Daniella Allen Says She Wont Go For A Man Without Potential...

 •Danielle Allen, a beautician, runs the Body Shop, Nigeria
 and also a spa.

How I got the Body Shop franchise: 

I discovered that the brand was actually in high demand in Nigeria. Fortunately, one of my friends was a senior manager in one of the departments in Body Shop, London. We were having a chat one day over a glass of wine and I joked, ‘what if I ask for a franchise would they give it to me?’ She said we should try. We tried but they were sceptical about the Nigerian market. After a lot of hurdles and emails, the approval was granted. South Africa was the first African country to have the body shop and Nigeria is the second.

 Setting up business:

I have two stores and a spa currently in Lagos. I took a loan to set them up. I have a property in London and I took a loan on my property. Paying back? Over there, it is better for you to actually go according to their agreement. If they say it is a period of five years or 10 years and they asked that you pay 500 pounds in a month, it is better to keep up with that and maybe put down a lump sum every now and again. It is better for your credit as opposed to getting the lump sum and paying them.

 Background:  I am 29. I am half Zimbabwean (my mother) and half American (my father) but born in London. I had my ordinary levels in London, attended primary school in Zimbabwe, O’levels in London and I went to college and studied hospitality management. I went to the university and studied economics.

My love for Nigeria: I chose Nigeria because Nigerians are very business driven. I like that. I like to face challenges daily and Nigeria actually challenges me on a daily basis. It can be stressful but I would not mind. Zimbabwe is a laid back country, I go there for holidays. America? There is too much competition there. I got into Nigeria through Nollywood. I enjoyed it at that time but never took it too seriously. From there, I liked Nigeria and decided to take it upon myself to set something up.

 My routine: My daily schedule is crazy. I get up; I don’t even eat breakfast and I am out for meetings. I go and check on the stores and I just take everyday as it comes.

 Relationship: I am not into any. It is really bad but I will address that soon. I will be 30 and want to settle down soon.  The man?  A Nigerian? I think since my business is here, there is a 90 percent probability that the man will come from Nigeria.  If I settle down with somebody from abroad, there is no doubt that he will have me close down my business and I have put too much work into it.

 What I want in a man: I am a very simple person, but a lot of people look at me and think that I am extravagant. They will feel they will have to buy me shoes, bags and other things. I am not even looking for that, I am looking for somebody that can genuinely love me and add value to my life. He must complement what I already have.  He has to add value to what I want to do in future. I don’t want him to put a hold on me because I am his wife.  He should be able to add value, not necessarily financially, but emotionally and otherwise. I am looking for somebody who is loving, caring, loyal, who I can trust and confide in. I am looking for a friend. Even if the person is on the lower rung of the ladder, that person can climb up. I won’t go for a man without potential. Not because of the finances but because I need somebody who can be on the same wave-length with me. I need someone that I can hold sensible discussion with because riches are not everything.

 Me and make-up: To me, beauty is from within. I know beautiful people who have bad hearts. You have to radiate beauty from inside and it will shine on the outside. I have like four make-up bags. I use all the body shop products...culled