Business

The country Nigeria is built on Entrepreneurship. If you’ve ever seen the BBC’s production‘Welcome to Lagos’ you will know that we are forever resourceful with the ability to find enterprise in allmanner of areas. Where there’s a business deal to be done, Nigerians are not only creative but are relentlessin making it happen. Business is in our blood. It is therefore no surprise that we have devoted a page toBusiness on our website.NCL involvement with business in Leeds is an important one. Many of our members are professionalsin the legal, medical and education fields. Others are entrepreneurs developing and managing their ownbusinesses in finance, photography, recruitment, IT, retailing and many more areas. Our members welcomethe opportunity to engage and network with other businesses, to share ideas and firm up links with the aimof developing important business relationships that are mutually beneficial.

NCL BUSINESS BREAKFASTS

The most recent of our networking event was a business breakfast debate where key business owners andprofessionals met to thrash out the issues facing African and Caribbean owned businesses in the UK, andmore specifically Yorkshire. We were able to surmise key learning points which were shared with the group.Notes are available to members on request.We plan to hold more business breakfasts going forward, given the remarkable interest that this eventgenerated. We are looking for a key sponsor per event, Please get in touch via our contact us page if you areinterested in sponsoring / hosting the next NCL Business breakfast.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT!

In our Business Spotlight! section we aim to bring you Nigerian owned and run businesses in the city and beyond.These are our business personalities that are trail blazing and inspiring us as ambitious entrepreneurs.

We are proud and delighted to introduce you to the award winning photographer

BUKKIE DOS SANTOS.

Bukkie is the owner and resident photographer at PORTRAIT-STUDIO.

She provides the following photography services, where you too can be the proud owner of premium quality photographs from:

• Portraits
• Family shots
• Commercial
• Events
• PR
• Editorial

Bukkie describes her passion for her work as follows:

“ It is said that the visual image is one of the most powerful communication tools at our disposal. The value of getting the right image is priceless. Here at portrait studio we know the value of the right image to the individual, the family or to business. We help make this possible by capturing what is UNIQUE about you or your business whilst making you look memorable. Our singular purpose is to make you look EXCELLENT. We want to hear from you, give us a call and let us tell your story. One image is all it takes!”

Recently we were fortunate enough to be given access to Bukkie and managed to glean interesting information about her during her busy schedule. See our interview with Bukkie below.

Our Interview with Bukkie

• Where were you born?

Middlesbrough UK

• Where and what did you study ?

University of Ife –Architecture

Leeds Metropolitan University – Architecture

Leeds college of technology – Photography

• Awards / nominations?

Fujifilm Student award 2001 Merit Award winner : Fashion

• Why did you follow photography?

It gives me opportunity to tell amazing stories about people, culture and life

• How did you start in business?

I was a freelance photographer from 2003 and set up full time photography business 2011

• What is your affiliation with NCL?

As a Nigerian I identify personally with the ethos and values of NCL

• What is your aspiration for NCL and for the future?

For NCL to become a choice group for Ethic minorities for all people of African origin in Leeds.

• Why are entrepreneurs and businesses important?

People who run businesses keep the economy alive, they provide jobs locally and help generate revenue
that feeds into the economy. Small businesses in particular are brilliant at doing this on a local level and a
good place to gain experience for people who want hands on work experience.

NCL would like to take this opportunity to thank Bukkie for her generosity of spirit in supporting NCL over
the years and in providing her services to NCL in the production of the magical images for our website.