Why I am passionate about body and skin care —Ajibewa

Oluwafunmilayo Aderonke Adeniyi, popularly known as Princess Ajibewa is a woman with her hands in many pies — she is an actress, makeup artiste and manufacturer of beauty products with a bias for natural skin care and a business manager. The founder of Ajibewa Beauty World with major outlets in Egbeda, Lagos, speaks with YEJIDE GBENGA-OGUNDARE on her journey to skin care, the world of makeup and natural beauty products.

How did you get into production of beauty products?

It is something that had been part of me for long but it only became a business some years back. I grew up with my grandmother who taught me different types and uses of herbs to heal and nourish the skin. It became a business as a result of my passion to help people around me by bringing out the natural beauty and glow. This passion and zeal to add beauty to various skin types naturally evolved into a business when people started to refer their friends after I helped them. When it started evolving, though I had the knowledge from childhood, I knew I had to step up and improve my skills, so I went to Ghana for advanced training in manufacturing beauty products. I ensured I got all the required training before starting out.

Also, my love for beautiful skin and working with various skin types has taught me so much more. I found out that many people believe they have to use expensive products with big names but the truth is each skin type has its peculiarity and should be treated differently. I found out there is a need that I can meet and that is how I started production.

You started with makeup, how do you combine the two?

Well, it is a business that is inter-related. They are both about beauty so I can say that it is the same line of business. Like I said, I have passion for anything related to body and skin. So it is like I deal with the complete package.

You are an actress and you do makeover for film production, do you still do this?

Yes, but I am not a full time actress. I still do makeover for film production more than I do acting. I read education but got into acting when I got the job of making up for actors and actresses onset. I love what they do and decided to enroll for training, that’s how it all started. I trained for makeup and acting to. Whatever I want to do, I ensure I get adequate knowledge

Tell us a little about your background.

I was born and brought up in Ilesa, Osun State. I was born into the royal family of Adimula, I went to Methodist Primary School, Oke Esa, Ilesa, then moved to Lagos state for my secondary education. I attended Girls High School, on Agege road before I proceeded to Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education in Ijanikin, Badagry, Lagos. But I had always been an entrepreneur.

There is a belief that most of the creams and beauty products are for bleaching, is this right?

Well, I can only talk about my products. I do not know what others do. And I will say no to that because my product is for all skin types and can even be used by children. Moreover, I don’t manufacture bleaching creams; I maintain skin, whether dark or light. I manufacture products that heal skin diseases and maintain a healthy skin, not to destroy skin or change its colour. Mine is healing and making skin beautiful in its natural colour I correct blemishes.

 Aside cream production and makeup, what other services do you offer?

I also offer spa services, body massage and beauty consultant.

What aspect of your business do you enjoy most and why?

I enjoy the cream manufacturing part and this is because I derive pleasure in seeing my clients glow and getting positive feedbacks from those that use our products. I also get referrals internationally through this and it makes the business thrive. When you see what you create make impact, there is a kind of joy and satisfaction that it brings, which is why the cream manufacturing is dear to my heart.

What differentiates your products from many others around?

So many things stand Ajibewa Beauty Products out; we are not a trial and error organization, we are trained to take care of the skin and understand the peculiarities of each skin. So we create what works for individual client. Also, we follow up on our clients especially those that have skin disorders, it is a kind of clinic facility; we monitor the progress and reactions. We also do not treat everyone the same way, their needs determine how the cases are taken but no client is taken for granted in our personalized service.

I think our unique selling point is also the fact that we use only natural herbal ingredients that has no side effects, we do not use chemicals and this ensure that the skin is safe and there is no hazard or risk in using our products.

• Trending ritual video: Osun majority leader victim of fraudsters ― CP

   

What advice do you have for people with skin disorders?

They should use naturally made products, avoid chemicals. Also, they should ensure they use the right product that suits their skin type because we have different types of skins and different skin types have different products that work for them.

Aside the fact that you train people, you are also a business manager, what would you say prepared you for this?

I have been into business since I was a kid. I managed my mum’s business as a young girl and also did this for others. I also did my own mini production back then as a teenager, where I produce and sell to family and friends.  I decided to go into the business fully when I became an adult and have gained more knowledge on the job. That was when I registered my business also as a manager.

How has the journey been?

Well, it has been filled with ups and downs like every business. Starting a business in this environment is hard work; we started small from one little outlet on Okunola street but today we have outlets even on the main street of Egbeda, we thank God for crowning our effort with success.

How affordable are your products?

Well, they are affordable because the result you get for what you pay is much more and the time frame within which you get the result is not much.

What are the major challenges you face?

Many fake and adulterated products have given the business a bad name; it is referrals that cut this off. Then, when it comes to beauty products; people are impatient, many want to see instant results and it doesn’t work this way. Natural beauty is like a drug, it works at a pace, it’s bleaching creams that work this way, our product heals first. Also, some people compare results with those that brought them forgetting that we have different skin types and texture and cannot get results same way.

Other challenges are the same experienced by other entrepreneurs in Nigeria especially manufacturers; rents, epileptic power supply, challenges of transportation and sending products from one location to the other  and employees that do not care about the reputation of the business among others.

Where do you see your brand in some years to come?

I want Ajibewa Beauty Product to be a leading name in the industry; we already have clients outside the country. Also, I want a more centralised online unit for our marketing. We are already on that but it is yet to get to the point I want. I want us to be a reference point when it comes to skin care in Nigeria.