A LIFE IN BRIEF
Asabe Tonia Moses was born and brought up in Minna, Niger State. She did her primary school in Fahinta Nursery and Primary School, Minna and her secondary school in Minna too before she proceeded to Prince College, Kaduna. She is a graduate of mass communication from Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna. She is the CEO of ATM Beauty Mpire
YOUR BACKGROUND
My name is Asabe Tonia Moses. I was born in Minna, Niger State. I attended Fahinta Nursery and Primary School Minna. I also did day secondary school in Minna, before proceeding to Prince Collage, Kaduna.
I am a graduate of Mass Communications, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna. I am also a beautician, an accredited sales representative of House of Tara International. I am the founder, proprietress and chief executive officer of ATM Beauty Mpire, a full-fledge event management enterprise here in Niger State. I am a Nigerlite of Paikoro extraction.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
The numerous ASUP strikes, was an eye opener for me as it accorded me the opportunity to be able to conceptualise the life of an unemployed person. Those periods set me thinking of what life will be for me if after graduating from school I have to stay at home for six months without getting employed. So I decided to employ myself even as an undergraduate.
During another ASUP strike, I immediately enrolled in a training institute for cosmetology; thank God I did because that very strike lasted about seven months. By the time strike was called off, I had completed my training. Upon resumption, I started using my friends and colleagues for practical sessions in school. I designed their faces with several make ups and combinations. Later on, I started charging them a token and then jobs began to come for me from outside the campus. My services were very cheap compared to what obtained outside. By the time I was through with my NYSC, I was ready to go.
I started with a small handbag, and later on, a friend bought me my first make up kit as a way of encouraging me. That was the ultimate turning point for me. Today, I have my own studio, I get jobs even from outside the state. I have made up for over 50 brides in the last two years. This is outside the ones in my studio. And now, four year after, I cannot believe that this is a business I started with just about N100, 000 four years ago.
HOBBIES
When I am not making up, I love to sing, listen to news, watch movies, travel, and project into the future.
YOUR ACHIEVEMENT
To the glory of God, I have been able to redefine my business to be at a higher level. I transformed from being a freelance makeup artist, to owning a studio and then to ATM Crystal Makeup Studio.
My business name, ATM is derived from the initials of my name- Asabe Tonia Moses. I coined it myself.
But now changed it to ATM Beauty Mpire because of more packages, the Mpire now render many services such as DJ hire, MC, photography, catering, decoration, ushering, speech writing and delivery.
I have also trained and graduated some students here. I made it a mandate to create a yearly event for the Mpire to celebrate. For instance we are planning a special independence programme on October 1. The event is to celebrate our people and to showcase entertainment. Minna is a force to reckon with. We are set for our maiden event this year which we tagged “A Meeting of Stars.” It will hold inside Abdulsalam Youth Centre, Minna Niger State.
The sweetest of all achievements is that I am using my ambition and institution to fulfill my inner mission.
YOUR DREAM
I am gradually moving to my dream of having a one-stop shop business entity, rendering holistic services that will make life easy for people and make their occasion standout. Also to become a successful entrepreneur in life, and to see how I can help the needy, most especially youths who are willing to help themselves and widows.
YOUR MENTOR
I have always looked at the story of Aliko Dangote, which has really inspired me. If God spares my life, I want to be successful like him. Dangote is the first that comes on my mind any time I hear of business, not because he is rich, but because of how he started slowly and grown his empire.
ANY REGRET
No regrets. In fact I am doing what I love to do. It is a passion I will still choose even in my next world.
CHALLENGES
Challenges are inevitable in business. First is finance (for equipment), then so many quack makeup artists on board who have not gone through professional training. They mess up the business. It is also saddening that people are not ready to invest in ideas and try to steal your ideas or discourage you. Can you imagine that our October 1 event did not receive any support from the corporate world in spite of the letters and interactions we had with them. I guess that is because we are relatively unknown for now. But we are not discouraged. In the nearest future, those that have rejected us today will run after us to sign us up.
YOUR ADVICE
My advice is that, there is nothing good than going after your passion. Be focused, determined, prayerful and good to everyone you come across. And remember that nothing good comes easy.
LEADERSHIP.