If the idea that every human has an innate potential is anything to go by, then, it should also be told that every woman has an innate potential, waiting to be harnessed perhaps when subjected to test.

Test? Yes in every sense of it, is the only way to bring about the best in a human, who may not know until then, the much he or she is endowed with.

The fear to attempt or explore life’s ventures that could possibly highlight and eventually showcase an individual, has been the bane of every economic and probably social development.

Women in particular, had been the worst hit by this phobia. In this week’s edition,  Directress of Gborsi Resources in Port Harcourt, Mrs. Patience, Alex-Naenwi, allays fear in women who have what it takes to change their financial history but still wonder which way to go.

For Mrs. Alex-Naenwi Patience, no woman should hide under the cloak of husband not allowing her to work, it is simply a display of ineptitude.

First, a woman must consider herself a useful material that is left to rot when she does not make any financial impact.

She must also consider herself fulfilled only when she could be heard and felt.

Hence, the need for women to rise and grow above the fears of failure and decide, determine to give life’s ventures a trial by airing out and proving to those who could be of help that they could be resourceful if given the needed assistance to stand.

A mother of three, Mrs Alex-Naenwi Patience holds an HND certificate. The inavailability of job upon graduation, brought about the juice in her that is today sucked by many. Excerpts.

What is Gborsi Resources all about and how was the concept conceived, hatched and developed?

Gboris Resources is all about event planning, occasion management, cake baking for any occasion and outdoor cooking. It is also involved in body beautification.

The dream was nursed 11 years ago when I stumbled into a woman who makes hat, I indicated an interest to learn and she obliged me the privilege and thereafter encouraged me to go into decorations.

What exactly captured your fancy in hat making?

Creativity! Not just the hat making alone, in cake making and decoration, creativity stands out. Each time I look at any work of arts, I am always compelled to unravel the spirit behind such unique and fantastic exhibitions.

Today you talk about Gborsi Resources, what was the source of your initial capital?

May husband of course! Though at first when I made my intention known to him, he had his fears as to how sound I was to undertake such venture but as a loving husband he gave me a pat on the back (support) and that gave rise to the structure we now call Gborsi Resources.

Do you work alone?

Not at all! I have my workers; boys and girls, I also have trainees who are also very handy whenever duty calls. I train them in hat making, hair dressing cake making, designing, modeling and piping and at the end of their training they are issued a certificate.

Any regret?

No! I have placed my hand on the plough so I can’t go back, I derive joy in it. Maybe I need to tell you more. Cake making involves so much of creativity, modeling, dressing and piping. I’ve been into it for years. After creating, dressing and decorating a cake and you behold the finished work, it is wao! A “fantastic creation”.

How do you handle the conflict in your duties as a wife, mother and cake designer?

Accepted that the job of an event manager is a strenuous one, however, I am equal to the task. The entire household has eventually fallen in love with the vocation; ranging from my husband to my children. They even assist me whenever there is a need to deliver.

All the same, as a vetran, I programme myself to ensure there is no conflict. Besides, my husband and children understand the demands of my profession.

What are your challenges?

My major challenge is an office space. You know our society favours flamboyance and elegance, people want to see a very big outfit identified with your name before they can believe in you and patronise you. They fail to understand that even in Nazareth, a savior could be born. So I need a more spacious accommodation to showcase our service items.

Another challenge I have is my graduates. While it is my dream that these young ones who are trained by me would grow and be established as bigger names in the industry, you rather see some of them fizzle out after a while it is quite unfortunate.

How have you used your office to address the issue of youth restiveness?

Youth restiveness should be the concern of all sound minds. However, I think that when youths are mentally and physically engaged, they think less of evil.

From time to time I make them realise that they can be more useful to themselves and society if they could explore and exploit the opportunity provided them by the training. We make them realise that if they put their brain to work, they could come up with concepts that could sell them to the outside world hereafter. We teach them to realize that no work is mean or rated below others, and so they must not rate themselves less than others because of the vocation they have chosen in life.

Of a truth, you cannot compare a jobless graduate with a non-graduate who is engaged. The later will definitely impact on his/her environment. And because he is engaged he cannot be named among the restive youth.

At the home front, what’s your contribution?

I believe that the business of running a home should not be the exclusive preserve of the man or the woman. If a woman is buoyant enough, she should take the lead while the man lends his support. For me, the business is almost a family thing, so, incomes from it also goes into solving family problems no discretion at all! I’m rather fulfilled contributing to the family purse.

What’s your advice to women who hold tenaciously to their money?

I think they need to understand the  meaning of family. They should be told that the man and the woman are one and so there should be no discrimination as to who owns what. They both should work together.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi