An Entrepreneur Has To Be Ready To Take Risks- Maryam Tukura

Maryam Danjuma Tukura, graduate of Literature In English from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto is the CEO, Maya Brand located in Abuja. She has a natural flair for Interior decorations, which she decided to explore and turn into a business.

TMG> Tell us about your background? 

Maryam> I'm from the Gbagyi tribe in Niger State.

TMG> What made you go into the line of producing household items? 

Maryam> I have a great passion for organized places. It's only natural that I would follow that line.

TMG> What sort of goods does your company sell?

Maryam> I make and sell Throw pillows, Bedsheets, Duvets, Clothes, shoes, liquid soap and more. Quite a lot, isn't it? I know!

TMG> Which areas do you need to improve on in your company? 

Maryam> I won’t mind having a staff who assists me in selecting fabrics and taking orders.

TMG> What do you feel is the next step in developing your sales skills?

Maryam> Having an online site where people can see and buy my goods.

TMG> What are some of the challenges you have faced in starting your company?

Maryam> Well, so far I am yet to experience any challenge honestly. My Family have been there from the start, Alhamdulillah.

TMG> What style of management do you think works in becoming successful at your kind of business?

Maryam> Nothing much other than keep being determined, keep praying and being consistent by pushing harder.

TMG> Tell us about a successful sales pitch you used for a difficult client. How were you able to sell the good(s) to him/her?

Maryam> I am yet to experience that situation but I'm confident I will pass when the time comes.

TMG> Tell us how you also got involved in interior decoration and how you manage other responsibilities or businesses with this? 

Maryam> As I said earlier, I have a serious obsession with neatness and organized places, so I did not find it difficult to blend it all together. I manage it all well.

TMG> Have you ever lost during sales and what did you learn from it?

Maryam> Yes, unfortunately I have and it was a wakeup call. Being an entrepreneur, you have to always be ready to take a risk anytime.

TMG> How do you keep up to date on your target market?

Maryam> I always try my possible best to bring out new designs of my product because there are lots of people out there doing same. In order to stand out in my own massive way, I must do research and develop my skills. 

TMG> When do you stop pursuing a client? 

Maryam> Well to be honest, once you are my customer, you will want to stick around forever because I put in my possible best to the work and make sure you are satisfied.

TMG> Who are you comfortable selling to and why? 

Maryam> Anyone who needs my services, the patient people who know that sometimes it is not about the price tag but the quality/worth.

 TMG> What motivates you?

Maryam> I am my own motivation🏽

TMG> What is your ultimate career aspiration?

Maryam> I have always and still want to be an Ambassador or a News Caster, And i can’t wait to accomplish it by God Grace.

TMG> How do you keep a smile on your face during a hard day to make sure your clients feel good?

Maryam> I love what I do, so difficult customers won’t easily get into my head.

TMG> Have you ever had a losing streak? How did you turn it around?

Maryam> Sometimes I would go a month without selling but that is okay. My happy days are more than my non selling times.

TMG> In your last position, how much time did you spend cultivating customer relationships and hunting for new clients?

Maryam> I never stop searching for clients and have realised that keeping the ones I already have on track.

TMG> What’s your approach to handling customers objections?

Maryam> I listen to my customers objections as well as suggestions because without them, there won’t be MAYA BRAND.

TMG> Have you ever asked a client to explain why she didn’t buy a product? What did you learn from that experience?

Maryam> Recently, a customer wanted some throws so I asked the person to check and get back to me but I never got a response, I tried reaching out to her but got the, “I did not see what I wanted” response

Everyone has their taste; my choice can never be the other person's best.

TMG> Tell us about the greatest goal that you’ve ever accomplished professionally?

Maryam> I have accomplished quite a lot, among which is that I own a shop, Alhamdulillah.

TMG> Have you remained persistent during sales, even though everyone else around you had given up?

Maryam> I always remain persistent and will never give up. When God is with you, nothing can stop you.

TMG> What kind of sacrifices have you had to make to be successful?

Maryam> My sacrifice has to be when I risked using my own money to make stuff and ended up not getting paid till date.

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon?

Maryam> I would love to improve in so many aspects; especially in decoration. I need more tools to achieve my goals.

TMG> How do you manage risk, in terms of damages or loss?

Maryam> One good thing about selling throw pillows is that you never have damages beyond your own control. Someone might not like something and another customer might buy it even after a long time.

TMG> What's your advice to young people who want to go into a business like yours? 

Maryam> I will say, Youths should never give up no matter what, You can cry but never give up,Pray hard and work hard too.

TMG> How do you socialise?

Maryam> I love traveling around the world.