Esther Ubak: How I Create Beautiful Works of Art by Recycling Waste
Delectable Esther Ufot Ubak combines beauty with brains. She is a barrier breaker and a line crosser. She is from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. She is a 25-year-old artisan and the founder of Audrey’s Unique Craft and Signature. She has more than 3 years of experience in industrial craft and artistic work spanning within, but not limited to interior and exterior decorations and other multipurpose.
Her unique talent, dedication and commitment to her art and craft as earned her recognition of what she creates from waste, through her innovative ideas. Esther aspires to create sustainable job opportunities for the youths so they can utilize their potential. She is trustworthy, creative, patient, dedicated and committed to her craft.
Esther loves art and she is passionate about the reduction of waste in the community. She tries to manage waste around her by reusing them and turning them into valuable art. Esther asserts, “Reducing waste will not only protect the environment but will also save on costs or reduce expenses for disposal. In the same way, recycling and reusing the waste that is produced benefits the environment by lessening the need to extract resources and lower the potential for contamination”.
Esther’s work tends towards enhancing the reduction of waste to protect the environment from harmful and toxic substances which may pose a threat to human life. Her mission is to help maintain, sustain and retain a green and clean environment. She believes that by practising recycling and creating durable items, she is contributing her quota to saving the world.
She reveals that her business is very lucrative, and one can make money from it. She affirms that the artwork will also aid to create employment opportunities for the teaming youths of the country. Esther started her business with the sum of seventy-five thousand naira (N75,000). She used the money to purchase the necessary materials and tools needed to beautify and amplify the works made out of inorganic waste, turning them into valuable art.
The high point of her business is the ability to sell her products to more than 150 clients and still counting. She used the revenue she got from the sales to get a space to display her art and was able to register her business name.
The low point of the business is the job opportunities that elude her because of the lack of industrial and human machinery to handle huge work.
Esther agrees that she has thought about giving up in the face of challenges. She reveals that last year was very tough for her but the passion she has for her business motivated her to stay still on track because that is what put food on her table.
Esther does not totally work alone, she gets voluntary help from her brother, and her business is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Policymakers and investors can assist Esther with funds to purchase machines to boost her productivity, and to get a bigger space to display her art and accommodate trannies.
Contact: 07080501180, esther.ubak07@gmail.com
