Celebrating 40th birthday is a big deal with this young entrepreneur. One of the top US-based fabric merchants, Hajia Aminat Abdulrahim should be labelled, ‘small but mighty.’ Young, respectful and fashionable, she is one of the few online fabric merchants who put in much zest to succeed. Her brand is fast becoming a household name in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Modest in her submissions, this beautiful ebony-skinned lady owns and runs Lukamin Fabrics. The high clientele business boasts exquisite and exotic lace fabrics, shoes, bags and other party accessories. Based in the United States Of America, the Lukamin boss whose birthday was June 16, 2024 speaks on her life and business to Owambevibes in this interview…
Owambevibes: Happy 40th birthday, how do you feel at 40?
I feel great, I am thankful to God and to everyone who celebrated me on that day.
Owambevibes: Who is Aminat Abdulrahim?
I am Aminat Abdulrahim and I floated the brand Lukamin. It is a fabrics store but we are basically an online fabric store based in the US.
Owambevibes: You sell only fabrics?
No, the Lukamin brand has spread its tentacles to selling Italian shoes, purses, bags and other accessories.
Owambevibes: But you are largely into exquisite fabrics?
Yes, its one business I love doing and I give God all the glory for what He has made me to accomplish so far.
Initially, I thought I would succeed selling organic body cream and other cosmetics but a sore experience changed that. I am a dark-skinned person and would never have thought of bleaching my skin. But while selling the organic skincare range, a client called me that she needed to clear her dark knuckles and I needed to
help her out. I got the franchise of the products but I wasn’t using any of the bleaching agents on my skin. The desperate client, during the video call, who realised that I am dark-complexioned, started hurling insults at me for selling what I don’t use. That marked the end of that business. Meanwhile, I had been interested in selling fabrics since I got married in 2014. Then, my husband, who bought fabrics which we used from a store in New York, told me he bought it for 500 dollars. I was shocked because there was no big deal about the fabrics. After the wedding when I was pregnant, I began an intense search online for manufacturers of the fabrics and later found them. I then realized that it was very cheap but sold at a ridiculous price to us. Well, I decided selling fabrics and stopped the skincare line. I changed theprofile page of my Instagram and started posting my goods. I launched out in 2015.
Owambevibes: You don’t have any training on sales, measurements etc?
That wasn’t a problem because I grew up in Ibadan watching and helping my mum, who was one of the executive officials of her trade association; distribute Ankara fabrics for their special events. Moreover, when you put your mind to work, and you are determined to
succeed, you would get results. I have been at this for a while now and not recording losses. To God be the glory.
Owambevibes: The fact that you are young could put off some older clients?
Ironically, I have more customers who are older women than young people. They patronise me more. Though I don’t have a walk-in store currently, I have a mini studio at home where I display my stuff and some of my customers here still walk in. Of course, the fact that I am a young woman could make some people want to cast aspersions but I make them realize that I am for business, I have come to succeed at what I do and I don’t have room for frivolities. I am too focused to be
distracted that way.
Owambevibes: Do you plan a walk-in store anytime soon especially in Nigeria?
Yes, by the New Year, we are planning to establish that. I have taken steps in that direction but realized it has to be located where strict monitoring would be in place. The Lukamin walk-in store which has been earmarked for
Ibadan, Oyo State would showcase all our stocks—fabrics, shoes, bags, Aso Oke, Aso Ebi supplies,
gele etc.
Owambevibes: To most young ladies in business online, what will be your advice?
Don’t give up. Wear your confidence because it is what stands you out. When you believe in yourself, you can achieve so many things successfully. No matter what you are going through, wear your confidence.
Owambevibes: Did you grow up in Nigeria?Attended school there?
I hail from Ibadan but my mum is Ogbomoso. I didn’t grow up with my parents but with my grandparents. I travelled to Ibadan for my secondary education and had my Diploma degree at the Polytechnic Ibadan. I travelled to Ghana afterwards. Then, I travelled abroad and was at the Washington State University.
Owambevibes: Fabric Business is capital-intensive and ties down funds?
Yes, if you don’t have capital and be on top of your game, it will die. Also, you cannot ignore the place of social media because there is a set of people who buy everything online. You also need to launch out and be global instead of being a local champion. Though it’s a capital-intensive business, it’s lucrative too.
Owambevibes: You sell HoH fabrics too?
I do that on order. When a client requests for such fabrics—HOH, HKG or other luxury fabrics—I will make orders and get it shipped to them.
Owambevibes: How would you rate Nigerian women and global fashion?
Nigerians are very social and one of the best dressed in the world. In the fabric world, Nigerians dominate the terrain even in the manufacturing sector. Before any
manufacturer does any design, he must feel the pulse in Nigeria if it will work. Nigerian women are the best dressed all over the world.
Owambevibes: You love fashion too?
Yes, but I didn’t like native attire until I started selling fabrics. Now I tie Iro and Buba.
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