By Boluwatife Adedokun
Long after most homes in Osogbo have gone quiet for the night, the sound of sewing machines once filled a small workspace where Mrs. Aduragbemi Babayemi worked tirelessly, stitching baby beds until the early hours of the morning.
There were nights she worked alone until 2 a.m, determined to complete orders even when she had no workers, little equipment, and barely enough capital to sustain the business she had just started.
Five years later, the 29-year-old entrepreneur now runs a growing baby product business supplying baby beds and related items to markets within and outside Osun State.
“I started with just one manual machine,” Babayemi recalled during an interview. “I didn’t have money to buy all the equipment needed for the work. But as I continued working and selling, I gradually used the money I made to buy other machines.”
Today, her workshop produces baby beds, baby load bags and other infant care items under the name Aduragbemi Baby Design.
At the beginning, I used to collect foam on credit from suppliers
Babayemi’s journey into the business began in 2020 after she learned the craf in Ido-Osun, a community not far from Osogbo.
After completing her training, she decided to start her own production line despite having limited financial resources.
“When I finished learning the work, I wanted to start immediately, but I didn’t have money for materials or machines,” she said.
Rather than postpone her plans, Babayemi started small, relying on creativity and trust to keep the business moving.
“At the beginning, I used to collect foam on credit from suppliers,” she explained. “I would produce the baby beds, sell them and then return the money. The supplier was understanding and that helped me a lot.”
With little capital to employ staff, she also turned to the people closest to her for support.
“I taught my younger siblings how to sew so they could help me,” she said.
“This work cannot be done by just one person, so teaching them was the only way I could continue production.”
Supplying markets beyond Osun
Over time, Babayemi began expanding her customer base beyond her immediate environment.
As the producer, she now sells baby beds wholesale to traders who supply different markets.
“I usually take the products to markets in Osun and even Kwara State,” she said. “That is where many traders buy from me in bulk.”
The steady demand for baby products has helped sustain the business.
“This work doesn’t have a particular season, people will always give birth, so the demand for baby beds and other items will always be there.”
I have been looking for workers, but many people are not ready to work
Despite the growing demand, she says meeting supply needs remains difficult due to a shortage of workers.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is finding people who are willing to learn the work,” she said. “I have been looking for workers, but many people are not ready to learn or stay long enough to master the craft.”
According to her, the lack of skilled workers has slowed down the expansion of the business.
“If we had enough workers, we would have been able to supply more markets,” she said.
Growth through persistence
Looking around her workshop today, Babayemi sees a visible reminder of how far the business has come.
Several machines now occupy the space, including industrial and manual sewing machines she purchased over the years.
“All these machines you see here were bought from the money I made from this work,” she said. “When I started, I didn’t have them. It was through the business that I gradually acquired them.”
While she says the business has brought achievements she cannot easily list, Babayemi insists she still has bigger goals ahead.
“I know I’m not yet where I want to be, but I’m grateful to God for the progress so far,” she added.
Balancing business and family
Beyond the demands of running a business, Babayemi also navigates the responsibilities of marriage and motherhood.
She admits that balancing family life with the demands of production is not always easy.
“It’s not easy combining marriage with this kind of work,” she said. “Now that I have a child, it can be challenging, but with the support of my husband we keep pushing.”
According to her, having an understanding partner has played a significant role in helping her sustain the business.
Message for young people
Reflecting on her journey, Babayemi believes perseverance remains the most important lesson she has learned.
She recalled the demanding conditions she faced while learning the trade.
“When I was an apprentice, we sometimes packed beds and loaded them for the market until 3 a.m.,” she said. “Even after returning from the market, we would continue working.”
Those experiences, she said, helped prepare her for the realities of running a business.
“My advice to young people is to be hardworking and patient,” Babayemi said. “If you persevere and stay committed to learning a skill, it will eventually pay off.”
Despite the challenges of labour shortages, Babayemi remains optimistic about the future of her business.
She hopes to expand production and reach more markets across Nigeria if she can secure additional workers.
“I’m always open to people who want to learn and work,” she said.
“Anyone who wants to learn or work with us is welcome,” Babayemi said. “They can always reach us through our contact line.”
Anyone that’s willing to work or learn can contact 08133638057, or 08166817863