Why I’m into skincare business – Beautician, Cindy Blessing
By Rita Chioma,
Chikezie Blessing Chiedozie, who is fondly called Cindy Blessing, is a beautician who derives pleasure and contentment in her customers’ satisfaction.
In this interview, the CEO of Egostherskincare/Egosther koncept shares her success story and challenges.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Chikezie Blessing Chiedozie but people know me as Cindy. I’m from Abia State. The last of five children and also an orphan. I actually lost my dad at a very tender age and my mom in 2000. Growing up was not easy but God has been merciful.
What were the challenges you faced as an orphan and how did you cope?
Being an orphan is nothing to be ashamed of. I only get sad when people and friends talked about their mum, especially on Mother’s Day.
Sometimes, I really wished my mom or dad is available for me to pour out my heart to. It hasn’t really easy going through some emotional stress all by yourself with no parents to run to.
How long have you been a beautician?
It has always been in my blood to be a beautician right from secondary school days , but professionally I started 4 years ago. But on a low key.
How did it all start?
Hmmm! As young girls, we all like looking good especially when you live around big aunties with flawless skin beautiful faces and all. I really wanted to have their kind of skin tone and look flawless and beautiful like them. One thing about me is that I ask questions a lot, I really wanted to know what they used and how they achieved such flawless skins. My quest for beautification also made me register for make up classes which I did for 4 months and was certified a professional.
Can you share your success story?
My success story actually started through Instagram. Anytime I post pictures , I get comments like “Your skin is so flawless.” You’re beautiful.” “What cream are you using?” and all that.
With all these comments and questions all the time, people really want to know what cream I use. So, I decided to go into skin training to perfect my craft so as to reach out to people. I’ve been making my own cream since 3 to 4 years now. And to God be the glory it’s been awesome.
So how has it been?
It has been great. I always get positive feedback from clients all over the world.
All over the world? How did you make that happen?
Right now we have an online store until we get a perfect office to showcase our products. Instagram is a wonderful place where you can reach you target audience. And since I’m very active on instagram, my page and other people also helped in promoting our business page.
That’s the power of social media for you.
Most people are quite conscious of their skin nowadays, they prefer herbal products or prefer that the ingredients, what are the main contents of your products be herbs. How do you deal with that?
Gone are the days people just buy cream and damage their skins all in the name of getting fair. Organic is the best and the answer we all need. All our products are 100% organic. No chemical whatsoever in it.
How affordable are they?
Our products are at the best prices so far. Organic products are not that cheap, trust me, still on that we’re affordable. Every average Nigerian can afford Egostherskincare creams.
Are your products, skin lightening creams?
Not all are skin lightening cream, we have products for dark people as well, who want their skin to pop and glow, be smooth and shine. Everything is not about skin lightening.
My main concern is healthy skin. You may be light skinned but your skin is not healthy that doesn’t make sense to me and doesn’t speak well.
What do you look out for before making recommending products for a client?
Firstly , I must identify your skin type and what cream the person has used previously to start with.
However, most clients are stubborn; when you recommend cream that will suit their skins, they prefer another one because their friend or someone they know is using one particular one forgetting that skins are different.
But it’s our job to tell them what will suit their skin.
These days, lots of youths wants to venture into entrepreneurship, what does it take to build up your kind of business?
Yes that’s true. Everybody wants to do one business or the other. Skincare Business is not a joke or something you will just wake up one morning and say ‘Yes’ this what I want to do without the know how. Go to Skincare school, learn from the best and make researches about your ingredients. It’s very important before you go about damaging people’s skins.
It’s a very sensitive business that you need to be careful because you’re dealing with a whole lot of people from different walks of life.
Do you believe in mentorship?
Yes, I do. Lots of young people get inspired by listening to success stories , why some need special coaches in life issues. Even adults need mentoring as well, because lots of people are going through different life issues.
