Image credit: Nancy Ositelu
Nancy Ositelu is the Vice-President of the Chaurme Group – The Skincare and Wellness Company with branches across Nigeria & West Africa. Nancy is passionate about women development, sales sustainability and the beauty industry. She began her career in Cosmetics Science at Black Up Paris as a Sales Trainee before moving to management positions.
In this interview with Leading Ladies Africa, Nancy shares the inspiration behind birthing the Chaurme Group, why female entrepreneurs shouldn’t rest on their laurels, and rather aim for more, and words of wisdom for women to help them achieve their dreams.
Background Story
I had terrible skin while growing up. And after exploring I found formulas that worked for me, I wanted to do the same for others. This led to the establishment of Chaurme Beauty.
Chaurme Baby: I never wanted my kids to go through what I experienced; so, I decided to start early with them. When this worked, I decided to share with other women, skincare products with actives that were relatable and made with items they could find even in the kitchen.
Chaurme Men: We launched the Chaurme Men range because men have skin too, and we believe their skin deserves pampering.
Chaurme Labs: Few people perform research & development on beauty/cosmetics on this side of the planet. Therefore, we wanted more people to learn about their skin story and produce safe and sustainable beauty products for others. We saw that gap and we simply filled it.
Highlights for you since you founded “Chaurme”
It’s been rewarding to be recognized for having an impact in eco-conscious skincare. I also find it rewarding when someone contacts me and thank me for helping to restore their confidence.
Image credit: Nancy Ositelu
Handling Multiple Businesses:
I handle multiple businesses easily because they stem from ONE passion:
• Improving the culture of skincare and wellness in Africa.
• Providing all-inclusive skincare range for people globally via our various product ranges
Chaurme Baby: For babies/children
Chaurme Men: For men
Chaurme Beauty: For women
Chaurme Labs: We cannot influence culture holistically without influencing producers in these parts; hence, we are focused on improving their skill-set. We empower people to own their skin story and in turn, help others.
Running more than one business involves management training, investing in knowledge, building yourself, and then building your team. Talent is NOT enough to grow a business; let alone multiple businesses. It’s one thing to be creative and have an idea. It’s another to run the business from the talent and ideas you have. As an entrepreneur, you must be in command of every facet/part of your business.
Having a solid support system is also important as you are a human being with obligations outside work. You cannot focus with many parts or activities competing for your constant attention.
How you stay Innovative:
I question everything. I never follow the status quo because others are doing it. For Instance, can we use the home page for something more beneficial for our clients? Like helping them get their skin issues to get fixed faster without sleeping on our site. And yes, we did! I also abhor static and embrace change.
Image credit: Nancy Ositelu
Plans for Chaurme Beauty in Five Years:
Our tagline is our grand vision (the business plan for the next five years) – Providing Skincare & Wellness Solutions for People of the Earth (trademark). Everything we will be doing is geared to wholly embody that tagline.
Challenges: No business can have enough funding. Therefore, use this to your advantage and grow organically. Have your team think on their feet without simply throwing funds at a problem that doesn’t really need it. This method will also save you from drowning in self-imposed overhead costs.
Lesson: You’re not a robot. Choose a day to rest or your body will choose it for you.
Upcoming Projects:
We’re focused on improving impact on sustainable beauty by increasing homegrown raw materials by 90 percent. This will ultimately provide more jobs and reduce our carbon footprint. Additionally, this will help amplify our mission statement: Being Stewards of our Community & Stewards of the Earth.
Tips on Creating and Building an Impactful Business:
- Solve a problem. That solution will solve your money problems.
- Be consistent; because there will be crazy days.
- Find your ‘why’: Discover the reason you do what you do.
- Be your own cheerleader before others join in.
- You cannot cheerlead a lacklustre team for too long. Therefore, invest in knowledge and in your passion. Knowledge gives you confidence that nothing can beat.
- Don’t let your love for your product/service blind you to the needs of your clients.
- Embrace feedback.
- You will face a lot of competition. Always remember that time differentiates the hobbyists from the leaders.
- Make decisions for the future and not just for a present sale or contract.
This is what builds brand integrity and goodwill. It’s a currency that’s worth more than money.
The secret to your success:
Consistency: When the going gets tough, I tell myself- “I’ll try again today.”
Staying grounded: Success can be the biggest killer of success, stewing for too long on your last success can keep you on average.
Real secret: The Spirit of God is the owner and driver of this dream.
Image credit: Nancy Ositelu
Last Words to the Women in our Community.
- The limits are all in your head. They are NOT real. As a woman, challenge social conditioning that urges you to be like everyone else to fit in.
- Stand out! Be Exceptional and impactful right where you are. Living impactfully will place you on bigger platforms.
- You will only ever be what you see.
- Seize the day!
The Lady Boss Series is a weekly interview series that highlights the achievements and entrepreneurial journeys of African female entrepreneurs. The idea is to showcase the Leading Ladies who are transforming Africa and the African narrative through enterprise and business.
It is an off-shoot of Leading Ladies Africa, a non-profit that promotes leadership, inclusion and diversity for women of African descent.
If you know any kick-ass women of African Descent doing phenomenal things in enterprise, email lead@leadingladiesafrica.org, and she could possibly be featured.
