Meshe Yetunde Esther graduated from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with a degree in Crop, Soil and Pest Management. Like many graduates, she began searching for paid employment — but found no openings. With job prospects not coming up, Meshe adjusted and started an online store for fashion accessories. “I attended a couple of interviews, but got no positive feedback. So, I started my online business,” she said
By Eberechi Obinagwam
In 2018, Meshe Yetunde Esther graduated from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with a degree in Crop, Soil and Pest Management. Like many graduates, she began searching for paid employment — but found no openings. With job prospects not coming up, Meshe adjusted and started an online store for fashion accessories. “I attended a couple of interviews, but got no positive feedback. So, I started my online business,” she said in an interview with TheNiche.
She began on a small scale selling to friends, family, and people within her network. Through consistency, quality products, and excellent customer service, her business gradually grew.
In 2026, Meshe expanded into event planning and décor after discovering her passion for creating beautiful and memorable experiences. “Although it is a newer venture, I have invested in professional training and I continue to improve my skills so I can deliver exceptional service to every client,” she said.”
She now runs two businesses; sales of fashion accessories and event planning and décor. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Blend Eventful. Through her event planning brand, she has helped thousands of clients create memorable and well-coordinated events. She has also helped people express their style and confidence through her fashion accessories. “We offer quality fashion accessories and we have happy customers within and outside Nigeria,” she said.
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Meshe said her passion for creativity and serving people inspired both businesses. “I enjoy creating beautiful experiences, whether it’s helping someone complete their look with the right accessories or transforming an event into a memorable occasion,” adding; “I believe both businesses allow me to make people happy in different ways, and that is what keeps me motivated.”
Capital
Star-tup capital was one of the biggest challenges Meshe had because she was building the businesses gradually. She said there were so many things she needed. “From inventory and equipment to branding and marketing.”
Meshe overcame by starting with the little she had and reinvesting her profits into the business. During the process, she learned to be patient, manage resources wisely, and prioritize investments that would improve the quality of her services. “I believe consistency and prudent financial management have helped me grow steadily,” the CEO of Blend Eventful said.
Market entry
Breaking into the market was not an easy one for Meshe. Her biggest challenge was earning people’s trust, especially as a new business owner. She said: “Many customers naturally prefer brands with an established reputation.”
Getting it solved, she focused on delivering quality service, maintaining professionalism, and allowing her work to speak for itself. “Social media has also helped me showcase my work and reach more people. I would say I’m still growing because every business evolves continuously, but each satisfied client and referral has helped strengthen my brand over time”, she said.
Unforgettable experience
Meshe’s unforgettable experience happened in 2020 when a customer ordered a dress for her birthday photoshoot. Unfortunately, she had already sold the dress. She reached out to a trusted vendor and paid for the dress in advance with the belief that it was secured. But to her disappointment, the vendor had already sold it to someone else. “To my disappointment, the vendor didn’t keep the dress for me and sold it to someone else. I had no choice but to go back to my customer and sincerely apologize for letting her down,” she said.
She said the customer was “understandably upset,” but what hurt the most was when she said, ‘Everything I order from you is never in stock.’ That statement stayed with me because I genuinely try my best to serve my customers well,” she said, as she recalled the incident.
That experience taught Meshe never to rely solely on verbal assurances, even from trusted vendors. She said: “Since then, I’ve become more intentional about confirming stock before making promises to customers. It was a difficult moment, but it helped me improve my business processes and reinforced the importance of protecting my customers’ trust.”
Breakthrough
Meshe’s breakthrough came in June 2026 when she co-planned a wedding. It was one of her earliest major projects in event planning, and she felt both excited and nervous because she wanted everything to be perfect. “Seeing months of planning together successfully and watching the couple and their guests enjoy the event gave me a deep sense of fulfillment. That experience boosted my confidence and reaffirmed that I had chosen the right career path”, she said.
She said successfully co-planning such an important event showed her that with preparation, teamwork and attention to detail, she could deliver excellent results. “It reminded me that every opportunity, no matter how small, can open the door for greater ones,” she said.
Business challenges
“Doing business in Nigeria comes with several challenges,” Meshe, the CEO of Blend Eventful said. According to her the challenges range from inflation and rising costs of materials to unstable electricity, transportation expenses, and fluctuating exchange rates that affect prices.
Another challenge she has to deal with is managing customers’ expectations while maintaining quality despite increasing operational costs. “As entrepreneurs, we have to remain innovative, flexible, and disciplined to survive and continue delivering value,” she said.
Japa
Meshe said she completely understands why many young Nigerians choose to relocate. She explained that the economic challenges are real, hence everyone wants better opportunities and a better quality of life. “I respect those who make that decision because every individual’s journey is different,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Meshe said she has chosen to stay because she believes there are opportunities here to build something meaningful and inspire young people to pursue entrepreneurship. “I believe in building local businesses that solve real problems, create memorable experiences, and contribute to the economy. Through my businesses, I hope not only to grow personally but also to create employment opportunities and inspire other young people to pursue entrepreneurship,” she said.
She noted that the journey has not been easy, but every challenge has taught her resilience, creativity, and the importance of continuous learning. “I believe that with consistency, integrity, and innovation, it is still possible to build a reputable and successful business in Nigeria.”
Meshe said while she remains open to global opportunities that can help her learn and grow, her current focus is on building strong brands that positively impact people’s lives and demonstrate that success is possible through dedication and excellence.
About Meshe
Meshe was born and raised in Akure, Ondo State. She holds a degree in Crop, Soil and Pest Management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA). She is the CEO of Blend Eventful. Although she studied agriculture, Meshe’s passion for entrepreneurship led her into business.
She is a young woman driven by creativity, excellence, and continuous learning, and she believes success comes from consistency, integrity, and always striving to exceed clients’ expectations. Her vision is to build businesses that are known for quality, professionalism, and exceptional customer experience while inspiring other young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams despite challenges.
Meshe has team of workers and also trains young people.
