Tara Fela-Durotoye is more than a beauty entrepreneur. She’s a pioneer who transformed Nigeria’s makeup industry, empowered thousands of women, and set the standard for impact-driven business in Africa. She found House of Tara in the late 90s and has become a role model for entrepreneurs across the continent, Tara’s journey offers timeless lessons on building a legacy that lasts.
Here are 8 lessons she teaches us about building businesses that stand the test of time:
Build beyond yourself
Tara shows us that a business tied only to the founder can’t last. Legacy comes when you create something that thrives without you.
Step Beyond the ‘Founder’s Shadow
If everything is about you, it’s hard to step into bigger rooms of influence. Tara reminds us that your business should free you to expand your significance.
Systems build scale
Behind every strong brand is a strong team. And behind every strong team are systems. Tara teaches us that empowering people requires structure.
Attract Talent and Investors With Structure
To attract investors and top talent, your business must stand on its own merit. Not on your name, not on your face, but on its structure.
Be Bold Enough to Pioneer.
In the late 90s, there was no “professional makeup industry” in Nigeria. Tara created it. Sometimes, the blueprint you need doesn’t exist, you’re the one meant to draw it.
Empower Others Along the Way
Through the Tara Beauty Entrepreneur Initiative, she’s empowered thousands of women to build businesses of their own. Legacy is about who rises because you did.
Protecting Your Work Means Protecting Your Industry
When counterfeit makeup flooded the Nigerian market, Tara Fela-Durotoye didn’t stay silent. She became one of the loudest voices leading the fight against fake products, championing quality, protecting customers, and preserving the credibility of the beauty industry.
Stay A Lifelong Learner
From Lagos Business School to Yale to Harvard, Tara never stopped learning. She proves that leaders stay relevant by staying curious.
Tara is showing us that building a legacy isn’t about success and significance and reminds us that a business can be profitable and purposeful, self-sustaining and transgenerational.
And now, she’s taking this message further.
On September 18th, she’s hosting a powerful conference themed “Building Beyond You” featuring top experts in the industry.
You can head on to www.buildingbeyondyouinstitute.com to register for the conference.
