Meet the Business Partners!

On the first full day of the International Leadership and Business Internship, interns met their business partners and began to build strong relationships to make the businesses they would be working with as successful as possible. 

Interns met virtually on Skype with the Nigerian business owners they would be working with for the next week. During this first meeting, interns introduced themselves and got to know their business partner and project coordinator. They asked questions about themselves, their family, and the business they are working with to understand how to tailor their marketing and infrastructure proposal to their business partner best. 

The following are our amazing business partners: 

Hauwa Sai’d Sulaiman is a passionate caregiver and entrepreneur who is interested in owning her own textile shop. She was inspired by her mother who worked in the textile industry to provide for her family. She hopes to continue the legacy and create a world-class business entity that can leave a footprint in the textile field. 

Zainab Ibrahim envisions owning a makeup studio, specializing in bridal makeup and special occasions makeup. She is a self-taught makeup artist who strengthened her makeup skills and gained hands-on experience through a three year long apprenticeship. She hopes to empower young women from underprivileged backgrounds through her business. 

Mansur Magaji has a deep passion for auto repair, aspiring to become one of the best auto repair men in Bauchi.. This passion has led him to become an apprentice for two different shops for a total of nine years before starting to work in freelance for the past four years. He believes that his auto repair business could help transform the economic situation of his community.

Florence Amos has a passion for photography, with hopes of building a cinematography school so young women can learn photography. She participated in a four-year apprenticeship where she perfected her skills and furthered her expertise. Florence hopes to provide other women with the same opportunities that she received, hopefully breaking the cycle of poverty in her community. 

Wendjourben Michael seeks to establish his own fish restaurant so he can provide another source of food for his community. He participated in an apprenticeship where he mastered the correct way to weigh fish and budget his costs for higher profitability. He hopes that his fish joint business will allow him to guarantee his children a good education and ensure food security for them. 

Anas Abubakar is a skilled tea and coffee seller who is ready to make an impact in his field. He was an apprentice for two years under a tea and coffee business, where he learned how to pick flavors and blends according to customer preferences. He hopes that his tea and coffee business will allow him to be the sole provider for his family and create opportunities for the youth in his community. 

Jamilu Mohammed Labaran began his tailoring business after watching his neighbors sell clothing that he felt could’ve been better. His passion for tailoring inspired him to train for three years at one of the top tailoring shops in Bauchi, and work for five. He learned techniques that differentiated him from others, while also saving up money that allowed him to start his own business from home. Labaran hopes to improve his business so he can provide for his family and work to establish a large tailoring industry. 

Musa Adamu Ningi’s driving passion to serve his community sparked his desire to start his aluminum fabrication business. He embarked on an apprenticeship training program that allowed him to refine his skills under the guidance of three aluminum fabrication companies. Musa hopes that his business will be a forefront aluminum fabrication business that will catalyze positive change in his community. 

Mohammad Gambo aims to create a successful cell phone repair business. After spending four years in an apprenticeship, he mastered the necessary skills to boost his business objectives. He hopes that his business can create a ripple effect on his community that will foster stability for his community members. 

These are all the business partners that our interns at the International Leadership and Business program would be working with. As introductions with the business partners and the interns come, excitement surrounds the interns who are excited to have new experiences and create positive change.