Meet Kafy Karam, the visionary entrepreneur behind Alé Beaute Clinic, who transformed her personal quest for the perfect smile into Lagos’s premier destination for confidence-boosting beauty treatments.
With a journey that began in a London college and evolved from home-based services to a thriving clinic in Lekki Phase 1, Kafy has consistently prioritized education, authenticity, and empowerment in her approach to beauty.
In our latest interview, she shares her remarkable evolution from offering teeth whitening services in her home to running a multi-service beauty clinic, while emphasizing the importance of holistic care and realistic expectations.
Read the full interview below and discover how this beauty entrepreneur is redefining confidence through education, mentorship, and accessible beauty solutions across Nigeria.
What inspired you to focus specifically on confidence-boosting treatments, and how has this mission evolved since you started?
The inspiration behind Alé Beaute Clinic started during my time in London while I was in college. I’ve always been passionate about how I look and feel, especially about my skin and oral health. People often complimented me on my teeth, saying they looked like veneers because they were so straight. I wanted to enhance my smile by whitening my teeth without altering them, so I started researching options. That’s when I discovered Hollywood Whitening, a company in London. I booked an appointment, and the results were fantastic. My teeth became visibly whiter, and the compliments I received afterward only boosted my confidence further.
When I moved to Nigeria after university, I wanted to continue whitening my teeth. I visited a dental clinic in Lagos but was disappointed with the results—it only lightened my teeth by about three shades, despite the high cost. It became clear to me that there was a gap in the market, as many clinics didn’t invest in advanced teeth whitening devices or products that deliver visible results. I decided to fill that gap. I reached out to Hollywood Whitening, where I trained in
their techniques and saved up enough money to purchase my first teeth whitening device. At the time, I was working in the event space, running my own corporate events company, Douhal Events. After saving enough money, I shipped the device to Nigeria and started offering the service from my home.
Although I was initially unsure if people would take it seriously, I quickly became fully booked. Within a year, I saved enough money to rent my first treatment room in Lekki Phase 1, where I expanded my services and purchased additional equipment. Over time, Alé Beaute Clinic grew, and we’re now located in a larger space in Lekki Phase 1 with three treatment rooms. We’re able to cater to five teeth whitening clients, one laser hair removal client, and two facial clients simultaneously. As our teeth whitening services grew in popularity, we began attracting influencers and celebrities who loved the visible results and exceptional care we provided. One of our clients, Tracy Nwapa, who is a well-known figure, encouraged me to expand into laser hair removal. Although we had already received inquiries for this service, Tracy’s push gave me the confidence to take the leap. I invested in advanced training and purchased a laser hair removal device, which has since become one of our most popular offerings.
To ensure I could meet the growing demand and offer cutting-edge services, I also undertook advanced training in the Million Dollar Facial, Mesoestetic advanced skin treatments, and glutathione treatments. This growth has allowed Alé Beaute Clinic to become a trusted destination for confidence-boosting treatments, giving our clients visible results and empowering them to look and feel their best.
The aesthetics industry can sometimes be criticized for promoting unrealistic beauty standards— How does Ale Beaute Clinic balance enhancing natural beauty while empowering women to embrace their authentic selves?
At Alé Beaute Clinic, our goal has never been to change who our clients are but to help them feel like the best version of themselves. We focus on enhancing natural beauty through subtle, effective treatments while encouraging self-care and confidence. For example, during consultations, we often educate clients about realistic outcomes. One client came to us asking for laser hair removal because she felt self- conscious about her facial hair. Instead of simply providing the service, we discussed her concerns in-depth and explained how hormonal conditions like PCOS might contribute to excessive facial hair growth. We guided her toward managing the underlying condition with the help of a medical professional while also providing treatments to help her feel more confident. This dual approach helped her feel supported both physically and emotionally.
Similarly, when clients come in for teeth whitening or facials, we focus on highlighting how these treatments can enhance their unique features, not change them. For instance, a client wanted drastic whitening results after one session. We took the time to explain realistic outcomes, emphasizing oral health maintenance as a key to long-term results, which left her feeling informed and confident. In both our clinic and online messaging, we promote self-care over perfection. We remind clients that confidence comes not from erasing flaws but from celebrating and enhancing their authentic selves. By building trust and fostering realistic expectations, we empower women to embrace their natural beauty while feeling radiant and confident.
Could you share a pivotal moment that tested your resilience as a female entrepreneur?
When I first started Alé Beaute Clinic, I ran it from a small room in my house and eventually expanded into a professional space in Lekki Phase 1. Over time, as the business grew, I hired my first staff member to support the increasing demand. However, I faced a significant challenge when that staff member left without notice and started a competing business that was an exact replica of mine. She used a similar business name, logo, and even copied our Instagram captions—once accidentally leaving our handle in her post. It was devastating to discover that she had also been stealing money from the clinic, but without an employment. contract or evidence, I couldn’t take legal action. To make matters worse, she invited some of our clients to her new business, which left me feeling betrayed and disheartened.
Despite this setback, many of my loyal clients returned to Alé Beaute Clinic because of the trust and quality of care we had built over time. This experience was one of the most trying moments in my entrepreneurial journey, but it taught me invaluable lessons about protecting my business. I realized the importance of having proper legal safeguards in place, like employment contracts, and the value of creating a brand that stands out for its authenticity and exceptional service. This challenge ultimately strengthened my resilience and reminded me of the importance of staying focused on my mission—empowering women to look and feel their best.
How do you approach educating and building trust with clients about these innovative procedures?
We make education a key part of the client journey, from the first consultation to post-treatment check-ins. By empowering clients with knowledge, we build trust and ensure they feel informed and confident every step of the way. We also take education beyond the clinic by conducting Q&A sessions on our Instagram stories. This gives our followers the opportunity to ask questions about skincare, oral care, and our treatments, which we answer in real-time. It’s a great way to engage with our community, dispel myths, and provide valuable information to a wider audience.
As a woman leading in the beauty and wellness space, how have you worked to create an environment that supports and uplifts other women, both on your team and in your community?
I’ve created a beauty space that supports women in addressing their skincare and oral aesthetic concerns while boosting their confidence. Alé Beaute Clinic is a female-led space, and I’m intentional about empowering my team with the knowledge and skills they need to excel. We currently recruit only qualified dental nurses and registered nurses to ensure that our clients receive the highest level of care.
Our training combines both theory and practical sessions, covering service delivery, customer service excellence, consultation techniques, and the technical expertise required to operate medical-grade equipment. This ensures my team is equipped to provide exceptional client care while growing professionally in a supportive, women-led environment.
Many women struggle with self-confidence issues— How does Ale Beaute Clinic go beyond physical treatments to support clients in their overall confidence journey?
At Alé Beaute Clinic, we aim to be more than just a clinic—we’re a safe space where clients feel supported and understood. Sometimes, a listening ear during a consultation can be just as transformative as the treatment itself. Our in-depth consultations allow us to truly understand the concerns our clients bring to us. We take the time to educate them on underlying causes of skin or oral care issues.
For instance, some skin concerns like acne may stem from conditions such as PCOS, stress, or consuming the wrong foods, while others may result from not having the right skincare routine. By providing this education, we empower women to take charge of their personal well-being and build confidence beyond the treatments we offer.
Additionally, we go above and beyond by offering treatment review appointments to track progress and ensure our clients feel supported throughout their journey. At Alé Beaute Clinic, confidence-building starts with knowledge and continues with care.
What role has mentorship played in your entrepreneurial journey?
Mentorship has played a major role in helping me avoid mistakes I might have made otherwise and has encouraged me during seasons of disappointment and business downtimes. Looking up to my mentors, observing their experiences, and learning how they pivoted during challenging times have been instrumental in keeping Alé Beaute Clinic successful.
By adopting some of the systems and strategies that have worked for my mentors, I’ve been able to navigate challenges more effectively and streamline my
entrepreneurial journey. Mentorship has provided me with both practical guidance and the confidence to keep pushing forward.
Running a successful clinic requires both technical expertise and business acumen—How do you help other women in your industry develop these dual skill sets?
Aside from the consultations we offer, we’ve recently developed initiatives like PCOS Awareness Month and Oral Care Awareness Month. These campaigns are designed to educate and empower women by providing accurate information about common skincare and oral care concerns. Through these initiatives, we aim to raise awareness, encourage preventative care, and guide women toward effective solutions tailored to their unique needs.
We’re excited to announce that Oral Care Awareness Month will kick off in June, during which we’ll partner with dentists and other experts to offer consultations to attendees. By collaborating with professionals, we can ensure participants receive comprehensive guidance that addresses their concerns holistically. By combining education with personalized consultations and expert partnerships, we’re equipping women with the knowledge and tools to care for their skin and oral health. These campaigns also inspire others in the industry to recognize the power of blending expertise, education, and outreach to create a meaningful impact.
What client success story has most profoundly affected your understanding of the relationship between physical appearance and self-confidence?
I remember attending an event without any makeup on, as I usually do, and a young woman approached me to compliment my skin and teeth. She asked if I had veneers because of how bright my teeth were. I introduced myself, shared what I do at Alé Beaute Clinic, and explained that I didn’t have veneers but had undergone teeth whitening. I invited her to come in for a consultation. During her consultation, she opened up about struggling with acne scars for years and feeling hesitant to even look in the mirror. She also shared her dissatisfaction with the color of her teeth. We worked together on a series of acne treatments and one 90-minute teeth whitening session, combined with consistent support throughout her journey. Over time, her confidence blossomed, and she even participated in our testimonial series to share her transformation.
As your clinic continues to grow, how are you working to make confidence-boosting treatments more accessible to a broader range of women in Nigeria?
We’ve introduced consultations tailored to specific needs and offer packages to ensure our services are inclusive. For women outside Lagos, our virtual consultations provide them with access to expert advice from the comfort of their homes. We also offer medical-grade skincare and oral care products, including our teeth whitening kit, activated charcoal teeth whitening powder, teeth whitening toothpaste, and more. These products can be delivered to clients across Nigeria and internationally. By expanding accessibility, we ensure that women, regardless of their location, can benefit from our confidence boosting treatments and products.
Additionally, we have collaborated with Hairven in Port Harcourt, where we currently offer our laser teeth whitening services. As demand grows, we plan to expand our offerings there by introducing more of our treatments. Through these efforts, we are empowering a broader range of women to feel confident and radiant in their own skin, no matter where they are.
