We had the good fortune of connecting with Chinyelu GINIGEME and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chinyelu, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There was really no thought process that went into it at the beginning but I wanted to allow my gift/talent find expression .Make up was my first business and I knew I liked it so I decided to hone in on my skill by getting a proper training for it , so I got the training that I could afford which I think was either 3 days or 1 week I can’t remember from a lady who was also a law undergrad named Abisola. I own 3 businesses now ,Make up, photography and an online jewelry store .I started my make up business while still in the university in 2007 back in Nigeria and I continued when I moved here . The photography and jewelry arm of my businesses were born out of necessity and opportunity. I owned a dslr which I photographed my make up clients after I was done with thier make up and they often wanted to buy the unbranded ones , so I saw an opportunity there and decided to get professional training and also get a clear creative direction before officially offering photography services and charging for it .My jewelry business was just an add on that I decided to include to make passive income .

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a portrait photographer.As a portrait photographer, I often say am not a point and shoot photographer but am a visual story teller and I think my art form also sets me apart . The way I light my subjects too is another aspect to my craft that I think sets me apart but most importantly it’s the way I tell your story through pictures . Another selling point I have is the package deal of make up and pictures , the fact that you can do your makeup and also take amazing pictures in one place was also a good selling point .
Was it easy ?No, people sometimes had a hard time recognizing the switch from make up artist to photographer and sometimes didn’t want to pay me as a photographer, but I stood my ground , kept proving myself and slowly but surely that changed .
was it worth it ? Absolutely . Building in itself is never easy especially when building to last . One of the lessons that I have learnt along the way and as I continue to grow is that if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything , and not all clients is for you . What I want the world to know about my story /brand is Visual storytelling. Telling your truth and letting it find expression is very important to me as both a make up artist and a photographer and you see that with my work everytime .

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Am all about self expression, if I wanted to give her a good time then it should be all about her , so it has to be around what she likes to do for fun , what she likes to eat, so I can take her to places that best serves that . Of course I will take her to my favorite places like the spa at Omni in downtown Fort Worth gives the best massages , my favorite Italian restaurant Carrabas and I also love cheddars for thier amazing cocktails and food . Am also taking her to my best African restaurants Salt N pepper , then Osuma suya for thier phenomenal suya shawarma .

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh yes!!! God for being my anchor and my one true constant . My loving and supportive husband who is literally the wind beneath my wings , my beautiful and amazing kids . My amazing mentors Mrs Ibukun Awosika, Mrs Yummie O , Mrs Jumoke Adenowo , my Amazing sisters and last but not least of course my beautiful Queens who continue to support my businesses .

Website: https://www.booknahnabeauty.as.me

Instagram: Memoriesbynahna

Facebook: Memories By Nahna

Other: My make up page is : @nahnabeauty
My jewelry page : @nahnabeautyaccessories
Website : www.Nahnabeautyaccessories.com

Image Credits
All Photography of my work : Memories By Nahna
Nahna personal picture credit : @forbeautysake

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