Diary of A Law Studentpreneur
How Ese is building a business while navigating school life
Welcome to Sapa Diaries, where we get real about student struggles. This is your go-to spot for stories about money, hustle, and how students survive without breaking the bank. From budgeting tips, and saving hacks to straight up survival stories, we explore how to survive and thrive as a student without losing your mind or your wallets. This is the place where we dive into the grind, hustle and survival while keeping it relatable and real.
Today, I sat down with Ese, a law student and founder of Brielle who shared how a business class a coach had organised sparked her first business dream, how she balances school with market runs and product shoots, and why even now, she still eats her parents' food (gratefully!) From “Is this jewellery really going to give me the life I want?” to “I just paid for a one-year website plan,” Her story is a reminder that passion, even when it’s tiring, can be deeply fulfilling.
Ese's POV
Brielle started when I was doing JUPEB. I attended this business class one day that a coach had organised and I just knew that I wanted to start a business. That was October 2022. From then till November 2023, I was planning and figuring things out. Then in November 2023, I finally launched.
It wasn’t even sapa that pushed me, to be honest. I still eat my parents’ money. Up till now, they feed me and I’m so grateful for that. If I didn’t do the business, their money would still be there (though it might not be enough). It's really that I just really love having something to call my own. I love being in charge of something. I love the dynamics of business. It’s the experience for me.
And for context, I’m a law student, still in uni. Law is okay. There’s always a lot to read, of course, but I’m trying. I imagined life as a law student being veryyyy tough, like no breathing space at all. But so far, it hasn’t been anything I can’t manage (with God’s help). I honestly thought it would have me in a chokehold. But in reality, I actually have a lot of time to do other stuff.
During exams though, I don’t show up much for Brielle. If you reach out, I’ll respond. But once exams are close, school becomes my priority.
Now let me tell you one big challenge I face: my brain is always working. Always! If I’m not thinking about this, I’m thinking about that. And in the middle of all that, I forget things easily.
How do I handle it? Honestly, by the grace of God, I’m a strong person. I remember like two weeks ago, I crashed out. Everything was just too much. But I came out of it, and I’m better now. When things start to feel tough or just a lot, I take a break from business. I can’t pause school, but I can pause the business. So I take that break.
And when it comes to money? One major thing I’ve learnt is that there’s money. Eii God, there’s crazy money out there.
Price isn’t the issue. It’s about finding people who see value in what you’re offering.
Right now, my most expensive jewellery is 7k for a set. 7k might seem like plenty to one person, but another person will buy this and this and next thing, 15k. It’s how they perceive the value. People aren’t broke, they just don’t see the value sometimes. Someone can say, “Ah ah, 2200 for acrylic earrings is too much,” and next thing, they’re spending 5k somewhere else. It's all about value.
People really don’t understand how much work I put into running a business.
Someone will see the cute pictures, the packaging, the sales, and they go “ah, you have money naa.” But they don't know when I'm under the hot sun in the market for hours just to restock? Or to stay up till midnight editing product pictures. They don’t see the exhaustion. They don’t see the days I want to cry because orders are late and school is waiting.
Last week I was in the market for almost four hours,under the hot sun. People were probably chilling in hostel while me, I dey suffer.
There's a lot of things that goes on behind the scenes. Is it product photography? Don’t even get me started. It takes so much from me. I genuinely can’t wait to find someone that can do it and I just outsource it.
What people see is the nice pictures. Not the stress the multiple shots, the editing, the touch-ups. People don’t see any of it but the finished work.
Plus, I pay for courses, I pay real money for knowledge. So when I now charge, and someone says, “You’re charging for it?” I’ll charge for it oh. Because I know how much resources, time and energy I've poured into it.
Why do people underestimate the work? I think it’s because I make it look easy. By God’s grace, I know what I’m doing, so when I show up, it looks smooth. But it’s not. I just don’t show you the behind-the-scenes.
First half of this year alone, I’ve spent almost 100k on courses. If I don’t tell you, will you know? So when I charge 20k for something and it feels like a lot, it's because, I've put in the work.
On balancing everything, I’m still figuring it out. Me sef, I get distracted easily. I can be reading and next thing, I’m just scrolling and scrolling. I haven’t figured it all out yet.
But one thing I’ve learnt: there’s a time for everything. Beginning of the semester, I might be jumping up and down, not reading like that. But mid-semester or close to exams? I sit down and focus.
Balance doesn’t have to be 50/50. One thing will always demand more than the other at different times. Just give your all to whatever needs your attention at that moment.
And please, don’t procrastinate. If you can do it today, do it. Because you don’t know what tomorrow holds. So many times, I’ve said “I’ll read tomorrow” and then boom tomorrow comes and I can’t even read, not because I don't want to but because I'm not able to.
Have I ever wanted to give up Brielle? Not really. But there’ve been times I’ve sat with myself and asked if this is really the right path. If this jewellery I’m selling is going to give me the kind of money I want.
But in moments like that, what keeps me going is the understanding that life happens in stages. Everything is a process. I’m doing Brielle now and I’m learning. Who knows if this is preparing me for something bigger? That keeps me going plus, I genuinely enjoy owning Brielle. I’d love to own it forever. The vision is bigger than what it is now.
But who knows? Maybe in five years, Brielle won’t exist anymore. If it doesn’t, I’d have moved on. I’d have made my impact, learnt my lessons,learnt and grown from my mistakes.
To any studentpreneur out there feeling like your hustle is too small, it’s not. I promise you. Keep putting in the work. People are watching. Let’s say you’re selling plantain chips and you think, “This thing is too small.” Someone can just come and say, “Can you supply 200 packs as souvenirs?” Boom! you’ve made your money.
No hustle is too small. You’re doing something for yourself. You’re making your own money. That’s not something to joke with. Even if you’re ironing clothes, that's something. Don’t let anyone make you feel like what you’re doing is small.
Nobody’s hustle is too small.
And a recent win that made me smile? I got a website for Brielle and I paid for one year. I’m so proud of myself. If you told me last year or two years ago that I’d own a website, I wouldn’t have believed it. Also, people’s compliments. You see those “you’re doing well” messages? They carry me on some days. It’s the small “I love your brand” comments that make me smile like a child. Those are wins too.
If there’s anything Ese’s story reminds us, it’s that showing up, even when it’s hard, still counts. Whether it’s running a business, pushing through school, or finding purpose in the small wins, passion really can carry you far. Let me know what part stood out to you the most.
If you loved Ese’s story, you’ll love her jewellery brand even more. Check out Brielle here for gorgeous accessories.
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Make I start business? Sighh 🤧😭
Awwwn, beautiful read 🥹