‘I wash cars to empower myself ‘ – Kaduna lady car cleaner

Nora Nuhu, is a lady car cleaner at Extreme Carwash in Kaduna, Kaduna state. She is a Science Laboratory Technology student, at the Kaura Namoda Polytechnic, Zamfara but has been on the job over the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) industrial action. Nora tells WEEKEND of her recent empowerment dream and how it’s being nurtured. When did you join this carwash venture? I started this carwash idea for some months ago when I realized I had to do something lucrative rather than staying idle. Since polytechnics have been on a protracted strike all this while, I decided to utilize the opportunity for empowering myself. What is the nature of your market environment? Since I joined this venture in this area, I can say the average daily turnover has increased to 7 and 10 cars daily, we could get over 20 at weekends. Another thing is that the carwash is situated in a fuel station, Choice Oil Ltd just opposite the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), a probable reason for our increased patronage.

How do you deal with competition with other car wash around you? One thing that stands out in every market situation is the issue of competition. We have over five or more carwash outlets here and one has to give special treatment to customers to retain their loyalty. An edge I have over them is that Extreme Carwash is completely motorized and the fuel pump station gives us a better cut. More so, lot of customers who come around here are always amazed, describing it as unique when they see a girl do the washing; so they find it impressive and some would usually call in to inform me ahead of their coming. What makes your car wash to be unique? Firstly, a lady handles the washing and we have automated cleaning equipment such as the spray pump, vacuum cleaner that sucks all dirt out of a car carpet or rug. There is standby water system to guide against running out of water when the demand is high, and we use the approved carwash solution for the body and tyres, among other accessories. There is also a makeshift tarpaulin office constructed with cell phone charging points and few other things to give customers rest from the sun or other weather conditions while their cars are being washed. This is what no other outlets around here have for now. How many other persons are working with you in this venture? The staff strength is about five, comprising of two females and three males. My female colleague, Patricia Francis also gives a hand when I do carwash, and that is a fulfilment for us, that it is a lady that’s doing what males do. What is your business promotion strategies like? I do have a boss, Mr Adams Weiti who does most of the marketing at various points. I also assist with that too, but the best concept is rendering quality services to our customers so we can have them come back later. We also ensure our prices are reduced and sometimes discounted for regular customers.

We charge based on the kind of wash and treatment given to the vehicles. For instance, body wash goes for N300 while doing the inner and outer cleaning is N500. If it is a general wash where the engines and everything has to be washed, then we charge N1,500. What is your advice to unemployed youths? I would advise females in particular to start doing something and as the saying goes, ‘Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well’. It could be through that means that one’s destiny would be fulfilled. When diligence is combined with focus, then the future is certainly bright. On my path, I have a mindset to school and continue my business. I could get people to work for me while I do the supervision and as soon as I graduate, I should be thinking of expanding the business with available resources. Do you see any challenge of achieving this? Like I said, limited resources are always banes to idea incubation and even expansion. Empowerment programmes by government and the private sector for youths in the country would go a long way to helping them establish a business and find a root. For instance, if I get empowered to sustain my business, I would definitely raise other youths by employing them, giving them the same opportunity for skills acquisition and they would become self-reliant and employers of labour. #DailyTrust Weekend (Previous Edition)