I didn’t start Omez Beauty because I had everything figured out.
Far from it.
When I launched the brand, I was fresh out of school and in the middle of my NYSC service year in Lagos, Nigeria. I didn’t have a fancy office or a big team, I had a small cubicle, a laptop, and a heart full of big dreams. Most days, I was juggling service duties, Googling everything from product formulations to how to run an online business, and figuring things out as I went along. It was overwhelming at times, but also incredibly exciting.
But even in that chaos, one thing was clear: I saw a need.
Like many African women, I had spent years struggling with dry, brittle hair that never seemed to retain length. I tried countless products, some international, some local but nothing truly worked. It felt like I was wasting money, time, and hope. My hair would start to grow, then break off. I was frustrated, tired, and on the verge of giving up on my natural hair journey altogether.
Then, I discovered Chebe—an ancient African haircare ingredient used by women in Chad for centuries to grow and maintain long, healthy hair. It was like unlocking a hidden secret. Chebe didn’t just coat the hair; it strengthened it, moisturized it, and helped retain length in a way I had never experienced before. But sourcing real, authentic Chebe products was a challenge. What was available in the market was often diluted, overpriced, or difficult to trust.
That’s when the lightbulb moment happened:
What if I could create a trustworthy, high-quality Chebe-based product line made with love, care, and integrity?
That simple question birthed Omez Beauty.
I didn’t start with a perfect business plan or capital. I started with a belief that women like me deserved better. Better ingredients. Better education around haircare. Better results. Most importantly, better confidence in their natural beauty.
I began testing formulas, learning everything I could about Chebe, shea butter, and other nourishing African ingredients. I created small batches, gave them to friends and family to test, and collected feedback with an open mind. I designed the packaging myself, built a simple website, and launched with what I had. It wasn’t perfect but it was real.
I still remember our first order: March 18, 2020. A customer from Pennsylvania placed an order worth $140. I screamed at the top of my lungs, I was overjoyed. That one order felt like the universe whispering, “keep going.”
And I did.
Fast forward to today, Omez Beauty has served thousands of customers around the world. We now have an experience centre in the heart of Lagos, and a growing team that shares the same vision I had back in that NYSC cubicle. But beyond the numbers and achievements, what means the most to me is the community we’ve built, a sisterhood of women embracing their natural hair, thier culture, and their beauty.
Omez Beauty is more than just products.
It’s about empowerment. It’s about celebrating African heritage. It’s about growth from the inside out.
To anyone reading this who has a dream in their heart but feels overwhelmed by where to start-this is your sign. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just have to start. Start small. Start scared. Start unsure. But start anyway.
With love,
Victoria Abraham
Founder, Omez Beauty