Success is made and not born; across the world, we have been hearing how people of lower class rises to a high level; especially Women who have risen to stardom.
Daily News Report meets one of the successful Women, who built her empire through tick and tine. Despite the challenges and rejection from the society, she bounced back.
Follow us through the interview to get inspired about her story:
Quest: Can we meet you Ma?
Guest: Thank you for having me. I'm Mrs. Edward Eunice, native of Anambra State. I'm a Fashion Designer.
Quest: During our background checks on you, we get to know you are an orphan, how do you feel been an orphan.
Guest: Hmmm, it is not easy. Those having parents should cherish what they have. Mothers especially are great inspiration to their Children; particular the Daughters. When my Parents died, both in auto-crash, I was in primary five then. I can't really say I felt it much until I wanted to enter into JSS 1, I had to do some odd jobs for my Uncle {Family to My Mother} before he could sponsor me.
Quest: Did your Uncle sponsor you to your University level?
Guest: At all, his wife made him send me out of his house. She complained of me on many occasions. As a lady then, I engage in so much works in the house; including washing my Uncle's Wife Clothes and that of her Children. But, she isn't accommodative, so she complains of me a lot. She doesn't even allow her husband's family to come over. Some Ladies are like that these days.
Quest: How did you now end up leaving the house?
Guest: Due to her complain, my Uncle had no option than to send me out when I was in JSS 3. From there, I packed out of his house. But, my Uncle later introduced me to his Friend- a married Man, who later accepted me into his house, provided I will work as a maid for his Wife and he will send me to school; I agreed.
Quest: Is that where you finished your Schools?
Guest: Hmmm, the story became more pathetic after spending almost two years in his house.
Though, his Wife is very friendly but always busy; but the husband is this sex addict type. He is used to harassing me and I do refused him.
Quest: Is the Wife aware?
Guest: After I couldn't bear the harassment from him, I planned running out of the house before he will rape me. So, I decided to tell the wife I was leaving, but I was scared to tell her about her husband behavior, so I lied that I want to stay alone, she later begged me to wait till I finished my School Certificate. I wished I never listen to her Sha..
Quest: What do you mean by your last statement Ma?
Guest: I feel ashamed saying it, but let me say it for others out there to learn. A month after I agreed to wait, one day, my Madam traveled and it was just me and her husband. Sadly, after I brought this evening meal to him, the husband forced himself on me and he r@ped me. This is a sad moment I can never forget and his impression that day made me think all Men are like Dogs.
Quest: This is so pathetic, sorry about that Mrs. Edward.
Guest: Nothing to be sorry about, my mind is free because ladies out there will learn from my story that it's very rear to get any help for free these days, especially from those Yahoo Men out there. They will only use and dump them.
Quest: So Ma, how did you end up with your spacious Shop and the blossom life?
Guest: First, I give thanks to God almighty. He never leaves me for once. After the incident happened, the shame could not allow me wait till his come wife comes back before I packed out the next day. I'm very sure the Lord would have judged the Man already by now. Myself and the wife still talk sometimes though.
With the little money I saved, I rented an apartment and from there, I do some menial jobs and finished my Secondary school. I could not further into the university, so I went to learn tailoring. My boss is a very kind and generous lady, after spending a year in the learning, she later got to know I stayed alone, so, she asked me to come over to her house. I wanted to reject the offer, but since she was single then, I accepted to stay with her.
She said I am a good girl to her, so she didn't even collect any money from me. She allowed me work in her Shop after my apprenticeship and from there, I make my own money before I rent my first shop and got my first tailoring machine. As God will have it, the business started growing and I started training apprentice and more works keep coming.
Later, I moved to a bigger shop and bought different sowing Machines and industrial Machines.
Quest: That's a big change, so how did you meet your husband, it must be very difficult before you could accept.
Guest: As if you were there Moderator, due to the sad incident, I had trust issues. Before I could accept to Marry my husband, it takes years of his perseverance and commitment towards the affection. I could remember there was a day I shouted on him when she visited me in my shop. I was ashamed too though. But, he never stopped coming until we finally work things out, get married to him.
Quest: Did you tell your Husband of the r@pe issue?
Guest: Yes, he was aware before we started dating, I told him I didn't trust him because of what I have experienced in the past. He accepted to marry me even with that.
Quest: How do you cope with the work and Family?
Guest: Recall I told you I lacked parental care while I was small, I changed the narrative, I'm always available for my kids. Infact, they are my gist partners and my family first before work. I am also hardworking, my clients are precious to me.
Quest: What great lesson have you learnt while growing?
Guest: I have got to realized that only God can help without expecting any returns than our thanks. My biggest mistaken was staying with the Man my Uncle introduced me to.
Quest: What is your advice to other ladies out there, who might be be in the same situation and position with you?
Guest: I wish I can assemble them all and talk to them. Life is easy when we take it easy on ourselves, believe in God and yourself. Do not allow anyone take advantage of you; thinking they will help you; some of them only wanted to eat out of your beauty. If you know you can not help yourself to the university level, do not sell your body to guys for money. I will also advice them to make sure they learn any handiwork. I repeat, learn handiwork and go back to the university when you have the resources to do so.
I returned to the University after I opened my first shop. You Ladies out there should know that when they are hardworking, Men will run after you. Men are not father Christmas, there is no free offer anywhere, work and build your own empire and take God first in all.