A 37-year-old food vendor, Maryam Ibrahim, has disclosed that she earns an average of N450,000 monthly from selling Dan Wake, a popular northern delicacy made from bean flour, in Kaduna State.
Ibrahim, who operates her roadside food business along Makarfi Road in Rigasa, Kaduna, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.
According to her, she ventured into the business in 2021 with an initial capital of N3,000, selling only Dan Wake. She later expanded her menu to include beans, spaghetti and eggs.
“When I started the business, I used to make about N7,000 daily. We thank God that the business has improved and I now make up to N15,000 every day,” she said.
She noted that the business had significantly improved her standard of living, enabling her to cater for her personal needs and support members of her family.
“As a single lady, I can now feed and clothe myself, pay my hospital bills, support family members and even assist other people in need,” Ibrahim added.
The entrepreneur also revealed that she had created employment opportunities for four young women who assist her with washing dishes and serving customers.
However, she lamented the growing challenge of customers who eat without paying, saying the trend was negatively affecting her business.
Ibrahim expressed optimism about expanding the enterprise in the future by moving from roadside operations to a full-fledged restaurant.
She said she hoped to eventually operate with gas cookers instead of firewood and employ more people.
The vendor urged women, irrespective of their marital status, to embrace entrepreneurship and become financially independent.
“Staying idle is not possible in this generation and economy. Women who engage in business can take care of themselves and support their families during emergencies without depending on others,” she said.
