Aisha Bala Abubakar is the CEO of
Falke by Aisha and Mishamoon-two sister companies that are distinct and
deal with women’s fashion. While the former handles bespoke clothing
using the customers’ fabric and bridal wears, Mishamoon offers
ready-to-wear clothing which are readily available and caters for every
woman regardless of one’s income. The graduate of Applied Chemistry from
the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, can best be described as a
fashion entrepreneur. She is happily married to Yusuf Abubakar.
My parents are…Alhaji Yushau Bala and my mother is Hajiya Jummai Abubakar.
Household I grew up in…I was raised by my grandmother. She is a disciplinarian and made us live a simple and down to earth life. Although my grandfather was wealthy, my grandmother taught us that money is not everything and so contentment should be our watchword in every aspect of our lives. She made me a contented human being.
Favourite childhood memory…My secondary school days, when I was a free-spirited child. Ours was an extended family and I used to like switching from house to house from my grandfather’s to my uncle’s, who was married to an American lady. I loved hanging around her because I wanted to speak like her.
People who motivate me… Three men in my life, namely: My husband; he directed my life towards what I am doing now. I can’t repay him enough. He’s been a brother, a friend and a father as well as my mentor. My grandfather; who is my best critic and my dad, who would go as far as helping me choose fabric from the market.
Why ready to wear caught my fancy… Although we hadve the best tailors that handle our bridal wears, I discovered that the market for bespoke clothing is saturated. It was becoming quite tasking because apart from the competition that is really stiff, if you don’t have a tailor that is creative, can sew well and is dedicated to the job, they will end up ruining the outfit. The cost of bespoke sewing also discourages some customers. On the other hand, ready-to-wear caters for people of all categories and ages; as long as the stock lasts, it is readily available, affordable for all women regardless of her income. There is no waiting list and everybody is happy.
When I started… I wanted to start the business well, keep my books and pay my taxes on time. ‘Falke’ by Aisha started as a hobby, so we just started keeping the books but with ‘Mishamoon’, it is more organised.
If I could change one thing, it would be…to stop procrastinating and get things done at the right time because I tend to do things at the last minute. I believe in the words ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. I would also like to treat issues more seriously.
Growing up I wanted to be…I don’t really remember; my mum wanted me to become a doctor and my dad was indifferent but I know I’ve had this passion in me for a long time.
You might not know it but…my confidence is taken for arrogance. I had low self-esteem when I was in my teens but my husband helped me by encouraging me and rooting for me. He practically brought me out of my shell.
I realise that…in order to achieve success, one has to learn to delegate and I am not too good at that. I feel I could do everything by myself- attend to customers, take down orders, you know, doing the work that I have employed people to do, but this is not a good trait in business. But I am improving in this area.
For entrepreneurs…you don’t have to start big. Don’t look at the name brands out there and think you have to be like them in a hurry. You have to start from somewhere and grow. As for designers, you don’t have to sew expensive designs; do basic designs and keep the price affordable and then watch how it will grow. Don’t be over ambitious.
My parents are…Alhaji Yushau Bala and my mother is Hajiya Jummai Abubakar.
Household I grew up in…I was raised by my grandmother. She is a disciplinarian and made us live a simple and down to earth life. Although my grandfather was wealthy, my grandmother taught us that money is not everything and so contentment should be our watchword in every aspect of our lives. She made me a contented human being.
Favourite childhood memory…My secondary school days, when I was a free-spirited child. Ours was an extended family and I used to like switching from house to house from my grandfather’s to my uncle’s, who was married to an American lady. I loved hanging around her because I wanted to speak like her.
People who motivate me… Three men in my life, namely: My husband; he directed my life towards what I am doing now. I can’t repay him enough. He’s been a brother, a friend and a father as well as my mentor. My grandfather; who is my best critic and my dad, who would go as far as helping me choose fabric from the market.
Why ready to wear caught my fancy… Although we hadve the best tailors that handle our bridal wears, I discovered that the market for bespoke clothing is saturated. It was becoming quite tasking because apart from the competition that is really stiff, if you don’t have a tailor that is creative, can sew well and is dedicated to the job, they will end up ruining the outfit. The cost of bespoke sewing also discourages some customers. On the other hand, ready-to-wear caters for people of all categories and ages; as long as the stock lasts, it is readily available, affordable for all women regardless of her income. There is no waiting list and everybody is happy.
When I started… I wanted to start the business well, keep my books and pay my taxes on time. ‘Falke’ by Aisha started as a hobby, so we just started keeping the books but with ‘Mishamoon’, it is more organised.
If I could change one thing, it would be…to stop procrastinating and get things done at the right time because I tend to do things at the last minute. I believe in the words ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’. I would also like to treat issues more seriously.
Growing up I wanted to be…I don’t really remember; my mum wanted me to become a doctor and my dad was indifferent but I know I’ve had this passion in me for a long time.
You might not know it but…my confidence is taken for arrogance. I had low self-esteem when I was in my teens but my husband helped me by encouraging me and rooting for me. He practically brought me out of my shell.
I realise that…in order to achieve success, one has to learn to delegate and I am not too good at that. I feel I could do everything by myself- attend to customers, take down orders, you know, doing the work that I have employed people to do, but this is not a good trait in business. But I am improving in this area.
For entrepreneurs…you don’t have to start big. Don’t look at the name brands out there and think you have to be like them in a hurry. You have to start from somewhere and grow. As for designers, you don’t have to sew expensive designs; do basic designs and keep the price affordable and then watch how it will grow. Don’t be over ambitious.
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