July is Focus on Africa’s Women Beauty and Wellness Entrepreneurs Month
Every month at Lionesses of Africa, we shine a spotlight on a particular industry sector where Africa’s women entrepreneurs are making a real impact, through their businesses, their innovation, their products, services and craftsmanship, and their passion for what they do. This month (July), we are turning our attention to the women who are changing the face of the beauty and wellness industry in Africa, and creating fabulous new products and brands in the process.
All this month at Lionesses of Africa, we are featuring some of the leading women pioneers in Africa’s beauty and wellness industries. Some of the names and brands are well-known - others are new to the scene, creating wonderful new products and brands that are capturing the imaginations of consumers across the continent, and indeed the world.
Here are just some of the African Women Beauty and Wellness entrepreneurs who are inspiring us this month.
Take for example, Africa’s leading beauty and makeup entrepreneur, Tara Fela-Durotoye, the founder and CEO of Nigeria’s most popular and versatile make-up artistes, body adornment and beauty products experts, House of Tara International. Or cosmetics brand-builder, Eunice Cofie, a woman entrepreneur harnessing her passion for science to make a difference to people’s lives and, at the same, building a new global health and beauty powerhouse, Nuekie, for women of colour. Another beauty and wellness entrepreneur finding solutions to skin problems is South African Tanya du Bois, founder of Naturals Beauty, a women entrepreneur dedicated to creating natural and organic skincare products for those with highly sensitive skin. Finally, Renchia Droganis, a true inspirational Lioness of Africa, and the founder of leading spa wellness brand, Africology. The stories of these, and many more leading African beauty and wellness women like them, will be featured this month. To kick-start our special focus month, we are featuring nine of our favourite African women beauty and wellness entrepreneurs. Read their startup stories below and be inspired.
At Lionesses of Africa, we also encourage everyone visiting our website and social media platforms to nominate those African Women Beauty and Wellness entrepreneurs from around the continent that inspire them, and we will happily profile them during the coming weeks. Click here to make your nomination. Our month-long Focus on African Women Beauty and Wellness entrepreneurs is all about showcasing the best and most inspirational women working and building businesses in these highly competitive industry sectors in Africa, so be part of the process and make a difference to a woman beauty and wellness entrepreneur that inspires you.
Tara Fela-Durotoye, founder & CEO of House of Tara International (Nigeria): Tara is a lawyer turned Africa's leading beauty and makeup entrepreneur. She started House of Tara at the age of 20, from her living room, whilst an undergraduate at university back in 1998. She's since gone on to launch Nigeria's first ever bridal directory in 1999, and in 2004 she opened the country's leading beauty academy. Today, Tara has over 3,000 reps spread across Nigeria and 14 stores to her name and she is steadfastly dedicated to realising her vision of building a globally respected beauty company of African origin. She has also recently expanded her branded stores to Kenya. Tara remains an inspirational role-model and mentor to make-up artists and aspiring beauty business owners across Africa. Read Tara's Startup Story here. Read Tara's '100 Lionesses Profile' here.
Eunice Cofie, founder of Nuekie (United States): Nuekie (Pronounced: Nu-whe-key) provides innovative health and beauty products for people of colour. In this highly specialist and competitive health and beauty industry, Eunice is successfully combining traditional African medicine with modern science to create world-class products for people of colour. She is a woman entrepreneur harnessing her passion for science to make a difference to people’s lives and, at the same, building a new global health and beauty powerhouse. Read Eunice's Startup Story here.
Jesslynn Schlamm, founder of Lulu & Marula (South Africa): Frustrated by not being able to find skincare products that ticked all the boxes in terms of health, wellbeing, sustainability and eco-friendly production with a minimal impact on the environment, South African entrepreneur, Jesslynn Schlamm, was inspired to create her own from her small kitchen. Today, her Lulu & Marula skincare range is testimony to that original passion and dedication. Read Jesslynn's Startup Story here.
Zeze Oriaikhi-Sao, founder of Malée Natural Science (South Africa): Malée is a range of premium bath and body care products made with carefully selected 100% natural active ingredients because of their scientific proven ability. Founded in South Africa in 2010, the company's products are made with scents that are inspired by the natural African landscape and it’s transformative aromatherapeutic power. Read Zeze's Startup Story here.
Ego Iwegbu-Daley, founder of Miss Salon London (South Africa): Serial entrepreneur Ego Iwegbu-Daley is taking the established concept of the nail and beauty experience to a whole new level in the country. Her Miss Salon London concept has created a unique environment where music, movies, friends, conversation, a glass of wine, and of course incredibly beautiful nails, all combine in the ultimate pampering experience. Read Ego's Startup Story here.
Sarah Taylor, founder of Bee Balmy (South Africa): Sarah is a journalist-turned-natural skincare product entrepreneur works with nature to create a range of soothing and healing skin balms, bringing relief for allergy sufferers. Read Sarah's Startup Story here.
Tanya du Bois, founder of Naturals Beauty (South Africa): Tanya produces a range of natural skin and body care products for women, teens, babies, kids and men. She was inspired me to start her company after her son’s Autism diagnosis back in 2008 which caused her to become acutely aware of the toxins and all the ‘nasties’ that go into commercial body products. Read Tanya's Startup Story here.
Zikhona Tefu, founder of O’live Handmade Soaps (South Africa): This Cape Town organic handmade soap maker harnesses the unique natural qualities of indigenous herbs and plants from the world famous Cape Floral Kingdom to produce world-class skincare products. Read her Startup Story.
Louiza Rademan & Christine Buchanan, founders of Oh-Lief (South Africa): Two entrepreneurial sisters from South Africa with a love of all things natural and organic are capturing the imagination of customers looking for an alternative to the mass produced, chemically formulated skin and body care products on the market. The Oh Lief Natural Products company is developing 100% natural and organic products that are truly world class. Read Louiza and Christines Startup Story here.