If you ask in Lagos, for the best spa centre, you will be told that House of Phreeda boss renders one of the best spa services. The brain behind the brand is Hajia Fareedah Abdulkadir. She has been running the brand for over 7 years and still counting.
Though many know that she started with a beauty parlour, but she has been able to diversify into other services like facials, body scrubbing to mention just two. City People’s Publisher, DR. SEYE KEHINDE and ABIOLA ORISILE had an exclusive interview with her and she spoke about her brand and why her brand is different.
How old is House of Phreeda?
House of Phreeda is 7 years old.
What have you been able to do to build House of Phreeda to an enviable height?
I don’t know how to answer this, but I just decided to do my thing differently. I was able to stabilise my brand, diversify and also add many other things to make my brand big. I also decided to go into full-tme spa. I went far to equip it to international standard. Yes, everything you see in spas abroad is what you will find in the House of Phreeda. We have different kinds of services we offer in the House of Phreeda.
Really? What other services do you render at House of Phreeda aside being a beauty shop?
We do lots of body treatment in our spa. We do massaging, chemical peels, pedicure which has chemical peels as well. We do facial lounge, repairing of pimples, dark spots, sun burn. We have a saloon. For them all. It is a full beauty shop.
How many branches does House of Phreeda have?
We have 3 big branches at strategic locations in Lagos. We have on Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Ojuelegba road and Aderenle. We closed the first branch at Ago Palace Way, Okota. That was where I started.
How did you start at Ago Palace Way branch when you began?
I started like a joke. I was passion-driven and that is what has sustained us till date.
The cream market is so saturated, did you see it coming?
Yes, I saw it coming. I knew the market was going to be saturated about 3 years ago. That was why I went into spa fully.
You have one of the most classy spas in Lagos? What did you do differently?
I remember that during our last interview, I mentioned I learned it in Abidjan after I came in from United Kingdom. I went to Abidjan to learn body treatment. I also went across the globe to learn how to do treatment in a spa and major things about body treatment.
Your spa set-up is so classy, is it deliberate?
Yes, it is deliberate to have one of the best spas in Nigeria. There is no way you will walk into House of Phreeda spa and you would not look at it twice. It is deliberate. I even saw some of the spa settings on international TV screen and decided to have it here. I told you, it is a 3 years thing. It is deliberate because people have to leave their comfort zone to visit our spa. I make sure it is equipped and can compete with international brands abroad. So, it is deliberate to make sure those who visit our spa have a remarkable experience. People who fly into Nigeria come straight to House of Phreeda Spa to get their body massaging done. Have you been to our Ojuelegba branch? It is a cozy spa you won’t want to leave.
What does your service entails at House of Phreeda?
We do soap, cream and spa. I am also a sex coach. I sell aphrodisiacs, but I don’t advertise it on my page. I help people with their sex life. I talk to people about sex, relationship and marriage. There are lots of women who are frigid, but they don’t know. We talk to them and let them know how to spice up their sex life. We sell original aphrodisiacs.
Where is Fareedah from, people don’t know you are not Yoruba?
I am from Niger State, Biddah, to be precise. I grew up in Kaduna with my parents but they are in Biddah now.
Kaduna boosts of good aphrodisiacs (Cut in)
I get them from Chad. They have the best aphrodisiace.
Why is every female an entrepreneur?
No man wants to marry a lazy woman. You must be able to work. That is why most women work hard now. No man wants to marry a “Give Me Wife”. Ladies are working more than men now, so sorry to say.
What stands House of Phreeda House out from the others?
Our services are affordable compared with what we render. Our spa is the cheapest and it is deliberate. This is because it is a necessity to have your body massaged. They have made facials expensive. They make sure middle class ladies can’t afford it. Well, our special facials of 1 hour is 1k.
Pedicure is 3,500, our body scrub is 7,000 despite the quality services. Our environment is serene. It is so clean. That is why our store is always full.
Advice to young female entrepreneurs?
Build a brand, be consistent. When I started my brand, I didn’t go to all parties. You must resume early. Be trustworthy. Do the right thing.
