What Drives Me Most Is My Love For Organizing- Khadija Usman Shehu

Khadijah Usman Shehu is the CEO of Eventables, an events planning and decorations company in Abuja. She speaks to TMG about this and how she wants to take her business to the next level.

TMG> Tell us about yourself and your company...

Khadija> I'm a graduate of Computer Science from Al Hikmah University Ilorin and I hail from Adamawa State. My business is an events planning and decorations company in Abuja with a branch coming up in Kaduna soon, Insha Allah.

TMG> Why did you decide to go into event management, planning and decoration instead of becoming a marketer or administrator?

Khadijah> In 2014 after my NYSC, I thought it would be fun to organize things and wondered what it would be like to be in charge of an event? I went into it because I love organizing and arranging stuff. I get a feeling of fulfillment when ever I make my clients happy. 

TMG> How many employees report to you?

KhadijahI> At the moment, I have 15 permanent staff under me.

TMG> What do you do to stay educated about new trends? 

Khadijah> I’m always online, so the internet helps me keep up with what’s trending.

TMG> What are your challenges and how do you intend to handle them?

Khadijah> My main challenge was pressure but I was able to get over that. Some clients call at the last minute to request for colours or materials I may not have at that moment. I try my best to meet up and I’m glad I’m getting over that as I'm still stocking up on more materials for upcoming decorations. 

TMG> What do you do to ensure the quality of the products going out to your customers for an event?

KhadijahI> I try my best to be y Clients' Satisfaction Makes Me Happyand different. I have my style and try to do what one can’t find anywhere else.
 

TMG> Give us an example of someone you have trained. Where did they start and where are they now?

Khadijah> I had two young boys who ask thaty ed if they could work for me; they were in SSS1 time, and right now they are at Nasarawa State University. They're doing well, Glory be to Allah and the event business is a side job for them. 

TMG> Tell us about an accomplishment you are most proud of in your career? 

Khadijah> I did a wedding in September 2016- Aisha Sali (daughter of Salih Bello, former Head of Civil Service of the Federation) We organized the wedding dinner which was supposed to be in Abuja but due to change in arrangements, was hosted in Yola, Adamawa State. This particular event gave me an opportunity to show my capability and also opened many doors for me. I had to move everything I needed for the event from Abuja to Yola in a short time but I was able to work under pressure and meet up to our clients  expectations. 

Late last year, I was among a team of 5 that organized the first funfair in Gwarimpa. For a first timer, we did well and were able to put things in place within a short period of time.

TMG> Tell us about your management style and how you handle your Customers?

Khadijah> I speak to my clients first to understand their needs. I try to be free and open with my customers by giving quotations according to what I feel my customers can afford. I try to give them options and suggestions so we're all satisfied in the end as I’m actually doing the event business because I enjoy doing it, not actually because of the gain in it even though it is profitable.

TMG> Tell us 3 things that you consider to be your strength? 

Khadijah> Simplicity , being open and understanding.

TMG> Tell us something you would like to learn or improve upon as an event planner? 

Khadijah> I intend attending more trainings in my line of business so I can learn something new and have a little more experience.

TMG> How involved are you in the financial aspect of your business Budgets/forecasting? Or do you have people doing it for you? 

Khadijah> I’m 100% involved in the financial aspects of my business as I draw out the quotations myself so I’m aware of all payments and how we spend any money going in and out of the company's account.

TMG> How do you handle labour cost? If your labour is running high, what measures do you take to control it especially with financial issues now?

Khadijah> For the labour cost I have friends who are into this same line of business so I tend to compare and get suggestions on where to get cheaper materials or get workers who will charge me less to get the work done.

TMG> How do you develop and design a place for decoration? 

Khadijah> Most times I don’t have an idea of what kind of decoration to do until I get to the venue... I can say Talent has a lot to do with it.

TMG> How unique is your work and what kind of feedback do you get from people?

Khadijah> My work is quite unique; I use ideas from my head and if I really have to do a design someone has already done, I add something to make it different.

TMG> What way can you encourage other youths not to depend on government for jobs but to be self dependent?

Khadijah> I will encourage youths to find a way to become self-sufficient. 

TMG> Do you have time to socialise and how?

Khadijah> Personally, I don’t like crowds but I try my best to socialize. On a scale of 1-10 I will grade myself 6...my line of business encourages socializing so I try to create time to attend functions.