C & J PROBALL DANCE STUDIO

A few weeks back we featured a Dance entrepreneur from Abuja, young and a fantastic lady; Mima. her story has inspired so many young people wanting to get full dance education in Nigeria.
this week we feature a brand! i have seen this couple Perform, Incredible! i mean total dynamite. i was privileged to attend a session of their teaching class and was truly impressed.
they have taken dance from normal to extraordinary, trust me when i say they have become a sensational household name. From winning Maltina Family Danceall show to performing in major dance productions in Nigeria and outside, I can comfortably say when you got a special event, you have a couple to give classy dance performances and choreograph as well. Meet C&J!

Full names: Chukwuma Onye and Josephine Jimmy (C&J)

Hobbies: Dancing, singing, watching movies and hanging out

A little about yourself:   They are a brand as partners, Chukwuma and Josephine(C&J), started dancing and training together in 2009 (March) in SPAN (SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN NIGERIA) where they met.

They had this to say; our main goal is to be the best at what we do and also compete. In 2010, after taking our professional dance exams, we got our first certificate in American style Latin and ballroom (bronze level) we are two of Nigeria’s most renowned Latin and ballroom dancers, with proficiency in international and American style Latin and ballroom dances, including training and performance credits in modern jazz,  salsa, show dance, African and contemporary dances.  We are the winners of the maiden edition of the international dance organization (IDO) salsa competition Nigeria. We’ve performed, choreographed and Instructed on reality TV shows and nationwide workshops, as my colleague would say, we represent the future of Latin and ballroom in Nigeria. LOL!

What sparked up your interest in your present business?

C&J started normally as just a dance improvement scheme or should we say a means of raising income, going for performances, until it was decided to be a made a brand, now we do not just do dance performances but more to the dance and entertainment as a whole. We presently are running a dance studio which we tagged as PROBALL DANCE. This was for the passion we(C&J) had for dance, to share what we were opportune to have and studied over the years to our society and to also ignite the dying passion of the art (dance)

How did u start (startup money/ investor?):

We started everything both the branding and our present Dance studio out of nothing, the little we got from performing we used in pursuing our dreams gradually as they came.

Challenges you faced and facing in this business: The growth or beginning of any body, firm, organization or Brand has never been easy. Major factor is finances which is always a major capitalization in our society today, we’ve struggled between growth, knowledge in what we do and how we can make a living out of it and how it could be pronounced to the society

Do u train people to get into this business as well: Yes we do, in our training scheme we have what we call classes for dance instructors, competitive dancers and social dancers. So with all these people could create job opportunities for themselves

What is your unique selling point : Our selling point is our skill that we possess and the dance style we’ve decided to major in which is what we call SHOW DANCE, despite our qualification in Latin and ballroom dances.

Advice to those that will want to get on the trade of your business :   Our word for those out there that want to venture into this business of ours, all we have to say is keep it up, train harder, be determined and never give up, because perseverance pays off and the end ;you shouldn’t be a dancer that wants to dance, but one that has to dance!

Lastly anything in the plans or works for expansion? We intend to go international, into competitions and many more

Contact for your biz; office address and phone number
www.chukwumajosephine.wix.com/dance

chukwuma_josephine@yahoo.com

Chukwuma onye and Josephine jimmy (facebook)

Chuxjojo (twitter)

08037647009, 08068334225

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Let's talk Events

Events Planning/ Management  business in Nigeria is huge. this is an art that has come to stay. The days people endure the stress of handling their own events as well as playing host are far gone. This market is well known and has helped many Nigerians find work. We must say that it is also one market people don't easily get recognition. Yet we admit it is growing and there are many areas that  have improved in this business. The trend of events in Nigeria now is people asking who is the Planner? From Weddings, Birthdays for the Aged and children, Burials ceremonies, Costume parties, Showers, you name it. Now there are Event Planners everywhere. Awesome!

There is one dynamic lady ready to make a mark in this business. She is young, beautiful and has got lots of guts to go with her passion. Enough said, we introduce..............(Drum Roll)

Full name 

EKAETE EBIEFIE (MISS)
CEO,  KAYTEES

Hobbies, 

Reading, cooking, listening to music, shopping, meeting& interacting with people

A little about yourself

I am the youngest of 8kids, from Mbo lga, Oron, Akwa ibom State. I attended St. Mary’s private school Lagos Air force girls’ military school Jos and then B.Sc chemistry from the University of Calabar.

I have lived most of my life in Lagos, so I speak Yoruba fluently.

What do you do to pass time?

Ironically, I am a “home buddy”. I enjoy my own company. I read and constantly seek to update myself by sourcing for information online…I spend a lot of time on my computer. So somehow, I am hardly bored.

Describe your business and its uniqueness

Kaytees (precious moments) is a full service Events Management company that seeks to create beautiful memories of every event, from start to finish. We offer consultancy services, manage and package a wide range of events from weddings, birthday parties, dinner parties, promotional events....the list is endless!! We appreciate the uniqueness of each client and each event.....whether it’s an event for a 100 or 1000....the Kaytees touch is constant!!!

We offer consultancy services, provide a variety of vendors, caterers, souvenirs and party supplies, Aso-ebi, cocktail drinks, source for venues for events and a wide range of other services.

What are your watch words if you were to sell your business to a client.

We constantly remind ourselves at Kaytees; we don't just plan events...we create beautiful memories!!!  We also believe that it is possible to have a beautiful event, without “breaking bank”. We study each client and tailor their event to reflect the uniqueness of the individual, so from the first consultation, we take our client’s dream and run with it. We are not limited by distance, as we service every part of the country.

What sparked up your interest in your present business?

I have always been a huge advocate of properly organized events, whether big or small…I love to see things flowing together in synergy. I love to see the smiles on people’s faces when their events turn out right, and I acknowledge the fact that it is a gift from God, that not everyone has, some people do it effortlessly, while for some it’s a huge struggle. Earlier on, I had been privileged to organize a variety of events in my family and for close friends: weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, baby dedication services…. all these I did free of charge, based on the success of these events, and coupled with the fact that I used to complain a lot, each time we attended events I felt  these events “were not up to standard”, I was encouraged to go into event planning full time…..I registered a business name:  “Kaytees”…so far,so good!!

How did you start (start up money/ investor?)

Well, initially, starting a business of this nature isn’t really capital intensive, while I was in the university, I did a little buying and selling and was able to save some money, also from some paid jobs I had done earlier. I have also been blessed with a wonderful and amazing family and a few good friends. I had my mum, sisters and brother who shared in my vision from the very beginning and have been very supportive through it all.

Challenges you faced and facing

When I first got into this business, all I had was my raw talent, and no form of formal training, there were already established planners, and I was just a green horn. I had to convince people who weren’t family or close friends that I could successfully plan their events and deliver….that is really not easy. I also had to find a way to penetrate into the market. I also had to convince my friends, that there were no more freebies that I would now have to be paid for my services (some people didn’t find it funny).  I also had to understudy a couple of people, and do a lot of networking and reading.

I also had to be willing to stretch myself a whole lot, some people would want services, I originally didn’t provide, but I had to be willing in most times, to go the extra mile for my clients, and I learnt and I am still learning to deal with difficult people.

Do you train people to get into this business?

At the moment, we offer no formal training, in terms of training people, but I am always willing to encourage people, share ideas and exchange information….learning never ends.

Advice to those that will want to get on the line of your business

This is a very versatile market, so one has to constantly be on top of your game. Discover what stands you out and build on it. Be constantly willing to learn and get better. Talent is never enough!! Have a strong vision and passion for what you want to do.

  

What is your unique selling point?

Our clients are our top priority, and are always given undivided attention.  Creativity is at the heart of what we do and clients know us through our reputation for our attention to detail, our ability to run effortlessly with our clients’ vision (it’s almost like we are mind readers), our insatiable desire to exceed our clients’ expectations every time…

We are always willing to go the extra mile for our clients

 Lastly anything in the plans or works? 

Our ultimate goal, God being our help, is to build a brand that would outlive the pioneers of the business…Kaytees has a lot of plans in the pipelines…..***watch this space**

What will you describe as your 'moment' when it comes if you haven't had that yet?

 Kaytees is relatively young, but God has been truly helpful. We have been privileged to work with clients outside Lagos, which is our primary base, and for that I am truly thankful.

However, I am a big dreamer, and I believe I haven’t even started scratching the surface of the immense potential this business has…the vision is huge.

When I am invited to different locations outside the shores of this country to plan events on an international platform, to mentor people and speak about my business…

I believe then I would truly be able to say I have had my “moment”!!!

Contact Details:

KAYTEES

Web link: www.kaytees-pm.com

Facebook:www.facebook.com/kaytees.pm

Email:kaytees.pm@gmail.com

Phone numbers: 0809-680-9248, 0802-353-7712

BB PIN: 266C36FD

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Ella-Henri school serving quality Education!

Recently I met this amazing woman who runs a school close to where I live. She is sweet, and just chatting with her showed me she is very different from most Educators I have met in past.

She believes that education is the best gift any parent can give their child, not just education but Great Education!

Meet Mrs. Ijeoma Okpala.  A wonderful woman who believes every child in her school is hers and would nurture them as she will do to hers.  Mrs. Ijeoma Okpala runs Ella-Henri schools with branches in Lagos, Aba and Italy. She is sure a hard worker. Enough said, let’s meet Ella- Henri School.

Ella- Henri School is a new co-educational day school in the Gbagada area of Lagos, offering Crèche and Pre-Preparatory education for children from ages 0-5 years of age.  Children can join the school throughout the academic year.

Ella-Henri prides itself on maintaining high academic standards, while encouraging in every child an enthusiasm for learning good manners, self-discipline and in all things, a determination to do their best and realize their full potential, children will be taught to believe “that they can do more than they can think!” Respect, empathy and responsibility are key features of the school’s philosophy, small classes coupled with large number of qualified teaching staff are an integral part of the school’s signature, and this ensures that each child receives the individual support and encouragement that they need at this stage, thus giving them opportunities to gain the confidence. They are also being encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities.

Ella- Henri School work in close partnership with parents to ensure that effective channels of communication are always open; each child has a parent contact book which will be looked at by their class teacher on a daily basis. There are weekends, over the course of the school year, providing opportunity for parents to discuss school matters and to check the progress of their child. Parents are also welcome to arrange an appointment to pop into school for a chat with their child’s class teacher to talk about any aspect of their child’s education.

Ella-Henri has structured safe and stimulating environment ensuring that the teachers strive to bring out the best in all our children.

Their aim is to provide more for every child.

 ‘The benefit of thorough education are clear so key into our vision of giving our children not just high academic standard but good etiquette in their daily lives thus providing them with thorough education.’

Wow! now that is what I call a total package.  I walked into the school and was really impressed, it just felt homely. 

The subjects taught in the preschool classes are Numeracy, sensorial, literacy, practical life, cultural life, creatively, music, movement Rhymes, Handwriting (cursive), computer Appreciation, creative dance techniques, good etiquette and so much more. 

The school has loads of soft toys, outdoor games and toys as Astroturf (synthetic grass) mini pools for swimming/ water play days, video based Educational and Learning aids, conducive classrooms with air conditioning. We will like to state that all toys and facilities are brand new.  NICE! 

A very cozy sleep room for the sleepy heads, well equipped Crèche, Disney theme TV screens and DVDS, available medical personnel who could offer first aid treatments to a child who might fall sick in the course of the day’s activities or whose health history requires constant attention.

This makes me want to be two years old again, with no worries and have a fun learning experience. I remember in my days we had slates and chalk and screamed our heads off when reciting the alphabets and numbers. I am glad my children have a fun time now while learning.

Invest in a quality education for your child(ren) it never hurts!

Looking for Ella-Henri school? Here are their addresses and contact number. 

08023139289

Lagos facility address is 58, Diya Street, Gbagada Lagos.

Aba facility address is 31, Faulks Road Aba, Abi state

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