I defied my dad to build successful bead-making business – Engineering graduate

For over two decades, Ebunoluwa Farinde-Yussuf, the founder and Creative Director of Gallereno Works, has turned her passion for beadmaking into a thriving business that goes beyond fashion. In this interview with BIODUN BUSARI, she sheds light on her journey, stressing that it is not just about creativity but a mission to empower women and girls, helping them find their voices through skill acquisition

What is the idea behind the creativity-oriented social institution you are running?

I developed a passion for beadmaking after earning my Nigeria Certificate in Education in 2004, thanks to my elder sister, who introduced me to the craft. She had learned beadmaking during her National Youth Service Corps scheme in Enugu State and brought home some beaded bags she had made. I was intrigued and asked her to teach me. As I began practising with her, my interest grew, and soon I started making beads on my own.

My dad, however, wanted me to pursue further studies and secure a traditional white-collar job. He was adamant that I stop beadmaking, believing vocational skills were only for the uneducated. Those early days were challenging—I often had to sneak downstairs or into the backyard to work on my beaded creations, hiding from my dad because I knew he disapproved. My parents would call out my name, but I would hide and continue pursuing what I was passionate about.

At the time, my dad didn’t think I could succeed in beadmaking. My parents offered no encouragement at the start of what has now become this thriving entrepreneurial venture. Despite the difficulties, I eventually funded my education with the money I earned from beadmaking. It wasn’t an easy journey, but my passion kept me going.

After that discouraging experience with your parents, what kept you going and helped you succeed?

In 2004, my sister’s friend bought my first beaded bag for N1,500. I was excited to make money from something I had created. It felt like a breakthrough. I immediately ran to the market on Lagos Island, despite rarely going out—whether during my time on campus or at home. The few times I had accompanied my mum to the Island gave me enough confidence to go alone after that first sale. I asked around for bead suppliers, found what I needed, and made more beaded bags. Not long after, another friend of my sister bought a second bag, which boosted my morale and motivated me to keep going.

That same year, I registered my company as Gallereno Works, which I interpreted as a gallery of innovative works. I realised I needed a brand identity and decided Gallereno Works could serve as the parent company. That’s how I came up with Oge Ibile. By then, I had expanded my offerings to include dressmaking and Aso Oke.

Why are girls and women the focal point of your company’s training programmes?

When I looked at what I went through sponsoring myself through school and the challenges I faced, I realised many women are in similar situations, trying hard to fend for themselves.

The most painful aspect is that some of these females turn to social vices to survive. They do things they shouldn’t be seen doing. That’s why I saw the need to help women do and become better versions of themselves.

Women need to make money the right way. They need to be encouraged that they can make money without getting involved in immoral activities.

I work with female students who are about to gain admission into universities or who are undergraduates but have financial constraints.

I also help women who are full-time housewives. Many restrict themselves to their homes to care for their children and families. We give them orientation on how they can do all these and still earn to balance work and family.

We go to their communities to train them. We’ve trained over 3,000 women in four local governments in Lagos. A few years ago, we trained 400 female students in two public secondary schools in Alimosho Local Government Area.

However, what we are looking at now is having a dedicated space where they can come and learn. Currently, we train them in one or two weeks, but if we are being honest, that isn’t enough time to learn a skill professionally. When we followed up on these students and women, we realised that most of them don’t really continue practising what they learned.

Perhaps they were unsure of themselves or felt they still had a lot to learn. Some also have financial constraints.

We are thinking of providing a space where full-time housewives can come and learn. They can also bring their children, as some can’t leave them at home alone. The idea is to offer a crèche where professionals can look after their children so they can concentrate on learning.

I’m passionate about the empowerment of women and girls because, as they say, if you train a woman, you train a nation. There are many women doing exploits in our society, and that’s one reason we focus on social entrepreneurship.

For clarity, we empower men too. Boys are not left behind, but our main focus is on the girl child because we believe they need more help.

How do you fund this project?

We get sponsors and we hire professionals to train these women. Trainers are paid, and sometimes we also provide free materials to the trainees. They don’t have to worry about training fees. All they have to do is come to the venue and get trained.

Additionally, we link them with mentors, and we’re now considering teaching them financial management to ensure they know how to manage their businesses successfully.

I believe entrepreneurship is the way forward for this country. It’s the only way we can overcome this economic crisis. When we empower people with vocational skills, we reduce social vices because people can earn money legally.

Are beadmaking and beaded materials competing in the market with jewellery and other fashion accessories?

Yes, beaded materials are still competing well in the market. I’ve been in this business for 20 years, and I’m still here, which tells you the market is thriving.

In our vocational school, we don’t train people only in bead-making. We’ve been offering training in other areas of specialisation such as makeup, hairdressing, cloth making, baking, and catering.

Now, we are also looking at plumbing. Another department we aim to establish is information technology, which is essential in today’s world, covering areas like cybersecurity, data analysis, and other related skills.

We have been trying to bring in professionals to handle this aspect. Additionally, we’re considering setting up a library where students can read and deepen their knowledge.

You studied electrical and electronics but haven’t pursued a career in that field. Have your parents ever criticised you for not using your engineering degree?

I don’t use it at all. They never criticised me for not working with my engineering certificate. I think that’s because they realised I’m doing well in my bead-making business. I remember when my works were published in Tell magazine in 2004, my dad got the paper and showed it to his friend. He was proud of me. I was surprised and taken aback, but then I figured there was no need to complain.

Has your business faced any upheavals due to the current economic challenges?

I have faced a lot of challenges. There were times when my family would tell me to take it easy with the projects. As we seek a space for the project, it’s been financially draining. Sometimes, when I reach out to people about helping to secure grants, they have the erroneous impression that I want to divert the funds.

So, savings have been helping, but I’ve had to sacrifice a lot. Sometimes, I forgo things that would benefit me just to keep the project moving. But I’m glad my family is supportive.

On another note, when I look around at the people who used to encourage me that Nigeria would get better, I don’t see them anymore because they’ve migrated abroad.

The ‘Japa’ wave has happened and taken them away. It’s funny when they now ask, ‘What are you still doing in Nigeria?’ I just keep telling myself to push a little more.

What do you think the government can do for business owners like you to thrive and also improve the economy?

I think the government should do better in the area of taxes. If possible, the government should stop taxing small businesses that are just starting and don’t have a strong capital base. This would help such businesses survive the current economic crisis.

Some of the people we’ve trained have given feedback that as soon as they start their small businesses, the local governments will come with taxes.

They have to pay for radio and television licences, and if they put up signboards, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency demand fees. To think these people are just starting and are yet to start making any profits. This is very discouraging. I would like the government to intervene in this area.

Governments could collaborate with entrepreneurship and vocational centres, support entrepreneurs with funds and help acquire the equipment needed to drive business growth, and by doing this, improve the Nigerian economy.

I also urge the government to reduce interest rates on loans and make them more accessible to small business owners.