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Upliftment TAMB Enterprise: Comfort, One Student at a Time

In this edition of Rising Tide, Adh-Dhikr Press features Upliftment TAMB Enterprise, a store founded by Rofiat Oyebode. In this interview, Rofiat takes us through her entrepreneurial journey within the university community, the challenges she faced while balancing business with academics, and the philosophy that drives her brand.

Adh-Dhikr: How did your journey into entrepreneurship begin, and did it begin with the Upliftment TAMB Enterprise?

Upliftment TAMB: Being a business owner is something I have been doing before gaining admission into the university but I became an intentional entrepreneur 200 level when I started selling umbrellas, water bottles, fans and other student needs but before then I was selling pepper to the student of the university then and I was known as Omo Iya enterprise before I became Upliftment enterprise then Upliftment Tamb enterprise when I registered my business.

Adh-Dhikr: In what ways has running this business shaped your future career goals or personal development?

Upliftment TAMB: Personally running a business alongside academics helps shape your multitasking skills, interpersonal relationships and your creativity, as well as financial literacy, which are the soft skills required in today's market environment

Adh-Dhikr: What major challenges have you faced since starting the business, and how did you overcome them?

Upliftment TAMB: The major, I would say, is time management. The truth is that time cannot change from 24 hours; that is where self-management and priorities come in. And yes, I was able to cope, although during exams, most times I don't display my goods at the central mosque on Fridays, just attend to people who reach out to me online.

Adh-Dhikr: How do you handle financial management and budgeting as a student entrepreneur?

Upliftment TAMB: I won't lie, this is a struggle sometimes, but I have a strict budget I follow every week, and if perhaps I have a reason to spend outside of my allowance or my business money, it is going to be an amount that won't affect my business that much.

Adh-Dhikr: If someone wants to patronise The Upliftment TAMB Enterprise today, what experience should they expect from your brand?

Upliftment TAMB: They should expect nothing but the best because we are selling items that make student life comfortable, so the comfort is something we don't compromise on.

Adh-Dhikr: What are some upcoming plans, innovations, or expansions customers should look forward to from The Upliftment TAMB Enterprise?

Upliftment TAMB: We are currently doing some form of rebranding, which means the varieties of goods we have in our collection will be increased, a better structure for people who want to shop and a whole lot of things coming for them.

Adh-Dhikr: Where do you source your products from? Do you perhaps import them from other countries like China, or do you source them within the country?

Upliftment TAMB: There are times I source from outside the country, which is on hold for now, so I mainly source within the country now.

Adh-Dhikr: Have you ever encountered any issues during the time you source from outside the country, probably due to a delay in shipping or goods not being delivered?

Upliftment TAMB: Yes, I used my school fee to order at the time and the goods did not arrive till the end of second semester I mean goods I ordered beginning first semester so I was panicking and devastated because I don't even know how I am going to start selling it when it arrived to get my school fees and all thankfully I told my mum about it and she helped out with the payment of school fees and some of my friends lend me money to get some goods in Nigeria to sell till that one arrive.

Adh-Dhikr: Where do you see The Upliftment TAMB Enterprise in the next 3–5 years?

Upliftment TAMB: Bihidnilahi, a global brand that is growing beyond my imagination at the moment.

Adh-Dhikr: If someone wants to get in touch with theUpliftment TAMB Enterprise, how can they have access to your services?

Upliftment TAMB: They can reach out to me on WhatsApp, 07011799112.