Celebrity fashion designer and entrepreneur Veekee James has opened up about the struggles that shaped her childhood, revealing that she began hustling at a very young age after losing her father before age five.

Sharing her story in a now-viral resurfaced interview, Veekee James recalled that her mother was still pregnant with her youngest sibling when tragedy struck the family, forcing them to rely on the support of relatives while she gradually learned to fend for herself.

She said, “Growing up, I had to hustle a lot. My dad died before I was five. In fact, my mum was still pregnant with our last born when my dad died. So, you know, from five years old with no dad. Thank God for my dad’s brothers because they helped us, you know, at least through school. They tried their best.”

Despite the difficult circumstances, the new mom refused to let her background limit her, describing herself as someone who had always found ways to earn money from an early age.

“I have been like a hustler since primary school. E no get wetin I dey tell you I no do. I’m not sure say e get any handwork for this world… well, some sha, like all those carpenter works and the rest. In fact, I even follow do that one because there was a time I used to make kolo for saving money,” she said.

Veekee James further revealed that while growing up, she explored several skills, including knitting, hairstyling and sewing, all in a bid to support herself.

She added, “I used to make knitted outfits like caps and blouses. I was good in Ajegunle. From there, I started to sell things, started to do hair. I was making hair for like all my classmates in primary school every weekend after school. Even as I dey make hair, I still dey knit. I still dey sew clothes for people.”