𝑺𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔 & 𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒉𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘

There is dignity in labor, there's this satisfaction that comes with working and earning your own money.

An adage often comes to mind when I think about work and earning which is "he who waits to dine on another man's table, often dines late," that adage shows that if we are dependent on others, it doesn't always go well.

Even the holy book says; no food for the lazy man, and a man who is skillful at what he does will stand before kings and not common men.

I grew up in a very industrious home, my parents were my role model when it comes to work and earning, they never joked with it. My mom adviced us at tender age to never be lazy and ensure we learn a skill as an alternative hustle when finding a job becomes tough and I am glad I listened to her.

In my country, it's often very hard to get a good job, because getting a job requires connection with people at the top, so many people now use their skill or talent to survive, that's why we have many youths who are now content creators, skit makers and the likes and they are surviving with it.

I am not left out, I learned a skill right after my higher institution, which is fashion designing. I worked after graduation to gain experience in my field of study, but after a while I realized I needed to build my own brand so I resigned.

I am a fashion designer by profession and I make all kinds of female attire, ranging from bespoke tailoring, bridals and to ready-to-wear outfits, and I make kids wear too.

It's been a beautiful experience using your skill to make money, there's this happiness that comes from seeing people rocking your handiwork with pride.

Asides being a fashion designer, I am also a makeup artist, I make brides up for their big day, I tie head gears for family, friends and clients.

I am also a graphic designer, a motion animator and voice-over artist, these things started as a passion, especially the voice over artist, I would just pick up something and read so well in a very soothing way, I have myself recorded and I share with family and friends and that gave me my first voice-over gig.

I was given a job to run an advert for a photographer, he gave me the script and I delivered. Like a joke, I began to have more jobs and every client I worked for didn't hesitate to refer me.

2020 gave me a reason to explore as it was the lock down era, most companies shut down and I thought of an extra skill to learn. I learned graphic designing during that era and I also honed my voice over skills.

As a graphic designer and motion animator, I create captivating adverts for different brand adding a voice-over to mine, which made my job stood out from other animators around.

I have also used my voice to read stories, presentations, dialogue and other forms of art for public spaces behind cameras and it's been a fun thing to do.

All of the things I do are what I love to do naturally, because of my nature, I am a die hard fan of art, fashion and nature, so I do them as a hobby, the only difference is that I get paid for doing what I love.

Last year, after finding Hive and honing my writing skill, I added writing to my job description as I help people to write their school project, proposal, grants and research work, all of these have been what I do to earn a living and I have been enjoying doing them.

If I have my way, I would love to have many more streams of income, so don't get surprised when I add another skill to what I have already acquired.

My mom will say, "many ways lead to the market, don't get comfortable with one," I always love to explore and diversify and that has helped me say afloat amidst the economical crisis in my country.

Here's my entry to the iu prompt here, you can join in too if you wish.