From Baking to Building: This Unilag Student is Mixing Up a Sweet Recipe for Success as a UI/UX Designer and Confectionery Entrepreneur
What was your first experience with money?
I started saving with my sisters when I was about 9 years old. My mother got us a wooden “kolo”, and we would save some money from our snack allowance, money from visitors, and money I received when I won a dance competition. I didn’t know exactly what we were saving for, but we enjoyed keeping some change there.
So, what did you do with the money?
I’m not exactly sure. I think we gave my mummy to help us get something for Christmas.
What did you want to be as a child?
I wanted to be a pilot. I saw the aeroplanes in the sky and just wanted to fly one.
Is that what you’re studying currently?
Absolutely not! Not many universities in Nigeria offered the Aeronautics program, and I was told I would have to go to Zaria to study it. But my parents said no because of the dangers there, and we didn’t have enough money to send me abroad for school. So I decided to pursue my second choice, which was Computer Science. Interestingly, UNILAG offered me Mathematics instead.
So I am currently studying Mathematics at Unilag, and I’m currently in the 400 level, my final year. It has been very tasking, but I thank God for how he has helped me so far.
Nice! Enough about school; let’s talk about your business. What is Becca doing to “secure the bag”?
I am currently the founder of BnSTreats, a confectionery company, and a mid-level UI/UX designer at Ikorne Integrated.
In 2020, I started BnS Treats, a cooking brand, to meet people’s eating needs. Later, I took a beginner’s course in UI/UX design and fell in love with it. In 2022, I took an advanced course and got an internship, followed by my first freelance job in December.
Balancing business, school, and life has been challenging, but it’s been a great learning experience for me.
I am currently the founder of BnSTreats, a confectionery company, and a mid-level UI/UX designer at Ikorne Integrated.
In 2020, I started BnS Treats, a cooking brand to meet people’s eating needs. I registered for culinary school to improve my skills and started making a wide range of food from home. Later, I took a beginner’s course in UI/UX design and fell in love with it. In 2022, I took an advanced course and got an internship, followed by my first freelance job in December. I have since completed another project and have more jobs waiting for me. I still run BnS Treats, but I’m not currently focusing on it as I want to finish school and come up with a better comeback plan. Balancing business, school, and life has been challenging, but it’s been a great learning experience for me.
How does it feel like running your own business and working a 9-5 as well?
It has been both a tasking and a wonderful experience for me. I love both things I’m doing, so when I receive orders, I try to prioritize and deliver on time for both my BnS Treats business and my UI UX work. I work remotely, so I know how to plan my day and working hours. Most times, I stay up at night to work and find some hours to rest during the day. I would say I really love the experience so far. After all, this is the age where I get to do everything I want to do, so I can sit back someday and have evidence to show that I put in the work now.
How is it like juggling school and business?
I manage my time and schedule so that I can plan ahead, especially since I have classes only some of the time. For work and design, I try to do them on weekends and at night when I can. I’m in my final year now, and the courses this semester aren’t too tasking, and I have one elective from year one, my project, and some flexible courses. Understanding my timetable and schedule helps me plan my day and avoid overlap between activities.
I manage my time and schedule so that I can plan ahead, especially since I have classes only some of the time. For work and design, I try to do them on weekends and at night when I can. I’m in my final year now, and we’ve had some disruptions due to COVID and strikes. For this semester, I’m taking about five courses. I go to school on Mondays and Tuesdays and have one class on Fridays. Sometimes I can’t make it, so I read ahead at night when I can. The courses this semester aren’t too tasking, and I have one elective from year one, my project, and some flexible courses. Understanding my timetable and schedule helps me plan my day and avoid overlap between activities.
Have there been any challenges so far?
Yes, there have been challenges when it comes to being a UI/UX designer. I cannot take on a full-time role because I’m a student. So, I have to go for freelance projects and part-time jobs.
For BnS treats, I have to decline orders that are not in large quantities. Because if I buy in small quantities, I would probably not gain anything, and I obviously wouldn’t want to overcharge my customers.
Yes, there have been challenges when it comes to being a UI/UX designer. I cannot take on a full-time role because I’m a student. Whatever full-time role I’ll be looking into has to understand that I’m a student, and they’ll be willing to pardon me for the times I won’t be able to meet up with meetings and tasks. So, I have to go for freelance projects and part-time jobs.
For BnS treats, I have to decline orders that are not in large quantities. Because if I buy in small quantities, I would probably not gain anything, and I obviously wouldn’t want to overcharge my customers.
What’s your relationship with money?
My relationship with money is quite disciplined. You know, I want to give a name to every naira that comes into my hands. I want to say, “Okay, this one is for saving. This is for taking care of myself. This is for my tithes. I’ll take out one for miscellaneous.” So when money comes into my hands, I give a name to it.
I also want to start investing. I want my money to grow in my hands. So, as much as I’m getting the money now, I want to save and invest so my money can be very valuable.
Any advice for people who want to start a business or build a career?
First of all, you have to be determined. Be focused, be disciplined. You have to shy away from laziness and procrastination. You want to put in the hard work because hard work pays; it is not easy.
Don’t give up. There will be times when people will criticise your work. If you need to cry, cry, and then get back on your feet. Don’t give in to criticism; just believe in yourself. Believe you can do it.
Securing Her Bag highlights the entrepreneurial and career journeys of Nigerian female university students. If you’d love to share your story on the Securing Her Bag series, please send an email to hello@hervest.ng or fill out this form