“I left banking job and took to catering services and events planning because I didn’t have any sense of fulfilment as a banker. I was particularly not happy that I was living a static life as a banker.”
Motunrayo Busari, CEO, Rayo Catering Services and Events Planning, Ibadan, is a woman of many parts; a caterer, care-giver, hairdresser, barber and fashion designer. In this conversation with Newscoven.com, the former banker speaks on her career and other sundry issues:
Growing up
I attended Children Home School, Molete, Ibadan for my primary school education. I attended Nickdel Model College, also in Ibadan from JSS1 to SSS1. I later moved to Lagos where I schooled at Topmost Comprehensive College, Maryland, Lagos for my SS2 to SS3. I went to The Polytechnic, Ibadan where I studied Banking and Finance.
Career growth
After my higher education, I got a job as a banker. With the help of one of my uncles, I was able to secure a job in the Marketing Department of the bank. However, I quitted the job after spending just six months there…
The push to leave banking
My uncle was very angry with me for what he considered to be a very irrational decision. He was particularly angry that I was leaving certainty for uncertainty when I told him that I wanted to find fulfilment in self-employment. Against all persuasions, I stuck to my decision. I left banking job in 2014. I started out with hairdressing and nail fixing same year. In between, I learnt barbing; I am still very good in barbing. I am also into fashion designing; I can cut clothes but I cannot sew. I am also a care-giver. I am living with my aged grandmother and I am giving her all the care that I can. I also learnt a lot of things from her.
I finally fully settled for catering services and events planning in 2017. I left banking job because I didn’t have any sense of fulfilment as a banker. I was particularly not happy that I was living a static and regimented life as a banker. I will get to the office by 7:00am everyday to start preparing for the day’s work which will not commence until 8:am. Thereafter, I will go out there scouting for customers for the bank. It was more frustrating that someone is seated under the cooling air-conditioner in the office, dictating to me where to go to, under the scorching sun.
That wasn’t the kind of life that I wanted to live. I wasn’t cut out for such a lifestyle. I wanted to be in control of my life, my time and what I want out of life. I wanted to be in a position to work, make money and spend my time without being dictated to by a boss in the office.
Looking up to any man for sustenance
No average person, not even a man, can be entirely financially independent of others. However, it is always good to attain a level of financial independence, both as a man and as a woman. It is always especially good for women to have their own job, either employed or self-employed. A woman in such a position will definitely be more honourable and dignifying before her man, more than a jobless woman who is not adding any value to her life and that of the man.
But most ladies see relationships and their men as their ATM
Yes, I am quite aware that many ladies see their boyfriends or lovers as their ATM. It is true that this set of ladies cannot date a man who is not rich or that is not ready to spend money on them. I will not begrudge them for having such a view about relationship. However, for me, I believe that any woman going into a relationship should go with the mindset of having something to offer to make the relationship work. You don’t go into any relationship with the mindset that the man will be your all-provider.
A young lady who is dating a married man should have something she is doing that she can fall back upon. If you are in need of, say, ₦50,000 and you approached your man. Don’t feel too bad if he cannot be of help. What gives you the impression that the man is not in need of ₦150,000 to attend to some urgent needs within his own home? What stops you from lending a helping hand to such a man? Women should not see their men as beasts of burden. We should be in a position to also assist our men when such an occasion arises.
This, however, is not to exclude men. We have seen situations whereby a side-chick will genuinely be reaching out to her man, though married, and the man, probably in connivance with his wife, would be defrauding the side-chick-seeing her as his own ATM. There is what is called the Law of Karma. What goes around will definitely come around. There should be sincerity in all relationships.
Your position seems utopian, especially now that most relationships are money-based
That was why I said there must be sincerity in all relationships, either sexual or platonic. We should develop an open heart towards each other, even as friends. Sadly, however, the truth is that we don’t really have more of God-fearing humans anymore. Most Nigerians are now engaged in eye-service; they are engaged in worshipping their fellow humans, rather than God, all in the bid to survive. We are now very afraid to speak the truth because we want to put food on the table. But any human, no matter how highly placed must not be elevated far above God, our Creator.
Experience as a single mother
It has not been easy, but we are coping well. I often come across some temptations to throw myself at the feet of men, but given my resolve as said earlier, I don’t give in to such a temptation. I have been a single mother since eight years ago when I lost my husband, but God has been faithful to us.
With the grace of God, I have been nurturing my children on the path of virtues and they are following my footsteps in having a variety of vacations. My 16-year-old daughter has finished her secondary school education. She ought to have gained admission into the higher institution but for her young age. We are looking towards next year. While waiting for admission, I asked her what she would like to do. She told me that she would want to learn Coding. I told her that it is alright but she must also learn a trade along with Coding and she agreed with me. Everybody must learn how to engage in legitimate multiple streams of income in order to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
