The Subsaharan Beauty Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we sit down with Onyeka Michael Ugwu, CEO and Founder of Hello Perfect, one of the leading aesthetics and laser clinic in Nigeria. Onyeka is known for her expertise as a licensed Medical Aesthetician and Senior Laser Technician with a decade’s experience across three continents. She holds a professional certificate in Medical Aesthetics and Laser Technique from the Texas Laser Institute and a degree in Management in Business Innovation from Queen Mary University in London. As the aesthetics industry grows in Nigeria's metropolitan cities, such as Lagos and Abuja, Onyeka shares insights into establishing an aesthetic practice that prioritizes excellence, expertise, and ethical standards. Additionally, Onyeka provides an insider view of the skincare brand that's being developed specifically tailored to address the concerns of black and brown skin. Tune in to Onyeka's insights and stay updated on the developments in the aesthetics industry in Nigeria. Hello Perfect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello.perfect_/ Onyeka on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onyeeka/

On this episode, we're delighted to welcome back the talented and inspiring Valerie (Lawson) Marfo, award-winning makeup artist, educator, and entrepreneur. She shares an update on new events and adventures in her life--inciting this new chapter as the "beginning of a harvest" after a 17-year tenure of dedication and hard-work in the beauty industry. Since her last visit, the non-profit she established--the Valerie Cares Foundation in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has taken off in an amazing way and has completed their first pilot program with purpose. The organization mission is to empower young women in the beauty ecosystem through educational programs and the provision of resources to improve their quality of life as well as industry standards. Valerie shares the exciting story of the Film U Upskilling Project, a year long initative that combined both makeup artistry training and business finance education for a cohort of 30 talented individuals in Accra, Ghana. This innovative program empowers aspiring makeup artists with comprehensive training, mentorship, and opportunities to succeed in both creative and business aspects of the industry. Valerie reveals the remarkable impact on these young artists, as they unlock their full potential and gain the skills to thrive in the beauty industry. We also discuss her long-term goals/vision for the Valerie Cares Foundation, including expansion across Africa, creating employment opportunities, and fostering growth in the beauty industry. Tune in to hear Valerie's vision for empowering the next generation of makeup artists and the incredible progress of the Valerie Cares Foundation. Follow on Instagram: @valeriecaresfoundation

On this episode, we're joined by Kui Mwai, journalist, podcaster, and producer. As a writer, Kui covers entertainment, beauty, culture, and health international publications including Well&Good, Blavity, Bustle, Refinery29, ELLE UK, and Cosmo UK. Through her writing, she has been able to open up conversations about identity and culture.

Seeking change to manifest the life she envisioned for herself, Kui moved to Nairobi in September 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this intimate conversation, Kui shares her journey of moving back to Kenya in 2020, the inspiration behind it, and how it has allowed her to explore her Kenyan heritage and uncover deeper meaning in her life. We talk about navigating her own perceptions of identity and discovering how to connect with her Kenyan heritage without being fluent in any of the languages native to Kenya. We talk about finding work-life balance with a bi-coastal career. Kui also shares the Kenya-based beauty brands that she's currently enjoying and her latest entrepreneurial venture creating her beauty brand, Karibu Skin--which she describes as a love letter to Kenya and a celebration of its rich culture through the lens of beauty.   

"I didn’t speak the language, my American accent always caused a laugh riot, and I didn’t know a lot of the music my family listened to. I felt disconnected from my family and myself and was consumed with the things that made me different"

"When the pandemic hit, I decided to take a chance and move to Kenya to explore my roots and find the inspiration I was missing. I was amazed to find that all the missing pieces of my life suddenly came together in Nairobi, and I found a beautiful life and many amazing opportunities."

Connect with Kui Mwai:

Instagram: @kuimwai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuimwai/

On this episode, we're joined by Valerie Lawson, a multiple award-winning makeup artist, educator, and entrepreneur pushing the boundaries of beauty globally and merging raw talent, business skills, and professionalism. Known for her simple yet sophisticated timeless looks, she has beautiful brides and loyal clients from various fields and countries – H.E. Erna Solberg, Mrs. Reeta Roy, Maria Borges, H.E. Mrs. Samira Bawumia, Ms. Bozoma St. John and Mrs. Nicole Ari Parker among other great and beautiful women. 

Valerie is also the CEO and Founding Director of Ghanian beauty brand @cvlbeautyofficial and served as Artistic Director for @maybelline Ghana (2020/2021) as the first artist to be assigned that position in Ghana, Africa. We talk about her journey to (unintentionally) becoming a makeup artist and how she perfected the essence of her artistry--her love for undertones & flawless complexions. She shares how she leveraged social media as her portfolio to showcase her work and build her professional brand as a beauty educator. Maintaining a strong professional brand and raw talent, Valerie shares how she has landed coveted opportunities and roles at MAC Cosmetics and Maybelline Ghana. We also discuss what led her to build CVL Beauty, an artistry brand that equips makeup artists with quality and affordable makeup tools and accessories that are functional, multi-purpose, and precise. 

We talk about unbalanced power dynamics that sometimes occur when brands neglect the importance of the right hires for global activations, especially for the African beauty ecosystem. Leveraging her voice of influence, Valerie advocates for pay transparency and equality for Black and African artists globally and encourages other artists to know their value and amplify their brand accordingly. Valerie shares how times of transition in her career path have been fueled by faith, bold courage, and intentionality-- all of which have been instrumental in her most recent appointment and position as Associate Lecturer of Beauty at the London College of Fashion. 

Tune in for a fun, insightful, and inspiring conversation with Valerie! 

You can follow Valerie on: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-lawson-668b251a6/
• Instagram: @mzl4wson 
• Shop CVL Beauty: https://www.cvlbeauty.com/shop/

In this episode of The Sub-Saharan Beauty podcast, we have Christina Funke Tegbe, the founder of 54 Thrones, a clean beauty brand handcrafted to celebrate the richness, diversity, and cultures of the African continent and its people. 

We talk about Christina’s childhood and the influences that shaped her path to beauty and entrepreneurship. She shares her mission to change how people think of Africa through her luxury botanical skincare line and her desire to leave a lasting impact in the beauty industry by making space and platforms for those coming behind her!

Episode Timeline: 

• [3:58] Christine describes her curious and creative childhood and her parents’ encouragement. 
• [7:12] The influence of her parents on her life and choices, plus the role models that inspired her path
• [11:44] She shares the key transition of her life when she quit her job and moved to Nigeria. 
• [16:38] How getting higher education sharpened her problem-solving skills and learned to work with people.
• [20:47] The experiences of beauty and African culture inspired Christine to start 54 Thrones. 
• [27:29] She explains the rewarding aspect of building a brand that helps people connect with Africa. 
• [31:12] The strategic approach she used to select retailers for 54 Thrones and how they benefit her brand. 
• [35:51] The main challenges that 54 Thrones is experiencing as a small brand in expanding. 
• [36:18] Christina’s anticipation of the evolution of African beauty beyond body butter. 
• [38:36] The importance of empathy and compassion with each other and our criticism. 
• [41:53] Christina on why she wants her legacy to be about paving the way for others in the beauty industry.

On this episode, I’m joined by Ore Runsewe, founder of Arami Essentials, a conscious beauty brand based in Lagos, Nigeria. Arami was founded by Ore Runsewe in 2016 out of a strong desire to see real improvement and make a tangible impact in Africa's beauty and wellness sector. Today, Arami not only offers simple beauty solutions. The brand is centered on beauty with integrity and encouraging people to make better decisions for their bodies, being mindful of it as a sacred place.

Full show notes available on the podcast website

Products mentioned in this episode:

Glow Oil Oud of Eden

Shop Arami Essentials: https://aramiessentials.com/

Follow Arami and Ore on IG: 

@aramiessentials
@oreoluwatomi

After a long hiatus, the Subsaharan Beauty Podcast is officially back with new episodes starting February 15, 2023. Tune in for new guest interviews and thought-provoking conversations with inspiring African women shaping the beauty, health and wellness narrative in Africa and across the diaspora. 

Be sure to subscribe to your favorite podcast platform and follow along on social media to stay connected.

• Instagram: @subsaharanbeautypod
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-subsaharan-beauty-podcast/
• Newsletter: https://thesubsaharanbeauty.com/

The time is now for spaces that advocate, cultivate, and share our health and wellness stories of black women globally. And my guest for this episode has enriched this space with powerful dialogue and stories that leave a lasting impression and inspire women to champion and prioritize their own health and wellbeing. In this episode of The Sub-Saharan Beauty podcast, I’m joined by Nnenna Kalu Makanjuola, the founder and editor-in-chief of Radiant Health Magazine, a bi-annual print and digital magazine for black women. Their mission is to tell our own health stories and inspire Black women to live their healthiest, happiest, and most meaningful life. Nnenna’s passion and commitment to health and wellness advocacy began at an early age following her first-hand witness of her father’s journey with heart disease resulting in the need for a heart transplant. This experience would later inform her career journey as a pharmacist and public health professional. 

In our conversation, we talk about the pivotal moment when she decides to launch the Radiant Health Magazine (RHM) without any prior publication experience and her entrepreneurial journey/evolution with RHM. From its inception to today, RHM has shifted from a more niche Nigerian audience to a global audience inspiring and championing Black women everywhere. While previous additions Nnenna uncovers some of the intentional decisions she has made with the publication, including the choice to use everyday women as the cover story vs the traditional celebrity covers. She shares why this was her way of keeping the authentic voice of the publication and also a means to ensure that black women are represented authentically. 

Episode Timeline:

• [3:29] Nnenna describes her personal and professional background with health and how they influenced the birth of RHM.

• [12:28] The entrepreneurial journey to starting Radiant Health Magazine and the learning curve for launching a digital and print publication.

• [15:39] How the magazine shifted from a more niche Nigerian audience to a global audience inspiring and championing Black women everywhere

• [21:29] The importance of representation and advocacy of black women in the health and wellness space

• [26:00] The stories behind Nnenna’s favorite issues including her father’s prolonged heart condition story.

• [30:40] Affirming positive health and wellness practices as black women.

• [34:11] Why she’s focusing on fulfilling what the radiant needs to live a life of health and wellness.

• [46:59] The present and future of Radiant Magazine

***THE EPISODE WAS RECORDED EARLY THIS YEAR, PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THE LATEST PUBLICATION: THE SELF-CARE ISSUE. Check out this latest issues and all of the previous issues at: www.radianthealthmag.com. You can also follow RHM on instagram for more engaging, inspiring and empowering content at @radianthealthmag

Check out the Subsaharan Beauty on IG: @thesubsaharanbeauty. If you'd like to connect, email Ijeoma at ijeoma@thesubsaharanbeauty.com with the subject line, "TSBC Connect".

In this episode, I sit down with Eden Zeilo, the Director of Global Brand Marketing at Unilever for the Sundial Brands, which includes the SheaMoisture, Nubian Heritage, nyakio, MCJW, and Emerge brands. Eden manages the SheaMoisture brand globally in Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Latin America. Eden leads the charge in establishing partnerships with distributors, retailers, marketing agencies, and other suppliers in order to engage with the end consumer and drives global business and brand strategy. Eden holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor's in Operations Research from MIT.

From its inception, SheaMoisture has been dedicated to empowering women to embrace their natural beauty as they define it. Alongside this mission is their commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, promoting fair trade and ethical sourcing practices while developing community infrastructure in Ghana and transforming Black communities. Eden shares more insights into how Shea Moisture continues to serve the underserved needs of multicultural and millennial consumers globally, through its long-established community commerce business model, funding opportunities for women of color entrepreneurs. 

Episode Timeline:

• [2:20] Eden describes how a sense of community is reflected in Eritrea where she’s from.
• [7:03] How she focuses on authentically representing underserved communities’ markets.
• [11:12] Driving for community commerce and entrepreneurship in underserved communities
• [20:59] The efforts that Unilever has undertaken to advocate for more inclusive beauty standards.
• [24:23] The actions that need to be implemented to change the beauty marketing mindset
• [35:56] The role of informal markets in SheaMoisture's Africa business strategy
• [39:29] Eden's thought on three considerations when expanding to the African beauty market
• 
  

Check out the Subsaharan Beauty on IG: @thesubsaharanbeauty

If you'd like to connect, email Ijeoma at ijeoma@thesubsaharanbeauty.com with the subject line, "TSBC Connect".

**DISCLAIMER: All views, information, or opinions expressed shared during this episode are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Unilever, Sundial Brands, and its employees.

What does it take to bring the global beauty industry to Africa? Can African-made beauty products break through the global market? The beauty industry in Africa has significantly changed over the years, but there’s still a need for education for beauty companies to understand how to approach the African market.

In this episode of The Sub-Saharan Beauty podcast, we have Dunni Odumosu, founder of House of Arewa, the modern-day matchmaker for independent beauty brands looking to expand to the African market. Dunni is a career entrepreneur with a career in biopharma and entrepreneurial endeavors in beauty. She’s also the co-founder and co-host of the Beauty Needs Me podcast, which is nominated for the 2021 iHeart radio podcast award for best in beauty and fashion.

Listen in to learn how Dunni was able to educate beauty brands on how to approach the African beauty market. You will also understand why the world is expanding to Africa, and Africa is also expanding to the world.

Episode Timeline:

· [2:41] Dunni's journey to entrepreneurship and the birth of House of Arewa.

· [8:36] The past influences that drive Africa from embracing our natural beauty.

· [15:03] How she was able to help elevate and expand the beauty industry in Kenya.

· [21:28] The challenges she encountered when approaching beauty companies to break through the African market.

· [23:13] Why she focused on educating beauty brands on how to approach different African markets.

· [31:07] How things are expanding from the world to Africa.

· [37:47] Creating space for African products in the global market.

To connect with Dunni: 

· Website: https://www.houseofarewa.com/

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theedunnio/

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dunniodumosu/