Discover how to launch a successful events decorating and catering business
I’ve been doing this business for three years now and I chose it because I have a passion for it, and I’m very good at my craft.
Love has had a very great impact on my business, because my husband has always supported me through all the hardships, ups and downs, and is always there for me emotionally and financially in my business.
Because of him, my business was able to grow in a very short period of time
The tradition of using caterers and event decorators for special events has been a significant part of African culture for centuries. In many African communities, food and decor play a central role in social and cultural gatherings, and the use of professional caterers and event decorators is seen as a way to elevate and celebrate these events.
Today, in Nigeria, the demand for caterers and event decorators continues to grow as more people choose to celebrate important life events with the help of professionals. The industry has evolved to include a diverse range of services, including traditional and contemporary cuisine, cultural and theme-based decor, and event coordination and management.
In our quick chat with Samira Zailani, she shares very valuable insights on how you can kick start a business like this, the amount and procedure required, but above all, she also speaks on how her love relationship has boosted her business.
Enjoy!
I’ve been doing this business for three years now and I chose it because I have a passion for it, and I’m very good at my craft.
Love has had a very great impact on my business, because my husband has always supported me through all the hardships, ups and downs, and is always there for me emotionally and financially in my business.
Because of him, my business was able to grow in a very short period of time
The tradition of using caterers and event decorators for special events has been a significant part of African culture for centuries. In many African communities, food and decor play a central role in social and cultural gatherings, and the use of professional caterers and event decorators is seen as a way to elevate and celebrate these events.
Today, in Nigeria, the demand for caterers and event decorators continues to grow as more people choose to celebrate important life events with the help of professionals. The industry has evolved to include a diverse range of services, including traditional and contemporary cuisine, cultural and theme-based decor, and event coordination and management.
In our quick chat with Samira Zailani, she shares very valuable insights on how you can kick start a business like this, the amount and procedure required, but above all, she also speaks on how her love relationship has boosted her business.
Enjoy!
What is your name?
My name is Samira Zailani
What is the name of your business and what type of business do you do?
The name of my business is Samzel Decoration and Catering Services. Our services includes rendering events decoration and catering services
Why did you choose this business?
I chose this business because I have a passion for it. I’m very good at my craft, and people that are into this kind of business in my neighborhood are very few.
How long have you been doing this business?
Currently, I’ve been offering events decoration and catering services for 3 years now
How has love impacted your business?
Love has had a very great impact on my business, because my husband has always supported me through all the hardships, ups and downs, and is always there for me emotionally and financially in my business.
Because of him and his support, I do not depend on my business financially in any way and that is why my business was able to grow in a short period of time.
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How can someone start this type of business (what are the requirements?)
In order for someone to kickstart a catering and events decoration business, they’ll need to be passionate about it, seek appropriate training and also, they’ll need startup capital
Give us a range of what it will cost to kickstart a business like this?
For a beginner, you’ll require about eight hundred thousand Naira (N800,000) to startup a business like this
How did you acquire customers when you just started out?
I started by offering my event decorations for free to family members, and sharing my flyers to people during the event.
How do you go about marketing the business now?
I go about marketing my business through advertisement on all of my social media handles, and I also offer “10% cash of the referee” to any person that brings in a customer
What is your day to day like running this business?
Running this type of business requires a lot of my attention, my presence and my time, so I get really busy more often than not.
What is the profit margin like? Do you make good profit from this business? (please give us a range if you don’t mind)
Yes, the profit margins are really encouraging. I make 500,000 Naira profit monthly and even more during wedding seasons
What are the biggest challenges someone new to this business will face?
As a beginner, most of the challenges you’ll face revolve around keeping up with the trends, the time and energy consumption, and always reinvesting in the business
Are there any national associations a newbie should be aware and be a part of?
Yes, there are. There is the Association of Northern Women Entrepreneurs (ANWE), and there is also the Association of Professional Caterers and Decorators of Nigeria.
How well do you see businesses like yours doing in the next couple of years? (say 5 years)
I see Samzel Decoration and Catering Services growing and doing very well in the next couple of years
Are there any tricks to help newbies set up their businesses differently from others doing this same business?
Yes, as a newbie, you can set yourself apart by always being creative. Also take things slowly, one step at a time
What is that very important thing you think newbies to this business must know?
Importantly, newbies must realize that there is no rushing, and one has to keep pushing. Also, you must keep up advertising and always exceed a customer’s expectations and be time consistent.
Do you mind getting contacted for more advice by those looking to start this business?
No, I don’t mind being contacted at all.
How can people contact you? (Email, website and social media handles)
You can contact me through the following channels;
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: 08132852362
Instagram: efjaydecorationandcatering
