At first when I saw guys dressing hair, I was dumbfounded. I thought to myself how can a guy be dressing a woman’s hair? It was so strange to me then because I had not seen a guy do such before. One of the male hairstylists approached me and said, “Victor come learn this work oh! Even if you don’t use it to make money, you will be able to make your woman’s hair so she doesn’t go to the salon all the time.” I laughed at what he said instantly but then I thought about it and decided to learn the trade. Today hairstyling is paying my bills big time. I paid my school fees with money I made from hairstyling.
What was your parents reaction to your chosen vocation?
My mum is late but my dad has always supported anything I do. He always wanted me to be a lawyer but never imposed anything on me. He allows me to do whatever I want to. I have always loved TV personalities and On Air Personalities (OAPs). I would say it’s the love for the media that really made me study mass communication.
I have always wanted to own a TV show on hairstyling and fashion. You should watch out for my show soon.
Were you ever laughed at or insulted for doing women’s job?
Yes and till now, friends make jest of me saying that I am blessed amongst women but really, who cares? I am gaining more fame, it’s putting food on my table and paying my bills. My family is proud of my unique business line, because it’s really not everyone that can survive in a one-sided gender dominated business line. It takes focus and determination to succeed.
How did you source your start-up capital ?
Getting capital for any business to me is usually not easy. It wasn’t easy for me, that’s why I can speak from experience. When the capital is not forth coming, do you give up on your business ideas? No. In my case, I knew my business line demanded a lot of capital that I knew I would not get too soon due to my exposure and high taste, so I said to myself “Lifee, why not build a mobile salon?”
One thing a business man should know is that you must strive to solve problems before expecting any reward whatsoever. I haven’t worked in many professional salons but I noticed a bad trend which is the fact that clients go to the salon expecting to get their hair done as soon as possible but end up wasting the whole day on the queue. Sometimes, they may not be attended to and may have to come back the next day.
This was where my idea of the mobile salon broke forth and then I thought of how easy I would make life be for people by going to their homes to make their hair, thereby saving them time, money, energy and resources.
This was how I started my business without any capital. Today, Lifeestyle is arguably the first mobile salon brand in the country. We take the salon to your doorsteps.
When and how did you get your big break?
My first breakthrough came when I was contacted to be the official stand-by hairstylist for American rapper Eve, at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2010 in Lagos. It was an amazing experience for me. It dawned on me that my job was being recognized and appreciated so well that the organizers had to contact me for the job. After that singular job, the sky has been the beginning for me. I have styled media houses OAPS, worked with music artistes on video shoots styling and some female artistes on photo shoot. The list is endless. I have dressed hair for Waje, Kel, Victoria, Mozambican rapper, Dama Do Bling and some others. Thanks to God for giving me the idea.
How many of you are in the family?
I have just one sibling, a cute sister I got from my loving step mum. I am the only child of my mum. My dad remarried after my mum died. We are four in the family.
What was the biggest contract you ever handled?
My biggest contract so far has been a bridal hairstyling/make-up job for the director of one of the foremost banks in Nigeria. The bridal train was quite massive and likewise the grooms men who I had to style as well. The job was obviously too much for me and my team to handle alone. I then had to employ more external professional hands to execute it.
What are the challenges you have faced so far in this business?
My challenge so far has been that of acceptance. Since it’s a mobile salon, it’s a little difficult for clients to invite us to their houses for the very first time for security reasons but clients that have invited us to their homes have been convinced. They were impressed and they have been consistent in using our mobile salon brand. However, sometimes I depend on recommendations for growth. Clients recommend us to friends and family.
What is your greatest motivation?
Two things have motivated me thus far. The first is the word,I don’t think I can be where I am today without the inspiration and motivation I get from the word of God.The second thing that motivates me are my dreams. Anytime I remember that my dreams must come to life, I’m motivated to do more. I always find courage from within
What’s your winning strategy in your business?
My winning strategy has been consistency. I try as much as possible to keep my job on the high side at all times.Same strategy goes for my competition. There are so many good and gifted hands out there, yet my brand still stands out. Consistency is just the key!
How long have you been in the hairdressing business?
Seven years. That’s how long l have been making women look beautiful(laughs).
I only make hair for my family members who are ready to pay for my services. No free food in Freetown. I do style my younger ones though because they can’t afford the money. I have to be a nice big brother you know?
What job gives you a sense of fulfillment when you look back at how far you have come?
Styling an international music icon like Eve has really boosted my profile and has spoken real well of my competence and consistency. That has been my most fulfilling job so far. I expect more by God’s grace.
When will you walk down the aisle? Do you intend to make your bride’s hair?
No o! I won’t make my bride’s hair. I would just allow her use whoever she intends to use but trust me if the bridal no fine, it would be me and her in same trousers that night after the wedding. I intend to get married before I’m 30 by God’s grace. I am seriously searching for my Miss Right.
What’s your advice for guys who want to do business but not hairdressing ?
Any guy who abhors or sees hairstyling as a taboo is really missing out. Most women prefer male hairdressers, so my advice would be for the guys who are interested to come all out and embrace this unique business line. I think it’s unique because it’s naturally a woman’s job but any man who ventures into it becomes a genius.
How do you cope with the demands of ladies who need to make their hair and your studies?
Well, all I do is make sure my job appointments don’t clash with my study time. That’s how I have been able to manage so far. I’m practically through with my studies, so now, I can concentrate more on jobs and making more money for LifeeStyle.
What is your favorite quote?
“Tough times never last,but tough people do” by Robert H. Schuller
Where do you see Lifee Style in 5 years time?
By God’s grace, I see Lifee as one of the leading beauty brands in Nigeria in less than five years from now. And then, in five years time, I see Lifee venturing into music as in LifeeMusic. I sing very well too and so, I intend storming the entertainment scene as well.
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