The Subsaharan Beauty Podcast Ijeoma Chimezie

From the beautiful packaging inscribed with affirmations like "I am Radiant" and "I am Vibrant" to campaigns, Uncover is building a skincare brand that empowers confidence and self-love. The tagline on their Instagram page reads, "Skincare made with Africa as the priority."



In this episode, I sit down with the brand's co-founders, Sneha Mehta (CEO) and Jade Oyateru (COO), to discuss how Uncover is filling a major gap for skincare products tailored to women of color, with Africa as a priority. We discuss their journey with entrepreneurship, the creation of the brand, and its commitment to building community and empowering women with skincare education.



Sneha and Jade also share unfiltered truths about the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned on the journey to entrepreneurship. They both also offer perspectives on finding the right co-founder and the power of aligning values to drive a shared mission forward.



Follow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/subsaharanbeautypod/

Follow Uncover on Instagram: @uncoverskincareco

Jennifer Uloko’s entrepreneurial journey unfolds against the
backdrop of a prevalent issue faced by African beauty consumers—the struggle to access coveted international cosmetics. Recognizing this gap, Jennifer seized
the moment and birthed Yanga Beauty, a Nigerian makeup brand renowned for its affordable, high-quality products adorned with its distinguished vibrant branding.

With a background in makeup artistry and a business mindset, Jennifer teamed up with cosmetic scientists to make Yanga Beauty a reality--a brand that not only celebrates women of color but also empowers thousands of
beauty professionals through its innovative franchise model.

In this episode, Jennifer takes us through her entrepreneurial journey, sharing the community's pivotal role in amplifying Yanga Beauty's mission. We also discuss the brand’s commitment to sustainability and body positivity. Jennifer also shares her long-term vision for the brand and the impact she aspired to make on other beauty professionals as a business educator.

This episode unravels the layers of determination and resilience that shaped Yanga Beauty into becoming a highly sought-after brand in Nigeria and beyond.



Follow the podcast:

https://www.instagram.com/subsaharanbeautypod/

Shop Yanga Beauty:

https://yangabeauty.com

https://www.instagram.com/yangabeauty

In the words of Mary-Jane Ohobu, COO of Zaron Group of Cosmetics, "The vision is clear...Zaron is here for keeps."



With an impressive presence boasting over 24 franchise stores, a vast network of 1000+ distributors, retail partners, and independent business consultants in Nigeria alone, Zaron has not only cemented its status as a trusted cosmetics brand but has also become a staple in countless Nigerian households. Since launching in 2011, Zaron has remained true to its mission of serving women of color as an aspirational yet accessible beauty brand. This commitment has propelled the brand's remarkable expansion, now spanning 11 African countries.



Mary-Jane's journey with Zaron Group of Cosmetics has spanned a remarkable 11 of the brand's 13-year existence. Alongside CEO and Founder Oke Maduewesi, they have cultivated a formidable brand, driven by a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to empower not only their employees but also the communities they touch.



🎙️ In this podcast episode, Mary-Jane joins us to talk about:



🎨 Her burgeoning career as a visual artist and her mission to amplify African culture through art, including her latest exhibitions.

🌟 What sets Zaron apart and the foundation of its strong company culture.

🌍 Zaron's dedication to making a positive social impact through various CSR initiatives.

🧴 The brand's expansion into the skincare category and the surging demand for skincare products across diverse African markets.

📈 The delicate balance between the advantages and challenges of a franchise distribution model while implementing structures for sustained growth.

In 2005, Nibi Lawson's finance career took her from NYC to Lagos, Nigeria, coinciding with the resurgence of the 2000s natural hair movement. However, Lagos didn't reflect the natural hair celebration she hoped for.

Determined to reshape this narrative, Nibi embarked on a mission to promote and celebrate natural hair textures, giving birth to a vibrant community. In 2010, she launched Kinky Apothecary, Nigeria's first trusted marketplace for clean, effective textured hair products.

Drawing from a decade of beauty community engagement, Nibi is now pioneering HairRx, an AI-driven beauty tech startup personalizing hair care for curly and textured hair.

🎙️ Join us in this episode as sit down with Nibi to discuss:

💡A.I. revolutionizing curly and textured hair care for women of color

🏆 Lessons from a decade of building the Kinky Apothecary community

💰 Challenges and triumphs of scaling two ventures through different funding paths

🌟 Aspirations to inspire equitable investment in Black-owned businesses and startups for a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape. 🚀



Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening at @subsaharanbeautypod
Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple
Stay in touch with me: @beautescriptdoc

Nibi Lawson: @kinkyapothecary

On today's episode, we're joined by Abena Boamah-Acheampong, founder and CEO of Hanahana Beauty, a conscious skincare brand rooted in her passion for holistic wellness and vision for business being a source of good and sustainable impact. In this fun and lively conversation, we delve into the power of intentionality and embracing transitions, and cultivating her leadership style

Quotable moments
"Reflecting on challenges and seeking the lesson in every situation is like finding the hidden gem in life."

"Transitions have really been around--how I can respond to different changes and challenges. Because as an entrepreneur, the one thing that's consistent is inconsistency [or uncertainity] at the end of the day."

Thanks for all the love and support. Tag me while you're listening at @subsaharanbeautypod
Rate, Review, and Subscribe on Apple
Stay in touch with me: @beautescriptdoc
Follow Abena: @beanieboamah

In this episode, we sit down with Omolola Faleye, the visionary Founder of the Makeup Fair Series. With over 20 years of experience, Omolola’s journey from a brand representative for a global makeup label in Nigeria to the founder of a premier beauty tradeshow is a story of passion and empowerment.

Learn how the Makeup Fair Series has grown to host 101 events in 13 major cities, revolutionizing the African beauty industry by providing a platform for beauty professionals to showcase their talents and fostering collaboration. Omolola discusses evolving beauty trends in Africa, the challenges entrepreneurs face, and her journey’s key milestones.