A 37-year-old entrepreneur, Maryam Ibrahim, says she generates an average monthly income of about N450,000 from selling Dan wake, a popular bean-based street food in Kaduna State.
Ibrahim, who operates her food business along Makarfi Road in the Rigasa area of Kaduna, shared her experience during an interview, noting that she started the venture in 2021 with just N3,000 capital.
She explained that she initially focused solely on Dan wake before expanding her menu to include beans, spaghetti and eggs as customer demand increased.
According to her, the business has grown steadily over time, moving from modest daily earnings to as much as N15,000 per day.
She said the income has enabled her to cater for her personal needs, including feeding, clothing and medical expenses, while also supporting relatives and assisting others in need.
Ibrahim disclosed that she currently employs four young women who assist with washing dishes and serving customers, helping her manage daily operations.
However, she expressed concern over occasional incidents where customers leave without paying after eating, saying such behaviour affects her business.
Looking ahead, she said she hopes to get married and eventually expand her roadside food business into a full-fledged restaurant equipped with modern cooking facilities such as gas stoves, while also creating more employment opportunities.
She encouraged both married and single women to engage in small-scale businesses to achieve financial independence.
In her words, staying idle in today’s economic environment is not sustainable, stressing that women who run businesses are better able to support themselves and their families, especially during emergencies.