Right now, there are 2 top Lagos beauticians who don’t see eye-to-eye. They are Bismid and House of Phreedah. They are both doing well in their chosen careers and they used to be very close before some bad friends made sure they don’t talk.
Funny as it may sound, they are both peaceful people. Ask around and you will be told that Bismid is a very cool, calm and highly respected number one Nigeria cream seller. So also is House of Phreedah. She is not just calm, she is so loveable too. These two women are women of exemplary character.
They hardly fight and people call them “perfect women”.
In fact, House of Phreedah learnt the rudiment of the beauty business from Bismid. She always tells people that she was advised to go into the cream business by Bismid after relocating to Nigeria 7 years ago. What could have caused the fight? How did the relationship go sour? Why didn’t Fareeda attend Bismid mum’s burial if she likes Bismid this much?
City People Assistant Society Editor, ABIOLA ORISILE had a chat with House of Phreedah when she was sighted at City People Awards for Excellence. We didn’t let her go as we got her to bare her mind on how much she loves Bismid and how their common friends tore them apart. Enjoy it.
Why do you think everybody wants to go fair?
No, the reverse is the case now. We have noticed that not everybody wants to go fair. Many have come to us of late to say they just want to tone and enrich their skin. Many are now afraid to bleach their skin.
Why do we have women with dark knuckles, burnt faces these day?
It is because of the hot weather. Many don’t know that our weather is not bleaching friendly. They bleach and walk the scorching sun every day, you will have burnt faces with that. That is why we advise some of our clients on what to do on their skin. We look at your skin and tell you what you need to do. Many people don’t moisturise their skin and they want to use bleaching cream. You don’t use bleaching cream in a country like Nigeria where the sun is so hot in the morning.
You don’t use such cream and walk under the hot sun. That is why you see a lot of burnt feet, burnt hands and face. Some women don’t also go to the spa to open their pores. It won’t work with your pores blocked.
If you noticed since last year, we have been into a big-time spa. We also made it affordable. Every woman must visit the spa regularly. I don’t really have clients who want to go white. People have learnt their lessons. They will rather tone than bleach. So we told ourselves, let’s advise beautiful Nigerian women on the need to visit the spa always. Spa is a necessity. It is not a luxury. That is why our facial is IK and our body scrub 7000k.
You started House of Phreedah with how many staff?
I started with just 3 staff 7 years ago but I now have 64 staff. We pay many millions as salary every month to the glory of God. I have 4 branches. One at Ojuelegba, Ago Palace Way, Okota, Akerele, and VIP at Adeniran Ogunsanya.
You just got a big building in Surulere, is it residencial or for your brand?
(Laughs). Yes, I just got a building but I don’t want to talk about it.
What has life taught you?
Life has taught me a lot lately. I have been a changed person after a popular party in Lagos of late. Life has taught me to be more careful with people. I don’t want to say anything for now but I have learnt a lesson. One must be careful with people. Be careful with friends who will come to say negative things to you about your friends.
How did you get into cream making?
Like I always say, it was Hajia Ayisat Olubunmi Agbemi (Bismid) who told me to go into cream making when I came back from the United Kingdom. That is why I will always be grateful to her. I pray for her always because I have achieved a lot after that advice. Though we don’t talk these days but I always pray for her. She is my mentor in the business and I don’t have any ill feelings towards her.
But if you accord respect to Bismid this much and people say House of Phreedah is a peacemaker, how come you don’t talk?
It’s a long story I won’t want to put in print. We share a set of bad common friends and they were able to say things to me and say things to her too that made us dislike each other. I love her and she is my mentor whether she likes it or not. I always pray for her. I don’t hold any grudge against her. Even if she hates me because of what they told her just like they told me about her too, I will always pray for her. There is not a day I acquired a major thing that I don’t do serious prayer for her and God sees my heart. People will tell you I am an extremely peaceful person but these friends can make you go astray.
What have you learnt in all these?
After Bismid’s party, I have learnt not to keep friends but aquiantances.
After you heard what they told you and then they still go to Bismid, what comes to your mind?
That is by-gone. They used to tell me stuff initially but ever since her party, I have told them that whenever they bring stories about people who matter to me, I will curse them. That is why you will see that the only friend I keep is Hajia Lara Adunwo of Aso-Ebi by Laviva.
She is a true progressive and she doesn’t have time for gossips. Let me tell you that ever since I stopped keeping a series of friends, my life has been better and fantastic. Even while married, my husband heard a lot and it was later that he knew it was just friends running their friends down. Ever since I left my friends, my life has been better. For those aspiring to be House of Phreedah in your skin line business, don’t rely on your friends because they won’t patronise you. They will rather spoil your business. They will bring you down. Build your business first and let your friends run after you.
What stands House of Phreedah out?
It’s our spas. Everybody is into cream and I have deviated into spa and we do facials, body scrubbing and others.
What can you not be caught wearing?
I don’t know because I wear everything. There is nothing I don’t wear.
How do you rest?
I hardly rest. I have been opening spas at different locations, which are all strategic. I have one of the best Spas in Surulere and my business is on auto-run.
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