Growing up in Zaria was super fun. – Habila

BACKGROUND

My name is Christiana Henrietta Habila. I am from Kaduna State, Jaba local government area and Jaba by tribe from Nok. I was born into the family of Mr and Mrs Habila Maizanko on the December 25th, 1991 at Savanna Polytechnic Clinic owned by late Professor Ishaya Audu. I am the first of four siblings.

I was born and raised in Zaria, Kaduna State where I started my educational career at Christ Nursery and Primary School, Samaru, Zaria, from there to Life-Line Academy Samaru. From there, I proceeded to Federal Government Girls College, Zaria and after my secondary education, I went further to study English Literature at the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and after completion of the four-year degree programme, I had my National Youth Service Corps at Anambra State.

It was awesome and a different experience for me, as a northerner because I had the privilege of learning more about the culture, food, traditions and a bit of the language. It is an experience I cannot forget in a jiffy because I was treated well. They are hospitable.

CHILDHOOD

Growing up in Zaria was fun. The environment I lived in was dominated by Muslims and we lived together peacefully. We shared things, played together without discrimination and gave out foods to friends and neighbours during Sallah, Christmas and other festivities. It was a friendly environment and I wish things would return to the way they were. Hatred had no place.

THE BUSINESS

It all started during my undergraduate days, to be specific, my second year. I saw young ladies like me doing one or two things to make money and that inspired me to do same. I immediately made a list of businesses I could go into that would require little capital for a start and eventually, I narrowed my options to going into the Jewelry and Perfume business.

Six thousand naira was enough as start-up capital for the business. The students were the target market and to reach them required more than being in the school environment. I had to strategise, going from one room to the next, hostel to hostel and lecture halls to market the business and in no time, everyone wanted to patronise me within and outside school.

My stay in Anambra State during my service year got me fired up to continue the business when I saw the way people hustled to make ends meet. I sold jewelries and perfumes at Community Development Service (CDS) meetings and any other gathering. The business has a brand name, ‘Xtiez Jewel and Accessoriez’.

WHO TAUGHT YOU?

It is inborn. All I had to do was perfect it by equipping myself with necessary information about the business I wanted to go into. I also had to try my hands on other things, see and learn how business should be run to avoid being a failure in the end.

DRIVING FORCE

My best friend, Dr Michael Nwaokike, has being an encourager and motivator in this journey.

WHAT GIVES YOU AN EDGE OVER COMPETITORS?

My attitude to customers when it comes to service delivery and packaging sets me apart.

MENTORS

Dr Joseph Gyuro has been instrumental in ensuring the growth of my community/village, Nok and through his actions, I have been inspired to make a good name to make my community proud. I admire his level of intelligence, love for his fatherland, his people and hospitable nature.

HOBBIES

Reading, meeting people and working out.

DREAD

The fear of making a wrong decision in life and business because I have come to understand that one wrong step can destroy what one has been building for years.

ACHIEVEMENTS

I have experienced great expansion financially compared to when I started out.

CHALLENGES

Meeting delivery date for customers outside Kaduna. There are times the products get destroyed due to carelessness of some drivers. I have also had unpleasant situations where a customer makes an order and at the last minute, they change their minds.

REGRETS

None

FUTURE PROJECTION

I see myself in the near future as a business tycoon, employer and totally independent in every aspect.

MOST MEMORABLE DAY

November 2002, the year I lost my father.

HOW DO YOU COMBINE BUSINESS, PROFESSION WITH FAMILY?

To succeed, planning must be taken seriously in life and business. It is often said that he who fails to plan, plans to fail. Aliko Dangote, Folorunsho Alakija, Femi Otedola and other top business moguls within and outside the country on the Forbes list, would not have gotten to where they are today if they did not have their plans for the business mapped out.

I want to achieve more than they have and to get up there. Each day I wake up, I plan my day to include the business, family and profession. Initially it was difficult to manage all but consistency and determination has helped a great deal.

ADVISE TO WOMEN

It is a combination of reasonable talents and the ability to work in the face of defeat that leads to success. No one who gave up has ever been celebrated, women should aspire to be seen and heard as the most capable because there is nothing a woman sets out to achieve that becomes impossible. All we need do, is trust that we can, and we will be at the top in no time.