Organic Life Plus manufactures and retails natural, organic and vegan-friendly beauty products. Their products are 100% pure and 80% sourced from the African continent. Their products are for every skin type and customer skincare concerns, after individualized skincare consultations. For hair care, they offer classes to aid the customer in understanding their hair better. They also provide 100% natural products that will not harm the customer’s hair. In addition, they provide different price points regarding volume and quality to satisfy a diverse customer base.
A quick Q and A session on the founder Rachel Asakome
EM: Tell us about you.
Rachel Asakome (RA) : I am the CEO of Organic Life Plus natural skincare products. I studied Accounting and Financial Management at Loughborough University England and moved back to Nigeria in 2012. I worked as a trainee financial analyst at UBA Capital for a year and went back to France for my second degree in International Business. I moved back to Nigeria entirely in 2014. I am a complete health and fitness enthusiast.
- EM: What does your business do
RA: Organic Life Plus manufactures and retails natural, organic and vegan-friendly beauty products. Our products are 100% pure and 80% sourced from the African continent.
- EM: What problems does your company solve?
RA: My business provides clean or chemical-free solutions to minor skin and hair disorders such as acne, eczema, rashes, scarring, dandruff, e.t.c.
- EM: How do you solve your customer’s challenges?
RA: We have products for every skin type. We break down our product offerings according to customer skincare concerns, and we offer individualised skincare consultations. For hair care, we offer classes to aid the customer in understanding their hair better. We also provide 100% natural products that will not harm the customer’s hair. In addition, we provide different price points regarding volume and quality to satisfy a diverse customer base.
- EM: Who are your ideal customers?
RA: Our ideal customer is health-conscious, cares about their beautyand not frugal to maintain such standards
- EM: Can you describe/outline your typical day?
RA: I start my day by preparing and dropping off my son for school. I prepare for work. I head to my office, delegate responsibilities to my staff, start production of work orders, reply to emails, conduct general administrative duties, and review daily work accounts. After a day at work, I pick up my son from school, provide attention to his care, and review his homework. At night, I plan social media content for incoming days. Then it is off to bed.
- EM: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
RA: In all honesty, it is a challenging task to balance entrepreneurship and family life. Nevertheless, entrepreneurship has granted some flexible time that a typical employee cannot afford.
- EM: What motivates you?
RA: Utilising natural skincare and body care regimens to return a woman to her femininity is my motivation.
- EM: How do you generate new ideas?
RA: I respond and adapt customers feedback. I monitor major skincare and body care retailers. I also read books on natural remedies ontheir benefits and uses.
- EM: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
RA: The fear of “not trying” is my greatest fear. I plan, do a cost-benefit analysis and execute ideas to mitigate such fears
- EM: How do you define success?
RA: Success to me is striking a good balance between family life and entrepreneurship.
- EM: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
RA: I simply do not think so. The path to success is subjective and unique. However, it does help to research success stories within the industry to avoid any possible mistakes.
- EM: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
RA: Flexibility is my favourite aspect of entrepreneurship.
- EM: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
RA: The day I made my first sale six years ago serves as a daily source of nostalgia
- EM: How did the idea for your business come about?
RA: I had acne problems and started to research natural remedies and willing to share such with other women. However, I decided to monetize this regiment and started to build a business.
- EM: What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
RA: The desire to become a significant player in the skincare and body care retail market.
- EM: How do you build a successful customer base?
RA: I endeavour to provide a broad price points to customers. I maintain good communication with my delivery channels to ensure seamless customer’s supply despite the hectic Nigerian roads. I am also receptive to customer feedback regardless of its veracity.
- EM: How do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?
RA: I utilise social media to share my work, make a contract with social media influencers to rate and market my products, produce smaller volumes for salons and spas to stock up and attend various functions to spread awareness.
- EM: What kind of culture exists in your organization, and how did you establish it?
RA: Intuition and resourcefulness are the centerpieces that increase efficiency within my business. These are my virtues that I transcribed into the manifest of my business.
- EM: What advice would you give to people who want to become entrepreneurs?
Perseverance, adaptability and strong support familial network are the mainstays that have continually fueled me in my ongoing pursuit of success. However, my keys may not be translatable to everyone, but I encourage entrepreneurs to find their keys.
- EM: If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
RA: I wouldn’t. I choose this path and willing to work hard for it.
- EM: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
RA: As I mentioned before, I can not dictate anyone’s path. How an individual finds a market niche to monetize will inherently create these three skills.
- EM: What entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-to-day busy schedule?
I have learnt to be a listener more than lecturing as my business grew.
- EM: What key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
RA: Research, research and more research in few words is my recommendation. An insatiable thirst for new ideas is worth the time.
- EM: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
RA: My mother is my greatest inspiration. I grew up admirably watching her set up and thrive in her business. She persevered through the cyclic life in her business. I intend to replicate and maybe superseded her in my business.
- Em: What business-related book has inspired you the most? (or, What is your favorite book?)
RA: My favorite book of fiction is “ The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. My favourite business book is “ Mastering the business cycle” by Howard Marks.
- EM: If you had a magic stick, which are the three things you would change in the world?
RA: Ending child abuse, poverty and racism are the top three on my long list.
- EM: What is the part of your life experience you would alter if you had the chance to?
RA: I would not change anything. Mistakes are part of the growing and learning processes.
- EM: If you were to write a book about yourself, how would you name it?
RA: “The fabric of my reality”.
- Oragnis Life Plus can be reached via the following details;
IG @organiclifeplus
Website: www.theorganiclifeplus.com
Whatsapp: 08093807493
Email: info@theorganiclifeplus.com
