SOPHIA AKPOTOR OBRUCHE hails from Ethiope East Local Government Area. She was unemployed for two years after graduation from Delta State University where she studied Management Studies.
Fortunately, she enrolled in the Delta State job creation programme 2015/2016 Cycle and was trained in Cosmetology under Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP.)
The need to diversify her enterprise to increase her streams of income motivated her to acquire another skill in Hairdressing, Braiding and Makeover.
At present, she is the CEO of Sofina STEP Salon & Spa located in Asaba. She has trained over 50 persons and is a job creation trainer. Six years on, she shares her story:
“I enjoy what I am doing in terms of facials and massage because I love beauty. When I started, I rented a shop but the patronage was low.
“Nobody was interested in beauty therapy then for lack of knowledge. I realized I needed to diversify into hairdressing in order to attract clients. The first woman who patronized me had her hair made for free to convince her that I was good.
“As we speak, I have trained over 50 persons and have clients all over Asaba. I have diversified to sale beauty products and jewelry and, also, to the production of Sofina Beauty Products. I make wigs too. I am making great impact in my family by assisting my husband in the upkeep of my home.
“I also engage in free community service. I have trained some women in my church to enable them to contribute to the upkeep of their families.
“I advise every unemployed Delta Youth to acquire a skill to be self-employed. They should strive to become CEOs of their own enterprises. No one is too big to acquire a skill.
“This is the reality; all my apprentices are graduates. God bless Governor Okowa; God bless Delta State.
By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh
