THE PERSON, THE BUSINESS
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR SELF?
CARABONITA CEO; Temisan Omatseye
I am Temisan Omatseye, a proud ‘itsekiri’ babe, warri delta state. I was born in the early 80’s in Lasgidi (Lagos, Nigeria). I am the first of three siblings. First Degree in mass communication, Babcock University and I got an MSc. in Human Resource Management, Leeds Business school, United Kingdom.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS;
CaraBonita® Make-Ova was born in August 2011. I had always loved ‘painting faces’ way back at school. My natural passion for making cute faces prompted the decision to start up a ‘make-up’ studio where we provide all kinds of top notch professional makeup services, Training, Gele tying (head gear). We help bring out the best in our clients at the same time enhance the unique and undiscovered beauty which everyone possesses. So get that gorgeous and classy look whatever the occasion.
HOW DID YOU SETTLE FOR THAT INDUSTRY, WHAT WAS THE MOTIVATION TO ENTER THAT MARKET?
The Almighty is my major motivating force. Besides that, there’s nothing more fun for me than loving what I do and doing what I love. Make-up has always been ‘me’. So my decision to enter the market was based on sheer passion for what I derive pleasure in doing. Just a major flare and passion for making people look the best they can ever imagine. No one’s ugly, there’s beauty inside of you.
CARABONITA CEO (BLACK-UP EFFECT)
FINER DETAILS
DID U CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY?
Feasibility studies! No, I didn’t. But I did learn a lot from the House of Tara®, and quite some experience with Black-Up®.
IS YOUR BUSINESS REGISTERED?
CaraBonita® is registered with C.A.C (corporate affairs commission) Abuja, Nigeria.
SO HOW DID YOU RAISE SEED CAPITAL TO START
I started with a little capital injection from parents and a few friends.
WHAT ROLE WILL YOU SAY THE FINANCIAL SECTOR PLAYS IN THE LIFE OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN NIGERIA?
Well the financial sector is playing a role. But I’ll suggest they put out more funds to encourage people to empower themselves, not everyone has the capital to start-up a business. People should begin to understand they can be young entrepreneurs, that they can be their own bosses! Do their thing! Call the shots!
CARABONITA AT WORK
WHILE TRYING TO GET STARTED, WHERE THERE ANY MAJOR SET-BACKS AND HOW DID U SURMOUNT THEM?
-Wow! Obstacles? A lot actually. A major one is; having to work in the same industry with “well known” household names. It takes a lot to convince a client to let you do the job; a couple of people fail to realize one can even do the job better. A perfect way around this for me was doing a couple of free jobs at the initial stage just so people can see our works and get to know us. But we thank the Almighty, CaraBonita® is growing as the years go by.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE LEGAL MATTERS?
Laughs…I have many lawyer friends. So I am covered, besides I don’t plan on getting into any legal squabbles.
MARKETING STRATEGY
WHAT’S YOUR OVERALL MARKETING STRATEGY, HOW DO YOU PLAN ON REACHING PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS?
Overall marketing strategy is creating attractive packages that would lure prospective clients like the ‘recommend a friend for bridal make over and get yours done for free’, ‘1/2 price promo during festive seasons’, ‘full bridal make-over and get your mum and bridal train to make up for free’. Though these are dependent on a number of other factors I won’t mention here.
CARABONITA MAKES HER CUSTOMERS DELIGHTED
WHAT DETERMINED YOUR BUSINESS LOCATION
Lasgidi is always d ‘ish’. I grew up here in Lasgidi (Lagos, Nigeria) loving the bubbling and fashion conscious nature of the people. However, my job takes me around Nigeria… Wherever. So long as you want our services… We are ready to deliver!
IN THIS INTERNET SAVVY WORLD, HOW DO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA?
I must confess social media plays an important role in managing my brand. It provides an opportunity to showcase my works. With Facebook®, Twitter® and of cause BB (black-berry®) I reach a wider range of people than I would have normally.
MOST ENTREPRENEURS WANT TO KNOW; WHERE DO I GET MY BUSINESS IDEAS, HOW DO I FIND MY NICHE?
I would always say, the best business idea is in you. Just look within. There’s always something, a passion, a dream…you name it. Make the decision, take the step and start up. Never join a market because of its monetary gains or because it seems to be d norm. Do something you love, something you have a passion for.
BEFORE AND AFTER
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US HOW YOU KEEP YOUR BUSINESS FUNDED?
I keep my business funded with very little. The clients fund my business basically! It’s that simple!
WITH BUSINESS COMES ACCOUNTING, HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THIS AND TO WHAT EXTENT ARE YOU COMPUTER COMPLIANT IN YOUR BUSINESS?
Well, I handle the accounting myself, everything is going ‘e’ and CaraBonita® is following the ‘e’ trend as much as we can.
HUMAN RESOURCES
DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONNEL?
Yes I do have personnel.
BRIEF US ON YOUR HUMAN RESOURCE POLICY IN YOUR BUSINESS
Being d human resource professional that I am handling my ‘HR’ needs is quite easy and this saves me the stress of having to outsource certain roles. Our HR policy is an ‘equal opportunity’ one irrespective of language, ethnicity or creed. When we sign-up students for training we try to be as balanced as possible and we give everyone an opportunity to learn. The same philosophy applies to our clients, we’ll do you right whoever you are.
A LITTLE PERSONAL
HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE?
My works so much fun except that it takes my weekend most times and cuts me off from some friends .But I always have a way around it and my special someone is very understanding and supportive.
WHAT ARE WE MOST LIKELY TO CATCH YOU DOING WHEN YOU ARE RELAXING?
You’ll most likely catch me watching a movie either at home or at the cinemas.
IN A NUTSHELL WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS THE PURPOSE AND IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
I would say the purpose of entrepreneurship is to empower yourself. Be your own boss. But it takes a whole lot of sacrifice, hard work and professionalism.
IN A FEW YEARS TIME, WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT FROM YOUR COMPANY?
Simply put; I will be at the top, the very top.
WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS?
In the makeup industry; House of Tara®, Banke Meshida lawal and a few others
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS?
To aspiring entrepreneurs I say take the step. Start up, no matter how small. The time is now, initially you might not be where you want to be, but you would not be where you used to be…
HOW CAN WE REACH YOU?
08037994870
Facebook: Temisan Omatseye;
twitter: @MzTemmie
EnterpriseStep 
Fabulous! Kip up d gud works dearie.
Thanks for dropping by Folasade, you can suggest anyone who you feel deserves to be interviewed on this blog. just send in your suggestion and we’ll take it from there.