My name is Abimbola “Bimms” Ipaye. I am the Managing
Director of “Traditions by Bimms”. I started 3/4 years ago but I’ve been
on my own since I was 14 years old.
I have paid my own way through since then. I would fetch water, run
errands just to make money because at that time, there was no other way
to survive. I had a very difficult childhood but I allowed nothing break
me, I just kept pushing.
When I was in the University, I still had to send money home to my
siblings and mum. The business I did then was sew and sell ankara
patched skirts to people. After I graduated, I got a contract job in a
pension company but I got tired of the job. One day, I saw my then
boyfriend’s mum making beads and felt she could do it better, so I went
to the market with N15,000, bought materials and made 3 beads out of
that. I wore one of the beads on myself and people started requesting I
make the beads for them.
Soon, I started hanging around a family friend who makes Aso Oke just
so I can watch her work and learn. Even though I was running errands a
lot, I still picked up all the lessons I could at every opportunity I
got.
Then, I left to start my own business. This was a very difficult time
for me. I cried so much and almost committed suicide because I was
working so hard but there was no result. But just at that point, things
began to gradually turn around. I believe 100% in what the Bible says,
that the gift of man makes way for him. Breaking boundaries with Aso-Oke
is something I completely enjoy doing but I could have only gotten here
with God’s help.
I started from my room, then moved to a BQ and then here we are. I
was not in a hurry, I never borrowed money but I started small from
where I was. Today, I look at the outcome and I cannot believe what I
see.
The reward of making brides and their families happy is more than
money though, It is the prayers I get from my happy clients. Because
I’ve been cursed so much, these prayers give me calm and joy in my soul.
