I STARTED MY SCHOOL BUSINESS WHEN I WAS 18 – Christiana Okomayin
NIJ VOICE'S AYOBAMI OLADUNNI sat down with the HND2 Student to talk about entrepreneurship and studies, and the journey so far
Briefly tell us about Dunamisfield Montessori School and what makes it stand out for kids within the area it's situated.
DMS is a Montessori inclined school that was founded by me. It is different from every other school located in Maryland because we do an intensive one-on-one teaching for students at a very tender age. For example, we have children of 3 years old who can read and children of one year old that can write at least their alphabetical letters (A, B, C, Ds) and numerical figures (1,2,3s). So, these are the reasons why our school is different from every other school out there.
At what age did you start actualising your passion for the business? And was there any incident or experience that informed your passion?
Okay. At first, there was not any passion for it. But, when I was in primary school and secondary school, I used the be the class monitor. In my primary six, I was the senior girl. Then, in my secondary school, any class I entered I was always the class captain so I usually write on the board and stuff like that. But actually when I was in secondary school, I never had the intention of being a teacher. But this passion started when I lost my Dad. I actually lost my Dad when I was in primary four. So after loosing my Dad, then when I was in senior secondary school class, SS1 precisely, that's when I started teaching. I organised a tutorial. As at then, I had some people working for me. And that's when this passion of owning a school started from. So I actually did a party in 2014. A children's party. And I saw the turnout. That's one. Then the tutorial I organised, I have well over 120 pupils that usually come and even students that come from secondary school that we teach.
So I saw that we were doing it, then I saw some lapses in
students in primary school who could not read. Most of them started reading
from the tutorial and their parents began seeing changes through our efforts
and were believing in me. Then I considered the stress of going to look for a
job after school. And, one day sat down to think about what it takes to build a
school than getting a better place, some equipment, curriculum and I started
saving for it. That's how the passion of owning a school was birth.
Have you acquired any certification that qualifies you as educationist over the time?
Yes, I have. I actually did an early childhood education course at the University of Lagos, Akoka. So, I have been certified to be an educationist. And I have done the Corporate Affairs Commission registration and name search approval for my school. What I am currently working on is getting the government approval for my school.
What are the major challenges you face in your school business while even juggling it with academics?
Yes. There were lot of challenges that I faced. In fact, it got to a point I had to ask myself if God is not in support of my business or whatever it is I am doing. I actually started the school in 2015 and I was offered admission to study Mass Communication in Yabatech in 2014, so I had to be battling between my school business and my studies. I also had challenges with workers as it wasn't easy as a young girl at the age of 18 leading somebody that is married, older people who have to take instructions from me. At a point, some of them even connived to rebel against my management. Also, there were challenges money wise too; paying salaries and getting instructional aids. But we're still pushing for the best.
How do you relax when the stress is much?
The only way I usually relax is when I actually go for swimming, because swimming is one thing I really enjoy. So when the stress is too much on me, I go for swimming to just cool off. There's never a time to relax as I work day and night.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10years?
In the next 5-10years, I see myself as a very successful entrepreneur, and I also see my school at it peak of it career.
What two advices have you been given about life and entrepreneurship that you value so much?
Two advices I was given about entrepreneur and about life is to be relevant by doing what nobody has ever done before. Secondly, there are challenges in all spheres of life, you keep trying or die trying but never give up.
If you were given a hundred million naira, what would you do with it?
Hmmmm. I would pay my tithe, and build schools in at least two states in Nigeria, buy comfortable school buses and then add another business to my school business.
What advice do you have for young people or others who are aspiring to be like you?
What I will just advise is determination. Know what you want, and then you go for it. And, there's no bed filled with roses, you have to work for whatever it is you wish to achieve. Start early. When I started, my family members tried to talk me out considering my studies, but I discovered that there is never a perfect time to start anything. So, if you have a dream just start up with it. As you grow up at it the experiences you have makes you stronger.
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