MoneyStory: From Few Bottles to ₦70k/Month She’s Never Broke

Age: 23

Occupation: Student, Perfume Seller

Location: Abeokuta

Monthly Income: ₦50,000 – ₦70,000

Rent: ₦250,000

Savings and Investments: Not disclosed

How old are you and what do you currently do?

23, an entrepreneur.

Nice. What kind of business do you run?

I sell perfumes.

What made you start the business?

Hmm I don suffer no be small on top say I get sense, poverty no good at all oh! nah e make me start this business 😂. It was something I started as a play actually, from a few pieces of perfume oil to taking the business seriously and fully going into it.

When did you realize it could actually earn money?

When friends and coursemates started buying consistently. Word of mouth brought in more customers, and that’s when I saw it as a real business.

How much do you earn on average per month?

Around ₦50k–₦70k depending on orders.

Do you save part of what you earn?

I try to save, but I don’t want to disclose the total amount.

Do you rely solely on this business?

No, I have other sources of support. I’m not fully dependent on the perfume business, so I can stay stable even if sales fluctuate.

How do you manage school and the business?

I schedule orders around my classes and exams. Planning and discipline are everything.

Have you faced challenges running this business?

Yes, balancing school and sales is tough. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with orders or exams, and convincing new customers to trust my brand can be tricky.

How do you handle competition?

I focus on quality and consistency. Others might just want quick sales, but I want customers to come back. Reputation matters.

What do you spend your earnings on?

Mostly on transportation and data, sometimes feeding too but 40% of it goes into savings.

On a scale of 1–10, how financially happy are you?

6. I’m content for now. The business helps, I’m stable, and I also have other ways to manage.

Any advice for students starting a side hustle?

Learn the skill first. Start small. Be patient and consistent. Planning and discipline are key to making it work.